Month: August 2008

It’s still not certain what motivated the Georgian government to launch its attack on South Ossetia in the face of ongoing Russian hostility and recent military maneuvers which all-but guaranteed a swift and devastating response. Georgia’s Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia said simply: "We did not prepare for this kind of eventuality." His government was … Continue reading “Georgian Fantasies: Where are the Americans?”

NEW DELHI – As the tortuous negotiations for the United States-India nuclear deal enters its final stage, it becomes clear that India seriously underestimated the discomfort and opposition the agreement would arouse in many countries because of the special privileges granted to India, largely on New Delhi’s terms. The emerging situation has thrown Indian policymakers … Continue reading “US-India Nuclear Deal Headed for Fiasco”

Updated at 7:10 p.m. EDT, Aug. 28, 2008Two U.S. soldiers died in separate events today. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 14 more were wounded as well.Controversy continues to rage over security forces in Kurdish regions of Diyala province. Elsewhere, Shi’ite cleric al-Sadr has extended a ceasefire. Meanwhile, U.S. forces detained a senior Iraqi … Continue reading “Thursday: 2 US Soldiers, 7 Iraqis Killed; 14 Iraqis Wounded”

Iran could emerge as a big winner, at least in the short term, from the rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and Russia over Moscow’s intervention in Georgia, according to analysts. Whatever waning chances remained of a U.S. military attack on Iran before President George W. Bush leaves office next January have all but … Continue reading “Iran Could Reap Benefits of U.S.-Russian Tensions”

As part of its alleged "desire not to hold detainees any longer than necessary," the Pentagon announced on Tuesday that two Guantánamo prisoners had been transferred to Algeria. This follows the repatriation of two other Algerians – Mustafa Hamlili and Abdul Raham Houari – at the start of July, who were the first Algerians to … Continue reading “Clearing Out Guantánamo: Two More Algerians Transferred”

For 16 days I had hoped the world would stand still so I could watch the spectacle and history of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, on my widescreen HDTV. Although there is certainly an element of national pride (both for the host country and all the athletes representing their countries), the Olympics is … Continue reading “Georgia On My Mind”

JERUSALEM – Israel has published tenders for the construction of 1,761 illegal housing units for Israeli settlers in occupied east Jerusalem alone, according to the Israeli rights group Peace Now. The expansion plans come despite promises by the Israeli government at last year’s peace summit at Annapolis, Maryland (in the US) to freeze all settlement … Continue reading “Israel Pushes Ahead with Settlement Expansion”

Crisis in the Caucasus took an unexpected twist this week. As Russian troops pulled out of Georgia, their demolition of American-built military bases nearly complete, the government in Moscow recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Until now, Moscow’s official policy of support to the breakaway regions stopped short of recognition – even in … Continue reading “Mystery in Moscow”

Updated at 7:12 p.m. EDT, Aug. 27, 2008At least 14 Iraqis were killed and 47 were wounded in the latest incidents. Baghdad was the scene of a spate of bombings, while tribal warfare in Hay left a small number of casualties. Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed in a roadside bombing yesterday in Baghdad. Also, … Continue reading “Wednesday: 1 US Soldier, 14 Iraqis Killed; 47 Iraqis Wounded”

BAQUBA – A military operation said to target al-Qaeda has ended up targeting Sunni Muslims instead, creating new sectarian tensions. A U.S.-backed security operation launched last month has only targeted cities with majority Sunni populations such as Buhriz, Tahreer, Qatoon, Mafraq, and Hay in Diyala province, north of Baghdad. The operation has drawn more than … Continue reading “Sectarian Clashes Flare Up Again in Iraq”