Middle East Studies Online Journal

Congresswoman Lee Introduces Bill to Repeal the Authorization to Use Military Force

Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:36:47 +0000

By David Swanson

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, like Jeanette Rankin before her, bravely stood alone in Congress against a vote for war, the vote in 2001 for the so-called Authorization to Use Military Force, a Constitutionally dubious passing of the war decision buck to President Bush and his successors. A majority of Americans now . . . → Read More: Congresswoman Lee Introduces Bill to Repeal the Authorization to Use Military Force

Closer to the final stage

Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:33:32 +0000

Hichem Karoui The Gulf Today, September 03, 2011 At the sight of the Syrian revolution unfolding everyday with more popular determination, despite the repression, the question that seems to me urgent to answer is not “how much longer will Bashar manage to stay in power, ” anymore, but rather: “is he still in power?”

Bashar . . . → Read More: Closer to the final stage

Is Iran Turning its Back on Syria?

Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:28:43 +0000

By James M. Dorsey

RSIS Commentaries

No. 129/2011 dated 6 September 2011

Synopsis

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s staunchest ally, Iran, is hinting that its support for the embattled leader is not unconditional. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is preparing for the likelihood that Assad will fall.

Commentary

THE ONGOING popular revolt in Syria against President Bashar al . . . → Read More: Is Iran Turning its Back on Syria?

CIA’s Push for Drone War Driven by Internal Needs

Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:21:01 +0000

Analysis by Gareth Porter*

WASHINGTON, Sep 5, 2011 (IPS) – When David Petraeus walks into the Central Intelligence Agency Tuesday, he will be taking over an organisation whose mission has changed in recent years from gathering and analysing intelligence to waging military campaigns through drone strikes in Pakistan, as well as in Yemen and . . . → Read More: CIA’s Push for Drone War Driven by Internal Needs

China scores fatal own goals in competition for post-Qaddafi Libya

Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:18:01 +0000

By James M. Dorsey

China has scored two near fatal own goals in the race for influence and lucrative contracts in oil-rich post-Qaddafi Libya.

A document disclosed this weekend testifies to China preparing to supply as late as July weapons in violation of United Nations sanctions to Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi’s forces who were . . . → Read More: China scores fatal own goals in competition for post-Qaddafi Libya

L’islam cathodique et les révolutions arabes

Editor — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:34:03 +0000

Kalthoum Saafi

Le déclenchement des révolutions arabes , d’abord en Tunisie en janvier 2011 puis en Egypte, au Yémen, en Libye et en Syrie, s’est accompagné de revendications sans référent religieux, toutes tournant autour de slogans mettant en évidence des exigences de liberté, de dignité, de justice et de démocratie. C’est ce qui . . . → Read More: L’islam cathodique et les révolutions arabes