In The News

No Regrets in a Suburb Named After the Despot

Andrew Buncombe April 10, 2003
Ironic that a Baghdad suburb named after Saddam Hussein is home to a population that vehemently opposes him. The residents of Saddam City belong to the minority Shia sect and live in poverty. The attack on Iraq has provided the residents with a much over-due opportunity to publicly denounce Saddam. For the poor in Saddam City, the attacks are also an occasion to celebrate, by mass lootings of...

A High Point in 2 Decades of U.S. Might

R.W. Apple Jr. April 10, 2003
The US faces a thousand and one decisions to win the peace.

N Korea Quits Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Andrew Ward April 10, 2003
North Korea withdrew from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on April 10, as it had announced it would three months earlier. The US wanted the UN Security Council to condemn the act, but was blocked by China and Russia who argued such condemnation would only increase tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea had let it be known that it would consider any condemnation as a “prelude to war.”...

Iraqis Celebrations Help Justify the War

John Vinocur April 10, 2003
As Iraqis celebrate the toppling of Saddam’s regime, the US led coalition contemplates the fate of post-war Iraq

Arab Media Confront the ‘New Rules of the Game’

Jefferson Morley April 9, 2003
As US soldiers become a regular presence in Baghdad, Arab emotions are higher than ever. This Washington Post staff reporter surveys current images and opinions expressed in various Arab media outlets. While the reaction is varied – from surprise at the quick downfall of Baghdad to worries about Iraq’s future after the war to comparing Bush to Hitler – it is united in is skepticism of US actions...

The Political Battles to Come After the War

Rami G. Khouri April 9, 2003
The military part of the Iraq war may soon be over, but the US faces greater struggles ahead. First, the US’s moral high ground is tainted. As the author asserts of the US plan to bring good governance to Iraq, “Killing to promote life is a morally flawed and politically obtuse policy.” Second, its policy of pre-emption, no longer mere rhetoric, sends a grave message to the rest of the Middle...

North Korea Curbs Brinksmanship During Iraq War

Doug Struck April 8, 2003
Since the Iraq War began, North Korea has been waiting its turn, expecting to become either a target or a dialogue partner for the US. Notably, Pyongyang hasn't made any moves to further develop nuclear weapons, in what one observer describes as "an unspoken pact" to keep the peace while the US focuses on Iraq. "The bottom line is they want to have talks with the U.S. That...