Editorial
Abstract :Gaza:
The Israeli Deepest Predicament
Since its occupation in 1967, the Gaza Strip has been a real security headache to Israel. More publicly, since the first intifada uprising of 1987, the Israeli leaders have been voicing their impatience of staying there. Yitzhak Rabin, for instance, was famous for having announced his wish to wake up and find Gaza having been swallowed by the sea. Such a genuine growing security crisis for Israel is due to the increasing power of the Palestinian resistance, along with its quality attacks, as well as its improving elementary industrial capabilities and the rising number of martyrdom operations coming from the West Bank against Israel. Consequently, the occupation forces made a unilateral segregation operation, based on the apartheid wall in the West Bank and the military and settlement withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. This was considered a strategic security plan to protect Israel from the attacks of the resistance, which started targeting settlers and military sites as well as raiding settlements.
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Research & Studies
Abstract :
The US Strategy towards the Peace Process in Obama's Term: Challenges and Scenarios
The study of the United States' stances, perspectives and polices with regard to the Middle East peace process is still the most complicated and important in setting the possible scenarios to grasp the reality and development of the Arab-Israeli conflict from 2010 and on. Thus, it is a very difficult task as it needs to methodically cover all the factors in a comprehensible, integrated and balanced way. The "Great" US today is the most influential power in shaping the status and policies of the world. Furthermore, it is the most effective party in the Arab World and the Middle East. When the it sets its plans, the US defends as well as fights itself and the others – whether friends, rivals or enemies – in a bid to achieve a suitable, complicated mix which reconciles several disputed objectives, interests, environments and balances and alliances of powers. The significance and complication of the US role result in serious national, regional and global dangers in case it continues the failure policies towards the Arab-Israeli conflict. Such policies have been adopted to keep the region and the world under the elusion of its dominance. Because of the significance and complication of the US role in shaping the future of the conflict in the region, the study of the US policies and their influence makes it inevitable – according to our methodology – to shed light on the current and expected mutual impact between the forms of the US power, influence, interests and policies, on one hand, and several present and future national, bilateral, regional and international facets of the conflict, on the other. Some of these questions are: conflict issues; parties, blocs, and alliances, along with their attitudes and perspectives; regional and international shifts and developments; constants and variables; intellectual and civilizational dimensions; political, social and economic reality and interaction of the region and its peoples; and balances of strategic conventional and unconventional powers.
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File No.52
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Abstract :War Possibilities in the Middle East (2007-2010)
The
argument about the break up of a war in one of the three tense
areas of the region continues around the clock. This is due to
the sequence of events associated with political statements,
military activities and armament systems here and there. There
are also field engagements which rise between civilized parties
lacking the least level of trust and depend on weak calm
arrangements.
It is very
complicated to address the war per se let alone predict its
scenarios, because of the intertwining of several direct or
indirect and regional or international interventions.
Furthermore, some regional parties adopt many senseless
attitudes in the management of such crises by taking them to the
verge of armed conflict at times when levels of preparedness for
the war are not achieved. Thus, it is necessary to be careful
and deal with the overall context of the events.
It is true
that the three cases of tension – Iran and its nuclear program,
Israel and the northern Lebanese-Syrian alliance dilemma, and
then also Israel with the Palestinian Gaza resistance crisis
–are highly intertwined. However, the situation of each case
needs a somehow independent investigation considering the
connection between each party and the interests, and perhaps
strategies, of other parties in other fronts.
Abstract
:Region's War Drums (2007-2010)
The beating of war drums is a metaphor referring to the
statements and measures aimed at the mobilization and
preparation for an international armed conflict, in addition to
anything that accompanies such a conflict that serves to achieve
its goals. When applying this to the situation in the Arab
World, it can be found that a war, in this sense, is raging in
most its parts and mainly in Palestine, as well as Lebanon,
Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Morocco, the Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
The report addresses those behind the beating of war drums,
arguing that two main parties not only beat the drums in the
Arab World, but they also practice armed conflict, make
statements and take measures of war. These are the United States
and Israel. Each of them tries hard to accomplish their own
interests and the interests of other parties who benefit from
both the war and the beating of its drums in all the locations
of war. Their end is the fulfillment of unannounced targets.
Abstract :Likelihoods of War Breakup in the Middle East in 2010-2011
On Saturday, 29 May 2010, The Middle East Studies Center,
Amman held a seminar entitled by Likelihoods of War Breakup in
the Middle East in 2010-2011 in the Landmark Hotel. It was
intended to carefully explore the situation of the region as
well as discuss the factors enhancing the likelihood for a war
to break up there. The seminar was divided into three sessions
of significant topics and analyses. Nine papers were presented
by nine researchers and specialists, who attempted to read the
situation of the region from Jordan and abroad.
The seminar aimed to investigate the context controlling the
actions of the different parties towards the war as well as
their capabilities to launch it. The approaches of any possible
confrontations were also studied. Finally, strategic
recommendations are made to the concerned Arab and Muslim
decision-makers with regard to the political, media, security,
military and economic preparations for such a war.
