Jimmy Carter Is Right

Former president Jimmy Carter recently issued a gutsy call on the U.S. government to pull out of Iraq as soon as possible. While a distinct minority in Congress has voiced this sentiment, it’s refreshing to hear an ex-president say what almost no one else in the political mainstream dares say. Even many in the “antiwar” … Continue reading “Jimmy Carter Is Right”

India’s Security Council Bid a Long Haul

NEW DELHI – While India has thrown its hat into the United Nations Security Council ring, the process of actually gaining a permanent seat on the body – which has the power to introduce sanctions and authorize the use of force in conflicts – may prove to be a long drawn-out affair, according to experts. … Continue reading “India’s Security Council Bid a Long Haul”

Whose Fault Is It?

Out of almost 1,400 words, it was the following short sentence that attracted almost all the readers’ reactions to my previous column: “The Arab states and the Palestinians have in fact acknowledged Israel’s right to exist in peace, if it withdraws from the occupied Palestinian territories taken in 1967; whereas Israel wants to keep these … Continue reading “Whose Fault Is It?”

A Choice Without an Alternative

Will you be offered a choice without an alternative in November? By now you must know that the Republican Party has been taken over by the neo-crazies, hell-bent on establishing American Hegemony in the Middle East on behalf of our "allies." But maybe you didn’t realize that the Democratic Party was taken over by the … Continue reading “A Choice Without an Alternative”

Al-Jazeera in the Thick of a New Controversy

HELSINKI – The name of al-Jazeera appeared out of the blue, and before anyone knew it Arab media had gone global. Many in the Arab world call it the CNN of their world. If the CNN won the media war the first time in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, an unexpected al-Jazeera was … Continue reading “Al-Jazeera in the Thick of a New Controversy”

Rising Protest Against Colombian Anti-Drug Spraying

MONTEVIDEO – Campesinos and indigenous people who live along the northern border of Ecuador are demanding that the government and the courts take effective action to stop the anti-drug crop spraying carried out under Plan Colombia right across the border, complaining about damaging effects to their health and their food crops. More than 100 people … Continue reading “Rising Protest Against Colombian Anti-Drug Spraying”

Human Shields Denied Hearing on Iraq Sanctions Charges

Faced with tens of thousands of dollars in fines and the prospect of future criminal charges for traveling to Iraq, one antiwar activist is speaking out, challenging the federal government’s right to punish her for a 2003 visit to the Middle-Eastern nation. Judith Karpova, a longtime activist, interfaith minister, and freelance writer, said she hopes … Continue reading “Human Shields Denied Hearing on Iraq Sanctions Charges”

Human Dignity, Crazy Mike, and Indian Country

The reason why Washington is having such a difficult time persuading others of its good faith and its good works in the “war on terror” was best illustrated Tuesday this week. While President George W. Bush told the UN General Assembly that the U.S. belief in “human dignity” – a phrase he used no less … Continue reading “Human Dignity, Crazy Mike, and Indian Country”

Destroying the National Guard

The unit knew it would soon be shipped to the front. Some soldiers responded by deserting. Others got drunk and fought. In response, officers locked the unit in its barracks, allowing the troops out only to drill, not even to smoke a cigarette, until it could be put on the transport that would take it … Continue reading “Destroying the National Guard”

A Draft After the Elections?

While President Bush has thus far never said whether or not he would bring back the draft (Sen. John Kerry stated that he opposed a draft on Sept. 22, 2004 in West Palm Beach, Fla.), there are increasing rumors and speculation that it will be reinstated after the election, perhaps as soon as 2005. There … Continue reading “A Draft After the Elections?”