ElBaradei Wins

Despite intense effort by John Bolton and the neocrazies to get rid of him, Mohamed ElBaradei has just been elected to a third term as Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. A principal function of the IAEA – established in 1957 – is “To establish and administer safeguards designed to ensure that special fissionable … Continue reading “ElBaradei Wins”

US Image Abroad Still Sinking

Two years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Washington’s image in Europe, Canada and much of the Islamic world remains broadly negative, according to the latest in a series of surveys of public opinion in 16 countries sponsored by the Pew Global Attitudes Project (PGAP). While some of the hostility, particularly in Muslim countries immediately … Continue reading “US Image Abroad Still Sinking”

No New Abu Ghraibs

Congressional Democrats are demanding more oversight over U.S. prisons in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. In a letter released Thursday, Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi joined 170 other members of Congress, introduced legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate abuses of detainees caught during the “global war on terror.” In the minds of the … Continue reading “No New Abu Ghraibs”

Fixed Is Fixed

With last week’s hearings on the Downing Street memos concluded, much work lies ahead. Now, the information in the Downing Street memos needs to be collated carefully with evidence from the mainstream media, on the Internet, and from other sources regarding what was going on in top policymaking circles in Washington in the preparations for … Continue reading “Fixed Is Fixed”

Voluntary Amnesia in the Service of War

Forget it! That seems to be an unstated motto for American media coverage of the Iranian presidential election. The axiom comes down to: "Don’t let history get in the way of spin." Evasion smooths the way to the next war. For maximum propaganda effect, the agenda-setting must be decoupled as much as possible from clear … Continue reading “Voluntary Amnesia in the Service of War”

Behind the Congressional Gitmo Debate

After last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the legal status of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the chair of the Committee, Senator Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), says he plans to bring new legislation that would create a detention commission to allow detainees to get a hearing on their imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay. The proposal would mark … Continue reading “Behind the Congressional Gitmo Debate”

Censoring the Carnage

At long last, the culminating session of the World Tribunal on Iraq is upon us. As a witness providing testimony, I’m being interviewed by many outlets. Today, one of them was by reporters for one of the larger newspapers in Turkey, Yeni Safak. I’ll leave the reporters nameless, for reasons you’ll soon see. The newspaper … Continue reading “Censoring the Carnage”

Smoking Gun Misfiring?

I can certainly sympathize with Michigan Democrat Rep. John Conyers and various of his sympathizers, who sponsored a forum last week in the House to discuss the notorious Downing Street memo and to promote the idea that Congress should conduct an official inquiry into whether President Bush intentionally misled the nation into the Iraq war. … Continue reading “Smoking Gun Misfiring?”

Iraq: What Price ‘Victory’?

The cry is going up to get us out of Iraq, and just as surely – and loudly – the counter-cry is also rising: don’t “cut and run!” The neoconservatives’ big guns are being wheeled out, with David Brooks and Max Boot – pontificating from the pages of the New York Times and the Los … Continue reading “Iraq: What Price ‘Victory’?”

Withdrawal: Seize the Moment

Republican Congressman Walter B. Jones (famed for insisting that the Congressional cafeteria re-label French fries as “freedom fries” on its menu), a man who represents North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, home to the Marine’s Camp LeJeune, voted enthusiastically for the Iraq war, but recently changed his mind. Last week, he became one of four congressional … Continue reading “Withdrawal: Seize the Moment”