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The Middle East and the United States have a lot in common when it comes to transportation. Both places have a love affair with the automobile and both had long-distance …

There was a tone of triumph after Iraq’s elections. Western diplomats crowed that the polls were as democratic as any in the Arab world, ever. An American military commander told …

While politicians caught with their trousers down are noted for inventiveness in deflecting blame, Deniz Baykal has elevated the practice to an art form. The 72-year-old Turkish opposition leader resigned …

When things go wrong, progressive types normally try to fix them. But in Lebanon, this simple logic is rarely followed; more often than not we go along with the situation …

Conflict is looming on the Nile’s southern horizon. Following 13 years of fruitless negotiations with Egypt and Sudan over a new Nile Agreement, four of the river’s upstream countries decided …

Watching the development of the story concerning Hezbollah and Scud missiles has been an object lesson in how speculation can be spun into established fact. I first heard the rumor …

Expect the unexpected” is a terrible cliche, but given the wars, natural disasters and financial crises of late, it could be considered standard procedure for our times. While a volcanic …

The brilliant classical scholar and poet A. E. Housman had a profound mistrust of opinions that are shared by a large number of people. Even, perhaps especially, when the vast …

Optimists have lauded the sight of Lebanon’s politicians playing a game of football together, under the banner “we are one,” as a sign of good faith to mark the 35th …

Iran and Turkey’s respective economic involvement in the Middle East continues to grow, but as is so often the case in our region, business is becoming mixed up with politics. …