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During his presidential campaign Barack Obama repeatedly criticized
the Bush administration 's policy of invading and occupying Iraq,
but he was equally firm in declaring his support for the U.S.
military mission in Afghanistan. In his widely quoted speech at a
Chicago antiwar rally, Obama declared, I m not opposed to all wars.
I am opposed to dumb wars. It was thus no surprise that President
Obama expanded the U.S. military commitment in March and then again
in December 2009. And now, smart or not, Afghanistan is Obama 's
war.When Obama announced his intention to begin military
withdrawals from Afghanistan just eighteen months after sending
more troops to the country, the reactions ranged from ridicule to
disbelief. Why send tens of thousands of additional troops only to
remove them soon afterward? To many critics, the announcement
seemed to continue the folly of Obama 's withdrawal from Iraq.In
these pages, David Cortright offers a critical analysis of
U.S./NATO military policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and examines
alternative strategies for preventing terrorist insurgency and
advancing development and human rights. He critiques the strategic
and political assumptions undergirding military surge policies and
illuminates the worsening security situation and growing influence
of the Taliban. Cortright pays particular attention to the status
of women and shows how responsible military withdrawal enhances
their chances instead of risking them as often disingenuous critics
contend. David Cortright 's goal is not only to hold Obama to his
stated intention to withdraw from Afghanistan beginning in July of
2011, but to do so in a way that yields true human security better
political leaders, more aid workers, and many more educated
Afghans, women as well as men. As a longtime peace activist and
advocate of diplomatic alternatives, Cortright speaks with a moral
authority unrivalled among the chorus of commentators castigating
Obama 's policies."Features of this book: "
A definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement
As the Bush administration prepared to wage war against Iraq,
millions of people in the United States and around the world took
to the streets to warn against the impending disaster. It was the
largest wave of antiwar protest in history. This is the story of
those dramatic events, told by distinguished peace scholar and
activist David Cortright. This revealing account offers an insider
view of the emergence of the movement and its political and
communications strategies in attempting to prevent the attack. It
reviews the arrogance of power as senior officials rejected public
and expert opinion and rushed ahead with their ill-fated invasion.
The book traces efforts by opponents of the war to end the
worsening conflict and win Congressional approval for the
withdrawal of troops. Cortright explores the role of the Iraq issue
and the impact of antiwar networks in propelling Barack Obama to
the White House, and the frustrations many activists felt in
navigating the limitations of conventional politics. Readable,
insightful and passionately argued, A Peaceful Superpower provides
a definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement
and a hopeful look at the power of civil society to shape the
course of history.
During his presidential campaign Barack Obama repeatedly criticized
the Bush administration s policy of invading and occupying Iraq,
but he was equally firm in declaring his support for the U.S.
military mission in Afghanistan. In his widely quoted speech at a
Chicago antiwar rally, Obama declared, I m not opposed to all wars.
