Aaron Glantz

The neocons in Washington love to talk about how they’re promoting freedom and democracy in Iraq. They often cite as their example the country’s Kurdish population, staunch allies of Washington, who have been protected by the American military since no-fly zones were imposed after the 1991 Gulf War. But just how much freedom is there … Continue reading “Kurdistan: Meet the New Bosses”

While George Bush explains his “victory strategy” for Iraq to the American people, his Pentagon chief has already thrown out the most obvious option. There will be no immediate troop withdrawal, cautioned Donald Rumsfeld, because “quitting is not an exit strategy.” But why not? What’s wrong with cutting and running? It’s time for the U.S. … Continue reading “Quitting Is an Exit Strategy”

What’s wrong with our Congress? Two and a half years after the fall of Saddam Hussein, they still refuse to vote against the war. They may carp and complain that the Bush administration lied about weapons of mass destruction, or that too many Americans soldiers have died, but when it comes time to vote to … Continue reading “Shame on Congress”

Sixteen months ago, I published a special investigative report on a deadly U.S. military raid. On May 2, 2004, American soldiers raided a Human Rights Office in the ancient city of Babylon while a peaceful meeting was in process.  American forces shot two sheiks in the head and arrested the man who was addressing the … Continue reading “Sheik Beaten, Blinded, Tasered, Released Into the ‘New Iraq’”

Try this for freedom. Iraqi police backed by American forces with Humvees and armored personnel carriers set up hundreds of checkpoints around Baghdad last week – with the goal of checking every driver’s license plate. Because of an acute gas shortage and constant traffic jams, Baghdadis are now only allowed to drive every other day. … Continue reading “Baghdad Traffic Jam”

Anyone interested in Iraq’s new constitution would be advised to check out the film Return to the Land of Wonders, which focuses on the crafting of Iraq’s interim constitution in the Spring of 2004. The documentary was shot by Maysoon Pachachi, the daughter of 82 year old secular businessman Adnan Pachachi, a former foreign minister … Continue reading “Iraq’s Hollow Sovereignty”

Since President Bush won’t meet with Cindy Sheehan to explain why her son Casey died in Iraq, I thought I would put forward the information I have. Like Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, I was in Baghdad’s Sadr City on April 4, 2004. I was there as an unembedded journalist. Unlike Casey Sheehan, I wasn’t killed. … Continue reading “Why Casey Sheehan Was Killed”

When Iraq’s elected leaders approve their country’s new constitution next week, will it make any difference in the lives of the Iraqi people? I doubt it – the Bush administration rarely pays attention to what the Iraqi people want and has little respect for Iraq’s elected leadership. Take, for example, the Iraqi interim constitution’s bill … Continue reading “A Constitution Without Independence”

Dear President Bush, I am writing to help you out. You have painted yourself into a bit of a corner in Iraq. But not to worry. I looked back to a speech you gave on April 10, 2003. In that speech, you promised the Iraqi people that the United States had come to their country … Continue reading “Mr. President, Please Give This Speech”

The following interview with Iraq’s minister of civil society activities, Ala’a al-Safi, was conducted July 20, 2005, after Iraqi Premier Ibrahim al-Jaafari’s historic visit to Iran. In the interview, al-Safi explains how the Iraqi government is endeavoring to warm relations with its neighbors and push the Bush administration into setting a timeline for U.S. withdrawal. … Continue reading “Iraqi Official Demands Timetable for Withdrawal”