Month: April 2009

Culture of Unpunished Sexual Assault in Military

Sexual assault of women serving in the U.S. military, while brought to light in recent reports, has a long tradition in that institution. Women in America were first allowed into the military during the Revolutionary War in 1775, and their travails are as old. Maricela Guzman served in the Navy from 1998 to 2002 as … Continue reading “Culture of Unpunished Sexual Assault in Military”

Hamas Gaining International Legitimacy

JERUSALEM — Delegations from the rival Fatah and Hamas organizations have again failed in Cairo to bridge their differences meant to usher in a Palestinian unity government, but this has in no way slowed inroads which the Islamist movement has been making to increase its international legitimacy — much to Israel’s concern. Since the conclusion … Continue reading “Hamas Gaining International Legitimacy”

Kiss the Era of Human Rights Goodbye

Recently, in a Washington Post op-ed, Mark Danner wrote: "However much we would like the [torture] scandal to be confined to the story of what was done in those isolated rooms on the other side of the world where interrogators plied their arts, and in the air-conditioned government offices where officials devised ‘legal’ rationales, the … Continue reading “Kiss the Era of Human Rights Goodbye”

Major Foreign Tests Likely Over Obama’s Next 100 Days

While Barack Obama has clearly improved Washington’s image abroad during his first 100 days in office, the next 100 will almost certainly prove much more challenging for the new president’s foreign policy. Putting aside the possibility that the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression could become much more severe than the White House currently … Continue reading “Major Foreign Tests Likely Over Obama’s Next 100 Days”

Thursday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 25 Wounded

Updated at 6:57 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2009 At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded in violence that closed out the deadliest month of the year so far. Two U.S. soldiers were reported killed in Amara, but the incident has not been confirmed yet. Meanwhile, British troops handed over control of Basra to U.S. forces. Also, a U.S. soldier was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a fellow soldier.

Rights Groups Still Waiting for Obama to Deliver

While human rights and open-government groups are generally pleased with President Barack Obama’s rhetoric during his first 100 days, some are skeptical that he will deliver on his promises. Caroline Fredrickson, head of the Washington Legislative Office for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told IPS that Obama’s first 100 days "are something of a … Continue reading “Rights Groups Still Waiting for Obama to Deliver”