Middle East & North Africa Archives - Page 286 of 633

Does U.S. Occupation Prevent Civil War in Iraq? Think Again.

by Gareth Porter | Sep 30, 2005

As the U.S. occupation of Iraq heads toward its third year, there is a remarkable absence of debate over withdrawal, despite the evidence that a clear majority of the American people want out. Many conservatives are uneasy about the occupation but they are unwilling to challenge the administration publicly. Most liberals in politics and the media appear to believe that invading Iraq was a major blunder, but that withdrawal anytime in the foreseeable future would lead to civil war and chaos.

Neoconservatives Adrift?

by John Gershman, Jim Lobe | Sep 30, 2005

Jubilant over President George W. Bush maintaining his position for another four years, neoconservatives who played a leading role in shaping the radical trajectory of U.S. foreign policy after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks appear increasingly divided on key issues and uncertain of their position in BushÂs second term.

Rhetoric and Reality Clash in Inaugural Address

by John Gershman, Stephen Zunes | Sep 30, 2005

President Bush’s second inaugural address has received widespread praise for its recognition of the imperative of advancing human freedom worldwide, not just for its own sake, but for America’s own national interest.

The Network Paradigm of Strategic Public Diplomacy

by John Gershman, R.S. Zaharna | Sep 30, 2005

Stop the Torture

by Sister Dianna Ortiz, Emily Schwartz Greco | Sep 30, 2005

On Thursday, January 20, I listened to George W. Bush take the oath of office as President. He made many promises. One promise he did not make is to end the torture his administration has not only tolerated but facilitated. It left me wondering what his promises to uphold the law and fight for freedom and liberty really mean.

The Real Story of the Iraqi Elections

by Erik Leaver, Gareth Porter | Sep 30, 2005

The U.S. government and most pundits have painted IraqÂs recent elections as a great victory over the Iraqi insurgents, who opposed them, and as a vindication of the Bush administrationÂs policy of bringing democracy to the Middle East. Amid the orgy of self-congratulation over the bravery of Iraqi voters, officials and commentators have ignored the most important story of the election results: a Sunni electoral boycott that demonstrates a level of support for the insurgency in the Sunni triangle that is far greater than what the administration has admitted.

Terrorist Violence in Kuwait

by John Gershman, Mary Ann Tétreault | Sep 30, 2005

Largely unnoticed with the focus on the war and insurgency in Iraq, and overshadowed by an upsurge in violence in Saudi Arabia, terrorist violence is also on the increase in neighboring Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government had been concerned that the preparations for the invasion of Iraq that began in late 2002 would spur an increase in violent attacks directed at either U.S. or coalition troops. During the run up to the invasion in March 2003 the Kuwaiti government ordered a large area along its border with Iraq vacated, and worked with Americans and others to keep the visibility of foreigners at a low level. In spite of this, there were several violent altercations between locals and individuals associated with military preparations for attacking Iraq. Several persons were injured and at least two died. The attacks were attributed to Kuwaiti ÂAfghansÂÂreturnees from the wars in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechnya. But others also were implicated. A member of the national guard confessed to passing military information to Iraq, planning bomb attacks against utility installations, and plotting to assassinate Kuwaiti officials.

A Negotiated Settlement in Iraq

by Erik Leaver, Gareth Porter | Sep 30, 2005

It is now time for the United States to pursue the one policy option that has been missing from the national discussion of Iraq: the negotiation of a peace settlement with the insurgents that would involve the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops in return for the surrender of the insurgents and the reintegration of the Sunni region into the post-Saddam political system.

The Iraq-U.S. Second Anniversary

by John Gershman, Col. Daniel Smith (Ret.) | Sep 30, 2005

March 20th marks 731 days–two years–since the first munitions of the second U.S.-led coalition against Saddam Hussein’s regime exploded in Baghdad.

Credibility Gap? More Like an Abyss

by David MacMichael, Emily Schwartz Greco | Sep 30, 2005

Incredibly, just as President Bush begins his second term with a real need to restore U.S. international standing, he chose John D. Negroponte to head the newly restructured intelligence system. Negroponte, based on the record of his 40-plus years in the State Department, has no credibility at all.