Many Americans, in fact, many people in the world, have been under the impression that Obama’s approach to foreign policy, especially as it pertains to the Middle East, would be the antithesis of that of the Bush administration. This dichotomy, however, is increasingly questionable as the professed advocate of change looks more like a proponent of continuation.
read moreThe Pillorying of Charles Freeman and America’s Loss
Washington has been riveted for a few weeks by one of those inside-the-beltway political spectacles that usually doesn't get much attention in the world press: Charles ("Chas") Freeman, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former deputy chief of...
Israeli Soldiers Expose Atrocities in Gaza
JERUSALEM – Based on testimony from Israeli soldiers who took part in the recent war in Gaza, Israel is being confronted directly with the serious charge that permissive rules of engagement allowed for the killing of Palestinian civilians and widespread...
Israelis Using ‘Excessive’ Force Against Protesters
RAMALLAH - The critical wounding of a U.S. activist has highlighted the excessive use of force by Israeli forces. The activist, Tristan Anderson, 38, was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the Palestinian West...
Friday: 1 US Soldier, 3 Iraqis Killed; 6 Iraqis Wounded
Although the prayer day saw few casualties, tensions were high as thousands of Shi’ites protested the U.S. occupation on the sixth anniversary of the invasion. At least three Iraqis were killed and another six were wounded. Also, a U.S. soldier died from...
Bedouin Baby’s Power Struggle With Israel
Little Ashimah Abu Sbieh's life hangs by a thread – or more specifically, an electricity cable that runs from a noisy diesel-powered generator in the family's backyard. Should the generator's engine fail, she could die within minutes. Ashimah suffers from a...
Palestinians Failing to Stitch the Split
CAIRO – Reconciliation talks between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in Cairo this week yielded an agreement to hold national elections early next year. The two sides, however, remain deadlocked over the proposed terms of a national unity government....
Red Cross Report Bolsters Case for Bush Inquiry
A leaked Red Cross report, detailing chilling accounts of prisoner torture in "black sites" run by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, has underlined the need for an independent commission of inquiry into possible war crimes committed by senior officials...
The Blood-Dimmed Tide
In the aftermath of the Cold War and the "end of history" triumphalism, those who built the American Empire may be forgiven for believing the future of conflict would be in short, victorious wars like "Desert Storm"; that the U.S. was the...
Thursday: 17 Iraqis Killed, 3 Wounded
Updated at 7:10 p.m. EST, Mar. 19, 2009 At least 17 Iraqis were killed and three more were wounded in light attacks. Also, a third body was found in a mass grave that possibly dates to 1991. Meanwhile, the Arab League Secretary-General arrived in Iraq, just as Iraqi...
