Sohail Mahmood details the next steps that should be taken in order to create peace and stability in the Middle East, placing special emphasis on dialogue between the Western and Islamic worlds, and the power of every individual to make a difference.
The Next Steps for Peace in the Middle East and West Asia
Opening dialogue between the West and Islam
By Sohail Mahmood, 14th June 2007
Forty Years Without a Lasting Peace
The Six-Day War in Retrospect (1967-2007)
By Dan Bavly, 14th June 2007
Daniel Bavly takes a look back at the Six Day War, the conflict in which Israel faced a coalition made up by Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Syria exactly 40 years ago. The author, who lived through and took part in the event, believes a key opportunity to reach a concrete peace agreement was lost.
On the edge of civil war? 
By George Emile Irani (for Safe Democracy)
George Emile Irani writes on the current conflict in Lebanon between Salafists and the Lebanese army, placing the blame on the failing political regimes that allowed the extremists to take root. In Irani’s opinion, these newly formed Sunni radical groups will pose a major challenge to UNIFIL’s mission in Lebanon, to the dominance of Hezbollah and Hamas, and to the stability of the entire region.
Ayalon, Barak, and the return of security experts 
By Mario Sznajder (for Safe Democracy)
Mario Sznajder discusses the Israeli political scenario after the first round of Labor party primaries – in which Ami Ayalon and Ehud Barak were the favorites – and explains how the partial election of Havodah will determine the new government and political future of Ehud Olmert, as well as the political agenda of the country, affected by years of security crisis and a growing socio-economic gap.
PLUS: “A red card for Ehud Olmert“, by Mario Sznajder
Teheran and the strategy of “perpetual turbulence” 
By Jana Beris (from Jerusalem, for Safe Democracy)
Jana Beris explains the Iranian strategy of perpetual turbulence throughout the Middle East in an attempt to destabilize the current world order. For Teheran, the worse off the region is, the better.
By Mohammad Darawshe (for Safe Democracy)
Mohammad Darawshe analyzes the relatively low percentage of Arabs in the Israeli work force and proposes two possible causes: a generally prejudiced Israeli society or certain Arab traditions that prevent educated young people from reaching their full potential. He explains that the Israeli economy would benefit from making better use of its university-educated Arab citizens. He notes that stereotyping and segregation on both the Arab and Jewish parts will only make the situation worse, and asks which factor, if not both, will change first- the Jewish-Arab discrimination or Arab culture?
Europe’s Time to Shine?
By F
The Resurgence of Ultra-Nationalism
By Arshin Adib-Moghaddam (for Safe Democracy)
Arshin Adib-Moghaddam writes on the Western incentive to demonize Iran in its media in order to justify the possible use of military force. Reviewing Iran’s history with the Jewish people, Adib-Moghaddam points out that Ahmadinejad’s attempt at historical revisionism is a consequence of the resurgence of ultra-nationalism. In Adib-Moghaddam’s opinion, now more than ever it is necessary that we all work on debunking historical distortions and building an inclusive dialogue that cuts across cultural barriers.
The Winograd Report reveals devastating information on the war in Lebanon
By Mario Sznajder (for Safe Democracy)
Mario Sznajder believes that the preliminary report from the Winograd Commision es a red card not only for the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, but also for Israel’s political class as a whole.
