UNRWA: Barrier to Peace

UNRWA perpetuates the Palestinian refugee issue, serving as a major obstacle toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UNRWA's definition of refugees includes not only the refugees themselves, but also their descendants. It also employs teachers affiliated with Hamas and allows the dissemination of Hamas messages in its schools. UNRWA should be dissolved, with its services transferred to more appropriate welfare organizations.

A Hopeful Iraq: Two Dangers Averted

Opponents of the war in Iraq falsely predicted that that the removal of Saddam Hussein would have two consequences: a radical religious Shiite regime, and increased Iranian influence over the country. While the struggle is not yet over and these dangers exist, the likelihood of Iraq becoming radically religious or Iranian-dominated seems considerably lower than it did in 2003.

Israel at 60 Remains a Success Story

On its sixtieth birthday, Israel is a vibrant and prosperous democracy with strong social cohesion. Its mighty military machine is able to meet all regional threats. In parallel, Israel’s international status has improved, while support for Israel in the US, Israel’s main ally and the hegemonic power in world affairs, remains high.

Iran’s Deceptive Commercial Practices

Sanctions against Iran focus on nuclear and ballistic missile technology, drawing a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate trade. But a closer look at Iran’s commercial practices proves that Iran is systematically abusing its access to Western technology. Technology it is acquiring for civilian projects or for legitimate policing activities is being diverted in order to bolster Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and its overwhelming economic role in Iran; and also for the development of Iran’s clandestine nuclear activities.

Shelve the Shelf Agreement

The Olmert-Livni "shelf agreement" concept for Israel-Palestinian peace is strategically illogical and tactically ill-considered. It has no foundation in negotiation theory; and incautiously assumes best case scenarios. It would not end the conflict because the Palestinians would proceed to bargain with Israel for additional concessions, and Israel inevitably would be forced to forgive the Palestinians on needed reforms.

France, the European Union, and the Middle East in the Sarkozy Era

Sarkozy's policy represents traditional French aspirations to play a prominent role in the international arena in general and in the Middle East in particular, while adopting new energetic methods and activism adapted to Sarkozy’s style and worldwide vision. He aims to increase France’s influence and promote French interests in the Middle East by strengthening the European Union’s global role.

Gaza: Risks and Opportunities

The breach by Hamas of the Egyptian-Gaza border has strengthened Hamas' standing in Gaza and increased the current security challenges to Israel, as terrorists and arms cross the porous border and rockets continue to fall on Israeli cities near Gaza. Egypt is forced to play a role in the new situation, which could be the catalyst for Arab states to take responsibility over the Palestinian issue.

How Stable Is Pakistan?

Pakistan's future is exceedingly difficult to predict; the state may fail or fragment. Questions abound: the uncertain ability of President Musharraf to maintain his power, the unpredictability of the election cycle, the untested judgment of the new Army Chief of Staff, the shift of global jihadi volunteers from Iraq to the northwest border sanctuaries of Pakistan, and the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Faced with few other options, the US is likely to continue to support the Pakistani Army and to hope that Musharraf can somehow engineer a soft landing.

The Mideast Axis of Destabilization

The Iran-Syria-Hizballah-Hamas alliance has acted during the last 15 years as an "axis of destabilization" in the Middle East, achieving major strategic victories at the expense of moderate Arab states, and US, European, and Israeli interests.

US Kosovo Policy Is Bad for Israel

The creation a new state in Kosovo awards part of a nation’s territory to a violent ethno-religious minority; futilely hopes to curry favor with the Islamic world through appeasement; gives a fresh impetus to the ongoing growth of Islamic influence in Europe; and denies the fact that the state's leaders are tainted by terrorism, criminality, and links with global jihad. Most importantly, it betrays a post-modern contempt for claims based on the historical rights of a land to a nation. American support for the independence of Kosovo is thus detrimental to Israeli interests.

Perspectives Papers