Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe writes for Inter Press Service.

Escalating Korea Crisis Dims Hopes for Denuclearisation

With all sides seeming to climb further up the escalatory ladder over the last several days, defusing the ongoing crisis on the Korean Peninsula — let alone persuading Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal as it once promised to do — looks daunting. Indeed, the latest moves by the major players – the two … Continue reading “Escalating Korea Crisis Dims Hopes for Denuclearisation”

P5+1 Coalition Fraying on Eve of Second Almaty Talks with Iran

On the eve of its second round of talks with Iran on curbing its nuclear programme in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the so-called P5+1 (U.S., Britain, France, China, and Russia plus Germany) is showing signs of growing disunity, according to the European Union’s former top foreign policy official. Speaking at a forum at the Brookings Institution here, … Continue reading “P5+1 Coalition Fraying on Eve of Second Almaty Talks with Iran”

As Iraq Anniversary Fades, ‘Strategic Narcissism’ Stands out

After a week of retrospectives on the tenth anniversary of Washington’s ill-fated invasion of Iraq, the most compelling consisted of a retrospective of the retrospectives. It came from Marc Lynch, an expert on Arab public opinion at George Washington University and prominent blogger on the foreignpolicy.com website. The flood of retrospectives that materialised over the … Continue reading “As Iraq Anniversary Fades, ‘Strategic Narcissism’ Stands out”

Ten Years After Iraq War, Neo-Cons Struggle to Hold Republicans

Ten years after reaching the height of their influence with the invasion of Iraq, the neo-conservatives and other right-wing hawks are fighting hard to retain their control of the Republican Party. That fight was on vivid display last week at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) here where, as the New York Times observed in … Continue reading “Ten Years After Iraq War, Neo-Cons Struggle to Hold Republicans”

Despite Right-Wing Opposition, Hagel Looks Set for Confirmation

WASHINGTON, Feb 22 2013 (IPS) – Despite an appeal Thursday by 15 right-wing Republican senators for President Barack Obama to withdraw the nomination of Chuck Hagel as his next defence secretary, the former Republican senator from Nebraska appears virtually certain to be confirmed as Pentagon chief by the full Senate next week. The fact that … Continue reading “Despite Right-Wing Opposition, Hagel Looks Set for Confirmation”

Hagel Hearings Showcase Pro-Israel Agenda

If former Defence Secretary-designate Sen. Chuck Hagel’s lacklustre performance at his confirmation hearing Thursday heartened neo-conservatives and other hawks opposed to his nomination, those who argued that the Israel lobby has been exerting too great an influence on U.S. foreign policy were ecstatic. Indeed, Stephen Walt, the Harvard international relations professor who co-authored the “The … Continue reading “Hagel Hearings Showcase Pro-Israel Agenda”

Drones Provoke Growing Controversy in US

As Barack Obama renews his lease on the White House for another four years, his administration is debating how best to respond to a growing internal and public controversy over his first term’s non-battlefield counter-terrorist weapon of choice: armed drones. Armed Predator drone firing Hellfire missile. Credit: public domain For months, senior administration officials have … Continue reading “Drones Provoke Growing Controversy in US”

New Push in US for Tougher Sanctions, War Threats Against Iran

Four U.S. non-proliferation specialists are urging the Obama administration to impose tougher economic sanctions against Iran and issue more explicit threats to destroy its nuclear programme by military means. In a 155-page report, the specialists, who were joined by the head of a right-wing pro-Israel lobby group, the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies (FDD), said Washington … Continue reading “New Push in US for Tougher Sanctions, War Threats Against Iran”

Major Test for Israel Lobby As Obama Leans to Hagel for Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 2013 (IPS) – With President Barack Obama reportedly primed to nominate former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel to head the Pentagon early next week, the powerful Israel lobby, led by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), faces a major dilemma. If it mounts a vigorous campaign to fight Hagel’s confirmation by the … Continue reading “Major Test for Israel Lobby As Obama Leans to Hagel for Pentagon”

Groups Decry Obama’s Failure to Close Guantanamo

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 2013 (IPS)- Human rights groups are denouncing President Barack Obama’s failure to veto a defence bill that will make it far more difficult for him to fulfill his four-year-old pledge to close the Guantanamo detention facility this year. Obama had threatened to veto the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) precisely because … Continue reading “Groups Decry Obama’s Failure to Close Guantanamo”