Afghanistan Faces “Massive Economic Constriction” after U.S. Withdrawal

by Richard Sale via IPS News Next year’s drawdown of U.S. forces and decline in U.S. aid will leave in its wake an Afghan political system lacking legitimacy and stability, according to interviews with Afghanistan experts, news reports and congressional… Continue Reading

Afghanistan: How to Wind Down

by Henry Precht Two US service members were killed and at least eight others injured Monday in an insider attack at a Special Forces site in Afghanistan. The Taliban asserted responsibility. This incident would seem to nullify President Hamid Karzai’s… Continue Reading

AIPAC on the Defensive

The 2013 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference wasn’t quite the same show of arrogant power that it usually is. There seems to have been a note of unusual concern among the 13,000 or so assembled activists. And… Continue Reading

Chuck Hagel Friend Requests Ehud Barak

by Marsha B. Cohen Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is scheduled to meet with Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday morning, March 5. There’s more to this meeting than one might infer from harrumphing members of the right… Continue Reading