Month: March 2009

I‘m not quite sure why I am not red-faced with anger at the fact that President Obama has set such a long tentative timetable for removing U.S. troops from Iraq. It’s to be 19 months before all “combat” troops are out, and after that 35,000-50,000 will be left, presumably as a sort of colonial permanent … Continue reading “Resignation Setting In?”

Efforts to address the North Korean nuclear crisis have followed a “one step forward, two steps back” pattern. Despite 15 years of threats, negotiations, and occasional breakthroughs, what began with fears of a nuclear weapons research program progressed to an actual test explosion and has reached the point where North Korean officials now claim to … Continue reading “No Nukes in Northeast Asia”

Obama has already announced plans to escalate the war by sending 17,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. But in his address to Congress, he acknowledged he was still working to “forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.” It would have been much more sensible to devise the strategy before deploying the troops. … Continue reading “Obama Has Things Backward in Afghanistan”

This week I had a nostalgic experience. I met a parliamentary delegation from one of the European countries. What turned this meeting into a special occasion for me was its location. The "Pasha Room" of the "American Colony" Hotel in East Jerusalem is a beautiful square hall, decorated in traditional Arab style. I was in … Continue reading “Rebuilding Gaza to Raze It Again”

I‘ve run into a number of self-proclaimed Christians (both Catholic and Protestant) who openly proclaim they favor torture of detainees in the “war on terror.” I’ve always thought that’s a strange thing for a person whose Savior was tortured to death to say. Arguments in favor of torture are particularly troubling for Christians. Here’s how … Continue reading “You Can’t Be a Christian and Tolerate Torture”

Updated at 6:53 p.m. EDT, March 8, 2009At least 61 Iraqis were killed and 84 more were wounded across the country. While a suicide bombing in Baghdad was the most significant incident of the day, a mass grave gave up almost as many dead in Khalis. Meanwhile, 12,000 U.S. servicemembers will be receiving orders to … Continue reading “Sunday: 1 US Contractor, 61 Iraqis Killed; 84 Iraqis Wounded”

BAGHDAD – Prompt medical care is at last on offer in Iraq, for those who can find the dollars for it. "Why would I want to go to government-run hospitals where there is no care, no functioning instruments, long lines, and in the end the same doctor who treats you there can treat you at … Continue reading “Finally, Iraqis Get Health Care – on the Market”

Updated at 5:02 p.m. EST, March 7, 2009At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 20 more were wounded in the latest violence. One U.S. soldier was killed during an attack in Salah ad Din province as well. Meanwhile, the prime minister called for a stronger, non-sectarian government but the arrests of several men left his … Continue reading “Saturday: 1 US Soldier, 11 Iraqis Killed; 20 Iraqis Wounded”

A new report on how the United States should "resist and deter" Iran’s alleged ambitions to acquire a nuclear-weapons capability by a think tank closely tied to the so-called "Israel Lobby" has been endorsed by two key officials who are expected to exercise major influence on Iran policy in the administration of U.S. President Barack … Continue reading “Call to ‘Resist and Deter’ Nuclear Iran Gains Key Support”

A motley crew – assembled by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and misleadingly labeled The Presidential Task Force on Iranian Proliferation, Regional Security, and US Policy– has just issued President Obama a warning: “If the international community appears unable to stop Iran’s nuclear progress, Israel may decide to act unilaterally. Whatever Americans may … Continue reading “The WINEP-Weenies’ Insane Iran Advice”