Abstract :Political Settlement of the Arab-Israeli
Conflict:Challenges and Scenarios
On Sunday, 4 April 2010, The Middle East Studies Center held
a focus group in its headquarters in Amman entitled by Political
Settlement: Challenges and Scenarios. It was joined by distinguished academics,
researchers, journalists and politicians, and chaired by the
center director Mr Jawad Al-Hamad.
The idea of the seminar sprang from a number of factors,
such as the series of US, Israeli and international pledges of
an imminent settlement to the Palestinian issue; the Arab – and
especially Palestinian – disability to achieve actual gains to
for the Palestinian people and its fair cause; and the
dependence on the track of political settlement and pledged
peace. It aimed to realistically and methodically investigate
the different facets of political settlement, predict its future
scenarios and challenges, and analyze the current factors as
well as their approaches for action in this year.
In addition, the seminar was intended to realistically and
methodically discuss the course of the political settlement
since the election of Barack Obama, the battle of Gaza, and the
failure of the internal Palestinian dialogue. The practical
results of the political settlement were also explored. Finally,
the main opportunities, challenges and scenarios of the
settlement with regard to the Palestinian rights are determined.
Sudan
Strategic Shifts
Abstract :
Sudanese Elections: Factors and Expectations
The report addresses the general conditions of the Sudanese
elections: preparations and procedure; results as well as
internal and external reactions; and conspiracies to fail or
delay the process by frightening people of violent actions
accompanying the elections if held on time.
Furthermore, the report tackles the supervision and the
massive media presence; some logistic problems; commendations on
the organization; security measures, steps to correct mistakes;
objective problems facing the separation of the south of the
country; and observations and conclusions. The report is keen to
serve the unity of the Sudan without any artificialities, making
use of all available objective facts. It is stressed that the
unity of the Sudan will be beneficial for the region, but will
not harm the Western interests, whereas the separation may
threaten the regional stability and interests.
Abstract : 2011
South Sudan Referendum: Unity vs. Separation
The Sudanese are waiting for the self-determination
referendum for the citizens of the South to be held in January
2011. This is one of the main items of the comprehensive peace
agreement signed in Naivasha, Kenya in 2005.
The Sudanese agreed to grant the Southerners the right of
self-determination by means of voting either to stay under a
unified Sudan or separate and establish an independent state of
their own. Both the partners of the above agreement shared the
view of working to convince the Southerners to voluntarily vote
for unity. This is what most Sudanese politicians,
intellectuals, civil community leaders and mainstream citizens
are striving for.
The report investigates the major justifications drawn by
those calling for separation. In contrast, the reasons to
maintain the national unity between the north and the south of
the country are explained, along with the reasons motivating the
Sudanese, in general, and the southerners, in particular, to
hold on to unity. The report also refers to the parties adopting
the unity choice as well as the public support among the
Southerners. Finally, the report explores the main roles to be
played by the various partners in the peace process in the
country, in a bid to carry out the constitutional right of the
referendum in a context of freedom and integrity.
Abstract :The Perspective on The Nile Basin Water Issues:The Case of Sudan and Egypt
Water has become one of the most serious global issues in
the 21st century. It has arisen as a result of the increase in
the population, climate changes such as the rise in the earth's
temperature in the last few years, and the injustice in
distribution and consumption. Therefore, a lot of experts
predict the coming wars will be about water.
In this context, the national water security for the Sudan and
Egypt has become an issue since the failure of the Conference
for the Nile
basin countries on 14 April 2010 in Sharm Al-Sheikh, Egypt to
reach a compromise on the dispute over the distribution of the
Nile water. The problem started when the riverhead countries
(Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Congo, and Burundi)
signed a new framework agreement to distribute the Nile waters.
This means that those countries decline from the agreements of
1929 and 1959, which controlled the arrangement and distribution
of the Nile water. This new agreement took place in spite of the
strong opposition by Egypt and the Sudan.
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Reports And Articles
Abstract :Directions of the Current Financial Crisis
This is a brief report about the current financial crisis and it consists of three parts. The first part explains the power of ideas as manifested in Keynesian economic thoughts and their impact on the world economy during the period extending from the end of World War II to the early seventies of the Twentieth Century when neoclassical ideas were revived again and the deregulations that came with it. Part two assesses the stimulus packages adopted by the different countries of the World to deal with the current financial crisis with a special emphasis on the Arab countries. Part three concludes with a number of reforms that need to be put in place in order to increase the chances of success for the stimulus package and also to create the safety nets needed to avoid similar future crisis or to mitigate their impact when they happen.
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Abstract :
Turkey and
Israel: A relation Review
Israel
launched an aggression on the Freedom Flotilla, on board of
which were a number of human rights activists, as well as
politicians, parliamentarians and intellectuals from over 40
countries of the world. It was loaded with humanitarian aid in
an attempt to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. Thus, a
focus group was held by the Middle East Studies Center in its
headquarters in Amman on Saturday, 5 June 2010, joined by
distinguished academics, researchers, journalists and
politicians. A seminar was also organized on Monday, 21 June
2010, in the Professional Associations Complex, joined by
Jordanian and Turkish academics, experts and politicians.
