Month: October 2008

At least eight Iraqis were killed and 37 more were wounded in the latest attacks. The lion’s share of the casualties occurred during an attack on a shrine in Balad. No Coalition casualties were reported anywhere in Iraq. The Eid al-Fitr holiday continues, so there may be fewer reports than normal coming out of the … Continue reading “Wednesday: 8 Iraqis Killed, 37 Wounded”

Tensions between Kurds and the Iraqi government over disputed territory have heightened recently, raising fears that they might lead to ethnic clashes between Kurds and Arabs at a time when the war-torn country is slowly recovering from years of sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Arabs. Last month, the Iraqi army deployed units to areas … Continue reading “Is Kurdish-Arab ‘Honeymoon’ Over?”

A series of meetings between U.S. and Syrian diplomats, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterpart, Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, at the United Nations over the past week is stirring speculation that Washington may at last be moving toward engaging Damascus. Instead of focusing on specific issues of special interest to the U.S. … Continue reading “Brief Talks With Syria Spur Speculation”

The War Party loves generals: John McCain mentions Gen. David Petraeus at the drop of a hat, citing him as the final military and moral authority when it comes to U.S. strategy in the Middle East. The reverent tone is supposed to indicate that no further argument is necessary. Military figures are, for the neoconservatives, … Continue reading “A Dial Marked ‘War’”

In last Friday’s presidential debate, John McCain went after Barack Obama on the surge in Iraq: “Senator Obama said the surge could not work, said it would increase sectarian violence, said it was doomed to failure. Recently on a television program, he said it exceeded our wildest expectations…” The senator responded with a clever formulation: … Continue reading “Campaign Rip Tides From the Forgotten War”

Dear Sen. Biden, I don’t have to remind you of the importance of this Thursday’s debate from a political perspective. But as you prepare, I invite you to spare a few minutes to look at the opportunity from a moral and religious perspective. You may wish to examine your conscience regarding how you have acted … Continue reading “To Joe Biden: Time for Confession”

The words "Jewish" and "terrorist" are not easily uttered together by Israelis. But just occasionally, such as last week, when one of the country’s leading intellectuals was injured by a pipe bomb placed at the front door of his home, they find themselves with little choice. The target of the attack was 73-year-old Ze’ev Sternhell, … Continue reading “Israel’s Breeding Ground for Terrorism”

Decline and Fall Dear Mr. Raimondo: I have followed your articles for six years. Your writing is always passionate and persuasive, and you have been frighteningly prescient far more often than not. You are in general a voice for sanity amid the madness that has seized your nation for the past seven years. I take … Continue reading “Backtalk, October 1, 2008”