Middle East Politics
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Disengagement
What should Israel do in the face of continuing violence during the disengagement from Gaza.
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Standards
A UN report complains about the Iraqi standard of living, but there are problems with the analysis
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Groundswell
Recent events in the Middle East give rise to cautious optimism, except for the thugs running those countries threatened by the experience.
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Awards Show
A sendup of the awards shows that frequent the airwaves this time of year.
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Preventing Genocide
Genocide has been repeated throughout history, but it was only in the 20th Century that people became horrified at the results - particularly because of the mechanism by which an entire people could be eliminated from the planet with cold efficiency. Sadly, few want to take the steps to prevent genocide even as it occurs around the world today.
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Predictions for 2005
Predictions for the upcoming year - both funny and serious. You decide which is which.
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Homeland Security Funding Commission
It is time to fix homeland security funding with the establishment of a Homeland Security Funding Commission. Modeled on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, this new Commission would establish and dole out the funding according to strict need, not the political vagaries of Congress
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The Grand Game
Balance of powers is a traditional diplomatic approach practiced by nations, yet the current European efforts are balancing against the wrong nation. They see the US as the enemy, when they are siding with the enablers of terror.
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Election Madness
With the success of the Afghan elections behind us, we look forward to two key elections in the next three months - the United States Presidential election and the elections in Iraq in January 2005.
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CBS and the Rise of the Pajamahadeen
Dan Rather's deception of the American public would have gone uncountered if it were not for a group of bloggers who have gone on to be called the pajama bloggers.
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Vapor Trails
The war on terrorism isn't just about connecting the dots and identifying the failures of imagination, but it requires law enforcement and intelligence agencies to follow the vapor trails that the terrorists give off earlier and earlier to prevent another 9/11 mass casualty terrorist attack.
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When To Act
When is it acceptable to act to save the lives of innocent civilians who are suffering needlessly at the hands of tyranical regimes? Who should be responsible for toppling those regimes and allowing democracy to take hold?
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Commission of Omission
The 9/11 Commission, chartered with investingating the events on 9/11, has become politicized and its findings skewed by media determined to alter the outcome of the elections against the Administration, regardless of the actual findings.
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WMD and the Shell Game
US forces find sarin, mustard, artillery shells in the last month. Could the rest of the stash be far behind?
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Stability Is Overvalued
Stability as a theoretical concept is a great idea in foreign relations, but as a practical matter, it creates as many problems as it solves. Instability in the Middle East may do more to solve the intractible Arab Israeli conflict than the past 50 years worth of stability.
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Biodefense Strategy
The war on terrorist supporting states is far from over, but the similarities to a person's fight with cancer is remarkable.
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War of Ideas, Part II
Democracy is messy, so expecting Iraq to do better than the US is misguided at best.
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A War of Ideas, Part I
The war on terrorism is as much about ideas as it is about armed combat, but that doesn't mean that combat is worth any less than fighting the ideas.
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Misconceptions and Fixes
Democratic party candidates are perfectly willing to sacrifice the national security of the US for winning office in 2004. That outlook is unnecessary if you look in the right places.
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A Moment of Clarity
Syria has been put on notice by Israel for its continued support of terrorism. Israel struck back at the terror sponsors, in what is likely to be the first in a series of attacks on terrorist camps.
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Wrong Messages
Israel is often held to a double standard and many descriptive terms associated with the conflict are specifically designed to undermine Israel's legitimate national security interests.
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Child Warriors
Child warfare is a problem throughout the world's trouble spots, but it is particularly problematic in the Middle East. It starts real young in the Middle East. It shouldn't have to be like this.
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Human Rights
Human rights atrocities continue to be uncovered - atrocities committed by Saddam's henchmen. For this reason alone, the war to depose Saddam was justified.
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A War of Optimism
The war in Iraq is a war of optimism - hoping that the US can improve the Middle East by eliminating a true threat to stability and peace in the region.
