China-Iran Tango Threatens US Leverage

BEIJING – Even as Iran pledges suspension of its uranium-enrichment program to avert United Nations sanctions, U.S.-led international efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities are being undermined by the emergence of an ever stronger partnership between China and the Middle-Eastern country. This was clearly evident when Seyed Hossein Mussavian, Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic … Continue reading “China-Iran Tango Threatens US Leverage”

Colombian Illusions

President Bush probably wanted to burnish his self-styled reputation as a fierce opponent of terrorism who has conflated other conflicts with the all-encompassing and likely generations-long War on Terror and can celebrate success wherever his writ runs. But in declaring, for the umpteenth time in recent years, imminent victory in the war on cocaine in … Continue reading “Colombian Illusions”

What Became of Conservatives?

I remember when friends would excitedly telephone to report that Rush Limbaugh or G. Gordon Liddy had just read one of my syndicated columns over the air. That was before I became a critic of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration, and the neoconservative ideologues who have seized control of the U.S. government. … Continue reading “What Became of Conservatives?”

US Jewish Groups Press Mideast Peace

A growing number of American Jews believes that major changes in U.S., Israeli, and Palestinian policies are essential to the resumption of any meaningful negotiations for peace – but they are fighting an uphill struggle because of President George W. Bush’s support for the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Many peace advocates are … Continue reading “US Jewish Groups Press Mideast Peace”

Stay Out of Sudan’s Civil War

I strongly oppose this ill-conceived, counterproductive legislation. This represents exactly the kind of unconstitutional interventionism the Founding Fathers warned us about. It is arrogant and dangerous for us to believe that we can go around the world inserting ourselves into civil wars that have nothing to do with us without having to face the unintended … Continue reading “Stay Out of Sudan’s Civil War”

Once Upon a Peace

Nine years ago this week, after lengthy and exasperating negotiations, leaders of Serbia, Croatia, and the Bosnian Muslims finally agreed to end the Bosnian war. The peace treaty was officially signed on Dec. 14, 1995 in Paris. It was seen as the capstone to American intervention in the Balkans, which supposedly solved the crisis Europe … Continue reading “Once Upon a Peace”

Congress Rejects New Nukes

A cost-conscious U.S. Congress has denied funding to Bush administration projects to develop new nuclear weapons designed to target rogue states or terrorists developing weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Critics who said the new "bunker buster" weapons risked blurring the lines between conventional and unconventional warfare hailed the move, which was led by a member … Continue reading “Congress Rejects New Nukes”

Last Exit Before Gas

Between now and January, the Bush administration will have to decide whether or not to take the last dignified exit from Iraq. That is, to announce before the Iraqi elections that we will be leaving soon after them. If Bush and his neocon handlers miss this opportunity, our only choice will be to remain in … Continue reading “Last Exit Before Gas”

UN Body Rejects Censure, Threatens Revolt

UNITED NATIONS – The 191-member UN General Assembly, the largely ignored policymaking body of the United Nations, is threatening to derail a slew of mostly Western European and U.S.-inspired resolutions condemning human rights violations. A key committee of the assembly, which previously refused to take action on resolutions against Belarus and Sudan, took a similar … Continue reading “UN Body Rejects Censure, Threatens Revolt”