Tony Blair - Turkey and Iraq

The video clips of Saddam Hussein’s execution on 30 December 2006 have further alienated Arab opinion towards the West, and both President Bush and Prime Minister Blair have reviewed their Iraq strategies. President Bush still argues that ‘victory’ in Iraq can be achieved, but the British do not share his optimism. Tony Blair and his British advisors have quietly distanced themselves from this latest US policy. They are already looking beyond the horizon and pin little hope on... Read more »

Iraq - Strategic Options

The execution of Saddam Hussein on 30 December 2006 set the scene for the New Year. The indignity of his fate, which was recorded on film and transmitted around the globe, filled even conservative observers with disgust. The scandal of his execution demonstrates that the US and UK policy of handing over civil matters in Iraq to a bourgeoning domestic administration is fatally flawed and the rhetoric which talks about the green shoots of democracy and civil administration in Iraq is a sham. It also... Read more »

Iraq Oil - The Spoils of Victory

In 1999, when Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, he asked the rhetorical question ‘Where is the oil to come from?’ and then gave the answer ‘The Middle East, with two thirds of the world’s oil and the lowest cost, is still where the prize ultimately lies’. George Bush also has a background in the US oil industry, and the opportunity to take control of oil production in Iraq must be a dream beyond the wildest imagination of most Texan oilmen. Since the invasion of Iraq... Read more »

Tony Blair and the Seduction of Global Power

Although Tony Blair came to power as leader of a Labour government, his premiership has not followed the customary Labour Party policy of pacifism and anti-war sentiment. Neither has there been hostility towards US foreign policy. Mr Blair reportedly stated that we might be a lucky generation that will never have to send people to war. In reality, he has engaged in more military campaigns than any British Prime Minister in living memory. He had a clear admiration for Margaret Thatcher and her handing... Read more »

Terrorism and the Constitution

Immediately after the constitution became the supreme law its detractions warned that to much unstrained powers had been given to the central government. Thomas Jefferson was among those who embraced the constitution but feared that without certain clauses the document did not protect individuals. The result was a list of ten additional articles limiting the powers of the federal government. The bill of rights established how things will work. When members of the radical Islamist Cult Al... Read more »

Biological and Chemical Weapons In An Age of Terror

A history of terrorism requires a very specific definition to avoid a never-ending summary of every violent act ever recorded. The brief, objective definition proposed by Dr. Boaz Ganor, an Israeli political scientist and deputy dean of the Lauder School of Government and Diplomacy at the Interdiciplinary Center Herzliya, works well for this purpose:terrorism is the intentional use of, or threat to use violence against civilians or against civilian targets, in order to attain politician aims. ... Read more »

Theories of Ethnic and Sectarian Violence

The United Nations has accepted the fact the world is a more dangerous place during the past Cold War. The proliferation of nuclear materials,and biological, and chemical weapons in the hands of antagonistic groups seeking self-determination could be dangerous for the international community goal of world peace and security. There are other problems resulting from sectarian violence, such as a breakdown of the rule of law,thus weakening the nation-state. Sectarian leaders use exploiting and... Read more »

The Day the Music Died - 911

Remember when the Berlin wall came down, and some of us had hoped for world peace? One by one, former Soviet Block countries became democracies and we all hoped for the best. The concept of democracy is difficult for anyone who has not lived in a free society. Therefore, this is the reason for a “learning curve” in the upstart democracies of Eastern Europe and some of the former Soviet republics. In the United States, we hoped for an end to nuclear proliferation and a chance to make new... Read more »

Why Are We Still in Iraq? (Part 1)

There seems to be some confusion between patriotism and common sense lately. This is what most nationalistic movements bank on. No one should speak up with the voice of reason; if you do, you will be shouted down, called a coward, and publicly shamed. There have been more harsh treatments for men and women of reason. Just look at how many firing squads were active in the 20th century in countries that did not allow freedom of speech. Therefore, let’s review where we were, where we are, and... Read more »

Why Are We Still in Iraq? (Part 2)

Despite the fact that we are a multi-cultural society, American soldiers are perceived as Christian soldiers, or “infidels,” by most of the Moslem world. We, and our military, are not really welcome in most parts of the Middle East. Our relationship is historically founded on mistrust. Let’s bring the troops home and give them a hero’s welcome. Loved ones, across the country, deserve to see them back on American soil. War takes its toll on all concerned, and there is no further... Read more »