Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Romney Offers Few Details in Major Foreign Policy Speech

Reprising the neoconservative rhetoric of the primary election campaign, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Tuesday harshly criticized Barack Obama’s foreign policy but offered few clues as to specific changes he would make if he defeats the president in November. Speaking before the traditionally hawkish Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Romney accused Obama of “abandon[ing]” U.S. … Continue reading “Romney Offers Few Details in Major Foreign Policy Speech”

Widespread Muslim Skepticism of US as Democracy Advocate

Despite continuous assurances that the United States favors democratic rule during the 18-month-old “Arab Spring,” majorities or pluralities in six predominantly Muslim countries see Washington as an obstacle to their democratic aspirations, according to a new survey released Tuesday. Indeed, Saudi Arabia is generally seen as a stronger advocate of democracy than the U.S. in … Continue reading “Widespread Muslim Skepticism of US as Democracy Advocate”

Experts See New US-Pakistan Supply Accord as Tenuous

As NATO supply convoys began crossing from Pakistan into Afghanistan for the first time in more than seven months Thursday, analysts warned that the reopening of the key route does not necessarily signal a new dawn in the fraught relations between Washington and Islamabad. The agreement, which will save NATO countries, especially the U.S., hundreds … Continue reading “Experts See New US-Pakistan Supply Accord as Tenuous”

US Hawks Aflutter as Clinton Clears China on Iran Oil Sales

The administration of President Barack Obama is waiving tough financial sanctions that would have taken effect Thursday against both China and Singapore because it said the two countries had made “significant reductions” in their crude oil purchases from Iran. The announcement by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton brought to 20 the number of major importing … Continue reading “US Hawks Aflutter as Clinton Clears China on Iran Oil Sales”

Attacking Iran Likely Counter-Productive, Think Tank Warns

While a nuclear-armed Iran would pose significant new challenges to the United States and Israel, a military attack by either country to prevent Tehran from developing a weapon could well prove counter-productive, according to a major new report released here Wednesday by a think tank close to the administration of President Barack Obama. And while … Continue reading “Attacking Iran Likely Counter-Productive, Think Tank Warns”

Neocons Assail Possible Compromise on Iran Talks

As at least two days of talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear program got underway in Baghdad Wednesday, neoconservatives and other hawks escalated their campaign against any compromise agreement, particularly one that would permit Tehran to continue enriching uranium on its territory. Fearful that the U.S. and the other members of the so-called P5+1 … Continue reading “Neocons Assail Possible Compromise on Iran Talks”

Iran Hawks in Congress in Some Disarray

Hopes by Iran hawks here to get the U.S. Congress to wield the threat of a U.S. military attack on the Islamic Republic on the eve of next week’s critical negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program appear to have fallen unexpectedly short. While the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject "any U.S. policy that … Continue reading “Iran Hawks in Congress in Some Disarray”

US Arms Sale Sends Wrong Signal to Bahrain, Groups Say

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is sending the wrong signal to the government of Bahrain in proceeding with a partial sale of new arms to Manama, according to human rights activists and some lawmakers. Their reaction followed Friday’s announcement by the State Department that it had cleared a number of items for transfer … Continue reading “US Arms Sale Sends Wrong Signal to Bahrain, Groups Say”

Israeli Dissent May Create More Space for Iran Nuclear Deal

The threat of a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities this year appears to have substantially subsided over the past several weeks as a result of several developments, including the biting criticisms voiced recently by former top national security figures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister, Ehud Barak. That a war … Continue reading “Israeli Dissent May Create More Space for Iran Nuclear Deal”

US Escalating Drone War in Yemen

Even as President Barack Obama touts his progress in extracting the U.S. from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, his administration appears to be deepening its covert and military involvement in strife-torn Yemen. Washington is worried about recent advances by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), particularly in the southern part of the country. Since … Continue reading “US Escalating Drone War in Yemen”