The Progressive, June 20, 2014 [Republished by Common Dreams]
The dramatic rise of the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)—which even al-Qaeda deemed too extreme to remain part of its network—is a tragedy by any measure. It would also be tragic if we allowed the very forces that created this mess to explain it away.
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Understanding Elections, Democracy, and Prospects for Peace in the Arab World
The source link for this item is no longer available [best related links]
Hinckley Forum: The Kerry Initiative
KUER: NPR Utah, March 21, 2014, featuring Stephen Zunes:
The Kerry Initiative: Hope for Resolution of the Israel – Palestine Conflict?
Co-sponsored by Peace Advocacy Coalition (PAC) and the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy.
U.S. Culpability in the Failure of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks
Foreign Policy In Focus June 5, 2014, also by Huffington Post and Uruknet, then a revised version July 6 by the Santa Cruz Sentinel, republished by Antiwar.com, Common Dreams, FreedomsPhoenix, and Znetwork.org
A Nonviolent Alternative for Ukraine
Foreign Policy May 28, 2014
On May 15, thousands of unarmed residents and steelworkers of the eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol did nonviolently what a bloody attack by Ukrainian troops six days earlier was unable to: rid the region’s second-largest city of armed pro-Russian separatists who had held key buildings and other parts of the city for weeks. Smaller protests have taken place in other cities…
Why Nonviolent Resistance Wins
The source link is no longer available [best related links on this topic]
Straight Talk on the U.S. and Ukraine
Foreign Policy In Focus, March 13, 2014
Given the limits of its power and its own compromised relationship with international law, the U.S. isn’t in a position to do much about Ukraine.
Egypt’s military government increases repression amid growing paranoia
Santa Cruz Sentinel and National Catholic Reporter Feb. 28, 2014
Since the military coup in Egypt against the unpopular but democratically elected government of Mohammed Morsi last July, more than 1,000 regime opponents have been killed, thousands more have been hauled before military courts on political charges, and a repressive anti-protest law has been enacted, severely limiting the right of peaceful assembly.
Egyptian Junta Claims U.S. Conspiracy While Accepting U.S. Support
Foreign Policy In Focus February 21, 2014 [and by Common Dreams]
Egypt’s U.S.-backed regime now claims that the progressive, anti-authoritarian activists that brought down Mubarak are simply U.S. agents. Three years ago, three Arab dictators were ousted in the largely nonviolent uprisings of what has become known as the Arab Spring. In Tunisia, with the adoption of a progressive democratic draft constitution, the future in that country is looking positive. In Yemen, the democratic evolution remains stagnant amid enormous challenges, but there are still signs of hope. In Egypt, however, autocratic rule has reasserted itself with a vengeance.
How to discredit your democratic opponents in Egypt
Open Democracy February 17, 2014
[Republished by International Center on Nonviolent Conflict]
The Egyptian military regime is pushing conspiracy theories to discredit their democratic, nonviolent opponents.
Barker’s Bizarre Attacks against Progressive Scholars and Proponents of Nonviolent Resistance
The Real News Network January 15, 2014
Michael Barker, in an article posted on this site a few days ago, takes offense at my labeling him as someone “notorious” for “conspiracy-mongering.” However, a careful reading of his article and its links actually reinforces that argument. At the outset, Barker questions my assertion that my colleagues and I are genuinely upset at the Stratfor revelations regarding Serbian nonviolent activist Srdja Popovic because he “is still included upon the advisory board of Waging Nonviolence…”
How the state Assembly tries to limit what I can teach
The Santa Cruz Sentinel & Transnational.org January 25, 2014
In preparing my syllabus for my introductory course on the Middle East this semester, it gives me pause the California Assembly is still on record declaring that discussing certain well-documented historic incidents in modern Middle Eastern history should “not be tolerated in the classroom.”
The US role in Iraq’s upsurge in violence
Santa Cruz Sentinel and Transnational.org January 25, 2014
[and by Common Dreams, Huffington Post, National Catholic Reporter]
The tragic upsurge of violence in Iraq in recent months, including the takeover of sections of two major Iraqi cities by al-Qaida affiliates, is a direct consequence of the repression of peaceful dissent by the U.S.-backed government in Baghdad and, ultimately, of the 2003 U.S. invasion and occupation…
U.S. shares responsibility for plight of Arab Christians
Santa Cruz Sentinel December 28, 2013
It was the second week in January of 1991. I was in the sanctuary of a large Catholic Church in Baghdad. Every votive candle in the place was lit, no doubt in support of prayers for loved ones in anticipation of the massive U.S. bombing campaign, which was to be known as Operation Desert Storm, which was soon to commence. A member of our group asked the priest whose side the church would be on in the forthcoming conflict. He replied that “the church can only be on one side — that of the victims.” Little did he realize that, less than 20 years later, Iraq’s Christians would become among the greatest victims.
Obama Ignores Morocco’s Illegal Occupation and Human Rights Abuses
Foreign Policy In Focus, December 20, 2013
Late last month, President Barack Obama met with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in Washington for their first face-to-face meeting. The result was a bitter disappointment for supporters of human rights and international law.
Mandela’s utilitarianism and the struggle for liberation
Open Democracy, December 13, 2013
Republished by Huffington Post, International Center for Nonviolent Conflict, Scoop Independent News, New Zealand, and Dawson College Inspire Solutions Project.
While many western governments argued that the supposedly benevolent influence of western capital would lead to liberalization and an eventual end to South Africa’s apartheid system, and many on the left argued that liberation would come only through armed revolution, in fact it was largely unarmed resistance by the black majority and its supporters, both within South Africa and abroad, which proved decisive.
The Truth About Nonviolent Movements
In These Times, December 17, 2013
Journalists Carl Gibson and Steve Horn have done an important service with their article outlining Serbian activist Srdja Popovic’s inexcusable collaboration with the global intelligence company STRATFOR, and his role in disclosing the activities of movements and activists with whom he has worked.
Analysis of STRATFOR Leaks Misrepresents Nonviolent Movements
The Real News Network, December 11, 2013
First published on WarIsACrime.org. Republished by In These Times, Medcom-Taiwan, Transcend.org
Ruthless regimes not impervious to civil resistance: A reply to Maged Mandour
Open Democracy, November 1, 2013
Republished by International Center for Nonviolent Conflict
There is little systematic evidence to suggest that “ruthlessness” is itself a critical variable. Maged Mandour’s article on OpenDemocracy, “Beyond Civil Resistance: The Case of Syria”, argues that civil resistance has been marginalized in the Syrian insurrection because it doesn’t work against “ruthless” regimes. But history doesn’t support that conclusion…
Congress vs. Obama on Iran: Washington’s Warmongers Take Aim At Iran Diplomacy
Foreign Policy In Focus, “Z” and Alternet
Hardliners in Tehran are not happy with the recent rapprochement between the United States and Iran and the related progress in negotiations to address Western concerns about the Iranian nuclear program. But the bigger threat may come from hardliners in the Washington, including prominent Democrats. [See the FPIF LINK, or Alternet, and the follow-up op-ed, Congress seeks to undermine Obama’s rapprochement with Iran in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Nov. 15, 2013.]