Commentaries

In this time of international, national and interpersonal conflicts where bombast and vagaries are the norm, we need specific, actionable solutions for global problems. We suggest that sustainable stability in the Middle East is possible through a process that calls on regional integration through a governance structure crafted primarily by civil society, i.e., the private sector, professional societies, academics and NGOs, not by national governments. Our proposed governance structure is built on commonalities, on the universal concepts and principles of fairness and the benefits to society through progress in science, technology, medicine, education and the arts.  

“Terror tagging” refers to labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). We argue that terror tagging of Iranian institutions and individuals would facilitate the growth of liberal democracy in Iran, e.g., provide real guarantees to the people of Iran that the leadership would face consequences for violation of civil liberties at home and rules of international relations norms abroad.

Written by Dr. Raymond Tanter and Edward Stafford

“Why Saudi Arabia and Qatar are not Part of Syrian Ceasefire Deal?” titled an article on the official RussianSputnik news agency, referring to an agreement achieved in late December in Moscow by Russia and Turkey as its co-guarantors and Iran as part of it. There is no clear answer to this question in the article. The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Egypt could soon become part of the Syrian peace talks, adding that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Iraq will also be invited to take part in these efforts in the future. The article notes thatSaudi Arabia and Qatar have long provided support to some of the radical groups fighting in Syria, one of the factors contributing to the continuation of the nearly six-years-long war.

First published in The Jerusalem Post