Attack on embassy sends strong signal
AFTER THE ouster of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, relations between Israel and Egypt became tense, particularly after the attack on the Israeli embassy last Friday. The images of protesters breaking into the embassy, tearing down a cement/metal barrier, trapping six staff members, dumping Hebrew documents and pulling down the Israeli flag and replacing it with the Egyptian one sent a strong signal. These should be taken into consideration while determining the type of future relations that need to be forged between the two countries and the new nature of the peace process in the Middle East.
The Arab Spring revolutions were against totalitarian regimes which caused political, economic and cultural decline in their countries. Protesters, who felt the need for change, blamed their leaders for all the problems and held resentment towards the West and Israel which, according to them, has been orchestrating the unstable and drastic situation in the Middle East since over a century.
Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/174272/reftab/36/t/Egypt-Israel-relations-in-the-post-Mubarak-era/Default.aspx
Thursday 29 September 2011
Friday 23 September 2011
UN role vital in bid to counter terrorism
Criminals go hi-tech
TERRORIST attacks happen every time a group of criminals want to actualize their political goals or convey certain messages to various countries. They usually break the peace in these countries, bomb public buildings and jeopardize national interests.
In the old times, the attacks were carried out within the scope of the country, so the security and intelligence units easily controlled the situation to determine the internal and external factors behind such acts.
Nowadays, the situation has gone out of control. Terrorism has become a tool for serving the interests of a few. Some countries have reached the point of ignoring terrorist acts if the target is a nation they consider an adversary.
Furthermore, the latest technological developments also changed the form of terrorism. Groups engaged in terrorist activities are now using satellite channels, blogs, social networking sites, smart phones and other advanced gadgets, which are not well-monitored by governments, to carry out their destructive plans.
Apart from this, some retired army or security personnel collaborate with their counterparts, not only in their country but also in other parts of the world, to use their vast military experience and training to establish companies specialized in illegal and undercover paid services to organize terrorist activities.
One cannot deny the fact that the first step towards countering terrorism is working together globally. This requires the active role of the United Nations (UN) to lay down the rules and regulations that will serve as a safety valve for the entire world, maintain peace and order, and protect the innocent.
Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Labeed Abdal Attorney-at-Law
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/174113/reftab/73/t/UN-role-vital-in-bid-to-counter-terrorism/Default.aspx
TERRORIST attacks happen every time a group of criminals want to actualize their political goals or convey certain messages to various countries. They usually break the peace in these countries, bomb public buildings and jeopardize national interests.
In the old times, the attacks were carried out within the scope of the country, so the security and intelligence units easily controlled the situation to determine the internal and external factors behind such acts.
Nowadays, the situation has gone out of control. Terrorism has become a tool for serving the interests of a few. Some countries have reached the point of ignoring terrorist acts if the target is a nation they consider an adversary.
Furthermore, the latest technological developments also changed the form of terrorism. Groups engaged in terrorist activities are now using satellite channels, blogs, social networking sites, smart phones and other advanced gadgets, which are not well-monitored by governments, to carry out their destructive plans.
Apart from this, some retired army or security personnel collaborate with their counterparts, not only in their country but also in other parts of the world, to use their vast military experience and training to establish companies specialized in illegal and undercover paid services to organize terrorist activities.
One cannot deny the fact that the first step towards countering terrorism is working together globally. This requires the active role of the United Nations (UN) to lay down the rules and regulations that will serve as a safety valve for the entire world, maintain peace and order, and protect the innocent.
Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Labeed Abdal Attorney-at-Law
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/174113/reftab/73/t/UN-role-vital-in-bid-to-counter-terrorism/Default.aspx
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Turbulence in ME
Like a castle in the air
THE Middle East has been witnessing tremendous changes since December 2010. Regimes in several countries have been collapsing one after the other like domino pieces. It all started in Tunisia, followed by Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria. Maybe a few more will soon meet the same fate.
