Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Increased Focus and Growing Pressure on Pakistan

While President Barack Obama’s announcement last week that he will "surge" 30,000 more U.S. troops into Afghanistan has received all of the attention here over the past week, Pakistan appears to be looming larger than ever in Washington’s strategic calculations and concerns. Not only is Washington increasing pressure on Islamabad to deny safe haven to … Continue reading “Increased Focus and Growing Pressure on Pakistan”

Senate Report Urges Warmer Ties With Sri Lanka

Despite ongoing concern about the country’s human rights situation, the United States should seek a more positive relationship with strife-torn Sri Lanka, primarily for geopolitical reasons, according to a new report released here Monday by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The 18-page report, which was released on the eve of a two-day visit to the … Continue reading “Senate Report Urges Warmer Ties With Sri Lanka”

US, Iran Moving Again Toward Confrontation

Iran’s announced intention to build 10 new nuclear enrichment plants has been deemed "unacceptable" by the administration of President Barack Obama, which warned Monday of increased pressure on Tehran if it does not soon accept Western proposals to curb its nuclear program. The contretemps, which came amid reports that Tehran had arrested five British nationals … Continue reading “US, Iran Moving Again Toward Confrontation”

State Department Backpedals on Landmine Treaty

One day after the State Department announced that the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama will not sign the 10-year-old treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, it insisted that Washington’s policy on the issue was still being reviewed. Human rights and disarmament activists had reacted with outrage Wednesday to Tuesday’s announcement by State Department spokesman Ian Kelly … Continue reading “State Department Backpedals on Landmine Treaty”

Groups Denounce Obama Rejection of Landmine Treaty

Human rights and disarmament activists reacted bitterly Wednesday to the decision by the administration of President Barack Obama, who will receive the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize next month, not to sign the 10-year-old treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. The U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL), a coalition of scores of activist groups, called the administration’s decision … Continue reading “Groups Denounce Obama Rejection of Landmine Treaty”

Obama Returns to Greater Middle East Mess

As Barack Obama arrives home from his weeklong tour of East Asia, he confronts a growing list of ever more urgent problems in the Greater Middle East that he inherited from George W. Bush’s "global war on terror." From Palestine to Pakistan, Obama, who also faces a major fight in getting his top legislative priority … Continue reading “Obama Returns to Greater Middle East Mess”

Afghanistan, Iraq Near Bottom of Corruption Index

Despite billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and other countries to improve governance in Afghanistan and Iraq, the two countries remain among the world’s most corrupt nations, according to the latest edition of Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Of the 180 countries covered by the 2009 CPI, Iraq ranks 176 and Afghanistan … Continue reading “Afghanistan, Iraq Near Bottom of Corruption Index”

Washington Stresses Urgency of Honduran Unity Government

In a renewed effort to save a U.S.-sponsored accord to resolve the five-month-old political crisis in Honduras, the U.S. State Department Friday called on both sides to create a government of national unity "without delay" and on the Honduran Congress to "swiftly" consider the restoration of ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Failure to do so would … Continue reading “Washington Stresses Urgency of Honduran Unity Government”

Obama’s International Political Capital Fading Fast

More than a year after his election, President Barack Obama appears to be dashing hopes both in the Arab world and in Latin America that he would bring major changes in U.S. policy toward their respective regions. His administration’s decision to back down from its initial demand that Israel freeze all settlement activity in the … Continue reading “Obama’s International Political Capital Fading Fast”

Obama’s Outreach to Muslim World Teetering

U.S. President Barack Obama’s extraordinary efforts since his first days in office to reassure Muslims in the Greater Middle East about U.S. intentions in the region have suffered a series of setbacks that threaten to reverse whatever gains he has made over the past 10 months in restoring Washington’s badly battered image and influence there. … Continue reading “Obama’s Outreach to Muslim World Teetering”