Welcome to epektasis.net

what is epektasis? It is primarily about politics. But it is also about human rights, democracy, good governance, peace, justice and reconciliation. Epektasis.net deals with issues impacting the peoples of the Middle East - conflict backgrounds, symptoms, realities, fears and possible solutions - that are viewed through a dual Middle Eastern-European lens.

Inasmuch as possible, my copyrighted articles in epektasis - posted also on different websites or published in different magazines - adhere to the overarching Christian ethos of striving to 'stretch forward' (epekteinomenos in Greek, from St Paul in Phil 3:13) - politically, ecumenically and legally - the elements of peace, justice, reconciliation, dignity, non-violence and security. Recent Articles

We are Christians of the Holy Land!: An indigenous Pilgrim on his Journey of Faith

This is why I am also cautiously hopeful that the forthcoming Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East called for by HH Pope Benedict XVI that will take place in Rome from 10-24 October 2010 will manage to discuss carefully, but also openly and judiciously, those three existential issues. (read more...)

Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon & the Middle East!

I personally recall quite clearly how many Palestinians prepared themselves to return to “Palestine” during the apogee of the Oslo years when a solution seemed in the offing only to be disappointed by the failure of that unmapped process and their sad return to their own countries of citizenship or residence. (read more...)

Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms? From Turkey to Gaza

Now if I were to transpose those Gaza figures onto any EU country or onto developing countries across any continent, would the international community be referring to desperate emergency situations, or would it still remain complacent? (read more...)

Ever-Decreasing Circles in the Middle East?

In fact, are we even able to talk of a two-state solution anymore, or is time seriously running out for this option in favour of a bi-national one despite the multiple efforts of churches, organisations and even states for peace, security and justice?. (read more...)