Thalif Deen

Thalif Deen writes for Inter Press Service.

Uncertain Fate for Egypt’s US-Supplied Weapons Systems

Besieged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a former air force officer whose 30-year-old authoritarian regime is under attack, presides over a country described as one of the major military powers in the region, ranking next to Israel and Turkey. Since it signed the U.S.-brokered Camp David Peace Treaty with Israel back in September 1978, Egypt has … Continue reading “Uncertain Fate for Egypt’s US-Supplied Weapons Systems”

Will Asia, Africa Follow Latin America on Palestine?

With seven Latin American countries formally recognizing Palestine as an independent state, there is one question floating in the corridors of the United Nations: will Asia and Africa follow suit? "It is a decision to be made by individual countries in their respective capitals," says one U.N. diplomat, who also ruled out any chances of … Continue reading “Will Asia, Africa Follow Latin America on Palestine?”

UN Remains Deadlocked on Defining Terrorism

UNITED NATIONS – When Israeli commandos killed nine mostly Turkish activists during a raid on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians last May, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the attack as a prime example of “state terrorism.” “Even tyrants, bandits, and pirates have their own rules of ethics,” he said, … Continue reading “UN Remains Deadlocked on Defining Terrorism”

Multi-Billion-Dollar Arms Deals Could Haunt US

UNITED NATIONS – When the shah of Iran, a strongly pro-U.S. ally, was ousted from power after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the stridently anti-U.S. regime of Ayatollah Khomeini that captured power also inherited a military bonanza: billions of dollars worth of state-of-the-art weapons provided by the United States. The U.S. equipment in the Iranian … Continue reading “Multi-Billion-Dollar Arms Deals Could Haunt US”

UN Chief May Be Heading for Showdown with Israel

When the Israeli government gave its blessings to a U.N. panel of inquiry probing the military attack on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza last May, there was widespread speculation that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon may have struck a backdoor deal over its mandate. Asked at a press conference Monday whether he agreed … Continue reading “UN Chief May Be Heading for Showdown with Israel”

UN Chief Dilly-Dallying on Panel to Probe Israeli Killings?

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?”

Unmanned Drones: Targeted Killing or Collateral Murder?

When a Pakistani-U.S. national pleaded guilty last week to a failed attempt to detonate explosives packed in a vehicle in the heart of New York City, he admitted that one of the reasons he targeted the busy Times Square neighborhood was to “injure and kill” as many people as possible. The presiding judge, Miriam Goldman … Continue reading “Unmanned Drones: Targeted Killing or Collateral Murder?”

Israeli Attack May Violate International, Maritime Laws

When two widely divergent investigative panels launch their probes on the recent Israeli attack on a flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, one of the disputed issues under scrutiny would be the legality of forcibly boarding a vessel in international waters. The two commissions of inquiry, one appointed by Israel and the other … Continue reading “Israeli Attack May Violate International, Maritime Laws”

Brazil, Turkey Defy US on Nuke Vote Against Iran

After several months of closed-door negotiations and shuttle diplomacy, the United States succeeded Wednesday in getting a new Security Council resolution — the fourth in a series — imposing a fresh set of sanctions penalizing Iran for its nuclear program But the most powerful political body at the United Nations refused to give the United … Continue reading “Brazil, Turkey Defy US on Nuke Vote Against Iran”

A Global Civil Society Campaign to Delegitimize Israel?

If, as expected, the U.N. Security Council remains politically impotent and refuses to penalize Israel for the killings of nine pro-Palestinian civilians on a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, what is the next course of action? A global civil society campaign to delegitimize Israel? Formal or informal sanctions by individual states? Worldwide arrest warrants?  … Continue reading “A Global Civil Society Campaign to Delegitimize Israel?”