Stories by Stephen Zunes

Stephen Zunes is a professor of Politics and chair of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of San Francisco and serves as a senior policy analyst for Foreign Policy in Focus. subscribe to Stephen Zunes's feed

A Troubling Appointment: National Security Adviser Susan Rice Supports Autocrats and Disdains International Law

Posted on: Jun 17, 2013, Source: Truthout

Susan Rice's willingness to spew falsehoods to defend actions that violate international norms is very troubling.

Classic Washington Hypocrisy: America Has No Legs to Stand On When It Warns Syria Against Chemical Weapons Use

Posted on: May 7, 2013, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The U.S. turns a blind eye to chemical weapons production by allied countries.

An International Law Hating Iraq War Supporter: The Case Against Secretary of State John Kerry

Posted on: Jan 3, 2013, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The selection of John Kerry as the next secretary of state sends the wrong signal to America’s allies and adversaries alike.

Why One of the World's Leading Peace Advocates Threatened to Punch Me in the Face

Posted on: Apr 5, 2012, Source: AlterNet

Gareth Evans, a former attorney-general and foreign minister in Australia, threatened me because I raised the issue of his support for the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia.

Washington Gives Green Light for Attack on Unarmed Flotilla, Including Ship with 50 Americans on Board

Posted on: Jun 30, 2011, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The Obama admin appears to have given a green light to an Israeli attack on an unarmed flotilla carrying peace and human rights activists.

America Blows It on Bahrain

Posted on: Mar 15, 2011, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

Thanks to its U.S.-friendly dictator, the Bahraini government even threw a big Christmas party for American military personnel, bringing in Santa Claus riding on a camel.

Barbara Boxer Gets Progressive Support Despite Checkered Record on Human Rights, International Law

Posted on: Oct 18, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Boxer takes the positions she does not because AIPAC forces her, but because she can get progressives to campaign for her, donate money to her, and vote for her anyway.

Why Democrat John Hall Does Not Deserve an Endorsement From MoveOn.org

Posted on: Mar 8, 2010, Source: AlterNet

John Hall is a former musician and supporter of progressive causes. But since he was elected to Congress, he has become one of the most shameless defenders of Israel's crimes.

The Other Occupation: Western Sahara and the Case of Aminatou Haidar

Posted on: Dec 4, 2009, Source: AlterNet

How long will U.S. authorities ignore the bleak realities of Moroccan repression?

Reagan Didn't End the Cold War -- Leftist Intellectuals Did

Posted on: Nov 19, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Reagan was inspirational, but to claim he defeated Communism is a disservice to the millions of Eastern Europeans who struggled against great odds for their freedom.

Republicans and Democrats Come Together to Launch Unprecedented Attack on International Law

Posted on: Nov 5, 2009, Source: AlterNet

This is George W. Bush's foreign policy legacy, which — through this resolution — the Democrats, no less than their Republican counterparts, have now eagerly embraced.

Democrats Ignore Shocking Findings of Atrocities in Gaza War

Posted on: Oct 13, 2009, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

Recently, the White House called an extensive, 575-page report documenting Israeli and Palestinian crimes "deeply flawed." Has American denial reached a critical mass?

Nancy Pelosi: A Hawk in Donkey's Clothing?

Posted on: Jun 22, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Pelosi has a history of voting for pro-war measures and supporting pro-war candidates. Her current behaviors should come as no surprise.

Why U.S. Neocons Want Ahmadinejad to Win

Posted on: Jun 16, 2009, Source: AlterNet

American conservatives and Iranian hard-liners need each other.

Iran's Stolen Election Has Sparked an Uprising -- What Should the U.S. Do?

Posted on: Jun 14, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Can the United States speed the process for greater freedom in Iran? Yes. By staying out of the way as much as possible.

Has the Election Been Stolen in Iran?

Posted on: Jun 13, 2009, Source: AlterNet

If it is true that Ahmadinejad's victory is fraudulent, it'll be a dream come true for those pushing a more confrontational approach with Iran.

Will Democrats Finally End Their Support For West Bank Settlements? (Part 2)

Posted on: Jun 8, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Obama could use his enormous political leverage to cease Israel's illegal expansion into the West Bank. But will he?

As Obama Tries to Shift the Debate, Will Democrats Continue to Endorse Israel's Colonization of the West Bank?

