Donald Trump
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U.S. de-certifies Iran nuclear deal
Madmen at the helm
Neither international politics nor the self-healing powers within the United States system of government seem to be able to prevent an American war against Iran. It may now only be the civil societies of Iran and Israel that are still in a position to do this, says Stefan Buchen
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The Abbas controversy
No excuse for anti-Semitism
On 30 April, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a long speech in front of the troubled Palestinian National Council. Abdalhadi Alijla explains why the ongoing caesura in negotiations with Israel can never serve to justify racist remarks
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U.S. de-certifies Iran nuclear deal
Tread softly, President Trump
Notwithstanding the dreadful mistake of de-certification, Trump can keep the deal on life support if he does not immediately re-impose sanctions. This would give the other five powers the time needed to work collectively with Iran and reach a new agreement. Commentary by Alon Ben-Meir
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U.S. policy on Iran
Middle East nightmare – made in Washington
According to essayist and media scientist Khaled Hroub, the United States may be talking to North Korea, but it is actively seeking war between Saudi Arabia and Iran
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U.S. politics in Syria
Trump, Syria – and the threat of regional conflagration
The withdrawal of the United States from Syria could spark a region-wide war. There are legitimate concerns that Israel might use the resulting vacuum as a pretext to intensify its attacks on Iran and Hezbollah in Syria. By Fawaz A. Gerges
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Political transformation under Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Arabiaʹs perilous pivot
The politics of Mohammed bin Salman hardly bode well for the stability of the Middle East. The Saudi Crown Prince is taking an increasingly tough line against Iran and that countryʹs regional ambitions, thus exacerbating the Sunni-Shia divide. By Shlomo Avineri
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Syrian refugees
The burden of hospitality
Under increasing financial pressure, Syriaʹs neighbours – Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey – are pressuring Syrian refugees to return to their home country, whether conditions across the border are safe or not. By Jesse Marks
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Resurgence in European populism
Itʹs an ill wind
The latest triumph of anti-European parties in Italy′s elections earlier this week makes one thing clear: populism in Europe is not yet on its way out. To what extent the EU is at risk of going under as a result, remains to be seen. By Zaki Laidi
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War in Syria
Ending America′s disastrous role
Much of the carnage that has ravaged Syria during the past seven years is due to the actions of the United States and its allies in the Middle East. By Jeffrey D. Sachs
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Turkey′s Syrian offensive
A war of America′s making
Bereft of a coherent Syria policy, successive U.S. administrations have obsessed over targeting Islamic State (IS) without considering the full ramifications of their actions. Turkey′s incursion into northwestern Syria is just one consequence. Analysis by Barak Barfi
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Trump's Pakistan outburst
Reckless tweets vs. democratic hopes
Pakistan′s slow progress towards developing a stable and inclusive political system faced new challenges in the second half of 2017 – now Donald Trump's tweets could make matters worse. If Pakistan continues to falter in 2018, the consequences will be felt across South Asia and the broader Muslim world. By Shahid Javed Burki
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Trump's Jerusalem decision
Unleashing a new wave of radicalisation?
After 1967, jihadists and Islamists mobilised people by highlighting the victimisation of Muslims and Islam. In the wake of Trump's internationally condemned decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, jihadist and Islamist groups could now use Palestine as proof of their theory that there is a "war on Islam". Trump's declaration plays right into their hands. Commentary by Abdalhadi Alijla