Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on November 2, 2015
The talks in Vienna offer the first faint hope for a solution to the civil war that has wracked Syria. But intractable issues could yet frustrate this hopeful beginning. At first blush, the auspicious beginning of the latest peace initiative on Syria that concluded in Vienna on October 30 offers much by which to be […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on October 17, 2015
American voters face a dizzying array of candidates—21 at last count—for the 2016 presidential election. The candidates’ positions on economic issues will likely command voters’ greatest interest. But they should not, and likely will not, ignore the candidates’ views on US foreign policy. Unless the country is at war, foreign policy historically has not been […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Gulf State Analytics on July 17, 2015
The Arab Peace Initiative, presented in 2002 by then-Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, promised Arab recognition of and normalization of relations with Israel once the Jewish state accepted a just and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including recognition of the 1967 borders for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. (1) With prospects for […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington on June 3, 2015
Executive Summary Concerns are growing about the health of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Apprehension has spawned all matter of speculation about him, his continued reign in Oman, the mysterious succession process, and the future of this country of just over 4 million people on the far end of the Arabian Peninsula. There is probably too […]
Published on by Gary Grappo
Published first at Fair Observer on May 2, 2015
After a failed statehood bid at the UN, the tragic Gaza debacle and Netanyahu’s re-election, what now for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza? Harsh tactics aimed at punishing Israelis will not work. Instead, Palestinians must turn inward and ask themselves what they can do to change the dynamic. They must take firm control of […]