Washington Watch Articles From 2023
The China/Saudi Arabia/Iran Agreement: Cautious Optimism is Required
Pundits and politicians have had their say on the announcement in Beijing that after four days of negotiations, agreement has been reached between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore diplomatic ties. While reactions have ranged from euphoria to cynicism to outright hostility, reality dictates that cautious optimism is the better course.
The Lesson of Aqaba: Half-Measures Won’t Work
If the February 26, 2023, Aqaba Summit accomplished anything, it was to demonstrate the inadequacy of US policy toward Israel/Palestine.
It Will Only Get Worse
As Russia’s devastating war in Ukraine is entering its second year, with no end in sight, serious questions must be asked about the way forward.
Jimmy Carter Is Our Greatest Former President
The battle over the legacy of an American president begins the moment they leave office. Historians debate their contributions, reporters examine their records, and the public weighs in with their memories. Jimmy Carter in London in 1977.
Real Journalism Asks Tough Questions
While there are exceptions, too often both the Israeli and Arab press fail miserably when it comes to reporting on violent acts in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Already this year, there have been dozens of murderous assaults by Israeli forces into Palestinian populated areas and deadly Palestinian attacks against Israelis. Aspects of the press coverage of both have been particularly upsetting.
Forcing Lebanon’s Parliament to Act
Several weeks ago, I wrote an article outlining a radical proposal Ralph Nader and I put forward for discussion. The proposal called on Lebanon’s civil society to petition the United Nations to declare Lebanon a Chapter VII “failed state” requiring international intervention.
Our Message to Secretary Blinken
I was part of a small delegation of Arab Americans invited to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken the day before his recent visit to Egypt, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. Our meeting came on the heels of two tragic days in Israel/Palestine.
Twenty Years Ago: The Debate We Should Have Had on Iraq
Twenty years ago this month, the U.S. was rushing headlong into war with Iraq—a war that has proven to be one of the most fatal and consequential travesties in modern American history. What follows is the story of how one congressman and I tried and failed to get the Democratic Party on record opposing that war.
American Democracy at Risk
There can be no question that American democracy is at risk. Just two years ago, thousands of insurrectionists stormed and occupied the Capitol building in a failed attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 elections. They were supported by the majority of Republican members of Congress who falsely claimed the election outcome was fraudulent.
Hebron and Jerusalem: The Impact of Loss of Control
At its core, the struggle over the future of Jerusalem isn’t only about religion. Though it may sound sacrilegious to some, the core issue extends beyond historical claims to holy sites or who gets to pray where and when. It’s also about power. Specifically, it’s about Israel’s continuing penchant
A Radical Idea to Save Lebanon
Without exaggeration, Ralph Nader is one of the transformational figures in recent US history. Because of efforts he helped lead, we drive safer cars, have cleaner water and air, and have a range of safety protections in our homes and places of work. It wasn’t easy. To build the movement for change, he had to confront major US corporations, banks, and powerful political lobbies, all of whom had entrenched interests in maintaining the status quo.
Not So Much a New Year, as a Continuation of Last Year
As 2022 draws to a close, we go through the familiar ritual of celebrating the end of the old year, while heralding the new one. There’s the false promise of change and new beginnings. We make resolutions—to stop smoking, lose weight, find more time to relax—the same ones we’ve made before and failed to keep, hoping against hope that this time will be different. Unfortunately, it won’t be, because it takes more than a new page on the calendar to alter our behaviors. What’s true for people is also true for the world in which we live.