COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS ARCHIVE :

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Washington Post, 31 May 09, by Jack Goldsmith
The Detainee Shell Game
'The revelation last weekend that the United States is increasingly using foreign intelligence services to capture, interrogate and detain terrorist suspects points up an uncomfortable truth about the war against Islamist terrorists.'

Washington Post, 02 Jun 09, by Pedro Nikken and Geoffrey Nice
What the U.N. Can't Ignore in Burma
'... while the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, without trial, has long been denounced, a less-publicized travesty has been underway in Burma for much of the past 15 years.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 09, by Christopher Paul
Rethink Washington's 'War of Ideas'
'The most effective way to persuade people to adopt a new point of view is not to attack their current perspective. Ideas can compete, but the logic such competition follows cannot be accurately characterized as "war."'

Newsweek/Washington Post, 28 May 09, by John Pomfret
China's Military Game Changer?
'... despite all this talk of a G2, despite all these signs that Taiwan and China are moving ineluctably closer together, China's military continues to have U.S. forces in their sights.'

Newsweek/Washington Post, 02 Jun 09, by Mansoor Ijaz
Time for Peace in Kashmir
'India's political maturity and growing economic power give it maneuvering room not available to Pakistan, a country besieged by Islamist insurgency, shattered confidence in institutions and a failed economy.'

Washington Post, 31 May 09, by David Greenberg
The Cold War Duel That Never Dies
Review of Alger Hiss and the Battle for History, by Susan Jacoby

Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 09, by Howard LaFranchi
Has North Korea finally gone too far?
'Consensus is rising in the international community: Enough cajoling, it's time to get tough.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by editorial staff
North Korea Tests
'Erratic, frightening and hugely self-destructive. Those are the words we would use to describe North Korea's behavior.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by Roger Cohen
Obama in Netanyahu's Web
'Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, won the first round over President Barack Obama. That's not good for American interests or for Israel's long-term security.'

New York Times, 27 May 09, by Greg Mills and Jeffrey Herbst
Bring Zimbabwe in From the Cold
'After years of rightly criticizing President Robert Mugabe's authoritarian rule in Zimbabwe, Western countries now face a different, and difficult, set of decisions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 09, by Eric Reeves
Stand up to Sudan's thugs
'Men with guns can't be the only ones at the peace table.'

Family Security Matters, 26 May 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
Hizballah's Phoneprints All Over Hariri Assassination?
'The Lebanon-based Jihadist terrorist group, Hizballah, is now believed to have been directly involved in the 2005 Valentine's Day Massacre of 23 people in Beirut ­ including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri (the primary target of the bomb-assassins) ­ according to a May 23 article in Der Spiegel.'

Family Security Matters, 27 May 09, by Joan Swirsky
Something Terrible Has Happened to Michael
'In my opinion, it's a miscarriage of justice for a soldier who is fighting for the Constitutional rights we hold dear ­ the right to due process and a fair trial ­ to be denied those rights in his own trial! And what about the demoralization this causes other U.S. troops, who continue to fight on behalf of the freedom and security of our nation? Whether they are U.S. border patrol agents, members of the armed forces, or FBI agents, no individual who is serving on the frontlines in the War on Terror should be afforded anything less than a fair trial.'

Human Events, 27 May 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
Military Milestones from Jackson at Pensacola to the Lions of Cantigny
'"Decoration Day"� -- the predecessor to Memorial Day -- is first observed by order of U.S. Army Gen. John A. Logan, who had decreed on May 5: "The 30th day of May 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."�'

Human Events, 27 May 09, by James Zumwalt
For Iran, It's Apocalypse Now
'Since first taking office, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned an imminent apocalypse awaits mankind -- for which Iran will be the catalyst. With his impending re-election, Ahmadinejad's threats need be taken seriously.'

FOX News, 26 May 09
Human Events Editor on N. Korea: U.S. 'Being Played Like a Pretty Cheap Fiddle'
'"Right now, we are being played like a pretty cheap fiddle, Neil, by the Iranians, North Koreans, the Chinese and the Russians. I don't see any effort by the Obama administration to go outside the framework of the United Nations to get a coalition going."'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 09, by David Peck
Are we winning or losing in Afghanistan?
'Until Washington gets serious about performance metrics that gauge both success and failure, we won't really know.'

Wall Street Journal, 14 May 09, by editorial staff
A General for Afghanistan
Gen. McChrystal brings the new American way of war to an old theater. Bob Gates's decision to prematurely retire General David McKiernan as the senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan solidifies the Defense Secretary's reputation as firer in chief. We can only wish his cabinet colleagues draw on his example in dealing with their own sub-par performers.

Washington Post, 13 May 09, by David Ignatius
Petraeus's Tougher Fight
'It's a small irony of history that Gen. David Petraeus, attacked by the left for his role in revitalizing the Bush administration's effort in Iraq, is now being asked by a Democratic president to do much the same thing in Afghanistan. The Centcom commander intends to apply the same counterinsurgency tactics he developed in Iraq, but Afghanistan will be in many ways a tougher fight.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 09, by Ariel Cohen
Obama puts Israel at risk
'As he and Netanyahu prepare to meet, US-Israeli relations are sinking toward an all-time low.'

Washington Post, 13 May 09, by editorial staff
Engage With Burma?
'Sure, but not just with the generals'

NewsHour, 12 May 09, with Ray Suarez et al
New Army Leadership Faces Familiar Challenges in Afghanistan Efforts
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he needed new thinking and new approaches when he shuffled the top military leadership in Afghanistan on Monday. Analysts examine how new leadership could impact the war and the future of the Army.'

NewsHour, 11 May 09
Military Shake-up in Afghanistan Signals New Strategy Push
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates tapped Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the new top commander in Afghanistan, replacing Gen. David McKiernan. Time magazine's Pentagon reporter Mark Thompson examines the move.'

New York Times, 11 May 09, by editorial staff
An Agenda for Mr. Netanyahu
'Mr. Obama and his aides have been telegraphing their intentions for weeks. But the Israeli leader's responses have been unconvincing and insufficient. Growing tensions were obvious when his White House meeting slid later into May — after Mr. Obama hosted Arab leaders.'

NewsHour, 08 May 09, with Margaret Warner
Zardari Assesses War on Taliban, Appeals for Aid
'Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari describes his country's offensive against the Taliban and other militant threats, and calls for more aid in this new "war of the world."'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 May 09, by John Hughes
Islam and democracy can – and do – coexist
'Just look at successes in Indonesia and Turkey.'

NewsHour, 06 May 09, with Jeffery Brown
White House Hones its Strategy in Two-Front War
'On the day President Obama met with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House to discuss military and diplomatic strategy in combating the Taliban, two analysts assesses the obstacles standing in the way of stability in the region.'

