Who Killed Rafik Hariri?

The recent hate campaign against Syria is ratcheting up to a fever pitch, as exemplified by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Texas), who told a convocation of veterans at the Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas, of a conversation he had with our sainted chief executive in which he, Johnson, explained to the prez that those … Continue reading “Who Killed Rafik Hariri?”

The Unfortunate Incident Protocol

“A little girl running in fear from armed men is killed in cold blood. … The authorities are trying their best to come up with a reason why this schoolgirl was shot so many times after she was dead – because that’s the unusual part. But in no way will the Israeli government, nor the … Continue reading “The Unfortunate Incident Protocol”

Who Now Will Read to the President in the Morning?

Senate skids have been greased for John Negroponte to be confirmed as the first director of national intelligence. Never mind that he deliberately misled Congress about serious human rights abuses in Honduras where he was ambassador from 1981 to 1985. That dissembling enabled the White House to circumvent the congressional restrictions that would have denied … Continue reading “Who Now Will Read to the President in the Morning?”

Sandbagging the EU

Well, the media elite report that President Bush was dismayed by the reaction he got from the E3 [United Kingdom, France and Germany] of the European Union to his opposition to their agreement with Iran of 15 November, 2004, wherein: The E3/EU recognize Iran’s rights under the NPT, exercised in conformity with its obligations under … Continue reading “Sandbagging the EU”

Democratization or Disintegration?

Feeling vindicated by dramatic events in the Middle East since the Iraqi elections Jan. 30, especially the growing international clamor for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon, neoconservatives are calling on President George W. Bush to seize the moment by pressing for "regime change" in Damascus and Iran, as well. Despite its own missionary rhetoric, the … Continue reading “Democratization or Disintegration?”

Taysir Doesn’t Deserve This

Al-Jazeera’s correspondent Taysir Alouni is in a Madrid jail for no other reason than challenging the Western and distinctively the American narrative of the Third World. Alouni is not a terrorist, and Spanish High Court judge Baltasar Garzon knows this very well. In fact, it appears that Alouni was arrested – first in September 2003 … Continue reading “Taysir Doesn’t Deserve This”

From Lebanon to Iraq and Back

For Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon all the current euphoria about the rising New Lebanon, marking the start of a revolutionary change in the Middle East, must have the feel of déjà vu all over again. After all, when Israeli troops under the order of then Defense Minister Sharon invaded Lebanon in 1982 as part … Continue reading “From Lebanon to Iraq and Back”

Why Israel Really Fears Iranian Nukes, Part Three

Western rhetoric about the prospect of an Iranian nuclear bomb is typically full of references to "security," "destabilization" and "a terrorist regime" that sound compelling and alarming. But because such terms are closely examined only rarely, they not only deflect from any meaningful assessment of the Iranian issue but also readily disguise the true motives … Continue reading “Why Israel Really Fears Iranian Nukes, Part Three”

Saudis Break New Ground Eyeing Russian Weapons

UNITED NATIONS – Saudi Arabia, a traditionally authoritarian regime that recently held the first Western-style local elections in its 73-year history, is trying to break new ground by turning to Russia for arms purchases. As one of the world’s biggest single weapons buyers, the family-run kingdom has militarily depended on the United States, which has … Continue reading “Saudis Break New Ground Eyeing Russian Weapons”