So far, the changes took place in large Middle Eastern countries, which are expected to be divided into two or three in the new Arab world order. Sudan is an example as it has been divided into two — the North and the South.
The support of many international powers in the military operations in Libya might not happen in the case of Syria. The latter is far from air strikes in targeted countries, as a way to form alliances with the new regime after the collapse of its predecessor and participate in the rebuilding process.
It is also a way to get some gains in these critical times when the whole world is grappling with the financial meltdown.
Moreover, the new Arab world map published on the Internet shows many small Gulf countries have remained the same, while the large ones got smaller.
Sadly, the Middle East now looks like a castle in the air and several questions linger in our minds. How much the Middle Eastern countries, including the Arabian Gulf, can do for their future? Will they be active or passive as usual, especially since the winds and waves of change are dramatically coming their way?
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/173713/reftab/36/t/Turbulence-in-ME/Default.aspx
THE Middle East has been witnessing tremendous changes since December 2010. Regimes in several countries have been collapsing one after the other like domino pieces. It all started in Tunisia, followed by Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria. Maybe a few more will soon meet the same fate.
So far, the changes took place in large Middle Eastern countries, which are expected to be divided into two or three in the new Arab world order. Sudan is an example as it has been divided into two — the North and the South.
The support of many international powers in the military operations in Libya might not happen in the case of Syria. The latter is far from air strikes in targeted countries, as a way to form alliances with the new regime after the collapse of its predecessor and participate in the rebuilding process.
It is also a way to get some gains in these critical times when the whole world is grappling with the financial meltdown.
Moreover, the new Arab world map published on the Internet shows many small Gulf countries have remained the same, while the large ones got smaller.
Sadly, the Middle East now looks like a castle in the air and several questions linger in our minds. How much the Middle Eastern countries, including the Arabian Gulf, can do for their future? Will they be active or passive as usual, especially since the winds and waves of change are dramatically coming their way?
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/173713/reftab/36/t/Turbulence-in-ME/Default.aspx
Sunday 4 September 2011
Libya after the fall of Gaddafi
Democracy best solution
THE Libyan regime is on the verge of collapse and it has reached the point of no return. With the opposition gaining control of the situation, there are more prospects and priorities to usher in the new era of stability and to start the rebuilding process both economically and politically, especially since the National Transitional Council (NTC) has obtained support from many countries around the world.
The current situation in Libya is similar to that of Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussain. Those loyal to Gaddafi might not give up easily and form new militias.
The rehabilitation process and overcoming tribal conflicts are definitely the biggest challenges the Libyans have to face after the fall of Gaddafi.Moreover, democracy is the best solution after the country suffered under dictatorship.
The next vital step is the stable transition to a new system, which is close to a federal parliament, to widen the range of the people’s representation after the legislative election and to defuse post-Gaddafi tension. Political stability is required to ensure a better and faster rebuilding process in the country.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/173336/reftab/36/t/Libya-after-the-fall-of-Gaddafi/Default.aspx
THE Libyan regime is on the verge of collapse and it has reached the point of no return. With the opposition gaining control of the situation, there are more prospects and priorities to usher in the new era of stability and to start the rebuilding process both economically and politically, especially since the National Transitional Council (NTC) has obtained support from many countries around the world.
The current situation in Libya is similar to that of Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussain. Those loyal to Gaddafi might not give up easily and form new militias.
The rehabilitation process and overcoming tribal conflicts are definitely the biggest challenges the Libyans have to face after the fall of Gaddafi.Moreover, democracy is the best solution after the country suffered under dictatorship.
The next vital step is the stable transition to a new system, which is close to a federal parliament, to widen the range of the people’s representation after the legislative election and to defuse post-Gaddafi tension. Political stability is required to ensure a better and faster rebuilding process in the country.
Email: Labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/173336/reftab/36/t/Libya-after-the-fall-of-Gaddafi/Default.aspx
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