I am opposed to dumb wars. It was thus no surprise that President
Obama expanded the U.S. military commitment in March and then again
in December 2009. And now, smart or not, Afghanistan is Obama s
war.When Obama announced his intention to begin military
withdrawals from Afghanistan just eighteen months after sending
more troops to the country, the reactions ranged from ridicule to
disbelief. Why send tens of thousands of additional troops only to
remove them soon afterward? To many critics, the announcement
seemed to continue the folly of Obama s withdrawal from Iraq.Now,
with the death of Osama bin Laden, the calls to end the war in
Afghanistan are growing even louder and responsible military
withdrawal is urgent, making the book "Ending Obama's War" more
timely than ever.In these pages, peace scholar David Cortright
dissects the unwinnable war in Afghanistan and offers realistic
alternatives for ending armed conflict and insurgency while
continuing to help the Afghan people with development and human
rights. "Ending Obama s War" is intended to help hold President
Obama to his policy of beginning military withdrawals in 2011. It
outlines a responsible military disengagement strategy and links it
to agreements on security cooperation, political power sharing, and
a regional diplomatic compact.Cortright pays special attention to
the status of women, documenting the precarious progress Afghan
women have achieved since 2001 with the aid of Western donors:
increased schooling, improved access to health services, and the
beginnings of community-based development. Authoritative yet highly
readable, Ending Obama s War helps cut through the uncertainty many
feel about the best way forward in Afghanistan. It shows that a
strategic plan for ending the war is possible and will be
beneficial to the Afghan people, especially women. This is a book
for all who are searching for answers on Afghanistan."Features of
this book: ""
Rarely in the atomic age have hopes been raised as high as they are
now for genuine progress toward disarmament. The new receptivity
reflected in the policy declarations of many governments was
sparked by a wave of private initiatives led by former senior
policy leaders in many countries. This book examines practical
steps for achieving progress toward disarmament, realistically
assessing both challenges and opportunities associated with
achieving a world without nuclear weapons. The book places the
current debate over nuclear abolition in the context of urgent
non-proliferation priorities and the need to prevent nuclear
weapons from falling into the hands of extremist regimes and
terrorists. It examines the reasons why more than two dozen states
have given up nuclear programs over the years and distils lessons
from the end of the cold war to offer policy recommendations for
moving toward lessened global reliance on nuclear weapons. Also
included are in-depth analyses of proliferation challenges and
disarmament opportunities in North Korea and Iran. The book
concludes with a detailed roadmap for moving progressively toward
global nuclear zero. It proposes a new international security
regime based on shared missile defences, nonweaponized deterrence
and greater efforts to enhance transnational cooperation.
Is there room for nonviolence in a time of conflict and mass
violence exacerbated by economic crisis? Drawing on the legend and
lessons of Gandhi, Cortright traces the history of nonviolent
social activism through the twentieth century to the civil rights
movement, the Vietnam era, and up to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and Gaza. "Gandhi and Beyond" offers a critical evaluation and
refinement of Gandhi 's message, laying the foundation for a
renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as the universal
path to social progress.In the second edition of this popular book,
a new prologue and concluding chapter situate the message of
nonviolence in recent events and document the effectiveness of
nonviolent methods of political change. Cortright 's poignant
Letter to a Palestinian Student points toward a radical new
strategy for achieving justice and peace in the Middle East. This
book offers pathways of hope not only for a new American
presidential administration but for the world.
"David Cortright is a life-long activist and respected scholar. In
Gandhi and Beyond, he convincingly shows the power of nonviolence
as a philosophy of life, not just a method of social action. His
practical analysis of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day,
Cesar Chavez, and others brings new insights and inspiration to
those of us attempting to live that philosophy, and to those,
especially a new generation, who are seeking a better way to
respond to their world. I commend this book to all who are seeking
an alternative to violence." Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics
and editor of Sojourners Is there room for nonviolence in an age of
terrorism? Drawing on the legend and lessons of Gandhi, Cortright
traces the history of nonviolent social activism through the early
twentieth century to the civil rights movement, the Vietnam era,
and up to the present war in Iraq. Gandhi and Beyond offers a
critical evaluation and refinement of Gandhi's message, laying the
foundation for a renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as
the universal path to social progress and antidote to terrorism.
Rarely in the atomic age have hopes been raised as high as they are
now for genuine progress toward disarmament. The new receptivity
reflected in the policy declarations of many governments was
sparked by a wave of private initiatives led by former senior
policy leaders in many countries. This book examines practical
steps for achieving progress toward disarmament, realistically
assessing both challenges and opportunities associated with
achieving a world without nuclear weapons. The book places the
current debate over nuclear abolition in the context of urgent
non-proliferation priorities and the need to prevent nuclear
weapons from falling into the hands of extremist regimes and
terrorists. It examines the reasons why more than two dozen states
have given up nuclear programs over the years and distils lessons
from the end of the cold war to offer policy recommendations for
moving toward lessened global reliance on nuclear weapons. Also
included are in-depth analyses of proliferation challenges and
disarmament opportunities in North Korea and Iran. The book
concludes with a detailed roadmap for moving progressively toward
global nuclear zero. It proposes a new international security
regime based on shared missile defences, nonweaponized deterrence
and greater efforts to enhance transnational cooperation.
