The EU find a way for Trump to back off of his “maximum pressure” strategy while allowing him to claim a victory, even if he lies about it, as the president did with Mexico. That path is risky, because it calls for a firmer, more direct stance from the European Union. We know how Trump treats allies who stand up to him. But it is a far smaller risk than the current situation, where one mistake could lead to the widest Mideast war yet, threatening the lives of millions and crippling the global economy.Continue Reading

A false narrative that portrays Palestinians as less than human, violent, and unworthy of sympathy not only reinforces the very impunity that leads Israel to continue its siege, occupation, and growing apartheid, but feeds Palestinian despair, hopelessness, and, perhaps most importantly, degradation. How must it feel to repeatedly see such indifference to the kind of suffering that is daily life in Gaza, punctuated by “flareups” that destroy more infrastructure, level more buildings, and take more lives?Continue Reading

Advertisements President Donald Trump has apparently decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The announcement, expected to come on Wednesday, has already elicited sharp responses. Surprisingly, though, the real danger is, if anything, being understated. The danger in this move is ironically epitomized in the statement by the dovish, pro-Israel group, J Street. Their president, Jeremy Ben-Ami,Continue Reading

Saudi Arabia is now a very unstable monarchy. That could change over time, but it also could get worse. Moreover, MbS’s “bold steps” in Yemen, with Qatar, and even at home have thus far proven to be detrimental for all, including for Saudi interests. This is where the president of the United States has put not only his faith, but the fate of the entire Middle East, with repercussions that will certainly be felt in the United States. That should concern us all.Continue Reading