Palestine-Israel
Gaza Economy ‘On Verge of Collapse’, Peter Beaumont
Writing in The Guardian, Beaumont draws attention to a new World Bank report discussing the collapse of the economy in the Gaza Strip amidst the world’s highest rate of unemployment.
The New York Times Goes to War, Again, Belen Fernandez
Fernandez finds The New York Times’ coverage of Israeli military warnings that Hezbollah is “militarizing” villages in southern Lebanon remarkably uncritical of the Israeli claims.
Netanyahu Represents Survivalist Determination, Anshel Pfeffer
Reacting to the formation of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s fourth coalition government, Pfeffer argues the Prime Minister has sought to establish himself as a “default” leader of the country.
Hamas-Fatah Divide Cripples Palestine’s Judiciary, Hazem Balousha
Writing for Al-Monitor, Balousha surveys the history of Palestinian judiciary systems under occupation and details how Hamas-Fatah disputes have slowed the creation of a new court system under the 2014 reconciliation agreement between the two parties.
Israel-Palestine: The Parameters of Mainstream Debate, Jamie Stern-Weiner
Stern-Weiner, discussing recent debate over the recognition of the state of Palestine in European politics, concludes the two-state solution is, for the time being, “the only game in town.”
The Nation Magazine’s Shameful History of Aiding Ethnic Cleansing in Palestine, Rania Khalek
Writing in Electronic Intifada, Rania Khalek comments on the historical support of the Nation magazine for Zionism
Palestinian Official: No End in Sight for Yarmouk Crisis, Al Masdar
A Palestinian official reports that due to the ongoing violent from ISIS and Al Nusra there is no viable conclusion currently on the table for the crisis in the Yarmouk Camp.
US Law
The Fog of Technology and International Law, Duncan Hollis
The case of Giovanni Lo Porto and Warren Weinstein, two civilians killed in U.S. drone strikes, illustrates the need for a more transparent legal environment in the arena of national security.
Navy Will Not Punish Nurse for Refusing to Force-Feed Guantanamo Prisoners, Associated Press
The US Navy has declined to discharge a nurse who refused to force-feed hunger striking prisoners at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
Lessons from the North: Omar Khadr’s Release on Bail in Canada, Jonathan Haftez
The recent release of Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr on bail highlights a “Kafkaesque” reality wherein being charged with a crime as Khadr was is often the easiest way for fellow detainees to gain freedom from Guantanamo, via pleading guilty, being sentenced, and transferred to their home countries, writes Hafetz for Just Security.
Patriot Act on Life Support, Julian Hattem
A stalemate between the two parties in the United States Senate leaves the renewal of the Patriot Act, set to expire at the end of May, in doubt.
Obama’s War on Leaks Faces Backlash in Court, Peter Maass
Maas covers the Judge Leonie Brinkema sentencing of Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA agent who leaked classified information to a New York Times reporter.
Minnesota’s Radical Experiment in Jihadi Rehab, Dina Temple-Raston
The New Yorker covers Minnesota efforts to de-radicalize terror suspects through programs such as halfway houses.
Middle East Law
Appeals Court Upholds Verdict against Bahrain Activist, Reem Khalifa
Associated Press reports the conviction of Nabeel Rajab, a Bahraini activist, for insulting the government of Bahrain in tweets has been upheld by an appeals court.
Egypt’s Former Leader Morsy Given Death Sentence in Jailbreak Case, Ian Lee, Sarah Sirgany, Laura Smith-Spark
Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy was sentenced to death by an Egyptian court for allegedly collaborating with Hamas and Hezbollah to facilitate his escape along with that of 20,000 other prisoners.
Vatican Recognizes State of Palestine in New Treaty, Nicole Winfield
The Vatican, in a treaty signed 13 May, officially diplomatically recognized the state of Palestine, a shift from past recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Armed Conflict
Key Iraqi City Falls to ISIS as Last of Security Forces Flee, Tim Arango
The New York Times covers the fall of Hamadi to Islamic State fighters.
Officials: Saudi-Led Coalition Airstrikes Resume in Yemen, Ahmed Al-Haj
The Washington Post reports that air strikes led by Saudi forces against Shiite rebels in Yemen will continue following a five-day truce ended by a breakdown in peace talks.
Did George W. Bush Create ISIS?, Dexter Filkins
A recent viral video features a college student, in a Q&A with Presidential candidate Jeb Bush, accusing former President George W. Bush of having “created ISIS,” a statement Filkins finds much truth in via the US decision to dissolve the Iraqi army during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.
The Saudi War on Democracy, Asa Winstanley
Winstanley argues that the disruption of democratic movements in Yemen is a primary motivator in Saudi incursions into the country.