Whose Life is it Anyway?

A simple question evoked by an image in a local English daily, showing an old mother hugging the blood-soaked dead body of her teenager son in Baquba, Iraq.

Mind the Gap, The Generation Gap That Is

Between 9/11, Afghanistan, Bush and Iraq, a new generation is forming which will define America for the next thirty years at the least. I call it the angry generation.

Gen. Petraeus & Crocker's Washington Show is a Damp Squib

If an act of mercy is twice blessed, then an act of illegal invasion and brutal occupation has since proved to be doubly cursed for the invaders as well.

Fair Game

Review of "My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House" By Valerie Plame Wilson

Will President Bush Invade Iran?

President Bush has raised the stakes by mentioning the possibility of World War III in a recent press conferences. He has declared the Iranian National Guards as terrorists.

Imperialism and the Writing of History

Occupied Iraq and Colonial India

General Colin Powell: Political Casualty of Iraq War

Can he make a comeback? Had he resigned, he would have stayed in the limelight as an elder statesman at the political front.

The Current Mess in Iraq—putting things in perspective

One of the major debates that continue to take place within the global media today is that what future course of action shall the United States take in Iraq.

The Future of Iraq

The future of Iraq is dicey, it will fly apart at the seam simply because it does not have a national ethos nor it has strong visionary men leading it.

Our Tolerance of Comical Illusions

The only superpower in the world claims that it is fulfilling its majority’s wishes but does exactly the opposite. A third-world plutocratic state wishes to better its citizens living standard by investing in a policy that benefits only a privileged

Sabre Rattling in the Persian Gulf

After the experience with the Iraq war and the cooked-up evidence pertaining to the weapons of mass destruction for which Iraq was invaded, the American public has become wary of the administration's intentions in the Middle East. It does not have stomach

Last Gasp of the Imperial Misadventure

The American public is rightly concerned about the chaos in Iraq and they believe that it is not for American army to fight a civil war; let Iraqis sort out their problems themselves.

Texan Poker Bluff and Persian Chess Moves

Many analysts have been warning since 2004 against a planned US attack alone or in cahoots with Israel on Iran, one of the so called axis of evil, in the hoary Western tradition of demonizing those they want to invade, colonise and then loot.

Phantom of the Opera

A quintessentially tear-jerking performance, reminded us that when a Phantom is killed, we cry at the inevitable sadness of obsession.

Making a Martyr of Saddam

Why was Saddam not tried at The Hague, or some other neutral venue, by a court of transparency?

Saddam - The Sacrificial Lion

Sadly, with all the facts at our disposal now, I have no rational option but to pen this eulogy to one of the greatest Arabs, Saddam Hussein Al-Majid Al-Tikriti Al-Iraqi

The Moving Finger and the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group

A comprehensive look.

The Impact of Iraq Study Group Report

Iraq has been battered and destabilized by the shabby invasion and it will take plenty of effort and leadership to mend the damaged society.

Invasion of Iraq-II

How the Western media failed the whole world on the whole brouhaha of Iraq.

Iraq Study Group, a day late and a penny short!

You can dress it the way you like it but for all intent and purpose Iraq is done; you can put a fork in it.

What Went Wrong?

Have you noticed a faint air of desperation around the western world capitals these days? Ok, so it is not faint but quite visible. The desperation is around the Iraq war particularly and to a lesser extent, the Afghanistan war.

Invasion of Iraq, the hidden story

This essay focuses on the political issues and reasons that led to the American invasion.

Iraq’s Future

The Americans must allow the media, both Arab and international to function freely. This would allow ideas and opportunities to float which could adequately address the tough current Iraqi situation and provide answers to many things which the Americans f

Revolt in Paradise

The ongoing debate on the policies of the President Bush’s administration seems to be reaching its ultimate boiling point before the mid-term elections.

Children of a Lesser God

The US Military officials caution against seeing the cases of abuse and murder as part of any broader pattern, noting that the incidents in question are isolated and rare! But as Bush himself has said, “we are different from our enemies” ̷

War for Peace

These wars will not end, they cannot end until the ’military metaphysic’ (the near religious dogma of these power elite, the driving force of their view of the world), the military definition of reality, an effect of institutional fusing, the

Control Room Documentary an Eye Opener!

If there really are two sides to every story; then this documentary puts forward an unparallel opening to scrutinize the other side and leave it up for its audience to make up its own mind.

Gods of War

With atrocity upon atrocity piling up in the US war against terror, one has to wonder if the world’s most self-righteous nation will ever have the courage to be morally righteous or not.

The Placebo Effect of Economic Boycotts

Economic boycotts are very blunt weapons and useless in terms of satisfying the actual objectives, but as I said, they offer some palliative to the chattering classes

How Real are Reality Shows?