Posted on: Jun 5, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Obama has inherited a difficult challenge in pushing Israel to end the expansion of its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Why Is the U.S. Continuing to Tell the Lebanese How to Vote?

Posted on: May 26, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Threats by top Obama administration officials have not been well-received by the Lebanese.

Hawkish Right-Wingers Hurting Teachers, and Your Kids

Posted on: May 12, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Until the teachers union abandons its hawkish agenda, its credibility will continue to be compromised and embattled teachers will suffer.

U.S. Shames Itself in Skipping Anti-Racism Conference

Posted on: Apr 22, 2009, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

To the dismay of human rights groups across the world, Obama decided to pander to right-wing hawks and boycott the historic gathering.

Obama's Caterpillar Visit a Thumb in the Eye for Human Rights Activists

Posted on: Feb 14, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Caterpillar's equipment has been used to level homes, build Israel's illegal separation wall and, in some cases, kill innocent civilians.

Obama Gathering a Flock of Hawks to Oversee U.S. Foreign Policy

Posted on: Jan 29, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Most of Obama's key foreign policy appointments seem more committed to military dominance than international law.

Yes We Can Dare to Hope ... But We'll Need to Work Hard to Bring Real Change

Posted on: Jan 21, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Obama has the ability to do a lot of good as long as we reject the temptation of feeling hopeless and cynical.

Virtually the Entire Dem-Controlled Congress Supports Israel's War Crimes in Gaza

Posted on: Jan 13, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Congressional leaders are advancing a radical view of international law that would allow powerful countries to get away with war crimes.

Democrats Are Cowards in the Face of Israel's Brutality

Posted on: Jan 6, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Democrats have silenced dissent and offered unflinching support for Israeli actions, including gross violations of international law.

America's Hidden Role in Hamas's Rise to Power

Posted on: Jan 2, 2009, Source: AlterNet

No one in the mainstream media or government is willing to acknowledge America's sordid role interfering in Palestinian politics.

Hillary Clinton's Disdain for International Law -- Part II

Posted on: Dec 2, 2008, Source: AlterNet

What alarms most international observers is Clinton's penchant for military solutions.

Hillary Clinton's Disdain for International Law -- Change We Can Believe In?

Posted on: Dec 1, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Hillary Clinton is our new Secretary of State -- will she continue the United States' hypocrisy on human rights and the rule of law?

Bush's Unauthorized Attack on Syria Killed Civilians; Dems Silent

Posted on: Nov 10, 2008, Source: AlterNet

By the time it was over, eight people had been killed, at least seven of whom were civilians, including three children.

Is Obama Screwing His Base with Rahm Emanuel Selection?

Posted on: Nov 6, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Obama has asked conservative Clinton vet Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff -- it's not a good sign for progressives.

The Hope of Obama

Posted on: Nov 5, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Barack Obama's resounding victory has brought even this cynical observer of Democratic Party politics to dare to hope.

Khalidi: The Republicans' Latest Smear Against Obama

Posted on: Oct 31, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The latest in a series of guilt-by-association tactics by the GOP to make the staunchly pro-Israel Obama appear to be anti-Israel.

Biden, Iraq and Obama's Betrayal

Posted on: Aug 24, 2008, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The choice of Biden calls into question whether Obama's offering a "change we can believe in."

The United States' Role in the Georgian Crisis

Posted on: Aug 18, 2008, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

The self-righteous posturing coming out of DC should be tempered by recognition of the ways in which the U.S. has contributed to the crisis.

A Letter to my Daughter: We Tried to Stop This War

Posted on: Mar 21, 2008, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

'Whoever becomes the next president, this war will continue to impact your life for many years to come.'

Obama and the Middle East: Will He Bring About "Change?"

Posted on: Jan 15, 2008, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

Obama's views on foreign policy are a decidedly mixed bag.

Hillary Clinton's Militarism Exposed

Posted on: Dec 17, 2007, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

Clinton's foreign policy is the definition of "Bush lite."

Hillary Clinton Can't be Trusted on Iraq

Posted on: Dec 13, 2007, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

Clinton's position on Iraq is almost indistinguishable from Bush's.

Iraq: Five Years Later, We Can’t Forgive or Forget

Posted on: Oct 16, 2007, Source: Foreign Policy in Focus

A note to the 2008 candidates: support for the 2002 Iraq War resolution is not something that can simply be forgiven and forgotten.

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