Lebanon

Summary:

The process of change has begun. It is not directed against anyone, but requires everyone's efforts.

Summary:

Ali Abdullah has been jailed three times. One of his sons is serving a five-year sentence for involvement in a pro-democracy youth group. The other chose exile.

Summary:While the US debates whether a civil war is raging in Iraq, thousands of Iraqis face the possibility of death every day all over the country.

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Polarization and confrontation, with occasional violence, have become the prevailing political norm in the Middle East, as the docile ideological center of years past temporarily leaves the stage.

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Israeli cluster bombs were made in the US; Hezbollah's were from Iran. First step? Ban the transfer of cluster munitions.

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Activists called on Textron, one of the two largest producers of cluster bombs in the US, to convert to producing wind turbines.

Summary:

The war in Lebanon has reinvigorated the Israeli peace movement with some very new elements.

Summary:

Summary:

Resolution 1701 contains some disturbing ambiguities that may make a permanent peace between Lebanon and Israel elusive.

The UN Security Council resolution passed on August 11 which belatedly imposed a ceasefire to end the fighting in Lebanon was certainly good news in terms of ending the carnage. Resolution 1701 was also a marked improvement over the original US draft and contains some positive language. Both sides, for instance, are called upon to honor “a full cessation of hostilities.” And Israel must provide the UN with maps of landmines planted in southern Lebanon during Israel’s 22-year occupation that ended in 2000.