Jacobin to the Core

After listening to his inaugural speech, anyone who thinks President Bush and his handlers are sane needs to visit a psychiatrist. The hubris-filled megalomaniac in the Oval Office has promised the world war without end. Bush’s crazy talk has even upset rah-rah Republicans. One Republican called Bush’s speech “God-drenched.” It has begun to dawn on … Continue reading “Jacobin to the Core”

Israeli Trench Could Destroy 3,000 Palestinian Homes

As Israeli and Palestinian leaders move to increase security cooperation in Gaza, a major U.S. human rights organization is urging the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to reject proposals to build an anti-smuggling trench along the Gaza-Egyptian border that could destroy up to 3,000 Palestinian homes. Citing recent press reports, New York-based Human Rights … Continue reading “Israeli Trench Could Destroy 3,000 Palestinian Homes”

Some Ba’athists Make It to Kurdish Election List

KIRKUK – Iraq’s two main Kurdish political parties have put aside their differences for the Jan. 30 election. Like the Shias in the South, they have organized a single, sectarian ticket that they hope all Kurds will vote for. Surprisingly, that list includes some prominent members of the Ba’ath party of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Ask … Continue reading “Some Ba’athists Make It to Kurdish Election List”

Low Fuel, High Violence

Last night, I peered out my hotel room window into the vast darkness of Baghdad. Aside from random lights powered by generators, the blackened capital city seemed to lie dormant under high winds and a cold, driving rain. This morning as we’re driving under clear, crisp skies on the harrowing streets, Abu Talat tells me, … Continue reading “Low Fuel, High Violence”

Iraq Elections Heighten Division, Fear

BAGHDAD – The elections due Jan. 30 appear to have brought more chaos and division amongst Iraqis than unity and hope. And they have brought greater security fears. U.S.-appointed prime minister Iyad Allawi acknowledged last week that full security will be impossible. This despite the rather draconian measures his interim government will have in place. … Continue reading “Iraq Elections Heighten Division, Fear”

Extra! Extra! Read Nil About It!

“‘It’s a finesse to give power to Rumsfeld – giving him the right to act swiftly, decisively, and lethally,’ the first Pentagon adviser told me. ‘It’s a global free-fire zone.’” (Seymour Hersh, "The Coming Wars," the New Yorker magazine) George Bush’s all-foreign-policy inaugural address offered a globe-enveloping neocon version of a Pax Americana world. Analyses … Continue reading “Extra! Extra! Read Nil About It!”

The Man Who Knew Too Much

S cott Horton interviews former UN Iraq weapons inspector Scott Ritter about the WMD that weren’t. Interview conducted Jan. 22, 2005. Check out Scott Horton’s other interviews with prominent antiwar and libertarian personalities. Listen to MP3 Listen to Streaming Audio In 1998, Scott Ritter resigned from the United Nations weapons inspection team and “has been … Continue reading “The Man Who Knew Too Much”

An Anti-Imperialist’s Reading List: Part One

This timeless article first appeared on January 30, 2001. GOING ALL PEDAGOGICAL I thought that this week I would sketch out a reading list for those wishing to pursue the themes dealt with in this column and at antiwar.com generally. Some of the works listed are popular, some are scholarly, but all contribute to building … Continue reading “An Anti-Imperialist’s Reading List: Part One”

Reason for Optimism in Palestine?

JERUSALEM – The signs have been so surprisingly positive that they elicited upbeat assessments even from some of Israel’s more circumspect leaders. "We are witness to the beginning of positive developments on the Palestinian side," Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya’alon, said over the weekend. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz added Sunday that "the year … Continue reading “Reason for Optimism in Palestine?”