On the one
hand, the focus group aimed to discuss the scenarios of the
crisis in the Turkish-Israeli relations in all political,
economic and military fields, as well as the consequences of the
current tension. It also addressed the statutory dimensions of
the Israeli aggression and how the Turks made use of it. In
addition, it investigated the effect of the Israeli savage
action on the international community; any resulting political
blocks and powers enhancing the resistance popularity and
rejecting the US-Israeli projects; and the Arab attitude of
employing the incident in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The focus
group concluded that the Turkish involvement in the conflict
adds an Islamic dimension reinforcing the Arab and regional
roles in the face of the Israeli arrogance. Furthermore, the
Arabs have to make use of that incident to incite the global
public opinion against such Israeli practices.
On the
other hand, the seminar aimed to explore the political, security
and economic failures of the siege on Gaza and the resulting
Israeli dilemma, as well as the Arab, Islamic public and
official actions to break the siege, especially by the Turkish
side. The Israeli impasse with Turkey after the aggression on
the Freedom Flotilla from political, legal and moral
perspectives was also discussed. Finally, the seminar addressed
the consequences on Israel, its regional and international
status and the Turkish-Israeli relations. The seminar emphasized
the following:
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the failure of the siege to achieve its basic political,
security and economic targets
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the failure of the Arab, Islamic and international
governments to bear their responsibilities in lifting the siege,
in contrast with the public Western stand which was more direct
and efficient in breaking the siege.
Finally,
the participants stressed that Turkey has evidently become a
major player in the Middle East region since the AKP party took
power in 2002.
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Abstract :
Islamophobia in Europe
This
paper sheds light on the negative stereotype of the "other
Islam" in the writings of the orientalists in the past and
in the discourse of the different European political parties
in the present, as well as their impact on the European
political decisions towards the Muslims in Western Europe.
What Is
Orientalism?
Orientalism is defined by Dr Edward Said as “a Western style
for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the
Orient”; i.e., an attempt to comprehend “the other Islam.”
This understanding has been built upon the negative
stereotype of Islam as barbaric, imbalanced, tyrannical
degenerate, uncivilized and a suppressor of women. In
addition, the prophet of Islam is viwed as an impostor whose
life as exemplifying violence and sexuality. On the other
hand, the West is seen as the palladium of democracy, human
rights and civilization.
What Is
Islamophobia?
The
term was first used in the early 1980s in Western Europe,
which means "fear of Islam". It has occupied a major part of
the mindset of the European nations, as well as the
political elites and their agendas. It has been utilized to
achieve partisan political ends.
The
ideology of the European Islamophobia concnentrates on "the
other Islam" as an inflexible, oppressive, evil and
anti-Western doctrine. It is even the enemy no. 1 for the
West. This is the "evil Islam" vs. "good West" picture.
Islam
from the Perspective of European Political Parties
The
phantom of fear of "the other Islam" has controlled the
partisan Western European discourses and political agendas
from all affiliations. Some examples are as follows:
1. The
French National Front was the first party to use
Islamophobia in its political campaign to frighten people of
Islam and Muslims.
2. The
Austrian right-wing Populist Party FPÖ described Islam as
"the enemy no. 1 to Europe and the world."
3. The
Danish Progress Party called for a "Muslim-free zone",
warning against the Islamization of Europe.
4. The
Danish People’s Party warned the electors against Islam as a
threat to Europe as hotile to the European civilization.
5. The
leader of the Italian Lega Nord, Umberto Bossi, said, that
"Islam is one of the biggest threats to European culture"
and positioned himself as a defender of the Christian
Europe.
Therefore, the researcher believes that the European
partisan elites – whether from the right, left, center or
Christian extremism – view Islam as the most serious threat
to the Western European culture. It has been, furthermore,
the enemy no. 1 to Europe since the Crusades which started
in 1095. As a result, these ideologies argue that Muslims
should be segregated and the Islamization of Europe should
be stopped by all possible means.
Negative
Effects of Islamophobia
The
Mainstreaming of Islamophobia in Europe on both public and
official levels has encouraged a public opinion that opposes
the building of mosques and minarets as well as the dressing
of the Hijab in schools and public places. Muslims have also
been subject to discrimination, verbal abuse and attacks on
properties.
Conclusion
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Islamophobia is an old, new and Christian, crusader
project, believing in the "conspiracy theory" and
the enmity of Islam to Western Europe.
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The negative stereotyping of Islam – since the old
times until this moment – has been used to mobilize
the official and public opinion against Islam and
Muslims, with the pretext that Islam is the enemy
no. 1 to Europe, the European culture and the entire
world.
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The term Islamophia has become a public and
political ideology calling for excluding,
discriminating against, and even getting rid of the
other.
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The Islamic-Western European conflict is actually
between the "good West" and
the "evil Islam."
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