November 16th

Morsi's Gaza Challenge In Print by Hussein Ibish - The Daily Beast (Opinion) - November 16, 2012 - 1:00am Reports that open areas near Tel Aviv or waters off its coast were struck by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip have transformed the politics and psychology of the conflict, making a major Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip much more likely. » Read more

November 13th

Arab Americans Need Political Normalization In Print by Hussein Ibish - The Daily Beast (Opinion) - November 12, 2012 - 1:00am Following the recent election, and noting the growing influence of nontraditional power blocs such as Latinos, Arab Americans have again raised the question of how they can become politically empowered. There is only one answer: become politically "normal" Americans. » Read more

November 6th

A Memo to the US President In Print by Hussein Ibish - NOW Lebanon (Opinion) - November 6, 2012 - 1:00am Dear Mr. President: congratulations on winning today's election. The third debate with your esteemed opponent reflected a broad consensus on foreign policy. Both of you therefore appeared well-positioned to make any necessary course corrections, but the job is yours. US Middle East policy needs to be tweaked rather than overhauled. On most pressing issues, current policies reflect a reasonable balance between American values and interests, and the really existing options and politically plausible positions for any administration.  » Read more

November 1st

The Next US Administration and Palestine In Print by Hussein Ibish - Al-Hayat (Opinion) - October 31, 2012 - 12:00am Whoever wins the election, President Barack Obama or his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, will face the same fundamental problem regarding Palestine. » Read more

October 25th

Hamas Rising? In Print by Hussein Ibish - Ynetnews (Opinion) - October 25, 2012 - 12:00am Is everyone conspiring to undermine the Palestinian Authority and promote Hamas? This morning, in the context of yesterday's visit of the Emir of Qatar to Gaza, with his pledges of massive financial and diplomatic support, it sure looks that way. The biggest threat to the PA is a fiscal crisis originating in its quixotic U.N. membership bid of September 2012, which produced a confrontation with its main donors, particularly the United States. » Read more

American Elections Matter and the System is Open In Print by Ziad Asali - Al-Hayat (Opinion) - October 25, 2012 - 12:00am The silly season, the protracted multibillion dollar period of escalating frenzy leading up to US national elections, is coming to a close. All that is said or done in this season is fair if it is deemed legal. The game ends with one winner while two parties share the uneven pie of diffuse power across the nation.  The United States and its elections matter. What other countries do not know about the US system, including elections, cost them. » Read more

October 16th

The Lessons of Novembers Past In Print by Hussein Ibish - Ynetnews (Opinion) - October 16, 2012 - 12:00am Historically, November often signifies numerous crucial turning points in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The lessons of Novembers past demand close attention. Palestinians and Israelis can learn from them to address their differences and common future, and American leaders to be more balanced. » Read more

October 9th

Hamas in transition In Print by Hussein Ibish - NOW Lebanon (Opinion) - October 9, 2012 - 12:00am The recent exchange of attacks between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip is unlikely to lead to a broader conflict, but it helps illuminate some of the dramatic changes happening within Hamas. It is yet another indication of the increasing willingness of Hamas factions in Gaza to resume not only countenancing but participating in rocket attacks against Israel. This, in turn, reflects the increasing influence and independence of more militant elements within the organization and their strategy for trying to wrest control of Hamas away from externally-based leaders.  » Read more

October 2nd

Western double standards and free speech In Print by Hussein Ibish - NOW Lebanon (Opinion) - October 2, 2012 - 12:00am In my recent columns I've been critical of calls for a global "blasphemy" ban from the Organization of Islamic Conference and other Muslim leaders. But free-speech protections, if they are to be meaningful, must be universal. The greatest threat to them is double standards that are the bedrock of advocacy for the slippery slope of restrictions. » Read more

September 26th

No Drama at Turtle Bay In Print by Ziad Asali - The Daily Beast (Opinion) - September 26, 2012 - 12:00am At the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting, the world will be watching—though with markedly less intensity than last year—to see what the Palestinians will do. » Read more