When President Obama announced that U.S. special forces had helicoptered into Pakistan, broken into a secret compound an hour from the capital, and killed Osama bin Laden, celebrations broke out all across America. The man who plotted the mass murder of 3,000 of us had at last received his just reward. College students ran to …
Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden”
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth, lest the Lord see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” This is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible (Proverbs 24:17-18) and, indeed, in the Hebrew language. It is beautiful …
Continue reading “Bin Laden Is Dead, but What About His Ideas?”
As Europe headed toward the first world war, lining up rival blocs of states and massing armies on borders, the focus of their escalating rivalry was centered in the Balkans. Indeed, after the Great War, the word “balkanization” was coined to indicate a hopelessly divided region seething with sectarian and nationalist tensions, and the “Balkan …
Continue reading “Syrian Tinderbox”
MOSCOW – Campaigners are asking the Azerbaijan government to introduce radical reforms early to avoid a popular uprising sweeping the Arab world. Opposition leaders and rights activists have mobilized large protests in March and early April, and plan more—despite the official restrictions on public rallies. Many demonstrators have been detained. “The majority of the enlightened …
Continue reading “Arab Spring at Azerbaijan’s Door”
Updated at 5:08 p.m. EST, Mar. 10, 2011
At least eight Iraqis were killed and 19 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Again, almost all reported attacks were in the capital. Protests also continue, much to the chagrin of the prime minister who went on the defensive today.