Reuters, 07 May 09, by Jon Herskovitz
Q+A: What's the real threat of N.Korea's nuclear program?
'There is increased activity at North Korea's known nuclear test site, a South Korean news report said on Thursday, suggesting Pyongyang is gearing up for a new test as it has threatened in response to tightened U.N. sanctions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 May 09, by editorial board
The Obama doctrine: Charm enemies, arm-twist friends
'For a friendly foreign leader, a visit to the White House can be a visit to the woodshed.'

Asia Times, 07 May 09, by W Andrew Terrill
Iraq on brink of third great mistake
'If Iraq's leaders treat Sunni groups that are being infiltrated by al-Qaeda as potential enemies, it would be one of the most disastrous decisions made since 2003 - it would push the Sunni community back down the path of resistance and insurgency.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 May 09, by Micah Zenko
Are US missile strikes in Pakistan a dud policy?
'Predator drones have negative consequences that should be openly debated.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 07 May 09, by Robert Mackey
The West Bank Archipelago
'This week, leading Israeli, Palestinian and American officials have agreed that the creation of a Palestinian state on territory in the West Bank and Gaza is essential to peace in the Middle East. But spend any time looking at a map of the West Bank as it is today, or with any of the many different proposals for how that map might be redrawn to accommodate the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, and it becomes clear why any sensible mapmaker might choose to steer well clear of the challenge of drawing up that state.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 05 May 09, by Robert Mackey
Pakistan's British-Drawn Borders
'... Pakistan and the rest of the world believes that Afghanistan ends (and Pakistan begins) more or less where a 1,600-mile line was drawn on the world map in 1893, at the direction of a British colonial officer named Henry Mortimer Durand, who sought to define the outer edge of what was then British India.'

International Analyst Network, 27 Apr 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Remarks by W. Thomas Smith Jr. delivered at Fabrique Nationale, April 24, 2009
'So we see in the end, the American soldier – no matter what is put in front of him, no matter what he is asked to do – will always deliver. Missioon first. Then the men. Then himself. He will do these things with courage, honesty, humility, selflessness, creativity, instant willing obedience (without excuse), an ability to take charge on a moment's notice "exhibiting decisiveness, but modifying decisions when necessary " and always sincerely respecting and loving his fellow man. Now, if you think this sounds like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, my response is, "why not?"�'

New York Times, 29 Apr 09, by Paddy Ashdown and Joseph Ingram
Falling Short on Afghanistan
'A just-released report from Afghanistan's Ministry of Finance has produced some shocking findings with disturbing implications for the future of the war-ridden country and its unstable neighborhood. Yet the report and its conclusions have failed to capture the attention of the key politicians overseeing financial and military support from Afghanistan's allies.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr 09, by an American aid worker
What Afghanistan can learn from the Taliban
'... most significantly for American taxpayers, foreign agencies admit it is only through baksheesh that any constructive work can be done in Afghanistan.'

Fox News, 23 Apr 09, by Walid Phares
The Taliban's "AfPak" Strategy: A Jihadi Preemptive War
'... the current advances of the Taliban aim at a preemptive war against the Government in Islamabad and against the US led Coalition in Afghanistan. Worse, they also aim at the nukes. In short, the Jihadi strategy is going faster than the international community's efforts.'

Christian Science Monitor, 27 Apr 09, by Norman H. Olsen
No more make-believe in the Middle East
'Bibi's policies may be misguided, but at least he doesn't pretend to be a peacemaker. Such intellectual honesty could prove salutary.'

Asia Times, 28 Apr 09, by Ameen Izzadeen
Many paths to Colombo's victory push
'Although the Sri Lankan government will claim the lion's share of the glory for what appears to be the imminent defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a number of other factors have contributed to the Tigers' demise. The coming to power of an Indian government opposed to the group, a key split in the rebels and the US's "war on terror" all played a part.'

New York Times, 28 Apr 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
A Torturous Compromise
'Weighing everything, President Obama got it about as right as one could when he decided to ban the use of torture, to release the Bush torture memos for public scrutiny and to not prosecute the lawyers and interrogators who implemented the policy. But there is nothing for us to be happy about in any of this.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 28 Apr 09, by Robert Mackey
North Korea Duels With Iran for Top Axis Ranking
'As if wrangling over nuclear disarmament talks, claiming to have launched a satellite into orbit and seizing not one but two female American reporters was not enough to make it clear that North Korea is willing to go all out in its battle against Iran for the top slot in the Axis of Evil world rankings, on Wednesday the government in Pyongyang threatened to start enriching uranium.'

Washington Post, 30 Apr 09, by David Ignatius
National Security Facilitator
'One of the puzzles of the Obama administration's first few months was how the National Security Council would work under Gen. James Jones. He had the tricky challenge of managing an all-star "team of rivals" and working with a young president who was just 6 when Jones went off to Vietnam in 1967 as a Marine Corps second lieutenant.'

Washington Post, 30 Apr 09, by editorial staff
Courting Mr. Chávez
'... Ms. Clinton seems to believe that Mr. Chávez's escalating domestic repression shouldn't be an impediment to better relations with the United States -- an attitude in keeping with her already-stated views about such nations as China, Egypt and Turkey.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Apr 09, by Kyndra Rotunda
US soldiers are heroes, not terrorists
'Homeland Security's warning is unjustified. ... How does being a soldier put one on the path to becoming a domestic terrorist? The answer is clear and simple: It doesn't.'

Financial Times, 23 Apr 09, by Tony Barber
China sees EU as mere pawn in global game
'Viewed from Brussels, China's importance to the world's international security and economic systems has never been greater. Viewed from Beijing, the European Union's importance has rarely been smaller.'

Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr 09, by Kent Hughes Butts and Geoffrey D. Dabelko
One way to boost US-China military cooperation
'Recently, the Defense Department warned that lack of Chinese transparency and dialogue between the Chinese and US militaries could lead to dangerous miscalculations on both sides. ... The White House issued a statement stressing the "importance of raising the level and frequency of the US-China military-to-military dialogue," ... One such way to begin military dialogue between the United States and China is by using environmental issues.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr 09, by Ted Galen Carpenter
A bold Plan B for North Korea
'The US should consider inducing China to topple the Kim regime.'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr 09, by Noah Bialostozky
New US administration, new take on the 'war on terror'
'Definitional nuance will strengthen world response to terrorism.'

Asia Times, 23 Apr 09, by Andrei Lankov
Why Pyongyang clings to its weapons
'Often portrayed as deranged zealots, North Korea's leaders are actually cold-minded Machiavellians. They successfully used a rocket launch as a sideshow to regain the international spotlight and remind the world of the real threat: their nuclear weapons. And these are not going to go away any time soon.'

