Stephen Zunes

Stephen Zunes, a senior analyst for Foreign Policy in Focus, is a professor of politics and chair of Middle Eastern studies at the University of San Francisco.

Washington and the Egyptian Tragedy

As in El Salvador, Nicaragua, East Timor, Angola, Lebanon, and Gaza in previous years, the massive killing of civilians in Egypt is being done with U.S.-provided weapons by a U.S.-backed government. As a result, the Obama administration and Congress are morally culpable for the unfolding tragedy. While the apparent decision to suspend some military aid … Continue reading “Washington and the Egyptian Tragedy”

Despite Horrific Violence, the US Should Stay Out of Syria

The worsening violence and repression in Syria has left policymakers scrambling to think of ways the United States could help end the bloodshed and support those seeking to dislodge the Assad regime. The desperate desire to “do something” has led to increasing calls for the United States to provide military aid to armed insurgents or … Continue reading “Despite Horrific Violence, the US Should Stay Out of Syria”

The Case Against Kerry

President Obama’s selection of John Kerry as the next secretary of state sends the wrong signal to America’s allies and adversaries alike. Kerry’s record in the United States Senate, where he currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, has included spurious attacks on the International Court of Justice, unqualified defense of Israeli occupation policies and human … Continue reading “The Case Against Kerry”

Abetting Murder in Gaza

The Nov. 22 ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces is a huge relief for the civilian population on both sides — the primary victims of the conflict. But the Obama administration’s unconscionable decision the previous week to block a ceasefire effort by the U.N. Security Council not only resulted in additional civilian deaths but also … Continue reading “Abetting Murder in Gaza”

Democratic Leaders Undermine Israeli-Palestinian Peace and Their Own Procedures

In a stunning violation of its own rules, the wishes of the majority of delegates at its national convention, and positions taken by the United Nations and virtually every country in the world, the Democratic Party leadership pushed through an amendment to its platform early during its proceedings on Wednesday, with barely half the delegates … Continue reading “Democratic Leaders Undermine Israeli-Palestinian Peace and Their Own Procedures”

US Shares Responsibility for Rachel Corrie’s Death

On Aug. 28, an Israeli court rejected a civil lawsuit against Israeli occupation forces for the 2003 murder of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American peace activist killed in the Gaza Strip, upholding a severely flawed internal Israeli military investigation. Amnesty International strongly condemned the decision, noting how “the verdict continues the pattern of impunity for … Continue reading “US Shares Responsibility for Rachel Corrie’s Death”

A Bipartisan Assault on Middle East Peace

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a dangerous piece of legislation, H.R. 4133, which would undermine the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, weaken Israeli moderates and peace advocates, undercut international law, further militarize the Middle East, and make Israel ever more dependent on the United States. The margin was an overwhelming 411-2, with eight abstentions. … Continue reading “A Bipartisan Assault on Middle East Peace”

Military Intervention in Syria is a Bad Idea

Although the impulse to try to end the ongoing repression by the Syrian regime against its own people through foreign military intervention is understandable, it would be a very bad idea. Empirical studies have repeatedly demonstrated that international military interventions in cases of severe repression actually exacerbate violence in the short term and can only reduce … Continue reading “Military Intervention in Syria is a Bad Idea”

Iran Threat Reduction Act Actually Enhances Threat of War

Congress is taking up dangerous legislation that appears to be designed to pave the way for war by taking the unprecedented step of effectively preventing any kind of U.S. diplomatic contact with Iran. The Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2011 (H.R. 1905), sponsored by the right-wing chair of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, … Continue reading “Iran Threat Reduction Act Actually Enhances Threat of War”

Obama to Aid Uzbek Dictatorship

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, in a move initiated by the Obama administration, has voted to waive Bush-era human rights restrictions on military aid to the Islam Karimov dictatorship in Uzbekistan, one of the most brutal and repressive regimes on the planet. The lifting of the restrictions, now part of the Foreign Operations bill, is … Continue reading “Obama to Aid Uzbek Dictatorship”