Global Geopolitics

Former Hostages Call for Broadened Dialogue with Iran

By Jasmin Ramsey
On the eve of resumed talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany) in Almaty, Kazakhstan over its nuclear programme, two former hostages of the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran argued that the aura of mistrust that has dogged relations for decades must be addressed.

Former Insiders Criticise Iran Policy as U.S. Hegemony

By Gareth Porter
"Going to Tehran" arguably represents the most important work on the subject of U.S.-Iran relations to be published thus far.

More Dead Than Red

By Pierre Klochendler
The World Bank has declared the Red Sea-Dead Sea canal project feasible. Designed to “save the Dead Sea”, “desalinate water and/or generate hydroelectricity at affordable prices in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority”, and “build a symbol of peace in the Middle East”, the scheme, green groups warn, is fraught with environmental hazards.

Israeli Licence to Cheney-Linked Energy Firm on Golan Heights Raises Eyebrows

By Jim Lobe
In a potential new source of contention between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has reportedly granted a U.S. energy firm with heavyweight political connections to explore for oil and gas in the occupied Golan Heights.

Despite Right-Wing Opposition, Hagel Looks Set for Confirmation

By Jim Lobe
Despite an appeal Thursday by 15 right-wing Republican senators for President Barack Obama to withdraw the nomination of Chuck Hagel as his next defence secretary, the former Republican senator from Nebraska appears virtually certain to be confirmed as Pentagon chief by the full Senate next week.

Arms Bazaars Proliferate as U.N. Tries to Regulate Trade

By Thalif Deen
When a 20-year-old went on a deadly shooting spree killing 26 students and teachers in an elementary school in Connecticut last December, there was the inevitable outcry either for a ban or a tight control on gun shows, where firearms can be purchased over the counter with no background checks on the buyer.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda Credit: Seikyo Shimbun

Most Inhumane of Weapons

By Daisaku Ikeda
I believe that most of the world’s citizens would agree that nuclear weapons should be considered inhumane. It is encouraging to see that there is now a growing, if still nascent, movement to outlaw nuclear weapons based on this premise.

Israel Not Pushing Obama to Arm Syrian Rebels

By Barbara Slavin
A lack of Israeli pressure for the U.S. to intervene and Israel’s ability to go after sensitive targets in Syria on its own are factors in the Barack Obama administration’s reluctance to get more deeply involved in the Syrian civil war.

UN Looks, Sri Lanka Ducks

By Amantha Perera
It has now become an annual affair. When the Geneva based UN Human Rights Council readies itself for the first of its annual regular sessions in February, the government in Sri Lanka gets ready to ward off yet another attempt to scrutinise its rights record.

Saudi Arabia Seen Unlikely to Seek Nukes If Iran Gets One

By Jim Lobe
Challenging what has become conventional wisdom here, a new report released here Tuesday by an influential think tank argues that Iran’s neighbours - Saudi Arabia in particular - are unlikely to pursue nuclear weapons if Iran obtains one.

U.S. Urged to Delink Foreign Military, State-building Actions

By Carey L. Biron
Development workers and aid strategists are urging the U.S. government to adopt a comprehensive strategy for addressing root problems in “fragile states”, warning that an outdated focus on military intervention is draining resources and exacerbating security problems.

World’s Nuclear Environment Remains Politically Toxic

By Thalif Deen
The world's nuclear environment has increasingly turned politically toxic, replete with threats, accusations and open defiance of Security Council resolutions.

Switzerland Checks Mercenaries, Partially

By Ray Smith
The Swiss government has presented a draft law regulating the private military industry but critics argue the law is toothless.

Bulgarian Revelations Explode Hezbollah Bombing “Hypothesis”

By Gareth Porter
When European Union foreign ministers discuss a proposal to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov will present his government’s case for linking two suspects in the Jul. 18, 2012 bombing of an Israeli tourist bus to Hezbollah.

Crisis Group Urges Comprehensive Talks to End Sudan Conflicts

By Jim Lobe
Amidst ongoing violence and continuing humanitarian emergencies in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, the International Crisis Group (ICG) called Thursday for a comprehensive solution to Sudan’s many regional conflicts.

Obama Administration Reveals Deep Divisions on Syria Policy

By Samer Araabi
Though President Barack Obama has been reticent to involve his administration too deeply in the Syrian uprising, revelations over the past week have shown near-unanimous agreement among the president’s top national security advisors for greater military intervention.

U.S. Urged to Lean Harder on Bahrain’s Ruling Family

By Jim Lobe
On the eve of the second anniversary of the uprising in Bahrain, the administration of President Barack Obama is being urged to press the royal family to make genuine compromises with the predominantly Shi’a opposition.

Israelis Ski on Thin Snow

By Pierre Klochendler
Unbending winds howl in the mountain, seldom carrying echoes of the two-year-old civil war closing in on Damascus just 35 kilometres away. But Israelis revel in immaculate pleasure. Albeit an internationally-recognised Syrian territory, the Israeli-controlled high ground is de facto their one and only ski resort.

North Korean Test Puts More Pressure on Obama

By Jim Lobe
Tuesday’s nuclear test by North Korea poses major new questions about the sustainability of President Barack Obama’s first-term policy of “strategic patience” in dealing with Pyongyang.

North Korea Defies World Body with Third Nuke Test

By Thalif Deen
North Korea, which conducted its third nuclear test Monday, is following closely in the heavy footsteps of Israel as one of the world's most intransigent nations, ignoring Security Council resolutions and defying the international community.

OP-ED: Obama and Bahrain: How to Save Al-Khalifa Rule

By Emile Nakhleh
Despite the start of a government-inspired dialogue with the opposition Sunday, the Bahraini government continues to jail dissidents, arrest demonstrators, and use a rigged judicial system to convict them.
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