UN Spying and Evasions of American Journalism

Tony Blair and George W. Bush want the issue of spying at the United Nations to go away. That’s one of the reasons the Blair government ended its prosecution of whistleblower Katharine Gun on Wednesday. But within 24 hours, the scandal of U.N. spying exploded further when one of Blair’s former cabinet ministers said that … Continue reading “UN Spying and Evasions of American Journalism”

State Department Reports Paint Dismal Human Rights Picture

Releasing its annual “Country Reports” on human rights practices around the world Wednesday, the U.S. State Department claimed Afghanistan and Iraq as two major breakthroughs in an otherwise bleak human rights picture. In an introductory overview, the report singled out several countries for poorer performances during 2003, including China, North Korea, Burma, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Belarus … Continue reading “State Department Reports Paint Dismal Human Rights Picture”

Arguments End But Israel’s Wall Goes On

Three days of hearings into the legality of the barrier being built by Israel in the West Bank ended before the International Court of Justice here Wednesday just as they began – with passionate legal arguments inside, and highly emotional protests outside. The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) were the last … Continue reading “Arguments End But Israel’s Wall Goes On”

The Unraveling of Pax Americana?

Faced with its justifications for the troublesome conquest of Iraq regularly being torn to shreds, it seems that Washington is poised to make a tactical retreat from the Middle East. Some serious analysts are interpreting this as the sign of Empire’s coming implosion, and with good reasons. A retreat from Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, or any … Continue reading “The Unraveling of Pax Americana?”

The Anthrax Mystery

Amid all the current recriminations, investigations, and political circumlocutions surrounding those missing “weapons of mass destruction,” another sort of WMD – one far closer to home – still casts its sinister shadow over an uncertain future. The anthrax attacks, that terrorized the nation for weeks in the wake of 9/11, remain unsolved to this day. … Continue reading “The Anthrax Mystery”

Asian Officials: Free Trade Will Help Crush Poverty

Asian governments should embrace the global free trade system as a way to lift the region’s millions out of abject poverty, senior development officials told a high-level conference here Monday. Any cooperation between countries across Asia “should pay particular attention to activities that would help achieve the immense potentials for fair trade expansion unleashed by … Continue reading “Asian Officials: Free Trade Will Help Crush Poverty”

Lacking Penalties, World Court Decision Will Have Little Effect on Israel

A potential World Court ruling against Israel for building a controversial "security barrier" in the occupied territories would remain a "moral" victory unless the Jewish state were penalized, say U.S. observers. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague will conclude its three-day hearing Wednesday and later provide an advisory opinion" to the U.N. … Continue reading “Lacking Penalties, World Court Decision Will Have Little Effect on Israel”

Pentagon Excludes Human Rights Observers from Guantanamo Trials

The Pentagon’s refusal to allow human rights groups to monitor upcoming military trials of prisoners held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was sharply criticized today by three leading human rights advocacy organizations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and Human Rights First sent a joint letter to US Secretary of Defense … Continue reading “Pentagon Excludes Human Rights Observers from Guantanamo Trials”