Source:
Middle East Report
Aspiring imperialists, unembarrassed by the Iraq experience, have formed yet another advocacy group, the third incarnation of the Committee on the Present Danger, to press ahead with the "war on terrorism," just as the Project for New American Century led the intellectual charge for a war on Iraq.
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On March 2003, the United States’ (US) government took military action against Iraq, without authorization from the United Nations (UN), arguing in support of its action the need to take “preventive” measures to eliminate Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction, and to overthrow the “tyrannical regime” of Saddam Hussein. George W Bush enjoyed some international support –mainly from British Prime Minister Tony Blair- but had also came up against opposition from some countries in 'old Europe', such as France and Germany, who insisted on the pursuit of a diplomatic solution.
However, the diplomatic route failed as a result of the UN Security Council’s inability to came to an agreement over the crisis. In response to the US action, the UN limited itself to withdrawing from Iraq its weapons’ inspectors —who have found no evidence that Hussein possesses arms of mass destruction— and preparing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. The people of Iraq, far from having recovered after the first Gulf War, in 1991, are suffering the effects of an economic blockade imposed in 1990 by the Security Council. Since March, they added the effects of yeat again military action against the country, whose main victims are the civil population.
So far, the loudest voices of protest against the war came from international civil society, which continued to mobilize since the historic protests on 15 February 2003. On that day, millions of people took part in unprecedented peace demonstrations, in some 600 cities on five continents.
“The territory of present-day Iraq is roughly equivalent to that of ancient Mesopotamia, where the world's 'classic' civilization developed…” Information about history, State, demography, economy, environment, religions, etc., from The World Guide.
"As a US-led invasion of Iraq begins, we, the undersigned citizens of many countries, reaffirm our commitment to addressing international conflicts through the rule of law and the United Nations."
Many of the nation's leading economists today issued a statement opposing a unilateral U.S.-led war against Iraq and warning policy makers and all Americans that long-term U.S. and global economic security is at stake. Full text of statement and signatories.
The processes of international action towards Iraq have sundered the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and Nato, as well as workplaces like this one, and homes around the world.
A national coalition of local officials and concerned citizens working to express the will of their communities through civic resolutions regarding the proposed war in Iraq.
Signatories believe that "as people living in the United States it is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government, in our names".
National campaign that brings together a broad range of organizations throughout the United States to help coordinate the work against a U.S. war on Iraq.
Alliance formed between groups and individuals with diverse political, social, and religous beliefs who share an opposition to the looming war with Iraq.
Signed by more than 70 international and national non-governmental organisations, the following petition was sent to the heads of state or government of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.
War Resisters' International exists to promote nonviolent action against the causes of war, and to support and connect people around the world who refuse to take part in war or the preparation of war.
"Women throughout the Arab world categorically condemn American-led attempts that target the integrity of the Arab world by undermining its sovereignty, and rupturing its national unity."
UNAs are sharing their views on the role of the United Nations in disarming Iraq. In line with UN Security Council Resolution 1441, the issue is how to disarm Iraq and the role of the UN in determining the process for doing this.
UNMOVIC was to replace the former UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) and continue with the latter’s mandate to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction.
IAEA is an independent intergovernmental, science and technology-based organization, in the United Nations family, that serves as the global focal point for nuclear cooperation.
UNSCOM was established to follow the UN Security Council's resolution on a formal cease-fire between the coalition of Member states and Iraq after the Gulf war.
Despite the fact that the war against Iraq is presented also as aimed to protect Israel from Sadam's aggressive intentions, Israeli public opinion is not convinced that the war is needed. By Lev Grinberg.
The insistence of the American administration on initiating exclusively a war on Iraq without the UN's approval could lead to the collapse of the international order and consequently the entire world system. A in-depth analysis of the crisis, by Ziad Abdel Samad.
America's inability to rally support over Iraq is partly due to its diplomatic shortcomings but also because it has not made a convincing case for going to war, says Mark Tran.
It is no coincidence that the most vociferous voice advocating a military attack on Iraq is that of the Israeli Likud-led government and its spin machine. By Hanan Ashrawi.
An enormous, deliberately intimidating force is being built up by America overseas, while inside the country, economic and social bad news multiply with a joint relentlessness. By Edward Said.
While Bush claims that "America speaks with one voice" on the urgent need to topple Hussein, demonstrations across the country show that much of the US public has not accepted the administration's case for war. PdF format.
In his televised interview with Jeremy Paxman, the UK’s Prime Minister faced a largely hostile audience and a sceptical country and set out his arguments for action against Iraq.
Josi Salem-Pickartz, child protection consultant for UNICEF Baghdad, analyzes the basic changes that have affected the living conditions of the general population since the imposition of economic sanctions against the country in 1990, after Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait.
What do Iraqis think about a forced regime change in Iraq by US military intervention? Here, Iraqi scholars, activists and others talk about possible futures.
CASI provides information about the humanitarian situation in Iraq and its context. It aims to raise awareness of the effects of sanctions on Iraq, and campaigns on humanitarian grounds for the lifting of non-military sanctions.
Iraq is regressing in all areas of human and social development. The unjust international sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1991 and the irresponsible, inhumane and undemocratic policies of a corrupt regime are the causes of this grim situation.
After over 10 years of torturing the people of Iraq, The United States is preparing for another full-scale war there. ZNet will use this page to assist movements against war in Iraq as they develop.
Non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Iraq, and for a better international understanding of Iraq's potential as a contributor to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
Organization dedicated to improving humanitarian conditions in Iraq and defending the human rights of the Iraqi people through the education and involvement of Americans in a national dialogue about Iraq.
Ansar al-Islam is a small group of radical Islamist fighters in north eastern Iraq that has become a fresh target in the war on terrorism and a focus of recent international interest.
In contrast to all the loud talk about terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and human rights violations, very little is being said about oil. By Michael Renner, Worldwatch Institute.
Iraq holds more than 112 billion barrels of oil - the world's second largest proven reserves. Iraq also contains 110 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and is a focal point for regional security issues.
In 2001, the Persian Gulf countries (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) produced about 28% of the world's crude oil, while holding nearly two-thirds of the world's crude oil reserves.
For half a century, the United States has made steadily increasing investments in keeping the Gulf region in its geopolitical orbit and maintaining its claim on a preponderant share of the earth’s resources.
While the US has been raising every possible accusation to justify its bid to launch a war of aggression against Iraq, one issue that Bush avoids bringing up is oil.
There is something refreshing about British historian Niall Ferguson's argument "not merely that the United States is an empire, but that it has always been an empire." For a certain kind of American liberal, the Bush administration's eager invasion of Iraq has been a bad dream. The ignominious departure of US viceroy L. Paul Bremer from Baghdad on June 28 2004, many assume, marks the beginning of the end of a grim, aberrant interlude in an otherwise innocent and idealistic US foreign policy.
The bully on the block always had guys who did the fighting for him. He would falsely accuse a weaker kid of planning some horrible conspiracy and then unleash the tough guys – as a pre-emptive move, of course. Now the born-again bully occupies the White House.
America doesn't feel like America anymore. The climate of militarism and fear, similar to any totalitarian state, permeates everything. The war in Iraq has been the most extreme manifestation of this new America, and almost a casebook study in totalitarian techniques.
