Aug 14 2014 - 10:14am Hussein Ibish offers an explanation for the rise in IS conspiracy theories among Sunni Arabs
August 14, 2014

One of the most alarming features of Arab responses to the rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq is a persistent pattern of neurotic denial in the form of conspiracy theories and other escapist fantasies.

Aug 14 2014 - 10:11am The temporary truce in Gaza is extended for another five days
August 14, 2014

Israel and Gaza fighters were holding their fire Thursday morning after a new truce got off to a shaky start, with night-time rocket fire followed by Israeli air strikes.

Aug 13 2014 - 9:42am David Ignatius says IS is making mistakes Osama bin Laden warned against
August 13, 2014

When Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his terrorist Islamic State, he ignored a warning from Osama bin Laden that jihadists should be cautious about establishing a caliphate too quickly. Baghdadi has united his enemies and given them a target to attack, like bin Laden predicted.

Aug 13 2014 - 9:41am France is planning to send weapons to Kurdish forces in Iraq
August 13, 2014

Breaking ranks with other European countries, France announced on Wednesday that it would send arms to the embattled Kurdish authorities fighting Sunni militants who have encircled members of the Yazidi religious minority on a remote mountaintop in northern Iraq.

Aug 13 2014 - 9:40am Palestinians are considering Egypt's proposal for a long-term Gaza cease-fire
August 13, 2014

Ongoing ceasefire talks are slowly beginning to take shape, sources in Cairo told Ma'an, although several outstanding issues need to be finalized to produce a permanent agreement.

Aug 12 2014 - 11:38am David Kenner says battle-hardened militants in Gaza see the current truce as only temporary and want to keep fighting
August 12, 2014

"From the beginning of the war, even during the truce, we are not leaving our position, and we are staying there, and in our tunnels, until the end of this battle," he said. "And until we achieve victory."

Aug 12 2014 - 11:32am Palestinian families are divided by Israeli policies
August 12, 2014

The death toll in Gaza has reached almost 1,900. Every day Hekmat Bsaiso waits by her phone in the city of Ramallah. Her son Mostafa is one of those trapped inside the Gaza Strip. Every morning she awaits the call that lets her know his name is not among the ever-growing list of casualties.

Aug 12 2014 - 11:29am Cease-fire negotiations continue in Cairo as the temporary truce holds
August 12, 2014

Talks to end a month-long war between Israel and Gaza militants are "difficult", Palestinian delegates said on Tuesday, while an Israeli official said no progress had been made so far.

Aug 11 2014 - 10:09am Dennis Ross says Hamas could've chosen peace but made Gaza suffer
August 11, 2014

For Hamas, it was more important to continue “resistance” than to allow Gazans to constructively test their new freedom — or to give Israelis a reason to think that withdrawal could work.

Aug 11 2014 - 10:06am International donors are already exploring ways of rebuilding in Gaza
August 11, 2014

International donors are wary of funding another rebuilding effort in Gaza, with the European Union divided over increasing pressure on Israel for a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017