The West in general and the U.S. in particular appear to have lost their control over world affairs, Munir Shafiq, a prominent Palestinian intellectual, said in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency.

"Western democratic thought is on the wane, even from the inside [i.e., inside western states],” Shafiq said.

He attributes the phenomenon to the rise of “extremist and nationalist groups” in the West -- a trend that he believes constitutes “a blow to democracy”.

“The world is now in the throes of ideological chaos,” the intellectual said.

“In the past, political discourse -- ideas and principles -- was an extension of the economic, military and political control exercised by certain states,” Shafiq explained.

"For example, after the Ottoman Empire fell, Islamic thought fell into decline,” he said. “And during the Cold War, the world was divided between western political ideologies and communism.”

“But ideologies never die, they just lie dormant,” he added. “Ideologies depend on the relative power of their patron states to grow strong.”

Fatah delegation returns to Ramallah after Cairo talks A Fatah delegation has returned to Ramallah to confer with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo, according to Fatah spokesman Atef Abu Seif.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abu Seif said that delegation members had spoken with Egyptian officials in Cairo, who had also briefed them on the results of recently-concluded Hamas-Egypt talks."The delegation is now back in Ramallah to brief the Palestinian leadership on the latest developments," the spokesman.Palestinian shot dead in Hebron vehicular attackHe did not provide further details regarding the nature of the delegation’s discussions in Cairo.The Fatah delegation arrived in the Egyptian capital late Sunday with the ostensible aim of discussing the foundering Hamas-Fatah “reconciliation process” with Egyptian officials.The delegation included members of Fatah’s influential Central Committee, including Azzam al-Ahmad, Hussein al-Sheikh and Majed Faraj.Last week, members of a Hamas delegation made a similar visit to Cairo, where they, too, conferred with Egyptian officials.Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation deal last year, but its terms were never implemented due to deep-seated differences -- some of them ideological -- between the two factions.Israeli minister says he's invited to 2019 conference in BahrainIsraeli forces arrest dozens in Jerusalem raids

Julia Roberts backs London store selling presents for refugees A pop-up charity shop backed by Julia Roberts has opened in London, letting shoppers buy food, clothing and even schooling for refugees around the world.The 'Choose Love' store, run by the Help Refugees charity, opened just off the capital's Carnaby Street - with a second one due to follow on West Broadway, New York on Tuesday."You come in and you buy the blanket or the life jacket and you leave with nothing, but just have a real feeling of warmth and love," said Josie Naughton, the charity's chief executive.Turkey sends 9 truckloads of aid to Bosnia-HerzegovinaOver 170 ‘stranded’ Nigerians repatriated from Libya'Help Refugees' said all the money raised there would go to refugees - as the shop space was given free of charge and the staff were volunteers."Pretty Woman" star Roberts has helped by wearing a 'Choose Love' T-shirt at red carpet events and posting footage of her modelling it on social media.The London store, which will open until January, raised more than 750,000 pounds ($963,000) in its debut last year.Key European MEPs pay visit to Turkish ParliamentHamas seeks Palestinian unity not division: Leader

Islamic thought on defensive

Today, Shafiq contends, Islamic thought has been “badly bruised” by the recent emergence of extremist groups in the region, “such as Daesh and the Al-Nusra Front”.

Such groups have had a “profoundly negative” impact on the Islamic world, Shafiq said, going on to state his belief that these groups “have been used by the West to weaken and degrade Islamic thought”.

"Nevertheless, Islamic thought will remain influential… and will even continue to grow,” he added, “but its relative growth will remain conditional on the power and influence wielded by Muslim countries.”

“Even when Islam was very weak, Muslim thought was nevertheless able to spread, especially in West Africa,” Shafiq pointed out. “The power of an ideology reflects the sovereignty and power of the states that embrace it."

He added: “Today’s youth are faced with a broken left-wing ideology, an Islamic ideology associated with a region battered by conflict, and a democratic ideology that looks increasingly shaky.”

Such ideological bedlam, Shafiq believes, “has prompted the new generation to eschew ideology and engage in purely practical [i.e., non-political] activities”.

“The communist ideology collapsed following the demise of the Soviet Union,” he said. “And now the liberal ideology that opposed communism is collapsing as well.”

