One reason parts of Iraq have quieted down, at least for a while, has received widespread attention: the Sunni split from al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda's own tactics alienated its base, which is usually a fatal political mistake, and for once we were wise enough not to get in...
Much Ado About Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - The Middle East peace conference that began and ended here on this crisp, sunny Tuesday was lean on specifics for a lasting peace deal between Israel and Palestine and the formation of a Palestinian state. Dealing with a timeline for continued...
Christians And Muslims Coexist in Gaza
GAZA CITY - As Sunday dawns in Gaza City the traditional Islamic call to prayer mingles melodically with church bells. Side by side, mosque and church doors swing open, welcoming the faithful. Greetings are eagerly exchanged. The October kidnapping and murder of Rami...
Thursday: 2 GIs, 30 Iraqis Killed; 48 Iraqis Wounded
Updated at 11:57 p.m. EST, Nov. 29, 2007At least 30 Iraqis were killed and 48 more were wounded in the latest attacks. In Baghdad, over 100 tribal chiefs staged a peaceful protest over the deteriorating conditions in Diyala province. Also, an MND-B soldier was killed...
The Algebra of Occupation
In 1805, the French army out maneuvered, outsmarted, and outfought the combined armies of Russia and Austria at Austerlitz. Three years later it would flounder against a rag-tag collection of Spanish guerrillas. In 1967, it took six days for the Israeli army to smash...
Is Annapolis Hopeless?
There's little reason to hope for a breakthrough at the Middle East peace summit in Annapolis, unless there is a fundamental shift in U.S. policy in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And there's little evidence to suggest such a change is forthcoming....
Oil Costs More Than You Think
In its quest to control global oil and gas reserves, the U.S. has forgotten its noble heritage and is endangering its future by supporting dictators abroad. While the Middle East's resources are a tempting prize, the continuing alienation of its people and the...
Road to Empire
Is the U.S. going to occupy Iraq indefinitely, or will we withdraw our troops within the next year or so, as the majority of Americans would have it? President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki don't care what Americans or Iraqis think or...
The Proliferation Game
Globalization, what a concept. You can get a burger prepared your way practically anywhere in the world. The Nike Swoosh appears at elite athletic venues across the United States and on the skinny frames of T-shirted children playing in the streets of Calcutta. For...
Civil Libertarians Warn of ‘PATRIOT Act Lite’
Civil libertarians are worried that a little-known anti-terrorism bill now making its way through the U.S. Congress with virtually no debate could be planting the seeds of another USA PATRIOT Act, which was hurriedly enacted into law after the al Qaeda attacks of...


