Report: Relations with Russia Moving in ‘Wrong Direction’

WASHINGTON – Fifteen years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, bilateral ties between Russia, its successor state, and the United States are "headed in the wrong direction," according to a new report [.pdf] released here this week by the influential Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). In addition to disagreements over a growing number of … Continue reading “Report: Relations with Russia Moving in ‘Wrong Direction’”

Amid Iraq Carnage, Sunnis Press for Peace

With Arkan Hamed BAGHDAD – As violence continues throughout much of Iraq, many Sunni political and religious leaders continue to urge their followers to resist launching reprisal attacks. Scores of Iraqis, Sunni and Shia alike, are being killed daily. Recent incidents of violence included an assassination attempt on senior Sunni leader Adnan al-Dulaimi, who leads … Continue reading “Amid Iraq Carnage, Sunnis Press for Peace”

The US Role in Iraq’s Sectarian Violence

The sectarian violence that has swept across Iraq following last month’s terrorist bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara is yet another example of the tragic consequences of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. Until the 2003 U.S. invasion and occupation, Iraq had maintained a long-standing history of secularism and a strong national identity … Continue reading “The US Role in Iraq’s Sectarian Violence”

ElBaradei’s Swan Song?

At the insistence of the Cheney cabal, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency had a "special" meeting a month ago and passed a resolution [.pdf] requesting that the IAEA director-general: "[C]ontinue with his efforts to implement the Agency’s Safeguards Agreement with Iran, to implement the Additional Protocol to that Agreement pending … Continue reading “ElBaradei’s Swan Song?”

Tracing the Trail of Torture

The other day on Jerry Agar’s radio show, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld responded to accusations about American atrocities at our prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He accused the detainees there of manipulating public opinion by lying about their treatment. He said, in part: “They’re taught to lie, they’re taught to allege that they have … Continue reading “Tracing the Trail of Torture”

India Deal Makes US a Nuclear Proliferator

NEW DELHI – Campaigners for a nuclear-free South Asia are aghast at the potential nightmare that lies ahead following the nuclear technology and fuel deal announced here this week by visiting United States President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "This deal may have further complicated an already difficult situation in South … Continue reading “India Deal Makes US a Nuclear Proliferator”

Another War for Israel

A prominent public official finally said what we‘ve been saying all along in these pages: "The U.S. presence in Iraq is hurting the worldwide war on terrorism and benefits only Iran and al-Qaeda, U.S. Rep. John Murtha said on Sunday. ‘The only people who want us in Iraq are Iran and al-Qaeda,’ Murtha said on … Continue reading “Another War for Israel”

War Is Good for the Economy – Isn’t It?

A common theme that has emerged in critiques of my “Wartime Economist” columns on Antiwar.com is that war is good for an economy. One respondent wrote: “Why did [Franklin D.] Roosevelt want the war [World War II] so badly? He wanted it for the same reason every American president since that time has wanted a … Continue reading “War Is Good for the Economy – Isn’t It?”