"David Cortright is a life-long activist and respected scholar. In
Gandhi and Beyond, he convincingly shows the power of nonviolence
as a philosophy of life, not just a method of social action. His
practical analysis of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day,
Cesar Chavez, and others brings new insights and inspiration to
those of us attempting to live that philosophy, and to those,
especially a new generation, who are seeking a better way to
respond to their world. I commend this book to all who are seeking
an alternative to violence." Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics
and editor of Sojourners Is there room for nonviolence in an age of
terrorism? Drawing on the legend and lessons of Gandhi, Cortright
traces the history of nonviolent social activism through the early
twentieth century to the civil rights movement, the Vietnam era,
and up to the present war in Iraq. Gandhi and Beyond offers a
critical evaluation and refinement of Gandhi's message, laying the
foundation for a renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as
the universal path to social progress and antidote to terrorism.
War and Border Crossings brings together renowned scholars to
address some of the most pressing problems in public policy,
international affairs, and the intercultural issues of our day.
Contributors from widely varying disciplines discuss cross-cultural
ethical issues and international topics ranging from American
international policy and the invasion and occupation of Iraq to
domestic topics such as immigration, the war on drugs,
cross-cultural bioethics and ethical issues involving American
Indian tribes. The culture clashes discussed in these essays raise
serious questions about what principles ought to inform the
negotiating of conflicts in order to achieve, or at least approach,
outcomes that are fundamentally just, fair, responsible, and
ethical.
As the challenge of preventing military conflict has become
increasingly complex in the post-Cold War era, economic sanctions
are being applied with growing frequency. Sanctions are also being
used to enforce international law, to deter aggression and
terrorism, to defend democracy and human rights, and to prevent
nuclear proliferation. This study
As the challenge of preventing military conflict has become
increasingly complex in the post-Cold War era, economic sanctions
are being applied with growing frequency. Sanctions are also being
used to enforce international law, to deter aggression and
terrorism, to defend democracy and human rights, and to prevent
nuclear proliferation. This study addresses questions about the
utility, appropriateness and success or failure of sanctions, as
well as their impact on the poor and innocent. Specific case
studies, focusing on recent conflicts such as those in Haiti, Iraq,
South Africa and the former Yugoslavia, demonstrate the principal
aspects of economic sanctions.
Is there room for nonviolence in a time of conflict and mass
violence exacerbated by economic crisis? Drawing on the legend and
lessons of Gandhi, Cortright traces the history of nonviolent
social activism through the twentieth century to the civil rights
movement, the Vietnam era, and up to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and Gaza. "Gandhi and Beyond" offers a critical evaluation and
refinement of Gandhi 's message, laying the foundation for a
renewed and deepened dedication to nonviolence as the universal
path to social progress.In the second edition of this popular book,
a new prologue and concluding chapter situate the message of
nonviolence in recent events and document the effectiveness of
nonviolent methods of political change. Cortright 's poignant
Letter to a Palestinian Student points toward a radical new
strategy for achieving justice and peace in the Middle East. This
book offers pathways of hope not only for a new American
presidential administration but for the world.
War and Border Crossings brings together renowned scholars to
address some of the most pressing problems in public policy,
international affairs, and the intercultural issues of our day.
Contributors from widely varying disciplines discuss cross-cultural
ethical issues and international topics ranging from American
international policy and the invasion and occupation of Iraq to
domestic topics such as immigration, the war on drugs,
cross-cultural bioethics and ethical issues involving American
Indian tribes. The culture clashes discussed in these essays raise
serious questions about what principles ought to inform the
negotiating of conflicts in order to achieve, or at least approach,
outcomes that are fundamentally just, fair, responsible, and
ethical.
People's Peace lays a solid foundation for the argument that global
peace is possible because ordinary people are its architects.
