Thalif Deen

Thalif Deen writes for Inter Press Service.

Sri Lankan Govt. Rebukes Tamil ‘Propaganda Machine’

UNITED NATIONS – The Sri Lankan government, which has come under heavy fire for the massive humanitarian crisis in the country’s war zone, is winning the 25-year-old military conflict but is on the verge of losing the propaganda war overseas. "It is a very stressful time here," said Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, a … Continue reading “Sri Lankan Govt. Rebukes Tamil ‘Propaganda Machine’”

UN Inquiry Critical of Israeli Attacks in Gaza

UNITED NATIONS – A detailed 184-page report critical of Israeli attacks on UN personnel and buildings during the Gaza conflict last December-January has been meticulously stripped down to a 27-page document – mostly due to political sensitivities and on security grounds. Responding to charges he had released only a "watered-down" version of the report by … Continue reading “UN Inquiry Critical of Israeli Attacks in Gaza”

Afghanistan, the Next US Quagmire?

The United States is planning to send an additional 17,000 troops to one of the world’s most battle-scarred nations – Afghanistan – long described as "a graveyard of empires." First, it was the British Empire, and then the Soviet Union. So, will the United States be far behind? "With his new order on Afghanistan, President … Continue reading “Afghanistan, the Next US Quagmire?”

Hamas Fights on Uneven Battlefield

In the 1967 movie classic the Battle of Algiers, which recreated Algeria’s war of independence against France, a handcuffed and shackled insurgent leader, Ben M’Hidi, is brought before a group of highly-partisan French journalists for intense interrogation. One of the journalists asks M’Hidi: "Don’t you think it is a bit cowardly to use women’s handbags … Continue reading “Hamas Fights on Uneven Battlefield”

UNRWA Chief Appalled at Israeli Destruction in Gaza

When Israel went on a military rampage during its 22-day air strikes and artillery attacks on Gaza, it largely singled out residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and UN buildings on the pretext of targeting Hamas fighters. But John Ging, director of operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), based in Gaza, kept insisting there … Continue reading “UNRWA Chief Appalled at Israeli Destruction in Gaza”

Israeli Attacks on Gaza Escape Global Media Scrutiny

Israel’s relentless air attacks on a besieged Gaza, which have killed over 1,000 Palestinians and destroyed hundreds of homes, continue to take place away from the gaze of the international news media. A country that claims to be the only multiparty democracy in the Middle East, Israel has barred all foreign journalists from entering Gaza, … Continue reading “Israeli Attacks on Gaza Escape Global Media Scrutiny”

Gaza Killings Trigger Call for War Crimes Probe

With hundreds of civilians, mostly women and children, killed during nearly three weeks of fighting in Gaza, there is a growing demand either for an international tribunal or an international commission to investigate charges of war crimes committed by Israel. But there are fears that any such move may be shot down by the United … Continue reading “Gaza Killings Trigger Call for War Crimes Probe”

Aid Groups Dispute Israeli Claims in Gaza Attacks

As the Israelis try to justify the massive loss of civilian life in Gaza, their arguments and counter-charges continue to be shot down either by the United Nations or by international human rights organizations. Did the Israelis misidentify a school run by the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), where 43 Palestinians seeking shelter were killed … Continue reading “Aid Groups Dispute Israeli Claims in Gaza Attacks”

US Weaponry Facilitates Killings in Gaza

The devastating Israeli firepower, unleashed largely on Palestinian civilians in Gaza during two weeks of fighting, is the product of advanced US military technology. The US weapons systems used by the Israelis – including F-16 fighter planes, Apache helicopters, tactical missiles and a wide array of munitions – have been provided by Washington mostly as … Continue reading “US Weaponry Facilitates Killings in Gaza”

US Asked to Curb Military Excesses in Iraq

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations has asked the United States to help prevent military excesses by multinational troops and private security firms accused of using indiscriminate force against civilians in Iraq. "The US government should take steps to ensure that offenses committed in Iraq by all categories of US contractor employees are subject to … Continue reading “US Asked to Curb Military Excesses in Iraq”