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Interpretations
Interpretations of UN 1441 and other documents may be moot as the US prepares to eliminate the Iraqi regime, which is responsible for violating agreements to destroy chemical and biological weapons, as well as renounce any designs to obtain nuclear weapons
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Smoking Guns and Other Thoughts
Secretary of State Powell goes to the UN, the loss of the shuttle Columbia, and an individual involved in providing illegal documents to the 9/11 hijackers is released in a plea agreement.
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Appeasement
Appeasement is a sure-fire way to have larger, more dangerous problems in the long term. North Korea and Iraq are prime examples of why appeasement is a failed policy that should have been eliminated from foreign policy discussions years ago.
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Questions, Questions, and More Questions
Saudi involvement in global terrorism must be investigated. Questions must be raised about the cozy relationship between Saudis and terror groups, including al Qaeda.
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Outrage
Outrage over past events is a time-honored tradition in the Middle East and so is failing to do anything positive to prevent future events.
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President Bush Speaks at the United Nations
US President George W. Bush speaks to the UN and demands action and courage to stand up to the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein. Enforcement of UN Resolutions is the key to getting action against Iraq.
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One Year
One year has passed since the fateful day of September 11, 2001. Much happened, not all of it good.
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Thank You Mr. President, But More Must Be Done
In light of the terrorist bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem that killed seven, including five Americans, and wounded over 80, the US must step up its efforts to eliminate terrorism in the region.
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What's New?
Recent developments in the Middle East include a lower body count and possible steps towards new dialogues.
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Anger=Suffering
Anger needs to be directed at the leadership of several countries and organizations for their refusal to give up terrorism as a means of furthering national goals. Instead, we've got a muddled middle ground and it threatens world stability
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Say What?
Misinformation continues to hamper Palestinian aspirations for statehood. Israel refuses to acceed to world opinion to allow terrorists to go free after killing Israelis.
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The Meat Grinder
Violence is spiraling out of control and only the meat grinder is happy these days.
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Apologies
Apologies need to be made to many in the Middle East (and to my readers).
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Hide the Women and Children
Terrorists often target women and children, while the nations that are targeted seek to protect women and children, regardless of who they are and where they are. This stark contrast cannot be underestimated.
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Ground Zero
Ground Zero is a monument to those who have fallen and a testament to those who might create new Ground Zeros. There are those who will try and stop them from making that mistake again.
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A Nation Restored - Part II
The latest violence in Jersualem has sparked a crisis for the Palestinian leadership. Chairman Arafat has finally run out of rope and excuses. Either he must crush the extremists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, among others or he will be crushed by the Israelis who are seeking to eliminate the terrorism on its borders and infiltrating the bustling gathering places throughout the country. Arafat's next moves will be closely watched, because Palestinian statehood aspirations are at stake.
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A Nation Restored - Part I
Afghanistan is in need of being restored - and the United States, United Nations, and the Afghans themselves must commit themselves to creating the necessary infrastructure to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a terrorist homeland.
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The Memo
Hoaxes and rumors have a nasty habit of sticking around. The ones started in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks regarding the involvement of Israelis - Jews, only uncover the true hatred and moral bankruptcy of the regimes throughout the world that allow such statements to be made with impunity. Those regimes must give way to a freer society with democratic values at their core otherwise the hatred will overwhelm them.
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Anniversaries and Reflections
On my five-year anniversary, I look back at the core themes of the last five years. Terrorism, failure of states to deal with the basics of governance, and lack of conflict management skills continue to inflame an already flammable region.
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The Blame Game
Everyone likes to blame everyone else for the problems of the Middle East and the terrorist actions of September 11th.
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Improving Transportation Security in the US
Terrorism has struck the US and the US is struggling to deal with the aftermath. Transportation security is of the utmost concern as airliners and airports are not as safe as we should expect them to be. Improving them must be a top concern going into the future.
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Relief Efforts Continue
With the terrorist strikes against the Pentagon and World Trade Center, relief and emergency response numbers and sites have been made available.
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Laboring at the UN Conference on Racism
The UN Conference on Racism has turned into a mess - Israel and the US withdrew because of the vehement hatred towards Israel's treatment of Palestinians even though it is mostly unwarranted as a central focus of the conference.
