Month: July 2006

When journalists use the word "apparently," or another favorite "reportedly," they are usually distancing themselves from an event or an interpretation in the supposed interests of balance. But I think we should read the "apparently" contained in a statement from the head of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, relating to the killing this week of … Continue reading “The Lies Israel Tells Itself (and We Tell on Its Behalf)”

Welcome to my parlor, says the Hezbollah spider to the Israeli fly. The Israeli high command continues to express its faith in the foxfire of air power to destroy Hezbollah, but, as always, it’s not working. Lebanon is taking a pounding, to be sure, but Lebanon is not Hezbollah. Slowly, reluctantly, Israel is edging toward … Continue reading “Welcome to My Parlor”

Barbarism seems an obvious enough category. Ordinarily in our world, the barbarians are them. They act in ways that seem unimaginably primitive and brutal to us. For instance, they kidnap or capture someone, American or Iraqi, and cut off his head. Now, isn’t that the definition of barbaric? Who does that anymore? The 8th century, … Continue reading “Barbarism From Above”

Two months ago, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, publicly criticized UN Security Council members Russia, China, and Qatar for "disappointing the Jewish state," while heaping praise on John Bolton – the U.S. recess-appointment UN ambassador – "jokingly" describing him as "a secret member of Israel’s own team." It appears American ambassadors rarely … Continue reading “An ‘Ineffective Bully’”

NEW DELHI – Just as the nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and India receives a major boost in Washington with the House of Representatives strongly voting for it, the deal continues to face flak in India’s own Parliament. On Thursday, the House approved 359-68 a bill that facilitates resumption of civilian nuclear commerce … Continue reading “Indo-US Nuclear Deal Sows Resentment, Rivalry”

The Human Shields of Nazareth Dear fellow activists, … Jonathan Cook’s article clearly demonstrates that yet another journalist (Matthew Price) within the BBC has been “reporting” fallacies and hinting at a pro-Israeli stance. This must be combated by truthful analysis, not counter-propaganda that the BBC in its entirety (or its reporting arm) is the tool … Continue reading “Backtalk July 29, 2006”

Zbigniew Brzezinski, speaking at a forum sponsored by the New America Foundation, had this to say about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon: "I hate to say this but I will say it. I think what the Israelis are doing today for example in Lebanon is in effect, in effect – maybe not in intent – … Continue reading “Lebanon: Are the Yanks Coming?”

Hopes by the George W. Bush administration for the emergence of an implicit Sunni-Israel alliance against an Iranian-led "Shia Crescent" have faded over the past week as Arab public opinion has become increasingly united by outrage over the Jewish state’s continuing military campaign in Lebanon and Washington’s refusal to stop it, according to Middle East … Continue reading “Sunni-Shia Split Fades as Israel Presses Campaign”

Like 1967 and 1982, the summer of 2006 may serve as a watershed in the history of the modern Middle East. As in those previous summers, Israel is now intent on pursuing political goals through military means, eschewing diplomacy for a massive show of force. Unfortunately, Israeli military victories have had the unintended consequence of … Continue reading “The Fire Next Time”

BEIRUT – Amid the rapidly worsening situation in Lebanon, the government finds itself too weak and divided to deal either with Israel or Hezbollah. In turmoil since the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005, the government of this tiny country of 3.8 million has been struggling to overcome internal factions, despite … Continue reading “Fractured Govt Leads Devastated Country”