Opinion | Columnists

Patrick Seale

Patrick Seale is a commentator and author of several books on Middle East affairs, including Asad of Syria: The Struggle for the Middle East and Abu Nidal: A Gun for Hire.

Recent Articles

Friday Dec 14

Mali cannot be won by military might

Country needs political reconciliation underpinned and promoted by massive development aid, sustained over several years
Friday Dec 7

Obama is alienating the Palestinians

Tolerating Israel’s policy of discrediting the moderates and provoking the fighters is sure to backfire
Friday Nov 30

Syria crisis cannot be solved militarily

To pay lip-service to a negotiated transition of power while arming rebels is to guarantee more bloodshed
Friday Nov 23

What can Arabs do about Gaza?

Situations like Gaza will be history if Arab leaders listen to the masses and resolve the Middle East’s challenges outside the American orbit
Thursday Nov 15

Obama, Netanyahu on collision course

If the Palestinians do not get their state in Obama’s second term, it will release a tsunami of hate, frustration and a thirst for revenge that will be difficult to control
Thursday Nov 8

Key challenges to Middle East stability

Palestinian statehood, Sunni-Shiite reconciliation and cooperation with Iran are essential to limit western interference and build bridges of friendship
Friday Nov 2

Replace blind hate with dialogue

The escalation of the Syrian conflict has made national reconciliation an uphill task, but the country will be reduced to rubble if the cycle of violence continues
Friday Oct 26

Can the US change course in the Middle East?

Instead of propping up Israel against the entire region, the US will be wiser to encourage a balance of power between Tel Aviv and its neighbours
Friday Oct 19

Gaza siege: A bomb waiting to explode

By 2020, the population density will put an intolerable strain on drinking water and electricity supplies
Thursday Oct 11

Imperialist attitude will alienate Iran

Crippling sanctions by the US and West could push Tehran to the limit and force it to hit back, triggering a regional war of unpredictable consequences