Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies. alon@alonben-meir.com
Published books available on Amazon include:
* A Strategy for Implementing the Reconciliation Process Between Israel and the Palestinians
*A War We Must Win
* Framework for Arab-Israeli Peace
* In Defiance of Time
* Israel: The Challenge of the Fourth Decade
* Lost Perspectives
* Middle East Imperatives and Choices
* Spring or Cruel Winter: The Evolution of the Arab Revolutions
* Toward The Abyss: Israel and the Palestinians
By Gilles Pargneaux, Alon Ben-Meir, and Arbana Xharra NEW YORK — The summit held in Ankara on April 4 among Putin, Erdogan, and Rouhani provides an eye-opening depiction of the rapidly changing discourse of 2018’s geostrategic international rivalry. The Syrian conflict, the center of global attention for more than seven years, is now in the […]
EU should not permit Turkey to become a member Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — President Trump’s characterization of the US attack on specific Syrian chemical storage and research facilities as “mission accomplished” is technically accurate, as the intended targets were in fact destroyed. But declaring mission accomplished in the context of the continuing unfolding tragedy being inflicted on the Syrian people is cynical
U.S. must re-engage in Syria Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The re-election of Egypt’s President Sisi came as no surprise. Despite irregularities at some polling stations, President Sisi won handily because he remains the most popular president, and perhaps for good reason. A clear majority of Egyptians feel that unlike any of his predecessors, Sisi is dedicated to improving
Outside countries should help Egypt’s economy Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA, Yossef Ben-MeirBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK –the ongoing Palestinian demonstration along the Israel-Gaza border has turned out to be, not surprisingly, violent. More than 30 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured. If these demonstrations continue through May 15 (Israel’s 70th anniversary) as planned by Hamas, scores more Palestinians will likely be killed, while increasing the
Time for Israel and Gaza to negotiate Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra NEW YORK – Whenever Kosovo is mentioned we are reminded of the 90s, when Europe and the US provided shelter for hundreds of thousands of Albanians who resisted the tyrannical Milosevic regime. A few years later in 1999, the US, jointly with EU countries, launched NATO air strikes
Erdogan’s dangerous agenda in Kosovo Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra NEW YORK — Less than a month ago, in advance of the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, the Turkish daily Yeni Şafak, which is considered one of the mouthpieces of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), published an
Turkish plans to conquer Israel, Europe Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USAThis is the second part of an article examining the volatile Iran-Israel relationship. To see Part I, please click here. By Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The recent violation of Israel’s air space by an Iranian drone and Israel’s retaliation against Syrian and Iranian targets prompted many observers to suggest that the growing regional
U.S. should make NATO- like pledge to Israel Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The recent violation of Israel’s air space by an Iranian drone and Israel’s retaliation against Syrian and Iranian targets prompted many observers to suggest that the growing regional tension resulting from such incidents may precipitate a war between Israel and Iran/Hezbollah, and perhaps inadvertently with Syria as well. I
Iran, Israel have good reasons to avoid war Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle EastBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — With the mid-term political campaigns underway, perhaps we should pause and think where this country is headed under the leadership of Trump, with the House and Senate in control of the Republican party—a party that has lost its soul and its way, failing to safeguard America’s national interest. This
OpEd: A party that has lost its soul Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — I was in Israel when Trump made his announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Initially, I thought Israelis would pour out into the streets celebrating this ‘historic’ moment, but other than small chatter here and there, and some expressions of jubilation, not much else gripped the nation. On the
Two-state solution still viable after Trump’s declaration Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The unspeakable atrocities that are happening in South Sudan are unfathomable, not only because of the scope of savagery in the war between the Dinka and Nuer peoples, but also because it defies every tenet of our civilized being in which we take so much pride. Civilization, however, has
Never again? Slogan a travesty in South Sudan Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, InternationalBy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The egregious violation of freedom of the press in Turkey has reached a mammoth proportion that places Turkey among the most oppressive nations for journalists. It is sadder than sad that the US and the EU, who champion free press as one of the main pillars of democracy, have
Time to dismiss Turkey from NATO? Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The Iraqi Kurds’ referendum that was conducted several weeks ago won an overwhelming majority in favor of independence, but was rejected by much of the international community, especially by the US and the Iraqi government. Self-determination, however, is unstoppable because it is a core of human rights. No power
To self- determine is a human right Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USABy Alon Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The Trump administration’s proposals on the annual budget, the efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and restructuring of the tax system all point to a sad and even tragic conclusion. The poor will be poorer, dilapidated towns will continue to crumble, and crime will rise;
Trump’s budget penalizes poor children Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, USA