What’s really happening in Syria?
The Holy Triumvirate — the United States, NATO, and the European Union — or an approved segment thereof, can usually get what they want. A woman wearing a Syrian national flag bearing images of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad around her neck, takes part in a rally to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the Baath...We must demand boycott, divestment and sanctions at the University of Michigan
As we write this piece, more than 5,300 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israeli jails. Zero Israelis are imprisoned in Palestinian jails. A total of 24,813 Palestinian homes have been demolished by Israel since 1967. Zero Israeli homes have been demolished by Palestinians since then. Some 172 Jewish-only settlements and 101 “outposts”...Israel-Iran matters get worse in verse
A lyrical attack by Germany’s acclaimed novelist and essayist Günter Grass in which he labeled Israel’s alleged atomic arsenal and looming preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear installations a threat to world peace has triggered fury and controversy amongst Israelis. In his 66-line poem entitled ‘What Must Be Said’ and...Hana Shalabi: The bravest form of nonviolence
No sooner had Khader Adnan ended his 66-day life-threatening hunger strike than new urgent concerns are being voiced for Hana Shalabi, another West Bank hunger striker now without food for more than 24 days. Both strikes were directed by Palestinian activists against the abusive use of administrative detention by Israeli West Bank...How dangerous Is Iran?
According to the doctrine of pre-emptive war, Iran can be attacked based on its alleged desire to develop nuclear weapons, just as Iraq was attacked in 2003. In fact, Congress is currently debating whether a nuclear capability alone (which Brazil, Japan, and many other countries enjoy) could justify the ‘preventive’ attack.I believe...NO to AIPAC, NO to Israel and NO to war
Those who hoped President Obama might bring a new approach to foreign policy have been repeatedly disappointed. On Sunday, Obama had a chance to partially redeem himself. He failed. Speaking at the conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), he declared, “I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from...Michigan company steps in where banks fail small businesses
Bankers aren't lending. The federal government passed stimulus packages for small business, which small businesses never saw nor could access. In this economic blunder, the small business owners and entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of the economy and account for 70 percent of the new jobs, have been hit the hardest.Ned Homfeld, an...Anthony Shadid: A man for others
New York Times' reporter, Anthony Shadid died unexpectedly this week. With his passing we lose America's finest reporter on Arab World issues — at the time when Americans need his work more than ever. The importance of Shadid’s writings to Americans and Arabs cannot be overstated. His reporting was unique, reflecting both his...
It’s time to support Ficano, new executive team
February 24th, 20120 Dwelling on past mistakes only hurts Wayne County Robert FicanoNow that the start of a new year is upon us it is time to take a different approach to our County of Wayne. It is indeed all of our county, in many ways the anchor of much of our state. Home of GM, Ford, the Tigers, the Lions, downtown Detroit, Metro Airport and almost...Hunger strike renews urgency: Demand boycott of Israel now
Khader Adnan’s life was just saved. He paid a terrible price for his freedom. He paid with a health-shattering two months on hunger strike. Shackled, starving, and surrounded by Israeli soldiers, he defeated them all. The Palestinian people are often shackled, often starving, and always surrounded by Israeli soldiers.Yet they just...
