Diplomacy v. Armed Resistance: the Prisoner Swap v. the UNESCO Bid
Yazan Al-Saadi* | 14 Dec 2011
The drive for Palestinian self-determination has been split between two general tactics: armed resistance and diplomacy. The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas each represent one side of this debate. The PA, dominated by Fatah officials, is rooted primarily in diplomacy and negotiations. Indeed, the PA was born out of a …
Turning a New Page in an Old Yemeni Book
Daniel Martin Varisco* | 13 Dec 2011
Over a week ago Yemen’s beleaguered President Ali Abdullah Salih finally stepped down after taking power in North Yemen 33 years ago during a military coup. Having promised three times to sign a deal worked out by the Gulf Cooperation Council, the fourth time was finally the charm. Saudi television …
PODCAST Interview with Former Jordanian Foreign Minister, Marwan Muasher
Muftah Editors | 11 Dec 2011
In this Muftah podcast, we speak to Marwan Muasher, the former Jordanian Foreign Minister and current Vice-President of Studies for the Carnegie Endowment, about the rise of Islamism in Arab Spring countries, the opportunities for cross-border collaboration between regional states in transition, and the birth of a new Arab Nationalism. …
The Life and Times of Dennis Ross
Yazan Al-Saadi* | 8 Dec 2011
“Since the Reagan administration, Dennis Ross has played a crucial role in crafting Middle East policies that never served peace, which is today farther away than ever. His efforts, which contributed to the growth in the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied territories from under 200,000 in the 1980s …
MUFTAH BOOK CLUB: “Moroccan Monarchy & the Islamist Challenge”
Mohamed Daadaoui* | 5 Dec 2011
Muftah: What inspired you to write “Moroccan Monarchy & the Islamist Challenge – Maintaining Makhzen Power“? Mohamed Daadaoui (MD): I wrote the book as part of my doctoral dissertation. It emerged from a long-held interest in my country’s political system, especially the remarkable longevity of monarchical rule in Morocco. …
PODCAST Interview with Naif Al-Mutawa, Creator of the 99
Muftah Editors | 2 Dec 2011
In this Muftah podcast, we speak with Naif Al-Mutawa, creator of the 99, a comic book series inspired by Islamic principles. Since it was first founded in the mid-2000s, the 99 has been the subject of much praise and both in the East and the West. Along the way, it …
Syria and Iran at the Crossroads
Jubin Goodarzi* | 30 Nov 2011
One of the most fascinating developments in modern Middle East politics has been the emergence and continuity of Syria and Iran’s alliance. Beginning in 1979, the Tehran-Damascus axis has endured for over three decades despite many challenges and periodic strains in the relationship. Overall, the longstanding ties and cooperation between …
 
