Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Obama Speech Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

Widely praised as an effective defense of Washington’s 10-day-old military intervention in Libya, President Barack Obama’s speech Monday evening appears to have left several key questions about his future intentions unanswered. While confirming that the ouster of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi remained a U.S. policy goal, Obama ruled out the use of military force to … Continue reading “Obama Speech Leaves Many Questions Unanswered”

US Edges Towards Libyan Rebel Recognition

As the tide of battle appeared to shift for the first time Thursday in favor of forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, the United States and its European allies moved closer toward intervening – if not yet militarily – on the side of the insurgency. In testimony before Congress, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton … Continue reading “US Edges Towards Libyan Rebel Recognition”

Obama Inches Closer to Libya Intervention

Under growing political pressure at home, President Barack Obama inched closer Monday toward committing U.S. military power to at least protecting areas under rebel control, if not ending the 42-year reign of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. For the first time in the three-week-old crisis that looks increasingly like a civil war, Obama spoke about taking … Continue reading “Obama Inches Closer to Libya Intervention”

US Rebuts Yemen President’s Accusations

Amid growing pressure on President Barack Obama to intervene more forcefully in Libya, the White House Tuesday sharply rebutted charges by Yemen’s president that Washington is conspiring against his government and other Arab regimes. "We don’t think scapegoating will be the kind of response that the people of Yemen or the people in other countries … Continue reading “US Rebuts Yemen President’s Accusations”

Neocon Hawks Take Flight Over Libya

In a distinct echo of the tactics they pursued to encourage U.S. intervention in the Balkans and Iraq, a familiar clutch of neoconservatives appealed Friday for the United States and NATO to "immediately" prepare military action to help bring down the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi and end the violence that is believed to … Continue reading “Neocon Hawks Take Flight Over Libya”

Obama Says US Considering ‘Full Range of Options’ on Libya

As more Libyan towns and cities fell to anti-government forces Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington is preparing "the full range of options" to respond to the ongoing violence in the oil-rich North African state. In a five-minute televised statement from the White House, Obama stressed that Washington preferred to act in concert with … Continue reading “Obama Says US Considering ‘Full Range of Options’ on Libya”

Kerry Calls for Regime Change in Libya

As Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi vowed to hang on to power, a close congressional ally of U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday called for an end to his regime. “The Gadhafi government’s use of deadly force against its own people should mean the end of the regime itself,” said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, … Continue reading “Kerry Calls for Regime Change in Libya”

US Faces New Test Over Bahrain Violence 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday expressed "deep concerns" about the deadly attack on hundreds of sleeping anti-government protestors carried out by Bahrain’s security forces at a central square in the capital, Manama, Wednesday night. The incident, in which at least five civilians were killed and many more seriously injured, was certain to sharply … Continue reading “US Faces New Test Over Bahrain Violence “

Egypt: Revolution or Coup?

Four days after the stunning departure of Hosni Mubarak from the presidential palace in Cairo, analysts are still trying to determine whether his ouster represents a revolution heralding the advent of democratic governance or a coup d’etat staged by the already dominant military. Despite the media euphoria, skepticism among Egypt specialists about the military’s intentions … Continue reading “Egypt: Revolution or Coup?”

The Brotherhood Bogeyman

While the many and far-reaching implications of Friday’s transfer of power to what is apparently a military junta in Egypt have yet to be absorbed in Washington, the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in any transition to a more democratic regime is certain to figure high on the political agenda. For a number of prominent … Continue reading “The Brotherhood Bogeyman”