Asia Times, 22 Apr 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
The strange case of Roxana Saberi
'The possibility that American-Iranian reporter Roxana Saberi was an unwitting accomplice in the Western drive for intelligence cannot be ruled out. If this is the case, the real culprits are the information-mongering governments that are pressing Iran with sanctions without any evidence that Tehran is on the march toward nuclear weapons.'

Asia Times, 21 Apr 09, by Henry C K Liu
Brzezinski's G-2 grand strategy
'Former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, in seeking a United States and China "Group of Two" to jointly address global challenges, rightly recognizes that the days of a unipolar world order are numbered. His mistake is in believing China wants to partner a weakening US, or would gain from such ties.'

Foreign Policy, April 09, by Raenette Taljaard
Think Again: South Africa
'It emerged from apartheid a bright young democracy, but Mandela's South Africa is today a fading miracle. As voters go to the polls on April 22, the country's most trying days may yet be ahead.'

Foreign Policy, April 09, by J. Peter Pham
The Pirate Economy: Why the U.S. Navy can't win this fight.
'This weekend's incident highlights what the world's best-trained military can accomplish under the right conditions. But it also underscores the limits of force in the face of a seemingly intractable challenge posed by the Somali pirates.'

PBS NewsHour, 13 Apr 09, with Gwen Ifill
Combating Piracy Poses New Challenge for U.S. Ships
'President Obama vowed Monday to halt the rise of piracy as details emerged about the rescue of a U.S. sea captain. Analysts weigh how to best protect U.S. ships from pirates.'

The Times, 16 Apr 09, by Ben Macintyre
The battle against piracy begins in Mogadishu
'The Somali marauders who are terrorising shipping have deep roots in the local "shifta" tradition of outlaw robber gangs.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Apr 09, by Scott Baldauf
Will pirates join forces with Islamist militias in Somalia?
'Escalation of violence could lead pirate gangs to join radical militants, including those with ties to Al Qaeda, say analysts.'

Human Events, 15 Apr 09, by Robert Spencer
The Somali Pirates Are Jihadists
'This week, we celebrate the Navy SEALs' rescue of American ship captain Richard Phillips. Their action, from the night airdrop that delivered them to the waiting warships to the split-second action in which three of the pirates were killed, was what we expect from our best special operations troops. But while we praise their skill, let's not lose sight of who Phillips' captors were. His Somali pirate captors are Islamic jihadists, dedicated to the same goals as Osama bin Laden and other jihadists around the world.'

Family Security Matters, 15 Apr 09, by Frank Gaffney, Jr.
Someone Tell the White House: The Cold War is Over
'America needs an informed and rigorous national debate before adopting defense budget cuts and arms control initiatives that reflect nostalgia for a world now gone but that risk blowing up the one we now inhabit.'

New York Times, 14 Apr 09, by editorial staff
Women, Extremism and Two Key States
'There have been two recent reminders of the cost of extremism. ... The cases represent an officially sanctioned brutality that violates American values and international human rights norms. They also sabotage chances of building stable healthy societies in Pakistan and Afghanistan.'

Asia Times, 16 Apr 09, by Ira Chernus
Requiem for the 'war on terror'
'It was undoubtedly one of the least sonorous acronyms in the United States' bureaucratic history - GWOT for George W Bush's "global war on terror" - and suddenly, thanks to the Barack Obama administration, it's gone. It has been replaced by a hardly less sonorous one, OCO, standing for the blandly Orwellian "Overseas Contingency Operation", and it carries with it great significance.'

Middle East Times, 14 Apr 09, by editorial staff
It's High Time to Ban Cluster Bombs
'In the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah two summers ago, as in the more recent conflict between Russia and Georgia last summer, large numbers of cluster munitions were deployed and thousands of unexploded ordnance still remain scattered in civilian populated areas.'

PBS NewsHour, 08 Apr 09, with Judy Woodruff
Secretary of Defense Gates Defends New Budget Priorities
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates sits down with Judy Woodruff to discuss the insurgency in Iraq, the need for assistance in Afghanistan and shifts in long-term spending priorities.'

Middle East Times, 09 Apr 09, by John Daly
Turkey's Complexities Demand Obama's Listening Ear
'Given the complexities of Turkey's national, international, security and economic policies and concerns, President Obama's inclination to hear out his NATO ally will go a long way toward determining the ultimate success or failure of his visit.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by David Ignatius
Listening in Kabul
'[Richard Holbrooke's and Adm. Mike Mullen's] Afghanistan visit was an unusual exercise in strategic listening for a superpower that during the Bush years treated communications strategy as a problem of talking more loudly.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by William Kristol
A World Without Nukes -- Just Like 1939
'In Prague on Sunday, President Obama committed his administration to putting us on a "trajectory" toward "a world without nuclear weapons." ... to justify a world without nuclear weapons, what Obama would really have to envision is a world without war, or without threats of war. That's an ancient vision. It's one reason American presidents have tried to encourage the spread of liberal democracy and responsible regimes around the world.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 05 Apr 09, by editorial staff
A Coffin, a Flag, a Photograph
'For the first time in 18 years, the Pentagon granted the news media access on Sunday night to cover the arrival of a coffin to Dover Air Force Base from overseas.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Apr 09, by editorial board
Obama and Medvedev hit 'reset' on arms control
'It makes sense to restart relations by cutting nukes.'

New York Times, 03 Apr 09, by George Bisharat
Israel on Trial
'Chilling testimony by Israeli soldiers substantiates charges that Israel's Gaza Strip assault entailed grave violations of international law. The emergence of a predominantly right-wing, nationalist government in Israel suggests that there may be more violations to come.'

openDemocracy, 17 Mar 09, by Tarek Osman
Democracy-support and the Arab world: after the fall
'An appeal to Barack Obama to reinvigorate the United States's democracy-promotion efforts in the Arab world is based on flawed understanding both of political Islam and the real needs of the region's people ...'

openDemocracy, 06 Apr 09, by Shadi Hamid
Democracy's time: a reply to Tarek Osman
'... the region is ready - and has long been ready - for substantive democratic change, and that a diverse coalition of middle-eastern actors (including moderate Islamists, liberals, and leftists) hopes that the American president will not forget their struggle against autocracy.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by editorial staff
North Korea's Test
'Whether it intends to put a satellite in orbit — as it claims — or test a long-range missile, as the Obama administration and many others suspect, Pyongyang has fueled dangerous new tensions in East Asia.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by B. R. Myers
To Beat a Dictator, Ignore Him
'Not so long ago, when we wanted to learn why hostile leaders were hostile, we studied their ideologies. Nowadays, having learned that ideology is either dead or an arbitrary system of signs, we analyze leaders by "putting ourselves in their shoes" — in other words, by assuming that everyone thinks the way we do.'

Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar 09, by editorial board
Obama's foreign-policy credo: listen and lead
'In this century, American presidents will have to listen more than they're used to.'

