Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Rights Groups to Clinton: Don’t Let Logistics Trump Uzbek Rights

A broad coalition of 20 human rights, labor and consumer groups is appealing to the administration of President Barack Obama not to renew military aid and sales to Uzbekistan, widely considered one of the world’s most repressive dictatorships. In a letter sent Tuesday to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the coalition, which includes Amnesty International, Human Rights … Continue reading “Rights Groups to Clinton: Don’t Let Logistics Trump Uzbek Rights”

Obama Throws Palestine Under the Bus

The right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could not be more pleased. Not only did the allegedly most “anti-Israel” president ever repeat, for the nth time, that “America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable,” he also made it crystal clear that Washington will veto any Palestinian application to the U.N. Security Council for … Continue reading “Obama Throws Palestine Under the Bus”

Al-Qaeda’s Project for Ending the American Century Largely Succeeded

A decade after its spectacular Sep. 11, 2001 attacks on New York City’s twin World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon and despite the killing earlier this year of its charismatic leader, Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda appears to have largely succeeded in its hopes of accelerating the decline of U.S. global power, if not bringing … Continue reading “Al-Qaeda’s Project for Ending the American Century Largely Succeeded”

Poll Tracks Shifts in Public Attitudes Since 9/11

In the first of what is likely to be a tidal wave of polling in the run-up to the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, a survey released here Thursday by the Pew Research Center found some important shifts in U.S. public opinion over the past decade. In answer … Continue reading “Poll Tracks Shifts in Public Attitudes Since 9/11”

US Muslims Upbeat Despite Scrutiny Since 9/11

Despite increased public scrutiny since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and well-funded campaigns promoting Islamophobia, U.S. Muslims express a significantly higher level of satisfaction with their lives, their local communities, and the country’s general direction than does the public at large, according to a major new survey released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center. The survey, … Continue reading “US Muslims Upbeat Despite Scrutiny Since 9/11”

New Report Identifies Organizational Nexus of Islamophobia

A small group of inter-connected foundations, think tanks, pundits, and bloggers is behind the 10-year-old campaign to promote fear of Islam and Muslims in the U.S., according to a major investigative report released here Friday by the Center for American Progress (CAP). The 130-page report, "Fear, Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America," … Continue reading “New Report Identifies Organizational Nexus of Islamophobia”

U.S. Moves Closer to Call for Regime Change in Syria

Amidst growing calls in Congress for stronger measures to effect "regime change" in Syria, the administration of President Barack Obama is escalating its rhetoric against President Bashar Al-Assad. "We do not want to see him remain in Syria for stability’s sake, and rather, we view him as the cause of instability in Syria," White House … Continue reading “U.S. Moves Closer to Call for Regime Change in Syria”

Hawks Upset With Debt Deal

As both houses of Congress began debating the 11th-hour debt-limit deal hashed out Sunday night by senior lawmakers and the White House, neoconservatives and other national security hawks complained bitterly Monday that the final package may force major cuts in defense spending in the coming years. “If this deal governs policy for the next decade, … Continue reading “Hawks Upset With Debt Deal”

US Muslims More Tolerant, Opposed to Violence Than Other Faiths

Muslims in the United States express greater tolerance for members of other faiths than any other major religious group, according to a major new survey and report released Thursday by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center. They are also more likely than any other religious group to oppose violent or military attacks against civilians, according to … Continue reading “US Muslims More Tolerant, Opposed to Violence Than Other Faiths”

No Early End to Libya War Expected

Fortified by formal U.S. recognition as Libya’s legitimate government, fighters loyal to the rebel Benghazi-based Transitional National Council (TNC) made a key advance Monday by reportedly gaining control of most of the eastern oil port of Brega. But whether that achievement, combined with the diplomatic gains made by the TNC in recent days, will be … Continue reading “No Early End to Libya War Expected”