Despite the grim news, I for one don’t see everything as doom and gloom. David Remnick writes eloquently on why we should still be hopeful for progress.
Tags: Solutions
Ten months ago, the last time things heated up between Israel and Hamas, I posted this comment. At the time, a full flare-up was avoided and a six month cease fire was set in place. This time around, the political leadership seems to have convinced the Israeli public that confrontation is the best option. Actually, negotiations were the anomaly. Israel’s current behavior is the norm. In order to understand why, one needs understand Israel’s Three Laws of Action.
Tags: Feature, Israeli Army, War Crimes
A highly thoughtful analysis of what needs to be done.
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Tags: Hamas, Israeli Army
Glenn Greenwald comments on Israel’s massive bombing of Gaza, and the American political reaction:
Not a word of condemnation of the Israeli blockade — which has caused extreme suffering and deprivation in Gaza — or of the massively disproportionate response or the ongoing and ever-expanding Israeli occupation. It is all one-sided support for whatever Israel does from our political class, and one-sided condemnation of Israel’s enemies (who are, ipso facto, American enemies) — all of it, as usual, sharply divergent from the consensus in much of the rest of the world.
Tags: Hypocrisy
My favorite economist and commentator puts the Madoff scandal in the proper perspective.
Tags: War Racket
George Packer from the New Yorker analyzes the situation in South Asia in light of the Mumbai attack.
Tags: Nationalism, Propaganda, South Asia
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I have often mentioned this document on this blog, notably here and here. I strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t yet done so, to read it now.
Tags: Human Rights, Solutions
As is always the case when such things happen, the aftermath of the horrific attack on Mumbai is already leading to a blame game. Some are pointing to Pakistan. Others point to India’s internal problems with its Muslim population. It is always important to understand the roots of a problem before attempting to deal with it. But I have long advocated that while a call for revenge is a natural emotional reaction to terror and violence, restraint and careful consideration is the best approach to dealing with international conflict.
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Tags: South Asia, War Crimes
Relevant Quotes
Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz: Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace -- Benito Juárez
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it. -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Let them call me a rebel and welcome. I feel no concern from it. But should I suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul -- Thomas Paine