On 14 May, people will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel. There will be parades, parties, remembrances, speeches, and the like from Jerusalem to New York to Rio de Janeiro. Usually, the independence of a state is celebrated, rightfully so, as a happy occasion and the liberation from oppression or dominance by outsiders in your own land. What will... [read more]

From The Times May 3, 2006 In the chaos of Iraq, one project is on target: a giant US embassy undefined From Daniel McGrory in Baghdad THE question puzzles and enrages a city: how is it that the Americans cannot keep the electricity running in Baghdad for more than a couple of hours a day, yet still manage to build themselves the biggest embassy on Earth? Irritation grows as residents... [read more]

Since the outbreak of fighting between the Lebanese army and the Fatah al-Islam terrorists on Sunday, the US media have been reporting on the horrific conditions in which the 40,000 Palestinian refugees are in and detailing injuries and casualties. In the Thursday’s New York Times, the story reads:   “By late Wednesday, about 15,000 refugees had left the camp, the Red Cross said, piling into buses,... [read more]

When a body is severely injured and nothing is done to heal it, it can become infected and threaten the life of the patient. Unfortunately, this is the case for Lebanon. As we see with the attacks against Lebanon from the refugee camps, the untreated wounds of both, the Palestinians and Lebanon have led to a severe infection that threatens the already weak health of the Lebanese Republic. Following... [read more]

This week we’ve seen the inertia from the different pro and anti government movements in Lebanon carry the people dangerously beyond the control of their movement’s leaders and very close to the point of no return. The general strike called by Hezbollah and Michel Aoun for Tuesday went far beyond a simple strike and turned into an all out riot. Generally, when a people revolt to overthrow their government... [read more]

I can't help but think there is a change in the balance of power in the world centered on Beirut. For some time now, Hezbollah has maintained its street demonstrations along with Michel Aoun's FPM with little change in the political situation. It began to appear as if PM Siniora's government was going to be able to survive the opposition and last until this summer's election for the presidency... [read more]

Once again, democracy and justice won't get in the way of Syria, Hezbollah, or Emile Lahoud. In no way do they want to see and international tribunal into the assassination of Sheikh Rafiq al-Hariri After failing to make the democratically elected government resign, after failing to topple the government with resignations, the agents of Syria assassinated Pierre Gemayel in an effort to destroy the... [read more]

Dear Mr. Bush,   We heard you express your regrets regarding the casualties of "Israel's" ravaging war against my country, Lebanon. I hope you have been furnished with a true profile of the atrocities being perpetrated in my country. You pose as being at war with terrorism. Let me honestly tell you: Charity starts at home.   "Israel" is wantonly indulging in the most horrendous forms of... [read more]

          Over the past month, we’ve seen uncommon leadership on the battlefield from an Arab leader. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has proven, once and for all, that he and the whole of Hezbollah are a legitimate resistance against unwarranted Israeli aggression and, despite claims otherwise, Lebanon is better defended because of Hezbollah and Nasrallah’s leadership. Unlike many, I don’t blame Hezbollah... [read more]

Amir:   Dr. Chomsky, I heard your interview the other day with Amy Goodman and have read several of your books noting your awareness of the Israeli/Palestinian situation. I have many Lebanese friends, several of which are currently in Tripoli in the north. My question is this; with the obvious plan the Israelis had for this situation and how they are hitting targets completely unrelated to... [read more]

The ruler of Syria showed up on the screens yesterday with a speech that was praising the "victory" of Hezbollah. He engaged himself in many points that he seemed lost, confused, and rather nervous. The interruption of people reciting poem's praising him was probably to ease the pressure. Al Assad showed us the Lebanese people that he was happy, content, and filled with joy to see what happened to... [read more]

Another miracle has happened in the place where Jesus once trod. He used to teach people to protect the weak, the lame, the blind, the poor, and the defenseless from the ravages of oppression but after more than 30 days of fighting, those weak, poor, defenseless people have risen to defend themselves. It was thought not long ago that Israel was one of the most powerful armies in the world and it had... [read more]

 Published: 15 August 2006 - The Independent http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article1219260.ece They made a desert and called it peace. Srifa - or what was once the village of Srifa - is a place of pancaked homes, blasted walls, rubble, starving cats and trapped corpses. But it is also a place of victory for the Hizbollah, whose fighters walked amid the destruction yesterday with the... [read more]

     I've recently returned from Washington where some 30,000 people gathered to march around the White House demanding an end to the Israeli assault on Lebanon and Palestine. I spoke with a member of the police who said the permit was for 10,000 people but that many had already gathered over an hour before the event even started. I walked into Lafayette Park to hear the angelic voice of Fairuz... [read more]

           Regardless which side of the debate you’re on, you have to concede that this latest terrorist plot is well timed in relation to the current criticism of the US & UK in blocking attempts to end the atrocities in Lebanon and Gaza. Early this morning, we get word of overnight raids in the UK that rounded up some 21 suspects in an alleged plot to blow up several aircraft en route from London’s... [read more]