Arab World

The making of a third intifada emerge

Occupied Jerusalem: Like many residents of the prosperous Occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Shuafat, Waleed Abu Khudair lives a life in two cultures: His neighbours are predominantly Palestinian, but his boss and customers at a popular West Jerusalem bakery are Jewish. It’s a dualism that has worked for years. But […]

Bishop Matar calls for inter-Islamic dialogue

The Daily Star BEIRUT: Maronite Bishop of Beirut Boulos Matar called Sunday for dialogue between different Muslim religious groups to end the “purposeless” struggle, stressing that Lebanon was the best example of religious coexistence. “[We] need an Islamic-Islamic dialogue to save the Eastern people from all the wars that threaten […]

The tragedy of the Arabs

A THOUSAND years ago, the great cities of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo took turns to race ahead of the Western world. Islam and innovation were twins. The various Arab caliphates were dynamic superpowers—beacons of learning, tolerance and trade. Yet today the Arabs are in a wretched state. Even as Asia, […]

Kurdish diplomat cool to Israeli scheme

JERUSALEM: A Kurdish diplomat has played down the significance of Israeli advocacy of independence for her people, saying this was not coordinated with the autonomous Kurdish government in Iraq and may be intended to serve Israel’s interests. While acknowledging that Israel had sway in Washington, which wants to prevent a […]

No peace in Palestine in 2014: As violence escalates, the hope for peace between Palestinians and Israelis in 2014 has disappeared

Daoud Kuttab Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris professor of Journalism at Princeton University Even though the United Nations has declared 2014 as the year of solidarity with the Palestinian people, there are indications that this year will not bring the peace that Palestinians and Israelis […]

The Middle East: The tragedy of the Arabs : A civilisation that used to lead the world is in ruins—and only the locals can rebuild it

A THOUSAND years ago, the great cities of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo took turns to race ahead of the Western world. Islam and innovation were twins. The various Arab caliphates were dynamic superpowers—beacons of learning, tolerance and trade. Yet today the Arabs are in a wretched state. Even as Asia, […]