After Iraq, Arabs Wary of ‘Western’ Democracy

DUBAI – In the evolving debate on reforms, Arab intellectuals and common people continue to emphasize the need for culture- and region-specific democratic reforms in the Middle East, and strongly oppose the imposition of Western models. Highlighting the difficulty of implementing a Western tailor-made process without heeding local and regional circumstances, Omro Hamzawi, senior fellow … Continue reading “After Iraq, Arabs Wary of ‘Western’ Democracy”

The Politics of PTSD

Recent news articles have reported that nearly 216,000 veterans diagnosed with PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder – receive benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA). Most of these veterans are from the Vietnam period, and many, including myself, were granted their disability ratings only during the last decade. Since 1999, the VA’s PTSD benefit payments have … Continue reading “The Politics of PTSD”

Bush Is No Conservative

President Bush passes himself off as a conservative Republican and a born-again Christian. These are disguises behind which Bush hides. Would a Christian invade another country on false pretenses, kill tens of thousands of innocent civilians, and show no remorse or inclination to cease the aggression? Longtime Republican policy wonk Bruce Bartlett recently published a … Continue reading “Bush Is No Conservative”

City on the Edge of Forever

Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Just as the gray houses and snow-covered ground emerge from the thick late-winter fog, the airplane banks sharply up, its engines straining for altitude. The captain apologizes; he could not see the landing lights, and on the approach to the Sarajevo international airport, there can be no mistakes. Rocky slopes of the … Continue reading “City on the Edge of Forever”

What Is ‘Democracy’?

“If I must die, I will die,” Abdul Rahman told a human rights worker. Facing execution for converting to Christianity, Rahman had just been moved from a jail in Kabul, where his life was in imminent peril, to the notorious Policharki prison outside Kabul, where 2,000 are incarcerated, including 350 Taliban. Rahman is a man … Continue reading “What Is ‘Democracy’?”

High Court Hears Historic Case on Detainees

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear what will almost certainly be one of the landmark cases of the past 50 years. Its decision will determine whether the Supreme Court will continue to assert its authority to review and check the executive’s power to detain and try individuals caught up in the "war on terror." … Continue reading “High Court Hears Historic Case on Detainees”

Iraq Left to Rebuild Itself

Last week’s announcement that Iraq will now have to pay for its own reconstruction has left some observers wondering whether the yet-to-be-formed government there will be up to the task. Iraq’s deputy finance minister, Kamal Field al-Basri, said it was "reasonable" for the United States to sharply cut back its reconstruction efforts after spending about … Continue reading “Iraq Left to Rebuild Itself”

Condi for NFL Commissioner

You probably saw where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ruled out applying for the job of NFL commissioner after Paul Tagliabue retires. "Unfortunately, it came open at the wrong time. "Obviously, I’m very busy as secretary of state, and I intend to continue to be secretary of state as long as the president of the … Continue reading “Condi for NFL Commissioner”

Your Deluxe Empire: An Owner’s Manual

Thank you, U.S. citizens and taxpayers, for your wise purchase of the latest, top-of-the-range Mark 99 Empire, the latest in a long line of highly expensive, unsuccessful, and impermanent empire products. If you take care of your empire, it will give you many months/years/decades/centuries of hegemony, and will be the envy of lesser imperialists. However, … Continue reading “Your Deluxe Empire: An Owner’s Manual”