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Editorial With every significant transformation in Palestine in the internal situation and balance of power, or in the negotiations with Israel, the issue of Jordanian-Palestinian relations resurfaces, and media and political perspective arise between those who believe in a united, Islamic and nationalistic point of views and those who believe in the issue territory as the framework to outline such a relationship. In the light of this dialectic, it is certain that both Palestinians and Jordanians have to reach a strategic vision for the sake of the higher interests of the Arab nation, and for both countries taken into account their demographic interchange, the geo-strategic environment and the historical and religious commonalities they have as they face the Zionist project. No doubt there are objective conditions to achieve this vision, most important of which includes: A unified logic in rationale for a futuristic view based on unity that should be based on full Israeli withdrawal from the Arab occupied territories since June 1967. |
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Research & Studies Iran-Us Crisis: Possible Scenarios The international community doesn't object to Iran to have nuclear power for peaceful purposes but is looking for assurances not to transform this into military purposes. Iran refuses to give assurances if there is no progress on the economic and geo-strategic levels. Options for the development of the crisis are open wide in 2007 according to international and regional developments by Washington and Tehran concerning Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. American options alternate between economic punishment, limited military action, overthrow of the Iranian regime, coexisting with a nuclear Iran, mutual transaction for assurances not to transform Iran nuclear power into military purposes, in return Iran would obtain economic and technological privileges. The report concentrates on the last option as the most appropriate to end the present crisis, and recently revealed that a secret document was sent via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran to be delivered to US officials in May 2003 containing a secret Iranian offer. The report shows the Iranian terms for these concessions containing the secret document, such as ending the hostile behavior by the U.S. against Iran, removing trade and economic punishments, taking a final stand against Mujahidi Khalq, allowing Iran to obtain peaceful nuclear power, and most important, is American recognition of Iranian security interests in the region as a regional force and assurances of non-hostile military action. |
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Research & Studies Civil Society’s Role In Supporting Human Rights Culture: The Case Of Jordan Human rights preoccupy researchers, politicians and public opinion, since the international developments that led to their intensification of considering human rights on the international and local levels. The universality of these rights, the freedom they entail and concessions they have played the role to impact the whole society. The unification of these rights and their freedoms in the world guarantee their provision inside member states like Jordan. The widely increasing respect of human rights represent a human rights culture, an original right, entailing a responsibility for civil society organizations, human rights principles, and protection. They are considered as channels for political upbringing working for the education of local society within the framework of systems and laws. Education takes place through seminars, meetings, workshops and training courses. Hence the citizen recognizes his rights as a human like the right to life, right to freedom of expression, right to a fair trial, participation in the management of public affairs, right to dignity, economic rights, social rights, cultural rights and collective rights . As such, It is noticeable the role of civil society in addressing human rights as a culture in Jordan. Yet people look to more effort to be considered to consolidate such roof across different and varied institutions in civil society. It might be considered as sacred values that are safeguarded by law, and respected by institutions and individuals. |
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Impacts Of Iraqi Oil Law The report discuss the oil law in Iraq as causing deep political disagreements and gives a brief on Iraqi oil since it was nationalized in 1972, and the subsequent oil debt which could have been invested to become a tool of liberation from American domination, a case that has weakened the negotiating ability of OPEC. The report stresses the quality of Iraqi oil and its low risk drilling and therefore recommends that the law must take into account the existence of the National Iraqi Petroleum Company Law and the Ministry of Oil. The report includes objective statements on the law including concession agreements with foreign countries, reducing the functions of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and its transfer to a Federal Council of Oil and Gas. |
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Europe And The Sanctions Against The Palestinian People After the Mecca Accord on 8 February, 2007 there was much optimism for the ending of the European-imposed financial siege to isolate the Hamas government through collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The report exposes European policy attitudes since the Hamas win in the legislative elections that lasted more than 14 months and follows the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over European assistance. The report reveals the European attitudes towards the Mecca Accord and National Palestinian Unity Government, and the lack of influence of Palestinian diplomatic activity, then raises questions concerning the European attitude towards the siege after the collapse of the Palestinian Unity Government. The report argues that the official European attitude was not far from the American position. From statements by Hamas leaders it seems it was their intentions to use the weapon of popular resistance as supported by Palestinian Prime Minister Mr Ismael Hania and Mr Khalid Misha'l. But the expectation of Hamas leaders to end the siege was underestimated; after the Hamas domination of the Gaza strip "the road for Palestinian rights was still long". The Palestinian cause is not just the struggle between Hamas and Fateh, we need to know what is really going on, and the way to do that is by reinforcing Palestinian unity through the activation of the PLO, and of the resistance culture, and obtain social and economic independence to over come the “Israel project.” |
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American Project To Overthrow The Hamas Government … Mechanisms And Consequences Since internal fighting broke out last mid-December no one could have expected the ending reached between Hamas and the Fateh movement with the security forces under the control of Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas. The domination of Hamas in Gaza, and the decision by Abu Mazen to dissolve the unity government and the forming of an emergency government was a surprising consequence for the parties involved in the fighting and a shock for U.S. and Israel. The report discusses the Israeli and American project to overthrow Hamas whilst a UN document reveals a mutual understanding between Abu Mazen and U.S. to overthrow Hamas; the report also discusses the relations between the attitudes of Abu Mazen and the security forces towards Hamas and the break out of the fighting and the Abbas decision for early elections and first internal fighting, then discusses the Mecca Accord and the reasons for its collapse and the Hamas domination on the strip. The report clarifies the point of views of Hamas and Fateh through interviews with members of the two parties to reach a solution of the crises and highlights the opportunities and dangers for Israel to overthrow the Hamas government. |
