A selective view of ‘democracy’
A familiar conventional wisdom about how the last two U.S. administrations have approached democratization abroad has come up repeatedly in connection with crises in several foreign countries. George W. Bush is seen as the president who tried to promote democracy actively and proactively, even using military force in the effort, while...Big media again pumps for Mideast wars
Journalistically, there’s a problem with this passage from Monday’s New York Times: “Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon of Israel … castigated Iran as being dedicated to a nuclear weapon and acting to deceive, and he repeated Israel’s warning that it would not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.” Can you tell what the flaw is?If...U.S. talks of “dismantlement” threaten Iran Deal
Iran’s pushback against statements by Secretary of State John Kerry and the White House that Tehran must “dismantle” some of its nuclear program, and the resulting political uproar over it, indicates that tough U.S. rhetoric may be adding new obstacles to the search for a comprehensive nuclear agreement.Iranian Foreign Minister...In praise of self-delusions: The State of the Union, Obama-style
There is no question that President Barrack Obama is a gifted orator. He rose to fame as the junior senator from Illinois, and was propelled to the White House, at least partly because of his skills as a speaker. In his five years as president, he has often used that skill when addressing the public.Yet his pretty words delivered in a...2014: The best year to become a citizen
Every year, millions of immigrants celebrate the New Year with their own traditions. For our family, it is a ham, kielbasa, horseradish, stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut and pierogis, which are a traditional Polish dishes. And each year, like billions of people around the world, we look forward to the new year with a list of hopes, dreams and...Congress must not cede its war power to Israel
The American people should know that pending right now in Congress is a bipartisan bill that would virtually commit the United States to go to war against Iran if Israel attacks the Islamic Republic. “The bill outsources any decision about resort to military action to the government of Israel,” Columbia University Iran expert Gary...How Saudi-Israeli tandem goads Obama
One of the most influential Saudi Arabian princes, Turki al-Faisal — the former Saudi intelligence chief who clearly reflects the Saudi royal government’s view — recently criticized President Barack Obama for weakness in the Middle East. The Israeli government is similarly disenchanted with Obama’s regional performance.Prince...Thirty years of commitment to chasing and reporting the truth
December 27th, 20130 Another year in the history of our community has passed. The past twelve months were filled with success, headache and heartbreak. Our community witnessed the election of qualified individuals to office, withstood the emergence of controversies and attacks, and endured the loss of some beloved members.As the Arab American News seals its...Sanctions against Iran harm innocent people, peace
What are President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry up to with Iran? First they boasted of a historic interim agreement with Iran regarding its civilian nuclear program — an agreement which demonstrates that the Islamic Republic won’t be making nuclear weapons — something it has shown no inclination to do anyway. Then...Academic boycott of Israel should open dialogue
On Dec. 15, the members of the American Studies Association (ASA) voted 66% in favor of endorsing the ASA National Council resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions in protest of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.The council applied standards predicated on evidence of institutional discrimination and made a gesture of...The deadly pawns of Saudi Arabia
Donors in Saudi Arabia have notoriously played a pivotal role in creating and maintaining Sunni jihadist groups over the past 30 years. But, for all the supposed determination of the United States and its allies since 9/11 to fight “the war on terror,” they have showed astonishing restraint when it comes to pressuring Saudi Arabia...Impossible dialogue
Chances are dim that elections will be held in Yemen next February. Yet without elections, the push for reforms and change that were inspired by the Yemeni revolution would become devoid of any real value. Yemenis might find themselves back on the street, repeating the original demands that echoed in the country’s many impoverished...The plot thickens: Gaza is flooded with sewage and conspiracies
The latest punishment of Gaza may seem like another familiar plot to humiliate the strip to the satisfaction of Israel, Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, and the military-controlled Egyptian government. But something far more sinister is brewing.This time, the collective punishment of Gaza arrives in the form of raw sewage that is...We should select our public servants based on qualifications, not ethnicity
Last week's municipal election in Dearborn was historic by more than one measure. Having an Arab American as Council President for the first time is by itself a milestone in Dearborn's history. And having a woman president is also remarkable. It was, however, disappointing to see only one woman elected out of seven council members...Why you should vote on November 5
We live in a community that prides itself on its pursuit of the American Dream. However, although voting is an essential part of the American experience, it remains a low priority for many local Arab Americans. Nevertheless, there is simply too much at stake in the elections this year to stay at home. Our cities are going through a......
Attack against pilgrims calls for renewed intrafaith cooperation
News that Michigan Muslims were attacked at Hajj recently, due to sectarianism, increases the need for American Muslim leaders and activists to cultivate a spirit of constructive engagement among the followers of Islam, especially in America.I personally know some of the Shia Muslims who were reportedly beaten, choked, threatened with...In the interest of justice
The phrase, “justice delayed is justice denied,” is well known and has been repeated many times by judges and others in the legal profession. This phrase carries significance with regards to the events that have taken place, surrounding Wayne County and the current investigation by the federal government.For the record, anyone...The sectarian war at hand: Redrawing the Middle East again
The warm waters of the Gulf look quiet from where I am sitting, but such tranquility hardly reflects the conflicts this region continues to generate. The euphoria of the so-called Arab Spring is long gone, but what remains is a region that is rich with resources and burdened with easily manipulated history that is in a state of reckless...Israeli-Saudi alliance slips into view
In a previous article titled “The Saudi-Israeli Superpower,” I described an emerging odd-couple alliance between those two traditional enemies. The story was met with skepticism in some quarters. But, increasingly, this secret alliance is going public.On Oct. 2, Israel’s Channel 2 TV news reported that senior Israeli security......
ADC turned its back on the community and its mission
October 11th, 20130 According to its own mission statement, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) "is a civil rights organization, committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage."However, the current leadership of the organization has turned its back on many Arab American women, who...Israel, the Six-Day War and self-defense
In a recent article, published by The Arab American News, Attorney Kassem Dakhlallah argues that Israel legitimately resorted to self-defense by preemptively striking the air forces of Egypt, Jordan and Syria in the June 1967 war. This is as an astoundingly flawed reading of the existing historical facts. Many folks continue to......
Congressional “mad dogs” render the powerful powerless
SHUTDOWN – blared the Washington Post headline. None of the powers-that-be could stop a small faction of Republicans in the House of Representatives from shutting down many federal government operations starting on October 1.Suddenly the powerful Business Roundtable and U.S. Chamber of Commerce are powerless, along with two hundred...People’s history of Gaza and Egypt: The bond cannot be broken
Egypt’s new ruler, General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, may not realize that the bond between Egypt, Palestine and especially Gaza is beyond historic, and simply cannot be severed with border restrictions, albeit they have caused immense suffering for many Palestinians.Gaza is being ‘collectively punished,’ and is now facing economic......