New York Times, 31 Mar 09, by James Traub
Can Pakistan Be Governed?
'Pakistan feels as if it's falling apart. ... American policy has arguably made the situation even worse, for the Predator-drone attacks along the border, though effective, drive the Taliban eastward, deeper into Pakistan. And the strategy has been only reinforcing hostility to the United States among ordinary Pakistanis. Pakistan has made itself the supreme conundrum of American foreign policy.'

Christian Science Monitor, 31 Mar 09, by Michael Adler
World's nuclear watchdog needs a strong and wily chief
'Promoting peaceful atomic energy while keeping nuclear weapons in check will require a strong International Atomic Energy Agency. Its current struggle to pick a new director shows how high the stakes are.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar 09, by Joost Hiltermann
The US exit from Iraq: how to steer clear of danger
'The strategy must focus less on elections and more on political bargains that promote a new Iraqi national compact.'

Christian Science Monitor, 30 Mar 09, by Ben White
What it means to talk with Hamas
'Engaging it is fundamentally about accepting (perhaps uncomfortable) facts.'

Middle East Times, 02 Apr 09, by Aijaz Zaka Syed
View From Dubai: Obama's War Strategy - A Rehash of Bush's Failed Policies
'U.S. President Barack Obama has come up with his own plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And one is amazed at the world of difference between his approach and that of his predecessor.'

Middle East Times, 01 Apr 09, by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Why Obama Should Speak to the Muslim World
'As he travels to Turkey April 7, U.S. President Barack Obama takes the next step to fulfill his pledge to address the Muslim world. Some critics have warned him: "Don't do it." I believe they are wrong. This is just the right thing to do, and Obama is the one to do it.'

Asia Times, 02 Apr 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Iran looks through Obama's poker face
'While much has been made about the "new season of diplomacy" between Tehran and Washington, many in Iran point to crippling United States-backed sanctions and call any reported thaw in relations hugely premature. The US wants it both ways - to gang up on Iran at the United Nations, while seeking its help in resolving increasingly dangerous regional issues, starting with Afghanistan.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Mar 09, by editorial staff
Watershed moment on nuclear arms
'In less than nine months, the 1991 Start I treaty expires. It contains the basic rules of verification that give both Moscow and Washington the confidence that they know the size and location of the other's nuclear forces. The Bush administration made little effort to work out a replacement deal. So we are encouraged that American and Russian officials seem to want a new agreement.'

Middle East Times, 26 Mar 09, by editorial staff
Taking Syria Seriously
'A serious U.S. engagement with Syria is long overdue and essential. Syria cannot be ignored or outflanked on the key issues of Israeli-Arab peace, border security for Iraq, the future of Lebanon or the reining in of Hezbollah, the Syrian- and Iranian-backed Party of God in Lebanon.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Mar 09, by The Boston Globe editorial staff
In Darfur case, a big lie
'The president of the UN General Assembly insults the suffering millions in Darfur by saying that the indictment of Sudan's strongman Omar Bashir is an example of racism. ... The victims of Bashir's crimes against humanity in Darfur are members of black African ethnic groups: the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa peoples. The regime behind the massacres, as well as its proxy militias, known as the Janjaweed, are Arab. Victims and perpetrators alike are Muslim.'

Human Events, 25 Mar 09, by Robert Spencer
Returning to Jihad in Iraq
'Just as the prisoners of Camp Bucca are returning to the jihad, so eventually will the country as a whole, despite our best efforts to create a pluralistic parliamentary society including all of Iraq's disparate and warring factions.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Mar 09, by Roger Cohen
Roger Cohen: The fierce urgency of peace
'Pressure on President Obama to recast the failed American approach to Israel-Palestine is building.'

Asia Times, 24 Mar 09, by Shahir Shahidsaless
Why the US can't bully Iran
'After 30 years of hostility, a massive wall of mistrust separates the governments of Iran and the United States. The obstacle will remain as long as Washington persists in speaking to Iran in a condescending manner and continues to wave threats of sanctions. Strong talk will only plant seeds of resistance, while sanctions, Iranians believe, will never threaten the nation's existence.'

International Herald Tribune, 24 Mar 09, by David Brooks
Combat and community
'Before the Soviet invasion in 1979, Afghan towns had three parallel authority structures: the tribal elders, the religious clerics and the government representatives. The Soviets decimated the tribes and the indigenous government. That left only the mullahs, and their sudden unchecked prominence helped explain the rise of the Taliban. The terror and the fall of the Taliban reduced clerical authority, too. By 2002, when the coalition forces arrived, village society was fractured, social capital decimated. The resulting disorder has been a perfect nesting ground for the insurgents.'

Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar 09, by Elizabeth Pond
Russia: Unclenching its fist?
'Improved Polish-Russian ties bode well for the US.'

Human Events, 23 Mar 09, by Walid Phares
Britain's Doublespeak on Terror
'If the British government wishes to engage in talks with a terrorist organization, it must make that case and not obfuscate its true intentions of working with the Hizballah's political wing. At the end of the day, Hizballah will remain who it is, who it says it is and who it will continue to be: a terrorist organization devoted to Jihad against the West.'

Maine Public Broadcasting 'Speaking in Maine', 20 Mar 09
Foreign Policy Challenges Facing Obama
Former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcrott addresses the 2009 Camden Conference. 'He advised Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush and has been a critic of the war in Iraq and the administration of George W. Bush.'

Diane Rehm Show (WAMU), 19 Mar 09, with Susan Page and guests Thom Shanker, Robert Work, Andrew Exum and Robert Haddick
The State of the U. S. Military
'On the sixth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, a look at how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are affecting the state of the U.S. military -- its troop levels, funding, and the role of technology in how wars are fought.'

New York Times, 19 Mar 09, by Michael Slackman
A Leader Beyond Reproach Limits the Possibilities for Political Change
'Libya recognizes its problems and is trying to respond, after a fashion. But whatever Libya does, it must stay within the boundaries of a system created by Colonel Qaddafi, or Brother Leader, as he is called. And that is the country’s Achilles’ heel: by nearly every practical measure, the system has failed Libyans, but it is his system, so it is above reproach.'

Washington Post, 18 Mar 09, by John McCain and Joseph Lieberman
Our Must-Win War
'The 'minimalist' path is wrong for Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar 09, by Eric T. Olson
Rethink the Afghanistan surge
'A US general explains why the Iraq model doesn't apply.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 09, by the editorial board
Gremlins in Kremlin's arms surge
'A conventional and nuclear buildup will end up hurting Russia's economy.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 09, by Lakhdar Brahimi
A slaughter waiting to happen
'An estimated 150,000 civilians are now trapped in a tiny pocket of land between Sri Lankan military forces, whose artillery shells regularly fall among them, and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who shoot at them if they try to escape.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar 09, by Bill Glucroft
The liability of political limbo in Israel
'The absence of bold, pragmatic political leadership since 1948, including the necessary confrontation of religious and political extremists after 1967, now threatens the very existence of Israel as a Jewish state that is also moral and democratic.'

