The Future of Arab-American Relations

The fall 2008 issue of Arab Insight from the World Security Institute has been released, and at over 130 pages, there is much to cover. The “latest edition investigates the political transformation from the George W. Bush administration’s war on terror and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, controversial in the United States and the Arab world alike, to a new presidency, asking what actions from the next American administration would best serve Arab-American relations.”  Radwan Ziadeh has an excellent article entitled, “Promoting Democracy in the Arab Countries: Practice Makes Perfect?” Salah al-Nasrawi and Sadiq el-Faqih seem to be speaking directly to Barack Obama, as their articles target specific promises he’s made: al-Nasrawi shows how to exit Iraq in, “Before Leaving Iraq: A Responsible Withdrawal,” and el-Faqih offers his take on “Improving U.S. Standing in the Arab World: Can Public Diplomacy Do the Trick?” On perennial questions in Middle Eastern politics, Mustapha Khalil provides insight on “Engaging Islamist Groups: How to Talk to the Elephant in the Room,” and Samir Ghattas tackles the “Palestinian -Israeli Conflict: Searching for Peace on the Roadmap”

All articles, mentioned and unmentioned, can be found here (pdf).