Jim Lederman is senior middle east analyst for Oxford Analytica. He is the author of Battle Lines: The American Media and the Intifada (Henry Holt, 1992) and Israel at 50: History and Economy, (IMCE, Paris, 1998). His blog is here.

Recent articles

Palestinians' retreat into neo-tribalist politics under Yasser Arafat lies at the root of the latest phase of conflict with Israel, says Jim Lederman.

In seeking a system which can bring security, stability and prosperity, Israel's people are ahead of their politicians, says Jim Lederman.

The Palestinian election result is not a surprise if read through the prism of Arab political history and culture, says Jim Lederman.

The question of who succeeds Ariel Sharon as Israeli prime minister is less important than to understand what the Israeli polity has become - a new form of democratic governance, says Jim Lederman.

Communal trust and public debate between citizens have proven to be the most formidable weapon against terrorists, writes Jim Lederman