The World (PRI), 18 Mar 09, with Lisa Mullins
The cold war and the Middle East
[audio] Rashid Khalidi, professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, speaks about his new book, "Sowing Crisis - The Cold War and American Dominance in the Middle East."

Human Events, 18 Mar 09, by Michael Groothousen
Is China Threatening Freedom of the Seas?
'Most people are aware of the confrontation last week between USNS Impeccable and several Chinese naval vessels. The incident ended peacefully, but it bodes ill for China's neighbors and all who want the sea lanes open to free navigation and trade.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Mar 09, by Noah Feldman
A prison of words
'Has the Obama administration changed the legal rules for detaining suspects in the war on terrorism, or is it continuing in the footsteps of the Bush administration?'

Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar 09, by Lawrence Pintak
Obama starts well with Muslims but must do more
'Perceptions are a critical piece of the foreign policy matrix. From the perception of the Islamic world, the Obama administration is ticking off many of the right boxes. ... But despite the initial euphoria about the Obama win, cynicism among the world's Muslims still runs deep, particularly here in the Arab world.'

Family Security Matters, 12 Mar 09, FSM National Security Team
Top Takes on National Security - Is negotiating with an Islamist entity a good idea?
'Negotiating with terrorists accomplishes five things, each of which favors the terrorists.'

Center for Security Policy, 11 Mar 09, by Christopher Holton
The myth of America's 'tough' Iran policy
'Iran has been allowed to kidnap and kill Americans for decades, whether directly or by proxy, without fear of severe repercussions. For years the US State Department has declared that Iran is the world's "most active" sponsor of terrorism, yet the Ayatollahs have not been forced to pay a significant price. Iran has armed and aided our enemies - including Al Qaeda - and threatened our allies and has gotten away with it.'

World Affairs Council, 30 Jan 09, speaker: John Bruton, EU Ambassador to the United States
Outlook for US-EU Relations Under the Obama Administration
[audio] 'With a new administration in the White House, what will political change in Washington mean for transatlantic relations between Europe and the United States? From the turmoil in closely-linked financial markets to greater engagement with international institutions to combating terrorism and climate change, how can governments on both sides of the Atlantic turn a series of separate problems into a chain of interlinked opportunities?'

The World (PRI), 18 Mar 09, with Lisa Mullins
Pakistan's deal with the Taliban
[audio] 'Lisa Mullins speaks with Kristen Rouse about her concerns over the introduction of a form of Sharia law in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Rouse is a former US Army Supply Sergeant who served along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. She says she's seen the damage the Taliban's done in Afghanistan, and thinks it's a mistake for Pakistan to make deals with the Taliban.'

Middle East Times, 19 Mar 09, by Aijaz Zaka Syed
View from Dubai: Reinventing Hope in Pakistan
'All new nations go through turmoil and all sorts of political and social upheavals. However, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has perhaps had more than its share of woes since its creation.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar 09, by Xenia Dormandy
India: America's indispensable ally
'At a time when so much of the broader Middle East and South Asia is in disarray, it may be tempting to put India – an ally and friend of the United States – on the back burner. But it is precisely because India is a friend and ally, and because of the severity of regional and global problems, that the US needs to nurture this relationship.'

Middle East Times, 11 Mar 09, by Claude Salhani, Editor
Has the Arab-Israeli Conflict Morphed into the Arab-Israeli-Persian Conflict?
'What used to be a relatively straightforward conflict over real estate has become a complicated war of religion, natural resources, and of course real estate - but with one more explosive ingredient, if you will excuse the pun: nuclear weapons.'

Middle East Times, 12 Mar 09, by editorial staff
What a Week It Was!
'This has been an interesting week for U.S. foreign policy, where there has been more movement from the State Department in just one week than quite possibly there has been during the entire second term of the previous administration.'

Middle East Times, 12 Mar 09, by Claude Salhani, Editor
Chairman of Joint Chiefs: Iran Can Develop Nukes
'[Admiral Mullen] pointed to Iran's backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, of Hamas in Gaza, and of its support of terrorism, saying that Iran could be "a constructive power in that part of the world," but instead chooses to support and promote terrorism.'

Asia Times, 11 Mar 09, by Dmitry Shlapentokh
Russia has 'Chechnya' ploy for Afghanistan
'With the administration of United States President Barack Obama treating the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as a priority, given the resurgence of the Taliban, Russia has become an important player in the region.'

Asia Times, 10 Mar 09, by Walid Phares
A futile search for 'moderate' Taliban
'It's all very well for the United States to say that it wants to identify moderate elements in the Taliban and engage them. But there is no such thing as "another" Taliban - there are only sub-militias that are not called the Taliban. The real moderates will come from the younger population out of the schools - later, much later.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Mar 09, by Nathan A. Sales
The Patriot Act isn't broken
'Its abuse must stop. Proper protection is key.'

Boston Globe, 09 Mar 09, by Tyler E. Boudreau
The military's post-traumatic stress dilemma
'Where psychological and traumatic brain injuries can still, to some extent, be doubted and debated, and when their treatment stands in opposition to troop strength and to mission accomplishment, the needs of those wounded service members will be subordinated.'

International Herald Tribune, 05 Mar 09, by Nicholas D. Kristof
Wanted president
'Bashir is now testing the international community, and President Barack Obama and other world leaders must respond immediately and decisively, in conjunction with as many non-Western nations as possible.'

The Guardian, 05 Mar 09, by Simon Tisdall
Game on in the Middle East
'During her tour, Hillary Clinton has made clear that the grand US-Iran battle for strategic control of the region has been joined. The ... underlying message was simple: game on.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Mar 09, by editorial board
Catch F-22 for Obama
'The most advanced warplane in history, the F-22 Raptor, is on Barack Obama's chopping block. Yet the president faces a no-win situation. If somehow he gets Congress to stop paying for more of the stealthy jets – whose full cost is $354 million a plane – thousands of defense workers will quickly lose their jobs in a recession.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Mar 09, by John Dempsey and J Alexander Thier
Who has the power in Afghanistan?
'That question is key to promoting unity and ending the insurgency.'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Mar 09, by Celestine Bohlen, Bloomberg News
America hasn't learned an old Afghan lesson
'Here's a scary thought. The United States could be walking in the Soviet Union's shoes. Twenty years after the Soviet Army pulled out of Afghanistan, the United States is ramping up troop commitments in a country famously known as "the graveyard of empires."'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Mar 09, by editorial board
Obama can't leave Iraq in the lurch
'Despite his pullout schedule, he must still help Iraqis reconcile on two key issues.'

