Bin Laden’s Indispensable Ally

Michael Scheuer, author of Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror, discusses precisely that topic with Scott Horton. Interview conducted Feb. 12, 2005. Check out Scott’s other interviews with prominent antiwar and libertarian personalities. Listen to Streaming Audio Download MP3 Michael Scheuer is a recently retired CIA analyst who has also … Continue reading “Bin Laden’s Indispensable Ally”

Elliott Abrams: A Fallen Hawk Soars Again

Elliott Abrams, a figure from the Ronald Reagan-era Iran-Contra scandal who describes himself as a “neoconservative and neo-Reaganite,” is moving to center stage in U.S. foreign policy as head of President George W. Bush’s Global Democracy Strategy. In his new position, Abrams will oversee the administration’s promotion of democracy and human rights while continuing to … Continue reading “Elliott Abrams: A Fallen Hawk Soars Again”

Caught in the Muddle: Round Two of Bush vs. North Korea

Hope springs eternal that the Bush administration, in its new postelection configuration, will finally get serious about the North Korean nuclear crisis. According to the most optimistic assessment, the new appointments at the State Department – Condoleezza Rice, Robert Zoellick, Christopher Hill – will leaven the administration’s hardline policy with a measure of pragmatism. This … Continue reading “Caught in the Muddle: Round Two of Bush vs. North Korea”

Jordanian-American’s ‘Rendition’ Case Takes a New Twist

The U.S. Department of Justice may make legal history in seeking to dismiss a lawsuit on behalf of a U.S. citizen being held in Saudi Arabia without publicly disclosing its reasons, citing an "extraordinarily high" government interest in protecting national security issues in the case. Other instances in which courts based their decisions on "secret … Continue reading “Jordanian-American’s ‘Rendition’ Case Takes a New Twist”

Two Nations in a Bind Over Nukes

BEIJING – North Korea’s bold statement that it has nuclear weapons – in order to thwart a possible U.S. strike – puts Beijing in an uncomfortable position. This is because it exposes China’s ambiguous position on the primacy of the United Nations when it comes to dealing with the Stalinist country. As North Korea’s oldest … Continue reading “Two Nations in a Bind Over Nukes”

India Ready for Closer Ties With Pakistan

NEW DELHI – India’s External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh arrives in Islamabad on Tuesday with a firm agenda to restore ties with an estranged Pakistan. This will be the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to the neighboring country in 15 years. In an exclusive interview with IPS, Singh indicated that his visit would … Continue reading “India Ready for Closer Ties With Pakistan”

Iranian Shadow Falls Over Baghdad

ARBIL, Iraq – The main victors in the Iraq elections appear to be a slate of Shia politicians inspired by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and led by Sayyed Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. That makes Hakim a key man, whatever shape the government takes. The former head … Continue reading “Iranian Shadow Falls Over Baghdad”

The Sharansky Fallacy

On Meet the Press Sunday morning, Natan Sharansky had his head handed to him by Pat Buchanan, a sight both instructive and inspiring to behold. Sharansky’s recent book, The Case for Democracy, has been identified by none other than our president as a primary source of his new and improved Bush Doctrine, which calls for … Continue reading “The Sharansky Fallacy”

Sandbagging the EU

Last November, the governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – supported by the European Union – and the Islamic Republic of Iran forwarded to the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency an agreement they requested he circulate to all IAEA member states. The agreement began with the Europeans (E3/EU) recognizing “Iran’s … Continue reading “Sandbagging the EU”