One of the weaknesses of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS is that America isn’t trusted as a messenger in much of the Arab world. So it is important that Jordan’s King Abdullah II seems ready to play an unusually visible role in organizing Arab opposition to the extremists. Abdullah is moving against the jihadis on… اقرأ المزيد
As prospects for the emergence of new sectarian and ethnic entities rise in the Middle East to replace illegitimate, authoritarian states, it is necessary to ask what will happen to Lebanon, the only Arab state that has sought to build its political system around a formula for sectarian compromise. Lebanon’s most pressing danger is the… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein Dakroub| The Daily Star BEIRUT: The parliamentary Future bloc pledged Tuesday to uphold its dialogue with Hezbollah on the basis of respecting the Lebanese state’s exclusive jurisdiction over decisions of war and peace, while renewing its call for the party to retreat from Syria. During its weekly meeting chaired by former Prime Minister… اقرأ المزيد
If I read one more article or hear one more speech by a Western politician telling us that we are experiencing a war within Islam between radicals and moderates, or a battle for the future and soul of Islam, I will seek medical options for a long hibernation. This will allow me to wake up… اقرأ المزيد
Hussein DakroubHashem Osseiran| The Daily Star BEIRUT: Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah voiced support Monday for former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s call for a national strategy to fight terrorism, while exhorting the Lebanese Army to get ready to face threats from Islamist militants near the border with Syria when winter ends. He also prodded… اقرأ المزيد
From the roof of his office, Gov. Najmaldin Karim can see multiethnic Kirkuk laid out below. He points toward the Sunni suburb of Huwija about 24 kilometers west, which is controlled by ISIS. Two weeks ago, the extremists staged a ferocious assault there that almost broke through the defense lines. “ISIS has its eyes on… اقرأ المزيد