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Reports and Articles Balance Of Power In Jordanian Democracy In Jordan The report argues the Jordan political and democratic scene seems to have been relatively steady in the last decade while substantial changes barely seen. Such a balance of power changes if the country goes through directed or emergent transformations, or if it appears new effective power is likely to emerge, or is in retreat, or increases the power influence of the other. Concerning the coming parliamentary elections it won’t doesn't differ much from the balance that ruled the last parliamentary elections in 2003. The report discusses the notion of democratic and political power, including economic and social power as government is an organized and supervising party and part of the political balance; the Islamic movement is a steady element in the balancing act, middle parties embrace the official positions and avoid the opposition which forms majority (34) parties—who coordinate with the Islamists, despite the fact social power is represented by clans and families, not to mention the liberal trend, and the democratic left which is different from the traditional left. |
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Reports and Articles The Role Of Research And Civil Society In Reform Process In The Arab World The Middle East Studies Center held a seminar on scientific research and civil society in Arab World reforms presented by Professor Hassan Nafa'a from the Politics Department at Cairo University in which he clarified the concepts of civil society, associations, reform in the Arab World and scientific research. His paper was followed by Dr Ibrahim Badran, a political scientist in Jordan. Dr Nafa'a discussed priorities and the issue of restoration of authority for meaningful reforms. He explained the current problems facing the Arab world that of development, absence of a strong and reliable economic policy and the absence of political participation. He said scientific research in the Arab world must be understood within this context. Its lack of goes back to the absence of strong development, but it can also be used to create effective policy and civil society institutions, though he stressed the lack of expenditure is always a problem. Dr Badran stressed that scientific and academic research requires a nationalistic structure that fosters the infrastructure of moving forward and fight underdevelopment. He said for this to happen there must also be a united Arab world. He said it is incumbent on many parties and actors to carry on the reform including: Government, civil society organizations, private sector, academic institutions, political parties, and the general elites in society. MESC Director Mr Jawad Al Hamad said there has to be a greater understanding between the different actors regarding reform in the Arab world, and we must not compare ourselves to the United States, Germany and Japan which is often the case. Mr Hamad said there are derivatives and basic elements we have to create and foster relating to: Our education, technological change and adoption, political and social reform, openness to the world and social and political diversity. |
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Reports and Articles Hamas Control In Gaza And Instability Of Israel’s Security The report argues there is no disagreements between strategic studies departments in Tel Aviv in particular the research department for military intelligence "Aman" which argues that Hamas dominance in the Gaza Strip poses danger to the Israeli strategic environment. The report states these dangers pose a strategic military threat especially on its borders and to the fact Israel fears Hamas will at the very least create ‘convulsions’ in the rest of the Palestine territories and in neighboring states. The report shows Israeli suggestions for facing Hamas through economic pressure and of the inferred Egyptian role to eliminate Hamas in Gaza despite the fact that Cairo wants stability in Gaza. |
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Reports and Articles Iranian Nuclear File Crisis This scientific study discusses potential American attitudes in dealing with the Iranian nuclear file which has became the main issue to dominate the meetings of Great Powers, and especially the regional security of the Middle East, considered a most effective strategic area in the world, American occupation in Iraq, and the failure of the peace process. The nuclear file represents strategic dimensions for the Iranians in the region, and the way the international community has become connected with American-Iranian relations. The siege mentality developed by Iran explains its political-military behavior in the Arabian Gulf, considering itself surrounded by regional threats; and for this purpose they have to possess nuclear weapon. American options are connected to foreign American policy towards Iran. The United States for instance still seeks a diplomatic solution rather than a military one and does not want a “regime change’ posture as it did with Iraq. The study highlights eight expected options to deal with the Iranian nuclear file: First, to ignore the Iranian file by Washington and no action against Iran; Second, to change the regime from the inside; Third, to wait for Iran to reach an advanced stage in her nuclear weapons capability for American military action to be meaningful, with international support and public cover; Fourth, diplomatic negotiation through Europe for the regime to retract; Fifth, to implement the Iraqi model in military action; Sixth, an open American-Iranian dialogue; Seventh, an Israeli military action with American approval under the pretext of self-defense; Eighth: implement the north Korean model, so Iran would put away it's nuclear weapon in return for ensuring her energy needs. |
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File Issue The study discusses the peace process that ended in failure when the Arab diplomatic effort was pursued "as a strategic option". The Arab initiative included the Israel withdraws from the occupied territories since 1967, and a just solution for refugees issue that can be reached. All this in exchange of full Arab normalization with. The study argues that these efforts led by the Arab League and American diplomacy to activate the initiative. It suggests that the last Riyadh Summit root was a reflection of international and regional events but stresses that there is now a greater effort to seek a just solution with an Arab political framework. The study discusses Arab-American efforts to activate the Arab peace initiative, but clarifies that Washington wants to monopolize an Arab-Israeli struggle into Palestinian-Israeli struggle. That will convert Arab parties into mediations to avoid any confrontation that might threaten regional security and stability. The study clarifies how Arab countries market the initiative in Washington and other Europe capitals in spite of Israel’s refusal to address such issues as the right of return. It warns that all attempts at activation might not succeed because of the Israeli of the strong position supported by the U.S. in the absence of European role and the lack of a specific Arab vision. The study concludes that there is a need for other alternative Arab strategy to deal with the new facts that came out by the Israeli war against Lebanon in 2006, including supporting resistance and internal consolidation. |
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