World News Insights: Opinion Articles

The 1993 Oslo Accords are put forward as proof that peace with Israel is impossible in every debate on war and peace. These accords tested Israel's desire for peace, and Israel failed; put the same test, Palestinians (and Arabs) passed and affirmed the sincerity of their desire for peace. …

Romanticizing history is not acceptable anymore. Our people in Iraq have been particularly obsessed with their history, so much so they have forgotten about their future. Debates are centered around their ancestors, overlooking how to make their own history today. Those who do think about shaping…

“I’ve come this afternoon to talk about the bright future of the Middle East”—this is how the voice of US President Donald Trump echoed everywhere, among those who love him and those who oppose him. He chose to deliver his remarks in the evening in Riyadh, which was morning in the United States. He…

Something of a consensus has emerged around the notion that President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is primarily focused on investment, not addressing regional political crises, conflicts, or Iran’s nuclear program. This is true. However, whether deliberately or not,…

A Saudi nuclear program, military deals, a defense agreement, ending the Gaza war, a pathway to the two-state solution, negotiations with Iran, and a trillion dollars in trade and investment—this momentum will all be part of US President Donald Trump’s visit. He is expected to be accompanied by a…

Whenever I am feeling nostalgic, I listen to the remarkable late Iraqi poet Lamia Abbas Amara’s poem about Beirut... a city she came to adore after residing there for a time. Beirut loved her back, even more. The poem begins with this beautiful verse: "I focus my eyes in doubt to ask them: …

It is not unusual for President Donald Trump to kick off his first tour in Riyadh, just like he did during his first term in office. The changes that have taken place in Riyadh since his 2017 visit and his arrival on Tuesday have deepened his conviction of Riyadh’s ability to host major dates and…

US President Donald Trump is about to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia his first foreign destination as president for the second time. The Kingdom is the headline of this unusual tour, especially in light of the rapid and pivotal shifts unfolding in the region and the world. He has several…

The Iraqi government has turned much of its attention to ensuring the success of the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad. The path from the capital and back has been brimming with political positions and visitors, while decision-makers are seeking to stabilize the country to strengthen…

Students of history know that starting a war is always easy; what is difficult is ending it. The current war in Ukraine is no exception. The trouble is that Vladimir Putin, the man who started this war, also believed he knew how to end it. More than three years later it is clear that he is…

Baghdad will host the Arab Summit at an exceptional moment for the region. Amid the major shifts, open-ended conflicts, and complex challenges facing our region, Baghdad hosts a Summit in which leaders will not simply be running through the motions. Rather than a procedural event, Iraq sees this…

The audio recording of Gamal Abdel Nasser continues to make noise. Some of this noise comes from the ideas that have been discovered, as this time, they diverged sharply from prevailing narratives; some of it stems from the fact that we were discovering things about Nasser, whose positions many…