Thalif Deen

Thalif Deen writes for Inter Press Service.

Israeli Firepower Threatens to Overwhelm Palestinians

When the late Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), was engaged in a heavily one-sided battle against a robustly-armed Israel in 2000, he admitted the Palestinians were completely outgunned by the Israelis. As the the U.S.-supplied Cobra helicopters rained fire on the West Bank and Gaza, Arafat told reporters, “I have only … Continue reading “Israeli Firepower Threatens to Overwhelm Palestinians”

Israel’s Hypocrisy on a Nuclear Middle East

When world leaders packed their bags and headed home last week, there was one lingering memory of the General Assembly’s high-level debate: Benjamin Netanyahu’s dramatic presentation of a cartoonish nuclear red line, which hit the front pages of most mainstream newspapers in the United States. The Israeli prime minister warned Iran against crossing that red … Continue reading “Israel’s Hypocrisy on a Nuclear Middle East”

Iraq Switches Allegiance to US Weapons Systems

As the United States withdraws the last of its 50,000 troops after a nearly nine-year military occupation of Iraq, visiting Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki had one final request: billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. weapons for his ragtag armed forces. A longstanding Soviet and later Russian ally, Iraq under former president Saddam Hussein never had … Continue reading “Iraq Switches Allegiance to US Weapons Systems”

Saudi Warning Could Escalate Nuclear Arms Race

The world’s nuclear powers – both declared and undeclared – have come primarily from Asia: China, India, Pakistan and possibly North Korea. The Middle East was dominated by a single nuclear power – Israel, which has refused to publicly declare its status.  But that domination has been threatened by Iran, which the Western powers say … Continue reading “Saudi Warning Could Escalate Nuclear Arms Race”

US Arms Bahrain While Decrying Russian Weapons in Syria

Peeved at Russia’s Security Council veto derailing a Western-sponsored resolution against Syria last week, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice implicitly accused the Russians of protecting the beleaguered government of President Bashar al-Assad primarily to safeguard their lucrative arms market in the Middle Eastern country. But around the same time, the United States was evaluating a $53 … Continue reading “US Arms Bahrain While Decrying Russian Weapons in Syria”

Russia, China Shield Syria from Possible UN Sanctions 

A resolution inspired by Western nations critical of civilian killings in politically-beleaguered Syria is facing threats from two veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China. If and when the resolution is adopted by the 15-member Council, perhaps next week, it will be diluted to avoid the customary call for economic or military … Continue reading “Russia, China Shield Syria from Possible UN Sanctions “

Amid Turmoil, a Nuke-Free Middle East May Be in Jeopardy

A proposed international conference on a nuclear weapons-free Middle East, tentatively scheduled for 2012, may be in jeopardy amid the growing political turmoil sweeping across the Arab world – and Israel’s fears of negative fallout on its own security. The proposal for the long-outstanding meeting was endorsed by 189 member states at the Review Conference on … Continue reading “Amid Turmoil, a Nuke-Free Middle East May Be in Jeopardy”

Latin America Logs Largest Increase in 2010 Military Spending

Latin America has displaced traditional high-rollers, including the Middle East and Europe, as the region registering the largest percentage increase in military spending last year, according to a new study released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The increase in real terms was 5.8 percent for Latin America, compared with 5.2 percent for … Continue reading “Latin America Logs Largest Increase in 2010 Military Spending”

US, European Weapons Makers Still Dominate Arms Bazaar 

The world’s key arms manufacturers are still firmly entrenched in the United States and Western Europe, while some of the newly-emerging military industries in China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, Turkey and Kuwait are trailing mostly far behind. A new study released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) points out that only … Continue reading “US, European Weapons Makers Still Dominate Arms Bazaar “

Egypt’s US-Armed Military in Transitory Commanding Role 

When embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak reluctantly called it quits after more than two weeks of mass demonstrations against his 30-year-old authoritarian regime, he temporarily turned over the country to an institution trained, armed and nurtured by the United States: the 350,000-strong military. "Mubarak was essentially a military man sustained by the military," says an … Continue reading “Egypt’s US-Armed Military in Transitory Commanding Role “