The Dangers of Democratic Imperialism

On Sept. 6-7, 2005, the New America Foundation hosted “Terrorism, Security & America’s Purpose,” a policy forum featuring scholars, elected officials, intelligence experts, and journalists. A full list of speakers is available here. Anatol Lieven is the author of The Baltic Revolution: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Path to Independence, Ukraine & Russia: A Fraternal … Continue reading “The Dangers of Democratic Imperialism”

The Outer Limits of Empire

He’s tall and thin, with a shock of white hair. A bombardier in the great war against fascism and an antiwar veteran of America’s wars ever since, he’s best known as the author of the pathbreaking A People’s History of the United States, and as an expert on the unexpected voices of resistance that have … Continue reading “The Outer Limits of Empire”

‘Bush the Protector’ vs. ‘Bush the Menace’

For President Bush, a classic political question – "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" – must be answered with a resounding "No." In 2001, within days of 9/11, mass media touted Bush as a walking FDR and hailed him as the nation’s visionary leader. The president settled into a jerky … Continue reading “‘Bush the Protector’ vs. ‘Bush the Menace’”

Backtalk, September 9, 2005

What’s Next, Mr. War President?“What will it take for Americans to reestablish accountability in their government? Bush has gotten away with lies and an illegal war of aggression, with outing CIA agents, with war crimes against Iraqi civilians, with the horrors of the Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo torture centers, and now with the destruction of … Continue reading “Backtalk, September 9, 2005”

That Sinking Feeling

Of Omnipotent Government More than lives and property was drowned by the fetid waters that deluged New Orleans and the media-forsaken coastlines of Mississippi and Alabama in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Any credibility that the Imperial government may have had left also perished with the floods. Hundreds of thousands of people were told they … Continue reading “That Sinking Feeling”

Pakistan Apologetic but Firm on Israel Ties

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government has begun to appear apologetic about its plans to open diplomatic links with Israel, as criticism builds up against a budding liaison between two nations founded in the late 1940s in the name of religion. Waves of condemnation, from both liberal as well as fundamentalist groups, have followed the highly … Continue reading “Pakistan Apologetic but Firm on Israel Ties”

Despite Growing Scandal, UN Chief Refuses to Yield

UNITED NATIONS – A beleaguered UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Thursday stood his ground despite charges of corruption, inefficiency, and mismanagement of the $34 billion now-defunct Iraqi oil-for-food program run by the UN secretariat, which he administers. Asked if there would be any resignations from within the organization over the strictures, Annan told reporters: "I don’t … Continue reading “Despite Growing Scandal, UN Chief Refuses to Yield”

The Symbolic Power of Fallujah

On Sept. 6-7, 2005, the New America Foundation hosted “Terrorism, Security & America’s Purpose,” a policy forum featuring scholars, elected officials, intelligence experts, and journalists. A full list of speakers is available here. Freelance journalist Nir Rosen has made quite a name for himself with his dispatches from Fallujah, Baghdad, Kabul, and other war zones. … Continue reading “The Symbolic Power of Fallujah”

The Terrorists’ Suicide Solution

On Sept. 6-7, 2005, the New America Foundation hosted “Terrorism, Security & America’s Purpose,” a policy forum featuring scholars, elected officials, intelligence experts, and journalists. A full list of speakers is available here. In his presentation, Professor Robert Pape of the University of Chicago outlined the thesis of his most recent book, Dying to Win: … Continue reading “The Terrorists’ Suicide Solution”