Asia Times, 27 Feb 09, by Richard M Bennett
A reality check on Iran and the 'bomb'
'... Some may choose to see this event as "crossing the red line" and even as a trigger for military action as the threat of a nuclear capable Iran may well simply not be tolerated in some quarters. However, before such an argument can be easily accepted, it would be wise to consider just what actually constitutes a threat.'

Armed Forces Journal, Mar 09, by Ralph Peters
The damage done
'Much has been written about the concrete errors of the Bush administration in the military and strategic spheres, but the focus is ever upon the immediate costs, with little regard to the crippling of future policy formulation and the diminution of our range of options in the crises of tomorrow.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by Henry A. Kissinger
The way forward
'Afghanistan is the archetypal international problem requiring a multilateral solution.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by Michael Slackman
Looking for peace in a loaded term
'If President Barack Obama is serious about repairing relations with the Arab world and re-establishing the United States as an honest broker in Middle East peace talks, one step would be to bridge a chasm in perception that centers on one contentious word: terrorism.'

Jerusalem Post, 26 Feb 09, by Edwin Black
The Iran-Israel nuclear endgame is now much closer
'In recent days, four key developments have clicked in to edge Iran and Israel much closer to a military denouement with profound consequences for American oil that the nation is not prepared to meet.'

Middle East Times, 26 Feb 09, by editorial staff
Misunderstanding America
'Without a doubt Syria plays a key role in bridging the peace – or if it so chooses, in spoiling the attempts at peacemaking in the Middle East.'

Middle East Times, 24 Feb 09, by Cesar Chelala
Peace With Syria Could Catalyze Middle East Process
'Recent events in Israel and Gaza make any rapprochement between Israel and the Palestinians beyond a cease-fire rather improbable at the moment. In this situation, it is important to conduct peace talks with Syria. This could energize the process and lead to an all-encompassing peace agreement in the region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb 09, by Malou Innocent
Outlook on China: peaceful partner or warmonger?
'Economic difficulty could impel Beijing to sow regional conflict. American policies shouldn't add fuel to the fire.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Feb 09, by William Lyon
Syria and the IAEA; Why we’re ‘gonna’ be ‘doin’
'Syria is suspected of having built an undeclared nuclear reactor that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in September 2007. The IAEA has found strong evidence to support this accusation but, as yet, has no proof. It has repeatedly asked Syria for greater access on a voluntary basis. Syria has repeatedly refused.'

Carnegie Endowment, Jan-Feb 09
Foreign Policy for the Next President
'President Obama has inherited a tougher foreign policy inbox than any president has faced since Harry Truman; establishing priorities among dozens of conflicts and crises requires new understanding of the most critical regions, the most salient issues within them, and the issues ripest for new direction. In this series, the Carnegie Endowment brings together leading thinkers ... to provide useful, realistic advice on the most pressing foreign policy challenges ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb 09, by Walter Rodgers
A reality check for Obama in Afghanistan
'He's facing pressure to increase US troop levels there. Has Washington learned nothing from the Soviet experience?'

Middle East Times, 19 Feb 09, by Daily Times of Pakistan
Holbrooke Lands in Troubled Waters
'Not just geographically, but it seems also geopolitically, Pakistan lies at the center of the special envoy's brief. This can both be positive and negative depending on how the game is played by all the actors in the days and months ahead.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Roger Cohen
Reading Khamenei in Tehran
'The central Iranian political fact of recent years has been the reinforcement of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. How to engage with Iran begins and ends with him.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb 09, by John Hughes
A Russian answer to Iran's threat
'Moscow can bring Tehran to heel, if the US price is right. Is Obama ready to give up missile defense to make that happen?'

Family Security Matters, 18 Feb 09, by Peter Brookes
Tough love for Tehran: Danger in a careless seduction
'While we should welcome better bilateral relations with Iran after 30 years of mutual hostility, Washington must ensure that any engagement protects and advances U.S. interests - not just Iran's.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Philip Taubman
Learning not to love the bomb
'If the White House wants to resuscitate talks with Russia about nuclear-arms reduction, it will need to break free from Cold War thinking.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Christine Ahn and Paul Liem
Putting peace first
'In the West, the conventional wisdom is that North Korea engages in "provocative" activity like missile testing in order to blackmail the United States into negotiations. What is forgotten, however, is that in the absence of an ongoing peace dialogue, the status quo between the United States and North Korea is that of two countries at war, held at bay only by a fragile truce.'

Washington Post, 19 Feb 09, by Rena Pederson
Burma's Agony
'It is up to the Obama foreign policy team to put more backbone in the U.N. efforts. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks yesterday about sanctions drew new attention to the issue.'

Washington Post, 15 Feb 09, by Thomas E. Ricks
The war in Iraq isn't over. The main events may not even have happened yet.
'President Obama campaigned on withdrawing from Iraq, but even he has talked about a post-occupation force. The widespread expectation inside the U.S. military is that we will have tens of thousands of troops there for years to come.'

International Herald Tribune, 10 Feb 09, by David Sanger
Is Tehran ready to talk?
'When President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran on Tuesday took up President Barack Obama's oft-repeated invitation for direct talks between the United States and Iran - something that has not happened in 30 years - he seemed to be signaling the start of a long-delayed war-or-peace drama that may define the Obama administration's first engagement with the rest of the world.'

Asia Times, 11 Feb 09, by Pepe Escobar
US-Iran Wall of Mistrust, Part 1: Obama's Persian double
'If current Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad remains a mirror image of the departed George W Bush, Khatami could not be a more fitting mirror image of Obama.'

Middle East Times, 12 Feb 09, by Rami G. Khouri
Here Comes the Four-State Solution
'The difficulties that plague peace prospects today are all man-made ones that can just as easily be reversed and removed by new men and women leaders who act with courage and wisdom.'

International Herald Tribune, 11 Feb 09, by editorial staff
Continuity of the wrong kind
'The Obama administration should not be invoking state secrets to cover up charges of rendition and torture.'

Asia Times, 12 Feb 09, by Kosuke Takahashi
A roadmap to peace with North Korea
'Almost two decades have passed since the North Korean nuclear crisis first bubbled over, kick-starting international negotiations with Pyongyang, yet the impasse is far from over.'

International Herald Tribune, 11 Feb 09, by Philip Bowring
Giving democracy a chance
'The Bangladesh paradox: dynamic civic society but very low standards of governance.'

Family Security Matters, 07 Feb 09, by Maj. W. Thomas Smith Jr.
CRC Open-Source Intelligence Briefs
'Lebanon: Naharnet is reporting an apparent warning issued by the Lebanese Army to two Lebanese members of parliament (MPs) whom the Army claims may be targeted by terrorists.'

Human Events, 11 Feb 09, by Rowan Scarborough
Taliban Taunts U.S. Eavesdroppers
'Taliban and al Qaeda operatives have become increasingly savvy on how to defeat U.S. communications intercepts, making it more difficult to stop attacks as the U.S. prepares to send up to 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan.'

