Month: January 2008

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has garnered headlines around the world for his defiance of Washington, as well as his rhetorical grandstanding on Palestinian issues, the existence of Israel, and his government’s alleged support of Shi’ite militias in Iraq. Still, it appears that Iran’s upcoming parliamentary elections in March will be determined less by debates over … Continue reading “Ahmadinejad Caught Between Reformists and Hardliners”

It is perhaps no surprise that the media and chattering class in Israel are following the U.S. presidential nominating process with an intensity not to be seen anywhere else. The interest is somewhat odd, given that no fundamental shift in the U.S.-Israel relationship appears possible. Apart from Ron Paul, who has no chance to be … Continue reading “Ha’aretz Rates the Candidates”

Updated at 6:40 p.m. EST, Jan. 28, 2008Five American soldiers were killed during a combined attack today in Mosul. Overall, 21 Iraqis were killed and another 17 were wounded across the country. In Basra, two Arab nationals were killed during a bombing as well. Also, Sadrists are urging their leader Muqtada al-Sadr not to renew … Continue reading “Monday: 5 US Soldiers, 21 Iraqis Killed; 17 Iraqis Wounded”

There’s an old joke in which a fellow natters on endlessly about himself. Finally, he turns to his friend and says, “Well, enough about me, how about you? What do you think of me?” Sometimes, we in the U.S. seem to be that guy. There are so many voices crucial to understanding our world that … Continue reading “Missing Voices in the Iraq Debate”

It looked like the fall of the Berlin Wall. And not only did it look like it. For a moment, the Rafah crossing was the Brandenburg Gate. It is impossible not to feel exhilaration when masses of oppressed and hungry people break down the wall that is shutting them in, their eyes radiant, embracing everybody … Continue reading “Worse Than a Crime”

The Valerie Plame case is, by journalistic standards, ancient history, and naturally any follow-up on a once-important story is considered bad form. Yet there is an interesting – and rather scary – new twist to the narrative. It turns out that Scooter Libby and friends weren’t the first to "out" CIA agent Plame, whose alleged … Continue reading “None Dare Call It Treason”

"Your papers please" has long been a phrase associated with Hitler’s Gestapo. People without the Third Reich’s stamp of approval were hauled off to Nazi Germany’s version of Halliburton detention centers. Today Americans are on the verge of being asked for their papers, although probably without the "please." Thanks to a government that has turned … Continue reading “American Liberty Teetering on Edge of Abyss”

It seemed a strange gamble when President George W. Bush doubled his bet on a messy war in Iraq and opted to dramatically increase the number of U.S. military forces in that country instead of reducing them as American popular opinion demanded. In a republic, escalating an unpopular war is risky… …unless you are leaving … Continue reading “A Cynical Effort to Save Bush’s Legacy”

Updated at 12:45 a.m. EST, Jan. 28, 2008At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded during a light day of violence. Also, three American soldiers were killed. Meanwhile, Iraqi troops are on their way to Mosul for a major operation. In northeastern Baghdad today, an IED killed a American soldier. Another U.S. … Continue reading “Sunday: 3 US Soldiers, 14 Iraqis Killed; 12 Iraqis Wounded”

Updated at 11:10 p.m. EST, Jan. 26, 2008At least 19 Iraqis were killed and 20 others were wounded during a day of light violence. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government set forth a massive amnesty plan for detainees, while an Awakening Council spokesman alleged that Muammar Qaddafi’s son might be involved in … Continue reading “Saturday: 19 Iraqis Killed, 20 Wounded”