Direct talks and their potential consequences
The Obama administration's success in moving the Israeli-Palestinian talks from proximity to direct negotiations is an important achievement for making real progress. However, direct talks will not produce substantive results…
The incoherence of the North African state
All Arab governments preside over deeply incoherent institutional structures and systems of governance that negatively impact their ability to effectively serve the public interest. And yet, most regimes purposefully perpetuate…
Environmental hazards know no boundaries
NEVE ILAN: The Central Galilee is known for its expansive open spaces, nature reserves and breathtaking views, but these won't last long if action isn't taken to organize proper waste…
More security flops unveiled in Van Gogh theft
CAIRO: Investigations into the theft of a $50 million Van Gogh painting from a Cairo museum last week, continue to reveal more security flops. Only one single security guard manned…
Thousands flee as Indonesia volcano erupts
JAKARTA: A volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra erupted for the first time in 400 years Sunday, spewing a vast cloud of smoke and ash into the air and…
Scientists: We’ve cracked wheat’s genetic code
LONDON: British scientists have decoded the genetic sequence of wheat — one of the world's oldest and most important crops — a development they hope could help the global staple…
Egypt seizes weapons ‘bound for Gaza’
EL-ARISH: Egyptian police in the Sinai Peninsula have seized 190 rockets from which the explosives were to have been removed for smuggling into the Gaza Strip, a security official said…
Mideastern airlines lead global recovery
CAIRO: Airlines based in the Middle East increased capacity by 13 percent in the first six months of this year according to a new report by the International Air Transport…
Ashton says unable to attend Mideast peace talks
BRUSSELS: European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Saturday she could not attend next month's Middle East peace talks because of a China trip, and she had no place…
Level of US role in peace talks key to success, say experts
WASHINGTON: The Obama administration will relaunch direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks next week, ready to intervene as needed in what analysts hope will mean unprecedented US engagement and pressure. The new…