In The News

Gauging Terror – Part I, Lebanon

Fawaz A. Gerges August 15, 2006
The world remains divided about the best way to respond to extremism – fierce military retaliation versus controlled anger that focuses on diplomacy, tolerance and the power of example. This two-part series examines the viability of two responses: Israel’s fierce invasion of Lebanon after the kidnapping of two soldiers and India’s restrained reaction after train bombings in Mumbai that killed...

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop: How Inevitable Is an Islamist Future?

Cameron Brown August 15, 2006
Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, observers have anticipated the next big Islamist takeover. Analyzing attempts at power grabs and current trends, Cameron Brown concludes that, in fact, democracy is proving the most effective way for Islamist groups to take control of state apparatus. For now, Islamist parties are the major opposition party in many states throughout the Middle East, and Brown...

Now Is the Time to Think Big in the Middle East

Joschka Fischer August 9, 2006
Israel’s dual conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah amount to a war by proxy, according to German author Joschka Fischer, who suggests that the two groups coordinated attacks to provoke an extreme response from Israel. Backing the attacks are Syria and Iran, which seek greater control throughout the Middle East. The attacks did manage to push any recognition of Israel by Hamas leaders to the back...

A Poisoned Relationship

Matthias Gebauer August 9, 2006
Historically, the United Nations and Israel have been at odds. The UN repeatedly scolds the nation for its actions, and many Israelis view the UN as weak in controlling militant groups that claim Israel has no right to exist. The relationship between the Israel and the UN can only erode more, following the Israeli bombing of the UN post in Lebanon. Israeli media have downplayed a story that...

The War We Must Win, The War of Values

Tony Blair August 4, 2006
Moderation, stability and peace are still possible in the Middle East, argues Tony Blair, the British prime minister. “An arc of extremism” has invaded the region, and global conflict is said to rage at several levels: between West and East, between radical Islamists and moderate Muslims; between democratic and despotic governance. Values that inspire citizens to solve major problems can unite...

In the Midst of War, Bloggers Are Talking Across the Front Line

Sarah Ellison August 3, 2006
Both Israeli and Lebanese citizens rely on the internet to provide live updates of their experiences. Before the fighting started, communications across the border were rare, as Lebanon prohibits Israeli citizens from crossing the border, and there are no phone connections between the two states. While most of the bloggers are Western educated, the conversations come in all forms, ranging from...

What Can Israel Achieve?

Immanuel Wallerstein August 2, 2006
There has long been violence between Arabs and Jews, particularly after the creation of Israel in 1948. By relying on its strong military and outside support – first from the Soviet Union, then France and later the US – Israel has survived as a nation. But some question how long this strategy will work. Pointing to parallels between US President Bush’s invasion of Iraq and Israel’s conflict with...