In The News

The War on Iraq Has Made Moral Cowards of Us All

Scott Ritter November 1, 2004
A recent report from the Lancet medical journal claims that there have been 100,000 Iraqi civilian casualties since the beginning of the war in Iraq. The US and UK governments have moved to discredit these findings, but Scott Ritter, former weapons inspector in Iraq, argues that they are trying to deny the hard facts. In a war that claims to benefit from precision technology, the US-led military...

The Fear That Chokes the Arab World

Youssef M. Ibrahim October 30, 2004
Since 9/11, Arab media outlets, such as Al-Jazeera, have appeared on the international news radar. However, the current Middle Eastern writers and pundits are not effectively performing their jobs, writes Youssef M. Ibrahim in this International Herald Tribune opinion. While quick to jump on inconsistencies and biases in the American media, they fail to scrutinize their own shortcomings....

The French Dilemma

Dogu Egril October 26, 2004
Amidst the controversy surrounding Turkey’s bid for EU inclusion, France is responsible for the most passionate opposition. Not only does the current government make its position abundantly clear, but most French citizens, regardless of political leanings, are also against Turkey’s inclusion. This opinion piece suggests that the strength of these anti-Turkish sentiments can be attributed to a...

For Its Own Reasons, Singapore Is Getting Rather Gay-Friendly

Gordon Fairclough October 26, 2004
Singapore today remains a conservative culture where the government retains the right to censorship, but a combination of international media and economic factors have led to a wider acceptance of homosexuality. While open organization and public demonstration may still be off limits for gay activists, the internet and other international news sources have allowed for an influx of gay awareness,...

Fueling a Crisis in Nigeria

Olly Owen October 25, 2004
Under a package of International Monetary Fund-endorsed reforms, the Nigerian government hopes to eliminate domestic fuel subsidies. Yet low gas prices are currently the only economic benefit for cash-strapped Nigerians, who see price increases as another kickback to local elites and foreign oil companies. The proposed reforms have caused domestic turbulence; unions launched a series of...

Why Most Arabs Ignore the US Presidential Election

Rami G. Khouri October 20, 2004
As the American public bears down for its presidential election, the frenzy of debate in the US is met with a general lack of interest in the Middle East. On the issues of concern, primarily the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the situation in Iraq, Middle Easterners see little difference between the two main candidates. The gap between American policies and Arab interests is widening, says The...

Patriot Qualms

Paula R. Newberg October 6, 2004
The repercussions of the 2001 US Patriot Act are especially damaging to foreign aid and humanitarian relief. Provisions aiming to undercut terrorist funding have contributed to greater woes for organizations seeking financial backing. Washington-mandated bureaucratic gymnastics have rendered humanitarianism "a logistics nightmare," according to Brookings Institution scholar Paula R....