February 10, 2012 The war of words between the US, Israel, and Iran intensifies by the day. All the parties involved are shamelessly playing to domestic audiences in this election year. Israel keeps issuing threats it will attack Iran’s nuclear power installations, though some of its senior security officials downplay […]

February 4, 2012 Far-called our navies melt away— On dune and headland sinks the fire— Lo, all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Nineveh and Tyre! Rudyard Kipling 1897 “Recessional” The poet laureate of British imperialism might write the same stanzas today about its successor, the American Empire, which, […]

Last Monday, Egyptians celebrated the first anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Mubarak regime. By contrast, America’s reaction this historic event was tellingly muted. Egypt contains a quarter of the Arab world’s people.  In Egypt, the US had a golden opportunity to encourage  genuine democracy. Instead, it long […]