Still Mesmerized by WMDs

In the aftermath of 9/11, the Bush administration raised the specter of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) – nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons – as the gravest threat to America. In his “axis of evil” State of the Union Address in January 2002, President Bush said: “States like these [North Korea, Iraq, and Iran], and … Continue reading “Still Mesmerized by WMDs”

Israelis Keep the Trigger Tight

RAMALLAH – "Where is my daddy? Why is he not coming home? I want my daddy," sobs seven-year-old Yasmin, her big blue eyes filling with tears. She wakes up crying every night. "My life only began when I met him. I will never meet such a wonderful man again," Yasmin’s mother Moira Julani tells IPS.  … Continue reading “Israelis Keep the Trigger Tight”

Thursday: 24 Iraqis Killed, 33 Wounded

Updated at 11:21 p.m. EDT, June 24, 2010 The formation of the new government came across a new roadblock, this one over the failure of two large Shi’ite groups to compromise on the selection of the next prime minister. This new delay could mean further destabilization of Iraq’s fragile security gains. At least 24 Iraqis were killed and 33 more were wounded in attacks that targeted security personnel. Also, Gen. David Petraeus, who once commanded American forces in Iraq, is now in charge of operations in Afghanistan.

Switch to Petraeus Betrays Afghan Policy Crisis

Despite President Barack Obama’s denial that his decision to fire Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal as commander in Afghanistan and replace him with Gen. David Petraeus signified any differences with McChrystal over war strategy, the decision obviously reflects a desire by Obama to find a way out of a deepening policy crisis in Afghanistan. Although the … Continue reading “Switch to Petraeus Betrays Afghan Policy Crisis”

Israel Lobby Riding High in US Election Run-Up

Despite the growing international condemnation and isolation incurred by the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the right-wing leadership of the so-called "Israel Lobby" here is riding high in the U.S. Congress. So far this week, it has chalked up a key victory on Capitol Hill in its longstanding effort to impose "crippling sanctions" against … Continue reading “Israel Lobby Riding High in US Election Run-Up”

Wednesday: 4 Iraqis Killed, 8 Wounded

Light violence left four Iraqis killed and eight more wounded, but a guerilla war on Iraq’s northern border could be intensifying. The lack of a stable government following March elections has left Iraq unable to properly deal with events on its northern flank and forced Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to criticize Iraq’s regional neighbors for meddling in Iraqi politics.