Negotiating Gaza: Lessons from 1977

by Thomas W. Lippman To understand why Israel and Hamas keep fighting, and why Secretary of State John Kerry was unable to forge a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, it helps to do some homework. Read Volume… Continue Reading

In Iraq, an Opening for the Saudis

Thomas W. Lippman The appointment of Haidar al-Abadi as prime minister of Iraq gives Saudi Arabia an opportunity to end its futile and counterproductive ostracism of its northern neighbor, and the Saudis appear prepared to seize it. Assuming that Abadi… Continue Reading

For Saudi Arabia, a Hot Ramadan

by Thomas W. Lippman When Ramadan arrives in mid-summer, as it did this year, it usually guarantees that nothing of significance will happen in Saudi Arabia. The days of fasting are long, the heat is intense, and everybody who is… Continue Reading

Which Is Worse for Saudi Arabia, ISIS or Maliki?

by Thomas Lippman Has King Abdullah backed away from his longstanding refusal to have anything to do with an Iraqi government that includes Nouri al-Maliki? Reporters who were in Jeddah when Abdullah met with Secretary of State John F. Kerry… Continue Reading

Bowe Bergdahl Isn’t the First

by Thomas W. Lippman Americans have short memories. In all the furor over the exchange of five senior Taliban leaders for an U.S. prisoner in Afghanistan, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, I haven’t heard anyone other than a writer for National Review… Continue Reading