In The News

Radical Islam – Globalization for Losers

Jonah Goldberg May 2, 2006
Globalization is hardly limited to spreading American or western concepts. The phenomenon can take on many forms, used by governments of all sizes as well as individuals – anyone who catches media attention, intentional or otherwise. The forms can extend philosophies of freedom or safety, choices or control. Author Jonah Goldberg suggests that Osama bin Laden’s call upon Muslims to attack UN...

Militants Warn China Over Oil in Niger Delta

Craig Timberg May 2, 2006
Immediately after the Nigerian government signed agreements on oil access and other investments with Chinese President Hu Jintao, militants detonated a car bomb and threatened Chinese investors and officials, as well as oil workers, offices and storage facilities. One militant group labeled the Chinese, who have a $2.2 billion stake in Niger Delta oil field, as “thieves.” Currently, the US is...

Stormy Geopolitical Forecast

Arnaud de Borchgrave April 27, 2006
The world has plenty of troublespots, all unsettled and unpredictable. The so-called “US democratic crusade,” according to author Arnaud de Borchgrave, has produced unrest along with some odd and disturbing leaders, ranging from the corrupt to the inept, throughout Central Asia and the Middle East. No clear formula for economic or social progress has emerged, with leaders sharply divided about...

On Tape, Bin Laden Warns of Long War

Craig Whitlock April 24, 2006
Osama bin Laden insists that the US War on Terrorism is really a War on Islam and warns his followers by audiotape to prepare for long conflict. The tape contradicts his previous message from January that called for a long-term truce with the US for withdrawal from Iraq. In the April tape, bin Laden urges followers to head to Sudan and fight with peacekeepers, suggesting that the West wants to...

A Lobby, Not a Conspiracy

Tony Judt April 20, 2006
Some international critics suggest that Israel wields too much influence when it comes to US foreign policy. An essay assessing Israel-as-lobbyist, published in March by the “London Review of Books,” has unleashed raucous debate about the nature and purpose of the US-Israel relationship. The essay makes two claims: first, that uncritical support of Israel does not always serve US interests and...

Anti-Christian Extremism Attacked

United Press International April 19, 2006
Newspapers in the Arab world have weighed in on recent attacks against Christian churches in Alexandria, addressing issues of extremism’s threat to Egyptian society. To overcome the forces of ignorance, hatred and sectarian sedition, leading newspapers call for concerted action on the part of government, religious and civil institutions to unify citizens against extremism that could lead to a “...

A US Attack of Iran Will Break NATO in Pieces

Frank Biancheri April 18, 2006
Even a world superpower can use a few allies. European nations, long stalwart friends of the US, express alarm that the Bush administration could consider attacking Iran without extensive diplomacy, consultation with allies, and reasoned responses such as revision of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Any attack on Iran would fracture NATO and isolate the US from its traditional allies, argues...