These shows are fired by sensationalism. Unless a complete 24 hour day can be shown, editing will ensure that the mundane will be subdued and the dramatic will be blown out of proportion. Contestants have complained that their personalities have appeared

Images and Symbols -- Deconstructing the Iraq War

The destruction and control of Iraq was essential in shattering the Jihadi spirit and to stop the cycle of revenge. Three years later, Iraq’s destruction is almost complete. The obliteration of the US buildings in the United States has been avenged

Indian Corruption Reaches the World

It was in this atmosphere that Natwar Singh apparently found his calling, a move that would make him some money and later destroy his political career though it is widely believed that he has been made a scapegoat

Withdrawing from Iraq: A Disaster Waiting to Happen?

The anti-US public opinion will be quickly mobilized by the terrorists to weaken or overthrow the government

Implications of Iraqi Instability

In the presence of 138,000 American troops, the first seventeen days of May witnessed 21 car bombings in Baghdad, while there were a total of 25 in all of the year of 2004.

Compounded Waste

As a Muslim I cannot decide what is worse the US intransigence or Osama’s arrogance. Or the reverse. And what makes a person part with their life.

Rice was no Turkish Delight

Iraqi Kurds Flex Muscles

The Iraqi Elections: an Important Watershed

It was 50 years since the last semblance of any worthwhile elections. Even the Arabic media recognized the historicity of the event.

Would 30 January Elections Make or Break Iraq?

Like Pakistani military did not allow a Bengali to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Iraq’s Sunni leadership, with enough funds and experienced and trained men at its command is not going to give up its long established right of being the rulin

The Real Blasphemy

Van Gogh had received death threats for directing a film that accused Islam of condoning violence against women... there is something in the subject that seems to arouse the basest of passions in the human heart; the need to annihilate the person who says

Fallujah: A Human Crime in the Making

Eventually, the attackers will flatten the city and kill everyone that still resists in it. Fallujah will be the Iraqi people’s Masada, and it will sow seeds of deep anti-Western hatred in the Middle East for decades to come

Pandora’s Box

For all intents and purposes Iraq is still an active war zone. Civilians (non-Iraqi civilians) have no job being there, if they go they put themselves in harm’s way. Unfortunately, rather than discouraging or disallowing civilians from entering Iraq

To Margaret Hassan, It Matters

“They just don’t get it!” The thought jumps out as one follows the Great Presidential Debate in the USA, with John Kerry, George Bush and their respective supporters going on and on about the “war on terror”.

Hindi films in Iraq and Palestine

In a war torn country where the Mahdi army stomps and fights and where Jordanian born militant Abu Musa Zarqarwi stalks the land with his band of militants you can see Shah Rukh Khan hoardings endorsing Kenstar products at busy Baghdad intersections.

A Dangerous Gift

In the name of democracy, Washington’s latest misadventure has killed thousands and is now set to kill many more.

Trial of Saddam Hussein & The Rule of Law

This event is part of pattern of west’s demonisation of eastern leadership. Double standards on the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and 2003 Invasion of Iraq, both illegal .

A Mesopotamian Summer

The United States cannot avoid the usage of military force, as it does not trust the Iraqis enough to transfer political power to them.

Creeping Toward a Conspiracy?

..It appears that sexual humiliation was not an arbitrary concoction of the interrogators; they didn't do it for ’kicks’ and titillation. It was...

More Outraged By the Outrage

The scandal is still unraveling; it’s going to get worse and put President Bush’s administration under increased pressure. President Bush apologized....

Complicity in Silence

Every smirking soldier and every dieing Iraqi is asking us to make a choice...

Lengthening Shadows of Iraq War

From all portents and signs, it appears that the coalition armies have not yet turned the corner in Iraq war; the shadows of the war continue lengthening and the end is not in sight.

Shehnai Wails

like in-laws they fight
over the usual suspects
how the times have changed
wails the shehnai

Ashura: Atonement, Mourning and Return

Someone’s holy work is death, I register. And someone else’s is reporting that 150-word story for the AP. And someone else’s yet again is that bold typeface. This is it. This is grief for the electronic age.

Should Bush be Scared of Iraq’s Sistani?

Just as Bush is now claiming to send expeditions to Mars to explore it for mankind, he has been waxing eloquent for months to morphe Iraq into a model of democracy in the Arab world.

One Down Two to Go

the fun has just begun... or the nightmare! …watch bush mangle this re: the trial …if it is in-camera he will be criticized …if it is in public the wily saddam will massacre US administrations …watch for a despicable despot turn in

Iraqi Resistance Warns Turks to Keep Off Iraq

Many Turkish experts suspect the bombings were a warning to Turkey, one of few Muslim countries to have ties with Israel.

Resistance is the first step towards Iraqi independence

Sooner or later, all foreign troops will have to leave Iraq. If they do not do so voluntarily, they will be driven out. Their continuing presence is a spur to violence.

Should Pakistan send troops to Iraq?

