Dr. Shehab Al Makahleh In our interconnected world, the media’s role in shaping public perception cannot be overstated. The coverage of events and incidents by news outlets is a primary source of information for billions of people. However, the media’s portrayal of events is often marred by biases, …
Read More »Jordan’s Leap into the Unknown and the Burden of Confederal Ambitions
By Saleem Al Batayneh In an era marked by global complexities and regional turbulence, Jordan’s reemergence of confederation discussions with the West Bank is a disconcerting leap into the unknown. This proposition, floated by a former official, reeks of political myopia—a blindness to reality that threatens to dismantle …
Read More »US bets on Gaza cease-fire talks as assassinations tilt Mideast toward bigger war
“The concern is is this going to cause an escalation because in downtown Beirut they took somebody out, and in downtown Tehran they took someone out,” Reed said. “The question is what effect will it have on negotiations. I don’t think it will help it, I think it …
Read More »Ismail Haniyeh’s Killing in Iran Brings Israel Closer to Victory
The death of Hamas’ leader leaves the organization headless and less able to develop a strategy going forward. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran on July 31. Haniyeh was one of the most well-known faces of Hamas in the region. Ever since he took over Hamas’ …
Read More »Donald Trump Should Worry: Kamala Harris Is No Pushover
There has not been anything weird about Kamala Harris’ rollout of her campaign for the presidency. She’s moved swiftly to consolidate control over the delegates to the Democratic convention in Chicago, which will serve as a coronation if the elation surrounding her among Democrats is anything to go …
Read More »The New Face of War: Addressing the Reality of World War III
Dr. Shehab Al Makahleh As the new American president, whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, takes office, a critical issue awaits on their agenda: the reality of World War III. Contrary to popular belief, World War III is not a distant specter but a grim reality unfolding before …
Read More »Russia-Ukraine: Could an Istanbul Deal Have Brought Peace?
The experience of the post-Soviet republics with security-related agreements with Moscow is such that the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian talks had little chance of success. There are those who believe that Moscow’s signing of a document at Istanbul in 2022 – if one allows for the possibility of such scenario …
Read More »Kamala Harris fends off claims of antisemitism from GOP — while nodding to suffering in Gaza
Even as prominent left-leaning groups coalesce around Harris this week, they are signaling limits to their support based on how she approaches the Israel-Hamas War. Confronting Netanyahu, they urge, is key to reclaiming the support of Democrats who in battleground states like Michigan voted for “uncommitted”in the primary …
Read More »Iran’s Looming Succession Crisis
As the Islamic Republic of Iran enters a critical juncture, the future of its leadership remains shrouded in uncertainty. The recent election of Masoud Pezeshkian to the presidency may have grabbed headlines, but the true contest for power lies in determining who will succeed the aging Supreme Leader, …
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