Jordan faces wave of dissent as government's troubles mount When a flash flood swept a group of schoolchildren to their deaths in Jordan last month, a wave of public criticism pointed to wider discontent within the kingdom.The backlash against the government on social media questioned how anyone had been allowed into an area at risk of seasonal flooding near the Dead Sea. Two ministers were sacked over the tragedy and King Abdullah ordered an inquiry.The reaction reflected the challenges facing a government struggling to win public support over a range of issues, chief amongst them tax increases needed to help plug the state's gaping budget deficit.Criticism on Facebook and Twitter has been running at a high pitch all year with little or no respite even after King Abdullah replaced the government in June following a rare wave of protests over the economy."Prison does not scare us and the word of justice we will say as long as we live. The country must get fixed," political satirist Ahmed Hassan Zoubi tweeted on Nov. 17.King Abdullah's half brother, former crown prince Hamza, has also weighed in, taking to Twitter in September to demand a crackdown on corruption in the public sector as a starting point for reform - a call voiced by the king himself.For Jordan, a U.S. ally whose stability has been a defining feature of the Middle East for decades, this has been an uncomfortable year.The government has been forced to cut spending and raise taxes, confronted by the economic impact of years of regional turmoil and diminished Gulf Arab support as a result of falling oil prices and the Yemen war.Adding to the pressures, Donald Trump's proposed Middle East peace plan has hit a political nerve in Jordan, where millions of citizens of Palestinian refugee origin live alongside native Jordanians.Despite questions over whether the president's "ultimate deal" will get anywhere, his approach has stirred old fears of any attempt to settle the conflict in a way that would suit Israel but forgo Palestinian rights at Jordan's expense.With its stability underpinned by a powerful military and security apparatus, Jordan has developed one of the Arab world's more open economies, investing in education and infrastructure including its gleaming airport and roads.A bulwark against Islamist militancy, Jordan has made peace with Israel and absorbed waves of Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. It also navigated its way through the 2011 Arab Spring, though it still faces some of the issues that ignited regional turmoil that year, notably youth unemployment.Since the summer protests, there has been no sign of unrest in the streets. King Abdullah and his Hashemite dynasty enjoy solid support and act as a unifying force among native Jordanian tribes and Jordanian Palestinians.But not for the first time, the monarchy has come in for criticism of late.Turkey ready to help flood-hit IraqKing Abdullah Steps Into DebateIn October, a group of retired senior military officers, tribal figures and activists from traditionally loyalist constituencies aired their grievances in a petition directed at King Abdullah.Attacking Trump's Middle East policy, the signatories urged the king to stand firm against any moves that harm Jordan.The king subsequently announced he would not be renewing a deal that has let Israelis farm Jordanian land near the border since the peace treaty of 1994 - a move that won approval at home and was seen aimed at defusing some of the anger.The petition also included a call for the monarch to devolve more powers to parliament."Loyalty is overwhelming in Jordan but that doesn't mean there are no pockets here and there that are against even the monarchy. And they are negligible, yes, but through social media they will have a ... big voice," said Fayez Tarawneh, a pillar of the establishment who has served as prime minister and head of the royal court.With the traditional print and broadcast media loyal to the state and no organised opposition political parties, social media has become a channel for dissent.The government has launched a public awareness campaign on its dangers. "Fabricated news obstructs development and confuses public opinion," declares one of the banners erected in recent days around Amman.King Abdullah has stepped into the debate about its role in unusually strong terms, taking aim at what he described as false rumours and stories spread online in a lengthy article published in pro-government media.Addressing speculation over a month-long absence this summer, the king criticised a "wave of rumours and false stories" that had spread concerning his annual break. "The question persisted: Where is the king? Some went as far as questioning my presence even as I stood before them.""Unfortunately, some people have tried to spread rumours targeting the morale and unity of Jordanians," he wrote.There was an urgent need, he wrote, to develop laws to ensure the protection of freedom of expression but also to "combat rumours and misinformation, and counter hate speech"."Anyone who offends a Jordanian — whether from my bigger Jordanian family or my immediate family — offends me personally."Number of missing in deadly California wildfire revised down, more rain on the way"Not An Easy Ride"Amnesty International said the article appeared to signal the king's support for proposed amendments to a cybercrimes law that would "deal a devastating blow to freedom of expression in Jordan". The amendments were sent to parliament in September."They are deeply scared of Facebook," said Ali Braizat, a dissident from the town of Dhiban who has been jailed twice for opposition activities.Braizat, 55, is an unusually strident critic of King Abdullah, crossing red lines that allow criticism of the government but not the monarch.His town is one of the provincial tribal areas upon which the Hashemites built their support among native Jordanians. Many of its people have benefited from state jobs, including Braizat until he resigned in 2001. Jordan's police chief is from the area.Braizat's last spell in prison was in January, when he was held for one month. His arrest sparked protests in Dhiban.Braizat, a lawyer who also farms olives on family land in Dhiban, was a signatory of the petition, describing it as a "clear and frank" message to the king and his foreign backers."The Jordanians are telling the king what's requested of (him)," he said. "In the midst of what's going on in the region we don't want to change the regime. But (he is) the one in charge and responsible firstly and finally for changing things."During the Arab Spring, there were protests in Dhiban but these were to demand more state jobs and services, not political reform, Braizat said. A visit by King Abdullah helped manage the situation.Jordan's financial crunch now hangs over the state's ability to finance jobs and services. Tarawaneh said the "financial squeeze" couldn't be separated from regional instability."What is needed really is continuous dialogue within the country to explain more ... the procedures the government has to take. In certain areas, you need some surgery," he said."It's not an easy ride." Clashing with Trump, US govt report says climate change will batter economy

