Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Iran Sanctions Debate Heats Up

Wednesday’s highly unusual public launch of a "conference committee" of both houses of Congress to hash out differences in long-pending legislation to impose unilateral sanctions on Iran marks a new stage in the escalating debate over what to do about Tehran’s nuclear program. With mid-term elections only six months away, many lawmakers are eager to … Continue reading “Iran Sanctions Debate Heats Up”

To Peace Plan or Not to Peace Plan, and When?

Reports earlier this month that President Barack Obama may present a comprehensive U.S. peace plan for resolving the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict have spurred a growing public debate over its wisdom and timing. While relatively few voices are calling for Washington to table such a plan immediately, some experts argue that Washington should be preparing the … Continue reading “To Peace Plan or Not to Peace Plan, and When?”

US Breathes Sigh of Relief Over Manas Base for Now

The administration of President Barack Obama is breathing a sigh of relief that the past week’s successful insurrection against former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appears unlikely to result in any curbs — at least, for now — on its use of Kyrgyzstan’s Manas Air Base. The base, for which the U.S. has been committed to paying … Continue reading “US Breathes Sigh of Relief Over Manas Base for Now”

Obama Said to Mull Israel-Palestinian Peace Plan

Amid still-unresolved tensions over Jewish settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, two major publications reported Wednesday that President Barack Obama is seriously considering proposing later this year a U.S. peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both the Washington Post and the New York Times reported on a Mar. 24 meeting between Obama and former national … Continue reading “Obama Said to Mull Israel-Palestinian Peace Plan”

Mixed Reviews for Obama’s Nuclear Strategy

U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday unveiled a new Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) that will significantly limit the circumstances under which Washington would use nuclear weapons as part of a strategy to bolster the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and other efforts to halt and reverse the spread of nuclear arms. Among other changes, the new strategy … Continue reading “Mixed Reviews for Obama’s Nuclear Strategy”

Legality of Drone Strikes Still in Question

While welcoming an initial effort by the administration of President Barack Obama to offer a legal justification for drone strikes to kill suspected terrorists overseas, human rights groups say critical questions remain unanswered. In an address to an international law group last week, State Department Legal Adviser Harold Koh insisted that such operations were being … Continue reading “Legality of Drone Strikes Still in Question”

Obama Sanctions Strategy Complicated by Congress

President Barack Obama is hoping that relatively quick approval by the U.N. Security Council of a new round of sanctions against Iran will relieve growing pressure on Capitol Hill to take stronger measures against Tehran. But those hopes are likely to be disappointed after lawmakers return from their Easter recess in two weeks when the … Continue reading “Obama Sanctions Strategy Complicated by Congress”

US-Israel Tensions Continue to Percolate

Despite assurances by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday that the United States and Israel share a "close, unshakable bond," the week-old crisis between the two allies continued to percolate Tuesday. Washington canceled a planned trip to the region by its special Middle East peace envoy, while its top regional military commander warned that the … Continue reading “US-Israel Tensions Continue to Percolate”

US-Israeli Tensions Escalating Quickly

The crisis touched off by last week’s announcement of Israel’s plans to build 1,600 new homes for Jews in Arab East Jerusalem during a high-profile visit by U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden appears to be escalating rapidly. Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to Washington and a historian who has written widely on ties between the two … Continue reading “US-Israeli Tensions Escalating Quickly”

Biden in Israel: Tiff or Tipping Point?

"Condemn" is not a word that rolls trippingly off the tongue of a U.S. politician addressing anything having to do with actions, however objectionable, by Israel. So it was no surprise that close observers of U.S. Middle East policy sat up a lot straighter in their seats when Vice President Joseph Biden used the word … Continue reading “Biden in Israel: Tiff or Tipping Point?”