Will the US Finally Live Up to Its Lofty Ideals? The Case for a More Aggressive Pro-Democracy Stance in the Arab World
In demonstrating our renewed commitment to the promotion of democracy in the Arab world, we would be well-advised to start with Egypt, whose President, Hosni Mubarak, has been in power for nearly a quarter-century, thanks, in large part, to US support.

Western Muslims Must Get Tough on Extremism in Our Community
The presence of a persistent anti-western extremism within a small minority of Western Muslims exacerbates the plight of Western Muslims and undermines all their efforts to improve relations with the broader western communities and allay fears that Islam in the West is a threat to democracy and security.

A Chip Off the Old Block: Why the Fearmongers Want to Keep Tariq Ramadan Out
Why do some camps continue to portray Tariq Ramadan as a threat to a civilized way of life (as in France) or to national security (as in the US)? And why are these portrayals deemed credible by a considerable number of people?

Holbrooke and East Timor: Key Kerry Advisor's Disturbing History
What the mainstream media and others have failed to disclose this election season is that one of Senator Kerry’s key policy advisors, Richard Holbrooke, happened to play a significant role in perhaps the largest US backed genocide of the twentieth-century.

The Lord Cromer and President Bush Connection: Touting Freedom Abroad While Suppressing Them at Home
Lord Cromer viewed Britain's control of its various possessions with an almost missionary zeal: yes trade was important and the supply of raw material for British factories had to be secured, but it was also his duty to "civilize" the natives, lift them from their centuries of social decay and laziness, and liberate their women.

Wahhabism and the Illusion of a Golden Age
I had high expectations that Algar would blast away the clichés and superficialities and get to the essence of Wahhabism. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Although well written, the work suffers from several major flaws.

How Not to Fight Muslim Anti-Semitism: The Revocation of Tariq Ramadan's Visa Fuels Bigotry
Reading the news in my morning paper that Tariq Ramadan had been suddenly banned from American soil by the Department of Homeland Security only days before he was to begin his much anticipated teaching position at the University of Notre Dame, I found myself imagining conspiracy theories worthy of the "X Files."

Abu Ghraib and the Reverend General of Limbaugh Land: America's Passion Play to Change Muslim Hearts and Minds
Why waste money on glossy magazines in the Arab world that nobody bothers reading anyway, when interrogation methods can be exported to soften up idolatrous pagans in the service of Christ and profit. The Muslim infidel must be made to suffer like Jesus in order to accept Jesus.

Leading into Darkness: The Unveiling of the Bush Reelection Strategy
A string of disturbing events over the past week may point to the Bush campaign’s real reelection strategy.

Looking for “Good” Muslims: Rand Study Recommends New Approach to Dealing with Islam
In March, the California-based Rand Corporation released a report entitled “Civil Democratic Islam” that attempts to present a strategy for US and European policymakers on how to best deal with Islam in the post-9/11 climate.

Eye on the Prize: Transnational Corporations on the Middle East
Indeed, for “a small handful of neo-conservative thinkers” and their corporate allies, no doubt “Iraq and Palestine are only the beginning,” unless the people of the Middle East in solidarity with progressives in Western democracies are able to stop them.

From Bombs to Candy? “Soft Cultural Diplomacy” Makes a Comeback in Washington
As the America media is warned not to show images of US troops being killed and wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as Washington slowly comes to realize the painful truth that it has not been able to consolidate and capitalize on its rapid military successes there, policy-makers in America have been working day and night to find new ways to save face and to make a graceful exit from the countries that are now in chaos thanks to US intervention. It should be obvious by now that the latest American adventures abroad have been dismal failures. Rhetoric and self-congratulation aside, the US administration cannot hide the fact that more US troops have died in Iraq today than in the course of the invasion of the country. Like it or not, the body bags are real and they simply cannot be wished away.

Manpads and Wooden Carrots
I am all for banning weapons. Like the time we banned weapons from the Bosnia conflict till all the Muslims were cleansed from the desired areas. Then we brought in the big bombs to punish the bad guys. It was a very complicated war, and ordinary people should not try to understand it, any more than they should try firing missiles at aircraft.

What Shirin Ebadi’s Nobel Means to Progressive Muslims
It is going to inspire the silent majority of Muslims worldwide who simply want to live lives of quiet dignity. Where there are oppressive forces from both inside Muslim society and outside of it now we have a paragon of resistance to look up to. And how I relish the fact that this Muslim recipient is a woman, a strong mother of two children, a judge, and an activist. How many stereotypes about being a Muslim and a woman, an Iranian and a woman, she shatters through the very grace of her being!

Why I Am Leaving This Country: Daniel Pipes and the Failure of Democracy in America
Continuing to teach in the US is no longer an option for me, particularly since I will have no chance to clear my name before Congress. So I am moving to Canada in a few days where I will apply for citizenship and try to rebuild my 20-year university career in a functioning democracy.

Like Father, Like Son?
The omnipresent neo-conservative kingmakers are at it again, this time with the eloquent and dashing Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, eldest son of the former Shah of Iran.

There's Something About Daniel
In the movie, Mary said some outrageous things, but even she would not have gotten away with a story about President Bush nominating Daniel Pipes for the US Institute for Peace.

America in Wonderland
I’m sure that many Americans were shocked and awed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his patently absurd reference to the Fourth Geneva Convention in regard to the American POWs. I’m not sure how the man manages to keep a straight face during his speeches. Perhaps that’s why he’s often seen darting away from the cameras. President George W. Bush also could not help but offer his own share of non sequitur logic and commented that if Iraq is holding POWs then he expects them to be treated well.

Sending Wimps to Baghdad? Or Why Opposing the War Is Supporting the Troops
The United States has managed to convince the whole world that Iraq has to be bombed. Um, well, they have convinced four other countries. Absent from the Coalition of the Killing are the US’s two neighbors (Canada and Mexico), all but two of its NATO allies and every other country on earth.

Should Women Wear Bras? (The Search for Progressive Islam in America)
The 19th century had Jamal Al-Din Al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh. The 20th century gave us Muhammad Iqbal. Now, we have Paul Wolfowitz calling for the reopening of the gates of ijtihad. With friends like him, well you know how the rest goes.

How I Learned to Love Reagan
I hate to admit it, but President George W. Bush has made me love Ronald Reagan. Before the Supreme Court appointed Bush, Jr. as president in a 5-4 vote (but who's counting), I had never appreciated the Republican administrations of the recent past. Now I catch myself waxing nostalgic, longing for those bygone days.