Palestinian attorney and analyst
Diana Buttu is a Palestinian attorney and analyst. She is a former legal advisor to the Palestinian Liberation Organization, she has worked as a legal adviser and negotiator on peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian organizations. From 2000-2005, she served as legal adviser to President Abbas.
Israel and the Palestinians: Trump says it's time for peace President Trump took office with no experience in foreign affairs. Now, he's addressing one of the world's most intractable land disputes of recent decades in an interview with Reuters last week, "But I want to see peace with Israel and the Palestinians, There's no reason there's not peace between Israel and the Palestinians." Palestinians step on posters depicting President Donald Trump during a protest against the blockade on Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip May 2, 2017. The poster reads, "Abbas does not represent me." Photo by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Even if Israel were pushing hard for a "two-state solution," the Palestinians are still divided among themselves. On his way to a White House meeting tomorrow, Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas cut off power to Gaza, ruled by the militant group, Hamas. Meantime, Hamas has announced a new charter, less hostile to Israel but closer to the Authority than it's been before. Trump's first foreign visit since taking office may be to Israel — and the Territories. Will enough have changed that he can make a difference?
John Kerry's Gamble on 'Middle East Peace' John Kerry has acknowledged that there is skepticism — even cynicism — about renewing the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that broke off five years ago. But, during his first months as Secretary of State, that's what he's focused on, with repeated visits and at least ten long phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He says improving the West Bank's economy would be a good start, but neither side has shown any change on issues necessary to a two-state solution. Israeli settlements, Palestinian refugees, Jerusalem and national boundaries are as divisive as ever. Palestinians are politically and geographically divided. Polls show that neither side really believes that peace has a chance. Does the US have the power — and the commitment -- to make a difference?
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
