Erik Leaver

Erik Leaver is policy outreach director for the Foreign Policy In Focus project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.

Don’t Let Iraqi Politics Affect US Withdrawal

Reminiscent of the political problems in Afghanistan that have plagued the Obama White House, last Monday Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi vetoed a set of amendments to Iraq’s election law approved by the Iraqi parliament. The veto may lead to a delay of the Iraqi elections, currently scheduled for Jan. 21, 2010, and could trigger … Continue reading “Don’t Let Iraqi Politics Affect US Withdrawal”

$225 Billion and No Exit Plan

President George W. Bush has now asked Congress and the U.S. taxpayers for the fourth time in two years for more money to fight the Iraq War. This time the request is for $82 billion, the highest amount requested so far. But more striking than the dollar amount is that Mr. Bush, for the fourth … Continue reading “$225 Billion and No Exit Plan”

The Quagmire Deepens in Fallujah

The Bush administration has begun to strike Fallujah with 10,000-15,000 U.S. soldiers, starting with gunships indiscriminately raking the city with cannon fire. By the end of the first day, warplanes had carried out some two dozen sorties against the city, and four 500-pound bombs were dropped over Fallujah. The pageantry of the U.S. elections over … Continue reading “The Quagmire Deepens in Fallujah”