The Musharraf government operates in a complex domestic, regional and international scenario and has its limitations...If it needs to change the 'domestic viewpoint' then it must be able to communicate something to Pakistanis that assures them on their na

Why Bush Will Fail in Iraq

Why did the Iraqis not welcome their ‘liberators’ as such? Because they have always detested foreigners coming in as their liberators and benefactors.

Terminate This

How ironic is it that Arnold Schwarzenegger was sent on a morale-boosting tour of US bases in Iraq.

The Razor’s Edge

The United States seems to be losing the proverbial battle for the “hearts and minds” of the Afghans. The biggest problem was that the United States was not prepared for the post-war situation and had no plans to tackle the problems

Dangerous Precedents

emerging international scenario in the wake of Iraq war

Saddam Hussein Lives!

The Future of America’s Occupation is Failure

Survival of the Fittest

If Pakistan is next then what are the options?

Iraq : Is religion above board?

101 reasons for the war. Which of the ones thrown at us do we believe is true?

An Answer to the Pro War Surrealists

If you feel that your way of life is better than us, than live it, but stop trying to impose it upon us.

A Stable Political Order in Post-War Iraq?

A new political order in Iraq is likely to be strife-ridden

The Wages Of Death

Wars are political acts of concentrated violence and yet, there is violence in this war, but there is no rhyme to its logic.

The War and its Advocate: Michael Kelly Killed in Iraq

The War kills its own uncompromising advocate.

Open Letter to Those Opposing the Iraq War

And the truth shall prevail. Whether someone likes it or not.

War and Terror

Is use of precise weapons of mass destruction justified to destroy imprecise ones?

Three Arguments Against a War

As America prepares for war, I want to present three arguments for peace:

IS Waging Another War on Iraq Justified?

More than 500,000 toddlers and infants have died due to the consequences of the sanctions (UNICEF, 1999).

US Attack on Iraq: Just Do It!

The US war on Iraq will end a tyrant regime, bring Iraq out of Isolation and set into motion a wave of globalization which could bring hope to hundreds of millions of people

Damn Saddam?

The last time round the Italian MP, Ilona Sthaler, had offered to sleep with him, appealing to the macho man and sadist in Saddam

The March of Folly

Can we Stop the War

Can do our bit to stop the War on Iraq?

Is It A War On Islam?

What, then, should be the strategy for all those who believe in a just world and are appalled by America's war on the weak?

All The Bridges Are Burning

The United States’ foreign policy has historically oscillated between recklessness of unilateralism and the cautious nature of multilateralism.

USA and Muslims

Muslim extremists generally dislike non-Muslims and they hate various people at local level

Standing Up to a Bully

America has all along, despite Iraq’s acceptance, said it is highly sceptical of Saddam Hussain’s assurances or promises

Mexico to Support United States

Fox and Bush, 'langotia yar ... '

Jihad – The Misperceptions

It would be unfair to mistrust the dedication and valour of the jihadis

The Last Crusade

Sharon’s visit finally removed the façade from the Israeli diplomacy

The Wages of Obedience

The systemic failure of a whole class of people to think honestly and seriously, in short a failure to do their job as political analysts

Empty Vessels And All That Jazz

do you think he is up to task to rid us of feudals next?

The Clash Of Un-Civilizations And Osama-ism

It is misleading to think and give an impression that these issues will just disappear if Osama is captured or killed today.

Explaining it to an American Friend

godspeed and prudence in this time of grieving

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry, SJ

An interview with a war hero ...

The Chicken Hawks Of Pakistan

The military should accept the fact that it is a dictatorship

The Life and Times of Saddam Hussein

Saddam Hussein has given his people only blood, toil, tears, defeat and humiliations.

Different Eagles, Same Genus

For the Indian war planners, the Pakistan Air Force is their worst fear...

WW III? An Analysis of Yugoslavia

The media has been lying to the world about the crisis in Kosova

Denis Halliday on Iraq

Former U.N. official speaks out against sanctions on Iraq.

Killing Iraqis Before Ramadan Starts

US bombs Iraq following Clinton’s go-ahead wednesday morning

Wag the Dog

A war between the lackeys of capitalism claiming to represent the free world, and violent, fascist mercenaries

Statesmanship Needed

Mr. Bhutto’’s decision to go nuclear would prove pivotal quarter of a century later

UN Sanctions Against Iraq: 10 Myths

Economic sanctions against industrialized countries, which include a ban on foreign trade, can be more lethal than limited military attacks.

Madeleine’s ’Deadly Delusions’

Well over 6 million Indian and Pakistani citizens live in the Middle East and Washington’s apparent indifference towards their safety has roundly ticked off nations who generally need little reason to feel offended.

The Pakistani Connection: An Opinion

Pakistani media watchers have to be concerned today because people and the newspapers in this country have recently started mentioning Iraq and Pakistan in the same breath.