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Ramallah, Palestine - The Muslim world does not see the West like the West sees itself. Many Muslims think that because western countries are predominately Christian, they are Christian states. Therefore, they readily blame the sins of the West on Christianity. If Europe refuses to accept the predominately Muslim Turkey into the EU, it will further Muslim suspicion of Christian countries.
Ramallah, Palestine/Amman, Jordan - The departure of Rumsfield and Bolton from the political scene, the bipartisan Baker-Hamilton report, and the frank talk of Jimmy Carter are all signs that Americans are finally beginning to realize that Israel is a liability and not an asset to their global interests. However, there is still a long way to go before the end of U.S. hegemony in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Israel, unfortunately, is still a domestic issue for the United States and the strength of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee hasn't weakened despite attempts by U.S. academics to expose them.
Ramallah,Palestine/Amman,Jordan - In Palestine and Jordan the quota system has been applied to give women representatives kick start into politics. A handful of women are now in village and city councils and in parliament. But while this has increased the visibility of women, the political experiment has yet to produce any serious policy changes. Women continue to suffer poverty and unemployment as well as physical violence and discrimination on various levels.
Ramallah, Palestine - For the second time since taking office, Mahmoud Abbas has taken a strong position. He has finally laid down the gauntlet for the opposition. Now Hamas must either create a national unity government that can end the siege on the Palestinian people, or lose power.
Amman, Jordan - My favorite proverb at these times is "if your house is made of glass, don't throw stones at your neighbors." This is relevant to the issue of Iran's nuclear capability and the campaign by the U.S. and Israel against it.
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