Obama Says US Considering ‘Full Range of Options’ on Libya

As more Libyan towns and cities fell to anti-government forces Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington is preparing "the full range of options" to respond to the ongoing violence in the oil-rich North African state. In a five-minute televised statement from the White House, Obama stressed that Washington preferred to act in concert with … Continue reading “Obama Says US Considering ‘Full Range of Options’ on Libya”

Now Gadhafi Makes the Same Mistake

CAIRO – The brutal response by Libyan leader Muammar Al-Gadhafi against pro-democracy protestors in the country indicates his determination not to leave office without a bloody battle, but his moves follow the path that eventually led to ouster of two neighbouring dictators. In a televised address Tuesday from his residential compound that was bombed by … Continue reading “Now Gadhafi Makes the Same Mistake”

Kerry Calls for Regime Change in Libya

As Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi vowed to hang on to power, a close congressional ally of U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday called for an end to his regime. “The Gadhafi government’s use of deadly force against its own people should mean the end of the regime itself,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, … Continue reading “Kerry Calls for Regime Change in Libya”

Interventionists Target Libya

Outside of an asylum, is there anybody nuttier than Moammar Qadaffy? Well, yes: Marc Lynch, associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University – and non-resident smarty-pants at the Center for a New American Hegemony Security – who blogs at ForeignPolicy.com, where he writes: “The unfolding situation in Libya has been … Continue reading “Interventionists Target Libya”

Nationalism, Democracy, and the Arab Awakening

The revolutionary wave sweeping through the Middle East promises to topple sclerotic Arab regimes throughout the region, but there is a marked difference between, say, Egypt and Iran – and the difference is the nationalist factor. In Egypt, the people rose up against a US-supported dictatorship which had ridden on their backs for 30 years. … Continue reading “Nationalism, Democracy, and the Arab Awakening”

Libyan Fury Challenges Gadhafi

CAIRO – The movement for change sweeping across the Middle East has now rocked Libya. Thousands of people have taken to the streets across many cities to demand an end to the 41-year autocratic rule of maverick leader Muammar Al- Gadhafi. International human rights organizations say at least 24 people have died since the protests … Continue reading “Libyan Fury Challenges Gadhafi”

Thursday: 12 Iraqis Killed, 30 Wounded

Thanks to security concerns, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani demanded a delay of final election results until all parties resolve any allegations of vote manipulation; results are due tomorrow. No definite pre-release surge in violence has been noted, but at least 12 Iraqis were killed and 28 more wounded in the latest attacks.

From My Lai to Lockerbie

On this one-way planet of ours, it’s hard sometimes to imagine things any other way, but for a moment let’s try. Imagine, for instance, that in recent years the director of Iranian intelligence oversaw a program of “extraordinary rendition” aimed at those who were believed to be prepared to commit acts of terror against that … Continue reading “From My Lai to Lockerbie”