Month: August 2004

Let’s Play ‘Sovereignty’!

Emulating the popular game show Jeopardy!, if the answer is “Iraq,” can you formulate the question? Consider the following: Ambassador L. Paul Bremer left behind 97 edicts telling the interim government and the Iraqi people everything from how to drive their autos and mandatory minimum sentences for carrying grenades and other weapons to electoral and … Continue reading “Let’s Play ‘Sovereignty’!”

Simmering Land Disputes in Kurdistan Could Boil Over Into Violence

WASHINGTON – Amid all the violence and crime that have stricken much of central and southern Iraq in recent months, the northern region of Kurdistan has remained relatively quiet. But beneath that calm, according to a new report released Tuesday by Human Rights Watch (HRW), lies simmering tensions over conflicting land claims between Kurds, Turkmens, … Continue reading “Simmering Land Disputes in Kurdistan Could Boil Over Into Violence”

Bush Rallies Behind Colombian President, Despite Drug Allegations

The administration of President George W. Bush on Monday rallied behind Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in the face of allegations contained in a 13-year-old Pentagon intelligence report that he was a "close personal friend" of drug lord Pablo Escobar and had worked for his Medellin drug cartel. "We completely disavow these allegations about President Uribe," … Continue reading “Bush Rallies Behind Colombian President, Despite Drug Allegations”

Time to Define Terror

Immediately after 9/11, President Bush addressed the American people, defining policy in the simplest terms. “Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” In declaring a War on Terrorism, he defiantly stated his intent to pursue nations providing aid or safe … Continue reading “Time to Define Terror”

The 9/11 Commission Chimera

There they go again, I thought to myself while listening Friday to 9/11 Commission Chair Gov. Tom Kean tell senators for the umpteenth time, "I do not find today anyone really in charge of the intelligence community." Kean’s colleagues have been singing from the same sheet of music. Jamie Gorelick: "The authorities to act cohesively … Continue reading “The 9/11 Commission Chimera”

Fixing What Bush Has Broken

What would a President Kerry do in Iraq that is different from what President Bush is doing? A week ago, George Will on ABC’s This Week said you can’t even get a tissue paper between the positions of Kerry and Bush. The more valid point was made yesterday on Meet the Press by Sen. Joseph … Continue reading “Fixing What Bush Has Broken”

36 Ways the US Is Losing the War on Terror

Three years and half a trillion dollars later America is losing the war on terrorism. The 9/11 Commission has warned that more and worse acts of terrorism are to be expected. Bin Laden’s planning always assumed that we, in reacting to him, would help him carry out his objectives. Well, we did. In his dreams … Continue reading “36 Ways the US Is Losing the War on Terror”

Defector Dilemma Upsetting Korean Diplomacy

SEOUL – "False expectations – that’s how I put my life in South Korea, now," says North Korean defector Lee Min-Sun (not her real name), who works in a restaurant in the capital. "It’s like a marriage to lover who makes false promises," recalls Lee, who made her way to South Korea in 2001. "It … Continue reading “Defector Dilemma Upsetting Korean Diplomacy”

Antiwar.com – ‘A Low Budget Rabblerouser’?

I had to laugh out loud when I read Adam L. Penenberg‘s recent piece in Wired News, bemoaning the low status of the New York Times in Google‘s hierarchy of knowledge: "When I googled the terms ‘Iraq torture prison Abu Ghraib’ – certainly one of the most intensively covered news stories of the year – … Continue reading “Antiwar.com – ‘A Low Budget Rabblerouser’?”