As'ad AbuKhalil

Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian national movement

As'ad AbuKhalil, Jon Elmer — 2005-01-19T13:37:00Z

"Arafat is much less radical, much less militant than his people."

Jon Elmer: Nelson Mandela described Yasser Arafat in his recent passing as "an icon in the proper sense of the term." Can you describe Arafat's place as a symbol of the Palestinian national movement?

As'ad AbuKhalil: I think it is fair to say that over the last several decades, the world stage and the Palestinian national movement have turned Yasser Arafat into a symbol of the Palestinian national struggle. Having said that, it is very important not to fall into the tendency to reduce all of the history of Palestinian struggle to the personality of Yasser Arafat. The legacy of Yasser Arafat has to be assessed in the context of the sacrifices and contributions of the Palestinian people themselves, and we should be careful not to give the entire credit to one man. (...)

[interview conducted 12 November 2004]

- / FromOccupiedPalestine

Violence, Confusion, Fear: Problems Mount Surrounding Scheduled Jan 30th Iraqi Elections

As'ad AbuKhalil — 2005-01-07T03:02:00Z

As the scheduled Jan. 30 date for elections in Iraq steadily approaches, we speak with California State University professor As'as AbuKhalil about the mounting problems surrounding the vote.

- / Democracy Now!

The conflict without Arafat

As'ad AbuKhalil — 2004-11-10T04:23:00Z

The imminent passing of Yasser Arafat will mark the beginning of a new era in the Arab-Israeli conflict. For a century, Palestinian national politics has been dominated by two men: Hajj Amin al-Husseini led the Palestinian national movement from the 1920s to the 1950s, while Arafat emerged in the mid-1960s. Arafat is credited for forging a Palestinian national identity, but the credit should go the Palestinian people. The Palestinian national movement produced Arafat, not vice versa. But Arafat was responsible for leading an independent national movement after decades of Arab governments' control of Palestinian organizations. Arafat reflected Palestinian desires for sovereignty and independent decision-making, although his efforts were not quite successful. (...)

- / San Francisco Chronicle

The Battle for Fallujah: U.S. Forces Face Fierce Resistance in Largest Offensive Since Invasion

Amy Goodman, As'ad AbuKhalil, Dahr Jamail — 2004-11-09T23:55:00Z

The U.S. assault on the Iraqi city of Fallujah has entered its second day. Thousands of U.S. forces inside the Sunni city are engaged in some of the fiercest urban warfare seen to date in Iraq. We go to Baghdad to speak with Dahr Jamail, one of the few independent reporters in Iraq and we speak with California State University professor As'ad AbuKhalil.

- / Democracy Now!

U.S. Risks Alienating Millions Across Muslim World with Major Attack on Holy City of Najaf

As'ad AbuKhalil, Donald Macintyre — 2004-08-13T03:11:00Z

Thousands of U.S. troops have launched a major attack on the Iraqi city of Najaf, one of the holiest cities in the Muslim world. We go to Iraq to get a report on the latest fighting and we speak with professor As'ad AbuKhalil about the U.S. assault on one of the holiest cities in the Muslim world.

Saudi Attack Kills 22 Mostly Foreign Oil Workers, Sends Oil Prices Soaring

As'ad AbuKhalil — 2004-06-01T05:00:00Z

Militants killed 22 people in the Saudi Arabian city of Khobar this weekend and held at least 40 more hostage in an upscale housing complex mainly populated by foreigners working in the oil industry. We speak with political science professor and Middle East expert As'ad AbuKhalil.

Major Bomb Attacks Across Iraq; Leaked CPA Memo Warns of Civil War

As'ad AbuKhalil, Jason Vest — 2004-04-21T17:22:22Z

Hours after three car bombs explode in Basra killing 68 people and wounding more than 230, an explosion rocks the Saudi capital of Riyadh. We hear from political science professor As'ad AbuKhalil on the increasing violence in the Middle East and we speak with independent reporter Jason Vest who obtained a Coalition Provision Authority memo that warns the U.S. occupation of Iraq will likely lead to civil war.

Iraq Intifada: U.S. Faces New Resistance Front As Shiites Join Armed Uprising

Amy Goodman, As'ad AbuKhalil, Naomi Klein — 2004-04-06T19:35:45Z

The U.S. is facing a nightmare scenario in Iraq, fighting on two fronts against both Sunni and Shia militants after Shiite Iraqis staged an armed uprising against occupying forces this past Sunday. We go to Baghdad to speak with independent journalist and author Naomi Klein and we speak with Middle East expert Professor As'ad AbuKhalil.