Palestinian shot dead in Hebron vehicular attack Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian for allegedly ramming his vehicle into a group of soldiers in the West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, according to the Israeli military.In a statement, a military spokesman said three soldiers were injured in the suspected attack that occurred in the town of Beit Ummar in Hebron.He said an Israeli soldier shot and “neutralized” the alleged attacker.The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, for its part, confirmed that a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces.In a statement, it said Red Crescent medics had received the body of the Palestinian from the Israeli army.Palestine slams Israel's arrest of Jerusalem governorPalestinians swarm Gaza-Israel buffer zone on 35th weekIsraeli navy detains Palestine fishermen off Gaza coastJewish settlers raid Palestinian village in West Bank

Killing of Khashoggi

Speaking on the last month's murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Shafiq said: "I think they [the Saudi leadership] wanted to interrogate him before eliminating him entirely.”

"Khashoggi’s murder reveals how out-of-control the world has become,” he added. “That’s why the issue has received so much global attention; it shows how the whole world is now living in chaos”.

A frequent contributor to The Washington Post, Khashoggi went missing on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

After initially denying any knowledge of the journalist’s death, the Saudi authorities later admitted that Khashoggi had in fact been killed in the consulate, albeit by rogue Saudi agents.

Israeli minister says he's invited to 2019 conference in Bahrain An Israeli cabinet minister said on Monday he had been invited to attend a conference next year in Bahrain, in what he described as part of Israel's emerging relations with Arab and Muslim countries that do not formally recognise it.Israel's diplomatic push in the Gulf, where it sees Arab states as its natural allies against regional powerhouse Iran, has become increasingly public after years of covert contacts.Shared worries about Iran or needs in terms of security, agriculture and water have thawed hostility toward Israel among some Arab governments. After a surprise trip to Oman last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday hosted a first visit by Chadian President Idriss Deby."I myself received a personal invitation to Bahrain," Israeli Economy Minister Eli Cohen said in a radio interview.Palestine slams Israel's arrest of Jerusalem governorPalestinians swarm Gaza-Israel buffer zone on 35th weekCohen told Army Radio the invitation was to a conference in the first quarter of 2019 "in the realm of technology and high-tech, in which the State of Israel is certainly a leader". He did not say whether he planned to attend.Asked to elaborate, an Israeli official briefed on Cohen's affairs said the event to which he had been invited was the Startup Nations Ministerial conference on April 15, a forum for public policymakers to discuss how to promote entrepreneurs.The official, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, said the invitation originated with the Manama government and was relayed to Israel by Switzerland.Israeli navy detains Palestine fishermen off Gaza coastJewish settlers raid Palestinian village in West BankOfficials in Manama did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Switzerland's ambassador to Israel, Jean-Daniel Ruch, said in an emailed statement that his embassy had no knowledge of any such invitation.Bahrain, where a Saudi-backed Sunni Muslim ruling family faces a Shia-led opposition, is one of several flashpoints in a regional tussle for influence between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Manama is a close ally of the Saudis and Emiratis, Gulf forces that Israel has described as potential partners against its arch-foe Iran.Israeli PM Netanyahu to visit Bahrain ‘soon’Israel claims to break up Hamas 'cell' in West Bank

