With the Iraq War officially over and the last U.S. base in Iraqi hands, the focus now turns to the country’s post-war relationship with the United States. Meanwhile, demonstrations in Diyala province forced the closure of a border entry point with Iran. Also, at least three Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in the latest attacks.
read moreFighting Settlers’ Impunity and Immunity
JERUSALEM - The outer stone walls of the unused 12th century Ayyubid mosque in the Israeli center of the city carried the black scars of attempted arson and hatred. "Price tag", the signature read. "Price tag" attacks are perpetrated by vengeful...
And Was the Mission Accomplished?
Rise of Empire
Author’s note: I’m in the middle of moving, so I won’t be writing this week. I needed a break anyway. I’ll be back on Monday, December 18. In the meantime, this space will feature some past articles of note. Back when the Cold War was new, the great American newspaper...
Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria
Iran is courting the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, seeking to maintain a crucial alliance in the event that Assad falls. So far, Iranian officials have met at least twice with members of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC). The Damascus-based...
Iraq War Formally Ends, But Violence Continues
The war may have ended for the United States, but attacks continue to plague Iraqis. At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 13 more were wounded in ongoing violence. An unkonwn number of demonstrators in Baquba may have also been wounded.
read moreThe Inevitable War With Iran
One might regard the pledges made to Israel and its friends in the United States by aspiring presidential candidates as pro forma and vaguely amusing, but that would be a mistake. Policy commitments, even if they are lightly entered into, are a serious matter with...
Iraq Switches Allegiance to US Weapons Systems
As the United States withdraws the last of its 50,000 troops after a nearly nine-year military occupation of Iraq, visiting Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki had one final request: billions of dollars' worth of U.S. weapons for his ragtag armed forces. A longstanding...
Baghdad ‘Bullies’ Mutinous Province As Iraqis Celebrate Withdrawal
At least six Iraqis were killed and 44 more were wounded as some Iraqis celebrated the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Meanwhile, Diyala province’s bid for semi-autonomy is already being criticized by the power mongers in Baghdad.
read moreQuit Preaching and Lead by Example
After Russia’s parliamentary election, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton bluntly advocated “a full investigation of all credible reports of electoral fraud and manipulation.” She then asserted, “The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve the right to...
