Last summer, a tight consensus formed in Washington around Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s plans to build up state-like institutions in the West Bank and revive the territory’s sagging economy from the lingering effects of the Second Intifada. But the strategy – while still overwhelmingly popular in the West a year into its …
Continue reading “Palestinians Remain Split, US Doesn’t Adjust”
It’s wrong, says William J. Astore
The United States and South Korea will impose new sanctions on North Korea in an effort to crackdown on the North’s participation in arms proliferation and increase pressure on Pyongyang after the sinking of a South Korean warship. The new sanctions – which were introduced Wednesday during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s two-day visit …
Continue reading “US and South Korea Impose New Sanctions on North”
Updated at 9:22 p.m. EDT, July 22, 2010
Three foreign contractors were killed during a mortar or rocket attack on Baghdad’s international Green Zone. At least 15 more were wounded in the attack. At least 13 Iraqis were killed as well and 18 more were wounded in other violence. Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (SIIC) urged Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step aside and allow someone else to take over the premiership. Also, a new study supports anecdotal evidence that Fallujah is suffering from an increase in cancer and birth defects, perhaps caused by mutagenic and carcinogenic agents used during the war.
Amiri is a pawn in a meaningless game, says Philip Giraldi
When the Security Council condemned the killings by Israeli military forces of nine Turkish civilians on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza last May, it also released a presidential statement "taking note" of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s proposal for an international investigation of the incident. But nearly two months later there are no …
Continue reading “UN Chief Dilly-Dallying on Panel to Probe Israeli Killings?”
Updated at 8:24 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2010
At least 40 Iraqis were killed 64 more were wounded in various attacks across the country. The worst violence collapsed a building in Diyala province, which has suffered several attacks in the last few days. A U.S. soldier was also killed in Diyala when a roadside bomb blated his vehicle. Meanwhile, Deputy U.K. Prime Minister Nick Clegg called the 2003 invasion of Iraq illegal. Also, five U.S. governors revealed their secret trip to Iraq.
RAMALLAH – Nasser Abdulhadi is a mild-mannered man who runs a restaurant. He was always known as the jovial sort. One day, his friends say, he stopped being jovial. He chose instead to fight for a world title for one of his country’s national dishes, and through that to gain worldwide recognition for Palestine. Nasser’s …
Continue reading “Palestinian Chef Finds Occupation Hard to Digest”
A fascinating debate is entering Israel’s political mainstream on a once-taboo subject: the establishment of a single state as a resolution of the conflict, one in which Jews and Palestinians might potentially live as equal citizens. Surprisingly, those advocating such a solution are to be found chiefly on Israel’s political Right. The debate, which challenges …
Continue reading “One-State Debate Explodes Myth About Zionist Left”
In the wake of Israel’s botched attack on a Turkish ship bringing relief to Gazans from Israel’s (and Egypt’s) economic blockade of Gaza, the Israelis have responded to intensely negative world opinion by relaxing the blockade. That move may help Israel as much as Gazans. Ending the counterproductive economic embargo and blockade would help both …
Continue reading “Ending the Gaza Blockade Might Help Israel as Much as Gaza” 