Human Events, 10 Feb 09, by Clare M. Lopez
Why U.S. Policy Leans Too Close to Terrorist Appeasement
'Maneuvering behind Washington, D.C. policymaking scenes to exert influence on U.S. decision makers is pretty standard for a host of legitimate interest groups, including many foreign countries. Concern is indicated, however, when the guiding influence behind such maneuvering emanates from the top levels of a regime like Iran's that holds top spot on the Department of State's state sponsors of terror list, makes no secret of its hatred and enmity for the U.S. and our ally Israel, and acts in myriad ways to support those who have assassinated, held, kidnapped, killed, and tortured American civilians and military over a 30-year period.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Don't try this at home
'The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now broken into so many pieces it may take a whole State Department of its own to resolve it.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Feb 09, by Sandy Tolan
George Mitchell and the end of the two-state solution
'Israel's settlement growth means we have to find a different plan.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Roger Cohen
The unthinkable option
'In the effort to get Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. military option is not an option. It is unthinkable.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Dinshaw Mistry and Charles D. Ferguson
Iran's missiles: Don't go ballistic
'Iran demonstrated its growing missile capabilities on Tuesday when it launched a satellite into orbit. But this should not force Europe and the United States to rush decisions on deploying a missile defense system in Europe.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Feb 09, by John Vinocur
U.S. and Iran: Who's clenching or extending?
'With Iran so far advanced in making enriched uranium that some experts think it could produce enough for an atomic bomb sometime this year, the Obama administration and its European friends have gotten no closer to stopping the rush to a nuclear weapon that they insist is "unacceptable."'

International Herald Tribune, 03 Feb 09, by John R. Bolton
Iraq's victory, Iran's loss
'Critics of the Iraq war asserted that overthrowing Saddam Hussein in 2003 strengthened Iran's position. Had we left Saddam in power, the theory goes, Iran would be less of a global threat. This argument is fundamentally wrong.'

Human Events, 04 Feb 09, by J. David Patterson
Buy These Instead
'... But there’s one undeniable fact: one of the most sure ways to stimulate the economy -- and to save or create jobs -- is to buy the aircraft, ships and other systems that our armed forces need to protect the nation.'

International Herald Tribune, 04 Feb 09, by Boston Globe editorial staff
The anguish of Sri Lanka
'It does not matter whether the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse or the leadership of the rebel Tamil Tigers is most to blame for the suffering of 250,000 civilians trapped in the war zone. The war has to be stopped.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jan 09, by Nigel Ashton
Obama's Middle East peace lesson
'Jordan's King Hussein worked for peace for decades. His insight is key.'

Middle East Times, 28 Jan 09, by editorial staff
Preparing for the Failure of Mideast Peace Talks
'... if any of the parties enter into negotiations with a preconception that peace remains beyond the realm of possibility, then, by all means, the talks are more likely than not, doomed to fail.'

International Herald Tribune, 28 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
The five-state solution
'What might King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia propose if asked to update his plan for peace in the Middle East?'

International Herald Tribune, 28 Jan 09, by Roger Cohen
After the war on terror
'What's left is what matters: defeating terrorist organizations. That's not a war. It's a strategic challenge.'

Washington Post, 28 Jan 09, by Asif Ali Zardari
Partnering With Pakistan
'Pakistan has repeatedly been identified as the most critical external problem facing the new administration. The situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India is indeed critical, but its severity actually presents an opportunity for aggressive and innovative action.'

The Washington Times, 27 Jan 09, by John Bolton
A circular negotiations game?
'Iran's nuclear weapons program will necessarily be high on the foreign-policy agenda for newly inaugurated President Obama. During the campaign, Candidate Barack Obama argued strenuously that he could do a better job negotiating with Iran than his opponents. His task now, however, is significantly complicated by the three weeks of recent fighting in the Gaza Strip, and the impending Israeli elections on Feb. 10.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan 09, by Alexandra Vacroux
How to warm US-Russia relations
'Rather than ignoring Russia until disputes get ugly, the United States could be looking for new pathways to engagement. Laid step by step through areas of common ground (take cooperation on global health, space, and renegotiated arms treaties for starters), these pathways could then give us more room to maneuver when we negotiate our real conflicts.'

International Herald Tribune, 26 Jan 09, by Boston Globe editorial staff
A fragile chance for peace in Central Africa
'The capture [of warlord leader Laurent Nkunda] was unexpected because of the unlikely alliance that brought it about: a team of Rwandan and Congolese forces. ... This unlikely partnership is a good sign for the war-torn region.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan 09, by Natalie Parke
In Uganda, justice, or just a publicity stunt?
'For a couple of decades, Uganda has been viewed as a model of development in Africa. The only glaring blemish on Uganda's cheek has been its failure and perceived unwillingness to resolve the conflict in Northern Uganda.'

Asia Times, 27 Jan 09, by Owen Fletcher
A peek into China's military mind
'China's latest national defense white paper shows a desire for further military modernization and a "leapfrog development" of technology, even as the armed forces remain underfunded and only at the beginning of a transformation. The paper also takes a swipe at United States "hegemonism and power politics", while laying the responsibility for trying to improve China-US relations at Washington's feet.'

New York Review of Books, 12 Feb 09 issue, by William Luers, Thomas R. Pickering, Jim Walsh
How to Deal with Iran
'Three of the most pressing national security issues facing the Obama administration – nuclear proliferation, the war in Iraq, and the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan – have one element in common: Iran.'

Asia Times, 26 Jan 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
Russia stops US on road to Afghanistan
'Moscow has indeed agreed in principle to grant permission to the United States to use a transit route to Afghanistan via Russian territory. But before this happens, Russia wants something in return: to challenge the US's secret veto power over Afghanistan's external relations and to prise Kabul out of Washington's stranglehold.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan 09, by Bill Glucroft
Israel's bigger battle ahead: its national identity
'Can the Jewish homeland democracy fully include Arabs?'

International Herald Tribune, 21 Jan 09, by editorial staff
The (now silent) guns of January
'We are relieved that the guns and rockets are finally quieting in Gaza. ... We fear that will be only temporary unless Israelis, Palestinians and the rest of the world work to ensure that the constant resort to war in the Middle East is finally replaced by a durable peace. This is not a negotiated cease-fire. For both sides, it is grudging and unilateral. The immediate challenge is to find ways to make the situation more stable.'

International Herald Tribune, 21 Jan 09, by Olivier Roy
Hamas and the Taliban: Islamists you can talk to
'The concept of a "war on terror" has thwarted any political approach to the conflicts in favor of an elusive military victory.'

Washington Post, 22 Jan 09, by George McGovern
Calling a Time Out
'Please do not try to put Afghanistan aright with the U.S. military. To send our troops out of Iraq and into Afghanistan would be a near-perfect example of going from the frying pan into the fire.'

