I could not read the interview that David suggested because that website is blocked by Syrian filters. So I can not speak to the interview directly. But I do agree, tribalism is ingrained in the psyche, not just in Israel-- it is universal, existing beyond the Middle East and it most likely will not go away for a very long time. It is the nature of our humanity.

Arabs do not trust the Israelis. Israelis do not trust the Arabs. This fact has long been a given in this formula called Middle East peace. But there is a greater problem at hand, at least in the Arab world: Arabs do not trust themselves. This lack of inter-Arab trust and unity has caused a total breakdown in any sort of peace process or prospect for negotiations with the Israelis. It has prevented Arabs from joining the global community and being an effective diplomatic bloc in international affairs.

Palestinians continue to bicker and fight among themselves. There are skirmishes between varying camps but they continue to appeal for so-called National Unity. In Lebanon, Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shia Arabs are in conflict. Within the Christian community in the country, there is no agreement and no trust. Just last week, two armed men shot a driver of car in the the neck. They pulled him out of his car and dumped him in the trunk of their own car, speeding off to a destination unknown. In Syria, where I am now, people have no trust in anyone, not the taxi driver, not the store owner, not even ordinary people on the street. I recently heard about a Syrian blogger, who was arrested and has disappeared. His whereabouts unknown. Let's hope my blogging does not lead to such fate. These may be small, singular incidents, but they symbolize a larger, more complicated dilemma.

How can Arabs expect to make peace with their so-called enemies, when they have not yet made peace with themselves, their tribes and their governments?

If you want to know what the mindset of the Israeli government is, you need to read this interview. Mr. Arad is the chief security advisor of Mr. Netanyahu.

It is very clear that we are going back one full decade in the mindset of the Israelis. There is a total breakdown of any faith that the Middle East might change. Threats and suspicion are the most popular currency, feeding the tunnel vision of non-dialog. As you might say, not much has changed, and the Tribal and Identity politics continue being the trend.

The tribalism of the Middle East is so deeply ingrained, that it is practically part of the landscape. The Chamula (extended family) comes first, then the religion, and then the territory.

There is no wish to join the global community, or the global commons. Arabs and Jews alike find in the tribal fire a warm secluded place to get cozy. The world out there is too edgy and technical, and fraught with unknown dangers. No positive value in the all-embracing view of interdependence.

The Middle East needs to break out of this biblical mentality, that the world is only as important as the next water well, or the honor of your tribe.

I think 5000 years is enough…. ?

Well, I have arrived to Syria safely. Thank God. Spent some time in Dubai, where the weather is suffocatingly hot and humid but the ornate malls serve as a cool refuge with full-blown aquariums and ice skating rinks!

I am currently in Lebanon. Yesterday I ate fresh fish at a delicious restaurant in the small town of Amsheet called Mhanna. The restaurant is perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Local Lebanese tell me that the fish in the area has gone bad due to pollution and Israel's bombing during the recent Israel-Lebanon war. The restaurant was packed and the food was delicious.

Syria is a funny place. There is so much change taking place here and yet things don't change at all, including opinions. Unfortunately, there is little optimism in this country about coexistence. Golan is still under Israeli occupation, and until an agreement is reached on that, my guess is that hope will remain low.

Also, there have been two confirmed cases of swine flu in the country. I think many are preparing for the worst here. But hospitals are understaffed and overworked. Go to hospital here and you will see lines of people waiting to be seen.

Souheila: I hope you landed in the arms of your family.

I really do not know Syria as a civilian -- I observed it through the crosshairs of the Israeli army. During my service in the seventies, I had to count traffic of the Syrian army, but this is the past as far as I am concerned.

So from my perspective, you landed on the other side of the moon. What do your relatives and friends tell you? Is coexistence possible? And what windows are there for the Syrians to dialogue with Israelis, as people? Not as representatives of governments, but face to face with citizens who have different points of view.

Once in the nineties, I produced a dialogue between a Syrian member of parliament and an Israeli minister -- live on TV.

A lot has changed since than. As a thaw might be possible between the USA and Syria, maybe another thaw is possible?

I am not optimistic about all this.

Today I head to the Middle East for an extended stay. David, we have worked together for the past six years and only blogging together for the past few months. But I look forward to continuing my dialogue with you from the region. I hope to gain different perspectives on life and culture in the Middle East as well as the political landscape in the region. Adieu!