Making Arab media really independent

"If the US is serious about the effort to see a thriving and effective independent media, it must supplement any programming efforts on the ground with an articulate public approach that reflects the issues called for by Arab journalists themselves and the freedom-seeking Arab population as a whole. Otherwise, this latest effort will be a waste of money and yet another lost opportunity."

Afghanistan’s Presidential Elections: Spreading Democracy or a Sham?

"Karzai and Bush have proclaimed that the reported registration of more than 10.5 million Afghans to cast ballots in the presidential elections is evidence of their success in bringing democracy to Afghanistan. This number, according to an Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) report in September 2004, may "well exceed 11.5 million -- roughly half the estimated population of Afghanistan" once the registration of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran is completed."

Mounting Iraqi deaths as US tries to reassert control over Iraq

"There is widespread cynicism about the possibility of the elections taking place as scheduled, considering the conditions in the country."

Palestinian Elections: At the Core of Palestinian Calls for Reform

"The Palestinians of occupied East Jerusalem have the same legal status as Palestinians in the rest of the Occupied Territories. Israel’s annexation or changing of the legal status of East Jerusalem or its residents has no legal validity according to the international community and international law."

Iraq, victory or defeat

"Stubbornly, Bush insists on "staying the course." On this disastrous course the war objectives cannot be met. If the course is not changed, the war is as good as lost."