Middle East Times, 22 Jan 09, by Alon Ben-Meir
A War Against Hamas – Not the Palestinian People
'Having achieved its war objectives, Israel must demonstrate that the war was waged against Hamas and not the Palestinian people.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan 09, by Jake Dizard
Latin America's democracy crossroad
'Democracy looks strong, but it will be put to the test.'

This Is Africa (Financial Times), Jan 09, by Peter Guest
A new American future?
'Barack Obama's election has granted the US a reprieve from the harsh judgements levelled at his predecessor by many Africans, but faced with trouble at home, can the new administration meet Africa's expectations for change?'

Asia Times, 22 Jan 09, by M K Bhadrakumar
Kabul's rift with the US widens
'President Hamid Karzai is making it clear to Washington he'll be no pushover should the United States indeed be seeking a regime change in Afghanistan to support its "surge" strategy. A consummate politician, Karzai has made some smart calculations of late and acquired unlikely allies in Germany and France. Afghan presidential elections are due this year and Karzai is digging in for a fight.'

Asia Times, 22 Jan 09, by Jing-dong Yuan
The way forward for US-Sino ties
'President Barack Obama's handling of Sino-US relations will be a crucial factor in ensuring the success of his inaugural pledge to focus on multilateralism to solve global challenges. ... by displaying sensitivity to China's core interests, the US can consolidate a partnership which has matured well over the past three decades.'

Asia Times, 21 Jan 09, by Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Obama and the other ceasefire
'In his inaugural speech, President Barack Obama promised the Muslim world "a new way forward". With conflicts raging in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Middle East appalled by the smoldering war in Gaza, Obama's pledge was exquisitely timed. Still, many are waiting to see if the new president will keep his promise or turn once again to America's old ally, Israel.'

Asia Times, 15 Jan 09, by Russ Wellen
Keeping Pakistan's nukes extremist-free
'Pakistan has made great strides in the security of its nuclear weapons, yet fears linger that its arsenal could fall into the hands of extremists, given the links between sections of the military and intelligence with jihadis. Harebrained schemes have been floated for intervention by the United States should the situation appear to be getting out of control. But ultimately it's only the people of Pakistan who can guarantee their nuclear safety.'

International Herald Tribune, 15 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
Israel's goals in Gaza?
'I was one of the few people who argued back in 2006 that Israel actually won the war in Lebanon started by Hezbollah. You need to study that war and its aftermath to understand Gaza and how it is part of a new strategic ballgame in the Arab-Israel arena, which will demand of the Obama team a new approach.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 09, by Daniel Noah Moses and Aaron Shneyer
Gaza needs a peace stimulus
'History shows the power of people-to-people contact.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jan 09, by John Hughes
Obama's new approach on Iran
'It's hardly heresy for the US to talk to its enemies.'

International Herald Tribune, 13 Jan 09, by Geoffrey Wheatcroft
Judging Israel
'Leaving aside the latest dismal exhibition of European division, indecision and impotence, political leaders in Western Europe have habitually tended much more toward the Israeli side than have their voters.'

Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan 09, by Norman H. Olsen and Matthew N. Olsen
An inside story of how the US magnified Palestinian suffering
'The covert push to empower Fatah failed. And isolating Hamas just made things worse. But it's not too late to change course.'

Christian Science Monitor, 09 Jan 09, by editorial board
The long tunnel to a Gaza peace
'Egypt, like other Arab states, must stand up to Iran and close the arms traffic to Hamas.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jan 09, by Dietrich von Kyaw
How to revitalize the US-European partnership
'President-elect Obama has caught the imagination of the world, including the Europeans. They welcome his promise of a better mix of American military might with soft power and diplomacy.'

Middle East Times, 08 Jan 09, by editorial staff
Israel's and Hamas' Four Options in Gaza
The most likely option to be chosen: Continue fighting until the European-Turkish-Egyptian initiative succeeds.

International Herald Tribune, 07 Jan 09, by Thomas L. Friedman
The Mideast's Ground Zero
'Gaza is a mini-version of three great struggles that have been playing out since 1948: 1) Who is going to be the regional superpower - Egypt? Saudi Arabia? Iran? 2) Should there be a Jewish state in the Middle East and, if so, on what Palestinian terms? And 3) Who is going to dominate Arab society - Islamists who are intolerant of other faiths and want to choke off modernity, or modernists who want to embrace the future, with an Arab-Muslim face?'

Middle East Times, 07 Jan 09, by Claude Salhani
Will Lebanon be the Next Front?
'Since the recent spate of violence erupted in Gaza Lebanon's leadership have been pressuring Hezbollah to avoid instigating Israel into opening up a second front in which Lebanon would end up paying a huge price.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Richard M Bennett
Ground realities in Gaza
'One of the most important single aspects of the Israeli ground action in Gaza - Operation Cast Lead - is the intensely difficult and probably lengthy process of trying to deny the border areas to the highly mobile and easily hidden Hamas missile-firing teams.'

Human Events, 06 Jan 09, by Ted Nugent
Israel's Path To Peace
'There comes a point when violence is clearly the only answer. Peace most often throughout history is achieved through the application of relentless and superior firepower. Now is such a time for Israel.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Brian M Downing
Surging towards stalemate in Afghanistan
'The United States plan to soon double the number of its troops in Afghanistan from about 30,000 to 60,000 will entail at least as many problems as advantages, notably the issues of increased supply lines in Pakistan and an influx of foreign jihadis. And the surge may set the stage for a form of conflict whose name will never be officially uttered but which might be coming - a war of attrition that the US can ill afford.'

Asia Times, 07 Jan 09, by Sreeram Chaulia
A high cost for more feet on the ground
'The surge in Afghanistan is guaranteed to exacerbate the sufferings of Afghan civilians and unlikely to succeed militarily in comparison to its Iraqi counterpart. However, should alternative logistical routes to Pakistan open up to bookend the increase in supplies, the United States could break free from its dependence on Islamabad.'

The Washington Times, 04 Jan 09, by J. Peter Pham
A challenge from Senegal
'One of the most significant legacies George W. Bush bequeaths the new president is the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), an initiative that has revolutionized U.S. foreign assistance. The MCC targets a select group of countries based on their demonstrated commitment to good governance, free markets and investments in people. Targeted countries are provided with sums of money large enough and with flexible enough terms to make a real difference. Half of the 39 countries worldwide currently eligible for some MCC funding are in Africa and more than two-thirds of the funding committed so far has been destined for Africa. '

Townhall.com, 02 Jan 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Israel Must Fight and Win
'Israel has a right – in fact an obligation to its people – to fight madmen who deliberately target civilian populations (with no military value whatsoever) with rockets, mortars, and suicide bombers.'

2008 Commentary and Analysis archive
2007 Commentary and Analysis archive