By filming James Foley’s murder and distributing the video across the internet, the Islamic State appalled a world already grown accustomed to the nightmare horrors of terrorism. Al Qaeda executed a violent campaign in Saudi Arabia in 2003 and 2004 reminiscent of that of the present-day Islamic State. Images of executions bring terrorism and the […]

The latest violence in Gaza could lead to a positive outcome, but only if all sides are willing to make painful compromises. The confrontation between Israel and Hamas in Gaza again raises the nagging question of how to settle the Middle East’s most enduring conflict. As Israelis, Palestinians and the international community seek a much […]

The announcement that Haider al-Abadi will succeed Nouri al-Maliki as Iraq’s new prime minister is welcome news for Iraqis. Maliki once claimed to seek inclusiveness as Prime Minister. By 2010, however, as political alliances became more clearly drawn along strict sectarian lines and after his delayed appointment to a second term, Maliki turned to sectarian […]

Israelis and Palestinians must dramatically overhaul their approach to reaching peace, i.e., a paradigm shift in approach. Before negotiators return to the table, their respective leaderships must address the issues and attitudes of their populations in a direct and blunt conversation, the kind of conversation that requires leadership the region has not seen since Menachim […]

The United States seeks democracy and inclusive government while Iran looks for Shi’as to dominate Iraq. The blitzkrieg-like advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham in Iraq and its successive victories in that country’s Anbar, Ninewah, Diyala and Salah al Din provinces have provoked fanciful speculation of cooperation between the US and […]