Israel will not strike Iran in the near future
February 22nd, 20120 Israel will not strike Iran without securing Washington’s approval. The Obama administration expects the sanctions on the Islamic Republic to work. As the U.S. economy starts to improve and the troops return home the last thing Americans want is a new war.The mood in Israel is different from that of the U.S. Iran’s suspect...BDS: Power of the people at work
The issue is not about hummus, chocolate bars or Dead Sea vacations. It is about civil society taking full responsibility for its own action (or lack of). The issue is not exactly about Israeli products either, but rather about how even a seemingly innocent decision like buying Israeli dates may enable the continued subjugation of the...Landmark home loan settlement presents new opportunities for struggling homeowners
DETROIT — For those who will never be able to repay their existing home loan, today’s loan modification programs are nothing short of a golden opportunity. While the concept of modifying a loan is legally legitimate in its purpose, the inability of homeowners to seek the correct assistance has left millions “underwater.” Prior to...Israel vying for war: Attacking Iran will not repeat history
On April 10, 2002, then British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the House of Commons, “Saddam Hussein's regime is…developing weapons of mass destruction, and we cannot leave him doing so unchecked.” A year later, Blair, enthusiastically joined a U.S.-led coalition that launched an illegal war against Iraq. Their hunt for...White House gets it wrong on Palestine…again
A report in Ha’aretz last week confirmed that former diplomat Dennis Ross has continued to serve the Obama Administration, despite his resignation last November. This news is troubling for a number of reasons. Ross has been involved in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations for well over a decade, advising the past three......
Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies
February 2nd, 20120 Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?The violence grows worse. The Arab League throws up its hands in despair. Madame Clinton may huff and puff at the United Nations. But the Syrian regime and the stalwarts of the old Baath party...Egypt one year on: Stark message for Arab revolutionaries
Egypt's military council, backed by Islamist and secular political parties, has upstaged the 25 January celebrations of the anniversary of the protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak even before the party gets underway. The military pre-empted plans by the revolutionary youth and militant soccer fan groups whose mass protests......
Who wants war with Iran?
January 26th, 20120 On Sept. 21, 1976, as his car rounded Sheridan Circle on Embassy Row, former Chilean ambassador Orlando Letelier was assassinated by a car bomb. Ronni Moffitt, a 25-year-old American woman who worked with Letelier at the leftist Institute for Policy Studies, died with him. What we do know is that "Bibi" Netanyahu is desperate to have the...
“We the people,” not “We the corporation.”
January 26th, 20120 The editor of The Hill, a newspaper exclusively covering Congress, said that Congress was not going to do very much in 2012, except for "the big bill" which is extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment compensation, which expire in late February. That two month extension will likely reignite the fight between Democrats and...The phony war over which U.S. party loves Israel most
"No Aid to Israel?" wonders a recent Facebook ad sponsored by U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. "Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and Newt Gingrich say they would start foreign aid to Israel at zero. Reject their extreme plan now!" the ad implores, directing people to sign a petition to that effect on my.barackobama.com ("Stand...Aljazeera coverage: The revolution will be televised, and also manipulated
In the final days of the Libyan conflict, as NATO conducted a nonstop bombing campaign, an Aljazeera Arabic television correspondent's actions raised more than eyebrows. They also raised serious questions regarding the journalistic responsibility of Arab media — or in fact any media — during times of conflict. AlJazeeraUsing a......
Foreign intervention would compromise Syrian opposition uprising
January 11th, 20120 The current presence of the Arab League in Syria is of little value. This regional body has minimum credibility and capacity to manage conflict. As the League proves it is unable to handle Syria, aggressive alternatives of external intervention are getting louder. The truth is that only Syrians can and should reform Syria. Through...Arab League Syria suspension illegal under organization’s charter
Is the Arab League legally justified in suspending Syrian membership within the league in order to resolve this issue? —absolutely not. A clear violation of the Arab League Charter occurred when someone concocted the idea to “suspend” Syria from the League, which resulted, in essence in the quasi-expulsion of the Arab state.......
ICA built on the unifying principles of Islam
To our respected community, peace be upon you: The Islamic Center of America brings you greetings and salutations while the entirety of mankind celebrates the birth of the Prophet Esa and the New Year of 2012. During this time of celebration by followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, it is appropriate to promote a new...
Who’s inventing, Newt?
December 25th, 20110 In the wake of Newt Gingrich's ridiculous comments about Palestinians being an "invented" people I'd like to make a recommendation: Newt, before making historically inaccurate statements, please go read up on Middle East history. Palestinians strongly began to assert their Palestinian identity as far back as the 1930s.......