Iran 11-25-13

25, November 2013      

IRAN

  

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and President Obama deserve credit for reaching an accord limiting Iran’s nuclear enrichment program in return for easing crippling sanctions. It is encouraging that we are moving away from a strident confrontational approach and have softened our language to reach this accord. In contrast, Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu are irked the US with his hyper-ventilating militaristic attitude attempting to drive a wedge between US lawmakers and the White House.  It must be remembered that Netanyahu hardline rhetoric is aimed at appeasing his right-wing coalition that helped him get elected as Prime Minister. In sharp disagreement with Netanyahu, Israeli President Peres and former military chief, Amos Yadlin supports the US-Iranian accord. As a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Over 40 countries – signatories - of the NPT - carry out enrichment programs. The International Atomic Energy Agency monitors the performance of most countries who produce nuclear fuel. In contrast, Israel has refused to sign the NPT lest its huge stockpile of nuclear weapons be exposed. As a historical footnote, it was the Bush administration who refused to respond to Iran’s diplomatic efforts which would have severely curtailed its nuclear ambitions. As a bonus, perhaps largely prompted by the US/Iranian accord, the Syrian government and the opposition have agreed to peace talks in Geneva on January 22.

  

Drones 11-4-13

4, November 2013     Drones

The U.S. drone policy is facing unprecedented world-wide criticism. Human Rights Watch lambasted U.S. drone strikes in Yemen. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged President Obama to end drone strikes in Pakistan. The U.S. has used its usual arm twisting check book diplomacy to silence critics. Both HRW and A.I. regard drone strikes amount to extrajudicial killings and therefore constitute war crimes.

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Brandon Bryant who served as a sensor operator for the Predator program from 2007 to 2011 was critical of the drone’s alleged accuracy. He admitted that official reports did not reflect the true reality of civilian deaths.

The government has consistently refused to provide any corroborating evidence to back its claim for drone’s accuracy. Conversely, A.I. and HRW has marshaled impressive evidence to highlight the destructive nature of drones.

There is little doubt that drones have fueled seething hostility and are counterproductive. Imagine how we would respond emotionally if we witnessed our loved ones blown to pieces by a drone attack. Close family members from Pakistan of an grandmother who was blown to tiny fragments appeared before Congress to plead for an immediate end to drone warfare. A recent documentary, "Unmanned: America’s Drone Wars," captures the horrors of these terrifying weapons. It has just come to light that the US has set aside $40 million to compensate victims of drone strikes. Thus far not a single dime has been paid out. 

Saudi Arabia 11-4-13

4, November 2013

Saudi Arabia

Bravo to the courageous Saudi women who are defying a government ban on driving. This oppressive ban is so unjust; it relegates Saudi women to a suffocating role as subservient members of their own society unable to venture outdoors independently. Predictably, Saudi clerics heaped scorn and called women drivers ‘prostitutes’. Only male drivers are issued driving licenses.

Sadly, Islam does denigrate women to a lesser role than their male counterparts allowing men to continue to exert their dominant roles. CNN broadcaster, Fareed Zakaria, described Saudi Arabia “as the country with the most irresponsible foreign policy” – the epicenter of state sponsored terrorism spouting the Wahhabi message of “intolerance and hate.”  Hilleary Clinton described Saudi Arabia as a “critical financial base of terrorism.” Rivers of money continue to flow to Wahhabi clerics, madrasahs (religious schools) and Sunni mosques in many parts of the world. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented extensive human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia systematically targeting the minority Shi’ite population, political dissidents and Saudi women. It is therore baffling to understand why we consider Saudi Arabia a key ally and strategic partner rewarding the monarchy with billions of dollars of military hardware which could easily be funneled to terrorist groups. It is also baffling to understand why the Obama administration remained silent when Saudi forces crushed pro-democracy demonstrators in neighboring Bahrain. By propping up the Saudi monarchy we are complicit in their acts of violence.