Is Libya the nightmare version of the dream that began in Tunis and Cairo? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ibishblog by Hussein Ibish - (Blog) February 21, 2011 - 1:00am Last Saturday morning I blogged that I thought that the epicenter of the Arab revolt was now in Libya and that it was the place to watch in the immediate term, and that Yemen probably would be the most volatile and significant in the medium term. This was as opposed to the obsessive and misguided focus on Bahrain that was largely the consequence of the physical presence of international media in that relatively open society and a lack of understanding about the differences between the rather unique political mix in the "Island Kingdom" and the generalized pattern in the broader Arab world. » Read more

Is Libya the nightmare version of the dream that began in Tunis and Cairo? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ibishblog by Hussein Ibish - (Blog) February 21, 2011 - 1:00am Last Saturday morning I blogged that I thought that the epicenter of the Arab revolt was now in Libya and that it was the place to watch in the immediate term, and that Yemen probably would be the most volatile and significant in the medium term. This was as opposed to the obsessive and misguided focus on Bahrain that was largely the consequence of the physical presence of international media in that relatively open society and a lack of understanding about the differences between the rather unique political mix in the "Island Kingdom" and the generalized pattern in the broader Arab world. » Read more

Preparing for September ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Ghassan Khatib - (Blog) February 21, 2011 - 1:00am Palestinian officials view the September 2011 deadline for statehood very seriously and most of their political behavior between now and then needs to be taken in that context. The attempt to go to the United Nations Security Council should be viewed as part of Palestinian attempts to build up an international position that is more responsive to the failure of the bilateral approach and the inaction of the United States, the country sponsoring the bilateral process on behalf of the international community. » Read more

Nihilism, the novel and political creativity ATFP World Press Roundup Article from ABC News by Ian McEwan - (Editorial) February 22, 2011 - 1:00am Amid much controversy, Ian McEwan recently accepted the Jerusalem prize for literature, an honour awarded biennially to writers whose work deals with themes of individual freedom in society. On 20 February 2011, Ian McEwan gave an acceptance speech during the award ceremony. » Read more

Israel isolated and under threat ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News by Linda Heard - (Editorial) February 21, 2011 - 1:00am A country that was considered all-powerful a mere month ago now finds itself out in the cold for a variety of reasons at a time when it is governed by, arguably, the most intransigent and short-sighted prime minister in its history; a man who puts right-wing ideology before real politic. » Read more

Shameful position ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times (Opinion) February 22, 2011 - 1:00am The US veto of a draft resolution condemning Israel’s continued settlement programme on Palestinian lands is wrong and fraught with immeasurable dangers. The resolution was sponsored by all Arab delegations at the UN headquarters in New York. It expresses complete Arab rejection of the Israeli construction of illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, while fully supporting a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. » Read more

Egypt and Israel's armies will only grow more powerful ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Jonathan Cook - February 22, 2011 - 1:00am has been indulging in a sustained bout of fear-mongering since the Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak was toppled earlier this month. The ostensible aim has been to warn the international community that the lengthy "cold peace" between the two countries is on the verge of collapse. In reality, the peace treaty signed three decades ago is in no danger for the forseeable future. The Egyptian and Israeli armies have too much of a vested interest in its continuation, whatever political reforms occur in Egypt. » Read more

Obama tried to convince Abbas to withdraw UN resolution up until last minute - Sources ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Asharq Alawsat by Ali El-saleh - February 19, 2011 - 1:00am As was expected, the US used its veto to put an end to a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's policy of settlement building on occupied Palestinian territory. This represents the 42nd time that the US has vetoed Arab resolutions condemning Israel. This resolution was voted in favor of by the other 14 UN Security Council members; however the US, as a permanent Security Council member, was able to veto it. » Read more

West Bank youth watch Egypt and wonder: could it happen here? ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - (Blog) February 18, 2011 - 1:00am I went to Nablus in the West Bank this week to try to find out whether young people there were in revolutionary mood similar to their counterparts across the Middle East. But before I even spoke to anyone, I was struck by the bustling and relaxed atmosphere in the city, famous not so long ago for its suicide bombers and nightly incursions by the Israeli military to round up militants and demolish the homes of their families. » Read more

Encountering Peace: Mirror, mirror on the wall ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Gershon Baskin - (Editorial) February 21, 2011 - 1:00am While riding in a Jerusalem taxi recently I noticed that the name of the company was decorated with stars of David. I asked the driver about it. He replied: “Yes, our company only hires Jewish drivers, so our passengers can feel safe.” I remember moving trucks in Jerusalem with large signs reading “Jewish workers only.” » Read more