Palestine slams Israel's arrest of Jerusalem governor The Palestinian government has decried Israel’s arrest of Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith in a raid in the occupied city on Sunday."The governor’s arrest is part of [Israel]’s continued policy of targeting the occupied city, its people and holy sites,” government spokesman Yousuf al-Mahmoud said in a statement.Israeli forces detained Ghaith in a dawn raid on his home in Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem on Sunday.The Israeli military did not provide any details about the reason for the governor’s detention.The Palestinian spokesman accused Israeli authorities “of seeking to impose its hegemony and creating the impression that it has the upper hand in Jerusalem”."Jerusalem represents a symbol of existence and survival in the Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic conscience." he said.Arab League slams Israeli ban on Jerusalem officialsHaniyeh calls for alliance to save Palestinian causeOn Thursday, Israeli authorities banned Ghaith from entering the occupied West Bank for a six-month period.Last month, the Jerusalem governor was arrested by Israeli forces and held in prison for two days before being released.Jerusalem remains at the heart of the decades-long Mideast conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might one day serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.International law continues to view East Jerusalem, along with the entire West Bank, as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement construction there as illegal.Palestinians swarm Gaza-Israel buffer zone on 35th weekIsraeli navy detains Palestine fishermen off Gaza coast

Palestine issue

On the thorny issue of “reconciliation” between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah, Shafiq again cited the ideological factor.

"In the Palestinian political arena, there are two diametrically opposed points-of-view and two competing strategies,” he said.

"One strategy believes that good relations with Washington and negotiations with Israel -- and an eventual peace settlement -- are the best solution [to the Israel/Palestine conflict],” he said.

“This strategy is espoused by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) led by President Mahmoud Abbas,” he added.

“Then there is the opposing point-of-view embraced by resistance groups [led by Hamas], which reject negotiations with Israel and which believe armed resistance constitutes the only viable means of liberating Palestine,” Shafiq said.

“Since these two ideologies are fundamentally opposed to each other,” he added, “reconciliation [between Hamas and Fatah] can only be achieved if Abbas radically alters his policy.”

Referring to the PA’s ongoing failure to achieve any tangible gains for the Palestinian national cause, Shafiq asserted: “The Palestinian resistance will never adopt a policy that so obviously cannot bear any fruit.”

"But Abbas is very stubborn,” he said. “He has yet to recognize the failure of his choice [to enter negotiations with Israel].”

Arab Spring

Regarding the series of popular uprisings that shook the Arab world in 2011, Shafiq said: “The Arab Spring didn’t come out of nowhere. Rather, it reflected the weakness of U.S. regional hegemony and the changing balance of power among world powers.”

“The results of the Arab Spring have been overwhelmingly negative,” he concluded. “If a fresh wave of popular uprisings occurs, the region must learn from its past mistakes and experiences.”

Arab League slams Israeli ban on Jerusalem officials The Arab League has strongly condemned a decision by Israeli authorities to bar the minister and governor of Jerusalem from travel.“The travel ban amounts to a crime that is only being committed by occupation authorities,” Said Abu Ali, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, said in a statement on Saturday.On Thursday, Israeli authorities imposed a three-month travel ban on Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Adnan al-Husseini and confiscated his passport.Israel also banned the Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith from entering the occupied West Bank for a six-month period.Israeli authorities did not give any reason for the ban on the two Palestinian officials.Abu Ali called on Israel to reverse its ban on the two Jerusalem officials, describing the decisions as “unjust”."Israel prevents Muslims and Christians from reaching worship places in Jerusalem, which is the highest degree of terrorism in the world," he said.Jerusalem remains at the heart of the decades-long Mideast conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might one day serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.International law continues to view East Jerusalem, along with the entire West Bank, as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement construction there as illegal.