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Civil Disobedience
Nonviolent demonstrations are the only way to effect change in the Middle East - something the Palestinians have yet to embrace.
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Equivalancies
The world community continues to slam Israel for defending its citizens against terrorist activities when the real outcry should be against the Palestinian Authority for unleashing the bloodshed in the first place.
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Targets of Opportunity
Terrorists strike at targets of opportunity (civilians) while the Israelis strike at the terrorists. Yet, only the Israelis are denounced in the press. What is wrong with that picture?
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The Devil You Know
Israel goes into the seventh month of near continuous violence and there is no end in sight. The focus should be on Arafat, who has steadily refused to bring an end to the violence because it suits him.
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Who's to Blame?
Who's to blame for the violence in the Middle East? Who cares what the answer is if noone seeks to actually deal with the underlying conflict in any meaningful way.
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Media Bias
Media bias is everywhere. Coverage of the Middle East is no different. However, the stakes can be much higher.
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Double Whammy
Ariel Sharon is the new Prime Minister of Israel, the Knesset has changed the methodology of selecting the Prime Minister for future elections, and the Hamas website was hacked.
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Is the Right of Return Wrong?
The right of return is a strange concept that is sure to bring more strife to a region already embroiled in conflict.
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Who is Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is the leading Likud contender to Prime Minister Barak who has called for new elections.
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Cult of Violence
The cult of violence perpetuates the violence between the Palestinians and Israelis. Neither side is willing, or capable, of breaking the cycle and moving towards a peaceful resolution.
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Distortions in the Sand
Recent events in the Middle East have been distorted by the media and blame lies with everyone involved.
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Deadlines, Peace, and Natural Gas
Peace in the region depends on the interdependence of the Israelis and Palestinians and recent natural gas finds may improve the odds for finding a peaceful resolution.
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Refugees and Peace
What happens to the Palestinian refugees if they are not included in the peace process in a meaningful manner?
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Stalling for Peace
The peace process is a fragile thing and as Palestinians and Israelis hurtle towards a September deadline, neither appears willing to make concessions to bring peace to the Middle East.
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Dual Capital Strategy
What is old is new again, as the Jordanian King Abdullah suggests a dual capital strategy for resolving the differences between the Israelis and Palestinians.
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Sitting Down at the Poker Game
Negotiating a peace deal has a lot in common with a high-stakes poker match. Knowing when to bluff and knowing your competitors is as important as the cards you hold.
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A Jerusalem Proposal
Jerusalem is the stumbling block in the peace process, but also the possible key to its solution
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A Merry Bombing Campaign
Iraq is hit with another bombing attack by the US while President Clinton tries to stave off impeachment
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Peace at Hand?
Interim peace agreement reached at Wye Plantation Conference - will it do any good?
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News Roundup
Cabinet Revisions in store for Palestinian Authority, Israel continues to be involved in Lebanese quagmire and the UN takes aim on latest Israeli activities in Jerusalem
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The Next Fifty Years
A look forward at what issues might face the State of Israel on the eve of its 50th Anniversary of its founding.
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The Environmental Legacy of the Persian Gulf War
Examine some of the lasting effects of the Persian Gulf War. The Persian Gulf War caused tremendous and widespread damage to the landscape of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait with longterm consequences.
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Peace Moves Slowly
Recap of latest events in the Middle East including Jonathan Pollard-Israel admission, the Islamic Hajj, Lebanese-Israeli relations and the peace process
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Peace Process - A New Chapter
Welcome to Peace Process; an examination of the strategies and techniques used by the participants in the Middle East peace process.
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Terrorism: Politics By Other Means?
Terrorism is the new political movement to get things done the way you want instead of using overt war or diplomacy to achieve your goals as a nation-state.
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Water, Water No Where
Water is the most vital resource to mankind, yet the Middle East lacks sufficient water resources for growth and stability. The next major war in the Middle East will probably be over water, not oil.
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