Month: August 2004

Doctor May Get Life for Violating Iraq Sanctions

In the eighteen months since central New York oncologist Rafil Dhafir was arrested and charged with violating the U.S. embargo against Iraq, he has been sitting in a Syracuse jail, ignored by most of the national media, as prosecutors continue to add charges threatening him with a maximum sentence of almost 300 years in prison. … Continue reading “Doctor May Get Life for Violating Iraq Sanctions”

Najaf Prompts Talk of Secession Among Iraqi Politicians

From the disrupted Iraqi National Conference in Baghdad to the low-key threat of secession from Shi’ite leaders in southern Iraq, the entire country’s future may be determined by events in the holy city of Najaf. The National Conference, where 1,300 Iraqi delegates were to meet for three days and elect the 100-member National Council, was … Continue reading “Najaf Prompts Talk of Secession Among Iraqi Politicians”

US Accounts for Global Surge in Military Spending

UNITED NATIONS – After declining in the post-cold war era of the early 1990s, global military spending is on the rise again – threatening to break the one trillion dollar barrier this year, according to a group of UN-appointed military experts. The 16-member group estimates that military spending will rise to nearly $950 billion by … Continue reading “US Accounts for Global Surge in Military Spending”

Evolving Empire: Bush’s Troop Realignment

Foreign policy scholar Chalmers Johnson, author of The Sorrows of Empire and, Blowback, discusses the frauds and realities surrounding Bush’s troop shift proposal. Interviewed for Democracy Now! by Amy Goodman. Read the Transcript Listen to the Interview Watch the Interview (256k stream) Watch the Intervew (128k stream) Go to main Democracy Now! page for Chalmers … Continue reading “Evolving Empire: Bush’s Troop Realignment”

Egypt’s Iron Fist: Crushing Terrorism, or Human Rights?

CAIRO – Brute force used in Egypt to contain terrorism has come at the expense of civil liberties, rights supporters say. "The government crushed the terrorists, but it also crushed the people," says Ahmed Osman, an Egyptian business owner. He claims he shaved his beard to avoid constant police harassment. Egypt, the most populous Arab … Continue reading “Egypt’s Iron Fist: Crushing Terrorism, or Human Rights?”

US Military to Reach Into ‘Arc of Crisis’

U.S. President George W. Bush unveiled Monday one of the largest planned troop redeployments since the onset of the Cold War 50 years ago. In a speech to a veterans’ group in Ohio, where he faces a tight race to win November’s presidential election, Bush said the move would create a "more agile and flexible … Continue reading “US Military to Reach Into ‘Arc of Crisis’”

The Star Chamber Is Back

Are George Bush and Tony Blair building democracy in the Middle East or police states at home? There is no sign of democracy in Iraq. Bush has installed a puppet government backed up by U.S. military force. America’s hamhanded occupation has resulted in large civilian casualties, prison tortures and a breakdown in public order. Domestic … Continue reading “The Star Chamber Is Back”

Iraq Assembly off to a Faltering Start

BAGHDAD – More than 1,300 delegates from across Iraq gathered here Sunday to elect 100 members for the interim consultative assembly, but angry opponents disrupted the opening sessions and accused the government of undemocratic ways. Instead of debating topics on the agenda, much of the discussions turned into heated debates about fighting in Najaf, where … Continue reading “Iraq Assembly off to a Faltering Start”