Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Protesters wave national flags as they chant slogans against the Iraqi parliament in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)

Debate: Iraq can escape Iran’s sphere of influence

by Haider Saeed | Mar 16, 2014 | Debate

There have always been doubts about the loyalty of Iraqi Shi’ites to their homeland and an ongoing belief that their allegiance lies with Iran. Though these suspicions began in Iraq, they have expanded with the development of the modern Iraqi state and have likely...

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, right, meets with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on January 14, 2014, in Baghdad, Iraq. (AFP Photo/Pool/Khalid Mohammed)

Debate: Iraq will remain in Iran’s sphere of influence

by Majid Rafizadeh | Mar 16, 2014 | Debate

Almost two years after the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, Iran is considered to be the most influential foreign force in the country. Given the current geopolitical, geo-economic and geostrategic ties between Iraq’s central government and Tehran, is it realistic...

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Lebanon’s President Michel Suleiman (C), Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam (L) and Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (R) attend a graduation parade for Lebanese officer cadets at a military academy in Fayadyeh, near Beirut, marking the 68th Army Day, August 1, 2013. (REUTERS/Sharif Karim.)

Debate: Lebanon’s new government was formed thanks to foreign conflicts

by Beshara Khairallah | Mar 10, 2014 | Debate

Just as the snow atop Mount Hermon is absent due to natural factors and global warming, there are many factors that have transformed the dark political positions in Lebanon to bright whites at a time of regional upheaval. Politically, the security sector’s involvement...

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Lebanese President Michel Sleiman (L) meeting with his New Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the presidential palace in Baabda. (AFP/ Ho / Dalati and Nohra)

Debate: Lebanon’s new government is the result of domestic politics

by Charles Jabbour | Mar 10, 2014 | Debate

It is ingrained in the Lebanese psyche that everything that happens in the country must be the result of some foreign desire or will. The formation of the government is no exception to this rule. Indeed, foreign factors affect the course of Lebanese life, especially...

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FILE — In this May 31, 2013, file photo, a Lebanese protester, left, throws tomatoes at a banner with the portraits of the 128 Lebanese lawmakers with Arabic that reads, “you failed in everything, failed failed failed, go home,” during a protest against the 17 months extension of the Lebanese parliament, near the parliament building […]

Debate: Lebanon’s new government is not the result of new understandings

by Mounir Khatib | Mar 8, 2014 | Debate

It was as though a magic wand passed over the leaders of Lebanon, softening their stances allowing the new government to be formed. This national government of contradictions drowned for nearly 11 months, indicating to some that it would never even see the light of...

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FILE – In this May 31, 2013, file photo, Lebanese lawmakers meet in the Lebanese Parliament during a session to debate whether to extend their term 17 months, in Beirut, Lebanon. Since the current parliament was elected in June 2009, the lawmakers have met 21 times to pass 169 laws, mostly related to raise government […]

Debate: Lebanon’s new government arose from new understandings

by Baha Abu Karroum | Mar 8, 2014 | Debate

What was impossible for a period of 11 months has become reality: the Lebanese government has been formed, on a political foundation and through the participation of most political parties in Lebanon. This is evidence of the transformations that have taken place and...