Month: July 2011

All’s ‘Fare’ in War

Even governments can learn from their mistakes. The United States went into Iraq and Afghanistan with Army and Marine divisions and the result has been disastrous, with hundreds of thousands dead and Washington on the verge of bankruptcy. Nor has the result been satisfactory, with Iraq firmly in the Iranian orbit and Afghanistan so corrupt … Continue reading “All’s ‘Fare’ in War”

Syrian Opposition Remains Divided on Engagement

Despite countless attempts by the Bashar al-Assad regime to subdue the sporadic protests that have appeared across Syria since February, the demonstrations have consistently grown in both size and intensity. Last week, a march in the town of Hama may have attracted over 100,000 protesters, quite likely the largest anti-Assad demonstration in Syria thus far. … Continue reading “Syrian Opposition Remains Divided on Engagement”

Germany to Deliver Weapons to Saudi Arabia

BERLIN — The decision by the German government to deliver 200 state-of-the-art armored tanks to Saudi Arabia, despite the Wahhabi monarchy’s human rights record and its recent violent intervention in Bahrain to repress the popular rebellion against the local ruling family there, illustrates the rhetorical nature of Western support to the so-called Arab democratic spring. … Continue reading “Germany to Deliver Weapons to Saudi Arabia”

Experts Skeptical About Bahrain Dialogue

As Bahrain’s government launches its much-touted “national dialogue” with members of civil society, experts are expressing skepticism that it will defuse growing tensions in the strategically located Gulf kingdom, let alone promote genuine reform. Strongly supported by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, the dialogue, which formally got under way Saturday, is supposed to … Continue reading “Experts Skeptical About Bahrain Dialogue”

Militarism Is Not Patriotism

Every July 4, the nation’s official birthday, many Americans conflate the U.S. military and what it does abroad with “patriotism.” This past weekend was no exception. Yet there are many things wrong with this line of reasoning. Let’s start with July 4. What happened on July 4, 1776? Actually, not all that much. Although most … Continue reading “Militarism Is Not Patriotism”

Is a Broader Peace Movement Finally Here?

A new antiwar movement that can really challenge U.S. militarism is being born. Today, people from across the political spectrum join together opposing U.S. war and empire. They cite a combination of events that present a “historic opportunity to redirect U.S. foreign policy down the pathways of peace, liberty, justice, respect for community, obedience to … Continue reading “Is a Broader Peace Movement Finally Here?”

Against ‘Nation-Building’

Americans are sick and tired of perpetual war: even that champion evader, Barack Obama, had to acknowledge that in his recent Afghanistan speech, in which he said it’s time to start nation-building right here at home. Of course, he’ll say anything to get reelected – except, perhaps, that it’s time to end the wars in … Continue reading “Against ‘Nation-Building’”

Let’s End TSA Abuses and Failures

Listen to Rep. Ron Paul deliver this address. The press reports are horrifying: 95-year-old women humiliated; children molested; disabled people abused; men and women subjected to unwarranted groping and touching of their most private areas; involuntary radiation exposure. If the perpetrators were a gang of criminals, their headquarters would be raided by SWAT teams and … Continue reading “Let’s End TSA Abuses and Failures”

Don’t Remove the MEK From the Terrorist List

Since 1997, the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), an Iranian opposition group, has been listed by the State Department as a terrorist organization. The European Union followed suit and also listed the MEK as such, but as a result of intense lobbying and a deceptive campaign by the supporters of the MEK, the EU recently removed … Continue reading “Don’t Remove the MEK From the Terrorist List”