Middle East & North Africa Archives - Page 252 of 595

Lebanon Ceasefire

by John Feffer, Stephen Zunes | Aug 28, 2006

The UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire to the fighting in Lebanon is certainly good news in terms of ending the carnage. Passed on August 11, Resolution 1701 is also a marked improvement over the original U.S. draft and contains some positive language. Both sides, for instance, are called upon to honor Âa full cessation of hostilities.Â And Israel must provide the UN with maps of landmines planted in southern Lebanon during IsraelÂs 22-year occupation that ended in 2000.

Oil Pressure

by Erik Leaver, Greg Muttitt | Aug 25, 2006

“The oil belongs to the Iraqi people. It’s their asset,” declared President George W. Bush in a press conference on the White House lawn in June. He had just returned from a surprise visit to Baghdad, in which oil had been one of the main subjects of discussion.

The United States, the UN, and the Lebanon Ceasefire

by John Feffer, Stephen Zunes | Aug 21, 2006

The UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire to the fighting in Lebanon is certainly good news in terms of ending the carnage. Passed on August 11, Resolution 1701 is also a marked improvement over the original U.S. draft and contains some positive language. Both sides, for instance, are called upon to honor Âa full cessation of hostilities.Â And Israel must provide the UN with maps of landmines planted in southern Lebanon during Israel’s 22-year occupation that ended in 2000.

Iraq’s Sectarian Bloodshed "Made in the USA"

by Raed Jarrar, Erik Leaver | Aug 21, 2006

As each day is greeted with news of Iraq’s daily death toll, the media debates whether Iraq is embroiled in an all-out civil war. While conventional wisdom holds that the country is being cleaved apart by religious differences, this conflict actually stemmed from the U.S. government’s political miscalculations.

How Washington Goaded Israel

by John Feffer, Stephen Zunes | Aug 18, 2006

There is increasing evidence that Israel instigated a disastrous war on Lebanon largely at the behest of the United States. The Bush administration was set on crippling Hezbollah, the radical Shiite political movement that maintains a sizable block of seats in the Lebanese parliament. Taking advantage of the country’s democratic opening after the forced departure of Syrian troops last year, Hezbollah defied U.S. efforts to democratize the region on American terms. The populist party’s unwillingness to disarm its militia as required by UN resolutionÂand the inability of the pro-Western Lebanese government to force them to do soÂled the Bush administration to push Israel to take military action.

Panic as Policy

by Erik Leaver | Aug 14, 2006

Last week’s arrests of 24 British citizens accused of planning massive suicide missions against U.S.-bound airplanes unleashed widespread chaos and delays in airports around the world. In the aftermath of the arrests, amid the ensuing code red alerts, panic levels across Europe and the U.S. spiked. Hours after the plot was revealed, President George W. Bush boasted that, “This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11.” While the plot’s disruption may have averted a catastrophe, there is little evidence to support the president’s claim.

Why the Dems Have Failed Lebanon

by John Feffer, Stephen Zunes | Aug 9, 2006

The Bush administration’s unconditional support for Israel’s attacks on Lebanon is emblematic of the profound tragedy of U.S. policy in the region over the past five years. The administration has relied largely on force rather than diplomacy. It has shown a willingness to violate international legal norms, a callousness regarding massive civilian casualties, a dismissive attitude toward our closest allies whose security interests we share, and blatant double standards on UN Security Council resolutions, non-proliferation issues, and human rights. A broad consensus of moderate Arabs, Middle East scholars, independent security analysts, European leaders, and others have recognized howÂeven putting important moral and legal issues asideÂsuch policies have been a disaster for the national security interests of the United States and other Western nations. These policies have only further radicalized the region and increased support for Hezbollah and other extremists and supporters of terrorism.

At War with Syria and Iran: The Neo-Cons May Get Their Wish

by Bonnie Bricker, Erik Leaver, Adil E. Shamoo | Aug 9, 2006

With no shame in drawing the U.S. into the Iraq quagmire three-and-a-half years ago, the same group of neo-conservatives including William Kristol, Richard Perle and Charles Krauthhammer are pushing for Israel/U.S. go to war with Syria and Iran. What is amazing is that despite the deep mess they got us into in Iraq, President Bush and his foreign policy team is actually listening to them.

Withdrawal Wins New Political Support

by Erik Leaver, Emily Schwartz Greco | Aug 9, 2006

Over the past three and a half years, few members of Congress have challenged President George W. Bush over his “stay the course” mentality in Iraq. Indeed, just over a month ago nearly 300 Representatives endorsed the Bush Iraq policy of remaining in Iraq until a “free and stable Iraq” has been achieved. And while 39 Senators voted to support withdrawal in the same month, only 13 brave Senators supported a deadline of 2007.

Nobel Women’s Initiative

by John Feffer, Sorosh Roshan, Jody Williams, Emira Woods | Aug 9, 2006

The Nobel Women’s Initiative is trying to reduce the risk of war with Iran. Read excerpts from the press conference organized by the Institute for Policy Studies.