Amid all the geopolitical analyses and ideological posturing on the occasion of the Three-Day War between Russia and Georgia, we are losing sight of the very real human costs of this conflict: thousands of civilians killed and grievously wounded, a city, Tskhinvali,...
Mikheil Saakashvili:
Blowback From Bear-Baiting
Mikheil Saakashvili's decision to use the opening of the Olympic Games to cover Georgia's invasion of its breakaway province of South Ossetia must rank in stupidity with Gamal Abdel-Nasser's decision to close the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships. Nasser's blunder...
‘Provincial Saddam’ Goes, Finally
BAQUBA - The surprise removal of the Diyala police chief has brought new hope of a more secure future. The decision by members of the ruling council of Diyala governorate to discharge provincial police chief Ghanim al-Quraishi brought celebrations in its wake. In...
Krajina, Not Kosovo
Six days ago, as most of the world was watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, Georgian troops attacked the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia. Russia quickly intervened, ousting Georgian forces from the region and attacking Georgian...
The Lobby Like No Other
Wants a War Like No Other
Having watched John McCain and Barack Obama resolutely pledge their allegiance and their countrymen's lives and treasure to the defense of Israel via AIPAC, the media, and personal meetings with Israeli leaders, it is worth asking what could possibly...
Behind the Surge in Iraqi Female Suicide Bombers
While overall levels of violence in Iraq have significantly dropped from their peak in 2006, every day seems to bring news of yet another ghastly suicide bombing, only now the bomber often comes in a black abaya, the full-length robe worn by many Iraqi women. For the...
Nothing Behind US Allegations Against Iran?
UNITED NATIONS - While the United States has repeatedly accused Iran of providing lethal weapons to Shi'ite militias, last week, U.S. officials once again failed to provide solid evidence for this charge, raising questions about the actual level of Iran's meddling in...
Iraqi Sunnis Complain of Increased Iranian Influence
BAQUBA - Haider returned from Iran recently, with enough money to pay for his wedding and a new car. He was trained to join Badr, the armed wing of the Dawa Party of U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Many more come where he recently came from. Badr is...
Thursday: 40 Iraqis Killed, 111 Wounded
Updated at 9:40 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2008A major attack against Shi'ite pilgrims occurred in Iskandariya today, leaving dozens dead and wounded. Overall, at least 40 Iraqis were killed and another 111 were wounded throughout Iraq. Meanwhile, a party spokesman revealed...
Israeli Arms Sales to Georgia
Raise New Concerns
JERUSALEM - With the eruption of fighting between Russia and Georgia, Israel has found itself in an awkward position as a result of its arms sales to Georgia, caught between its friendly relations with Georgia and its fear that the continued sale of weaponry will...