Saikia and Haines offer a unique and imaginative perspective on
people's daily lives across the world as they struggle to create
peace despite escalating political violence. The volume's focus on
local and ordinary efforts highlights peace as a lived experience
that goes beyond national and international peace efforts. In
addition, the contributors' emphasis on the role of religion as a
catalyst for peace moves away from the usual depiction of religion
as a source of divisiveness and conflict. Spanning a range of
humanities disciplines, the essays in this volume provide case
studies of individuals defying authority or overcoming cultural
stigmas to create peaceful relations in their communities. From
investigating how ancient Jews established communal justice to
exploring how black and white citizens in Ferguson, Missouri, are
working to achieve racial harmony, the contributors find that
people are acting independently of governments and institutions to
identify everyday methods of coexisting with others. In putting
these various approaches in dialogue with each other, this volume
produces a theoretical intervention that shifts the study of peace
away from national and international organizations and institutions
toward locating successful peaceful efforts in the everyday lives
of individuals.
Carrots and sticks have always been used in combination in
diplomatic affairs, but scholars and policymakers have focused more
on the sticks than the carrots. In this provocative study,
policy-savvy scholars examine a wide range of cases-from North
Korea to South Africa to El Salvador and Bosnia-to demonstrate the
power of incentives to deter nuclear proliferation, prevent armed
conflict, defend civil and human rights, and rebuild war-torn
societies. The book addresses the 'moral hazard' of incentives, the
danger that they can be construed as bribes, concessions, or
appeasement. Incentives can take many forms-economic and political,
as palpable as fuel oil and as intangible, yet powerful, as
diplomatic recognition and 'constructive engagement.' The cases
demonstrate that incentives can sometimes succeed when traditional
methods-threats, sanctions, or force-fail or are too dangerous to
apply.
How American soldiers opposed and resisted the war in Vietnam While
mainstream narratives of the Vietnam War all but marginalize
anti-war activity of soldiers, opposition and resistance from
within the three branches of the military made a real difference to
the course of America's engagement in Vietnam. By 1968, every major
peace march in the United States was led by active duty GIs and
Vietnam War veterans. By 1970, thousands of active duty soldiers
and marines were marching in protest in US cities. Hundreds of
soldiers and marines in Vietnam were refusing to fight; tens of
thousands were deserting to Canada, France and Sweden. Eventually
the US Armed Forces were no longer able to sustain large-scale
offensive operations and ceased to be effective. Yet this history
is largely unknown and has been glossed over in much of the written
and visual remembrances produced in recent years. Waging Peace in
Vietnam shows how the GI movement unfolded, from the numerous
anti-war coffee houses springing up outside military bases, to the
hundreds of GI newspapers giving an independent voice to active
soldiers, to the stockade revolts and the strikes and near-mutinies
on naval vessels and in the air force. The book presents first-hand
accounts, oral histories, and a wealth of underground newspapers,
posters, flyers, and photographs documenting the actions of GIs and
veterans who took part in the resistance. In addition, the book
features fourteen original essays by leading scholars and
activists. Notable contributors include Vietnam War scholar and
author, Christian Appy, and Mme Nguyen Thi Binh, who played a major
role in the Paris Peace Accord. The book originates from the
exhibition Waging Peace, which has been shown in Vietnam and the
University of Notre Dame, and will be touring the eastern United
States in conjunction with book launches in Boston, Amherst, and
New York.
During the past decade, drones have become central to American
military strategy. When coupled with access to accurate
information, drones make it possible to deploy lethal force across
borders while keeping one's own soldiers out of harm's way. The
potential to direct force with great precision also offers the
possibility of reducing harm to civilians. At the same time,
because drones eliminate some of the traditional constraints on the
use of force-like the need to gain political support for full
mobilization-they lower the threshold for launching military
strikes. The development of drone use capacity across dozens of
countries increases the need for global standards on the use of
these weapons to assure their deployment is strategically wise and
ethically and legally sound. Presenting a robust conversation among
leading scholars in the areas of international legal standards,
counter-terrorism strategy, humanitarian law, and the ethics of
force, Drones and the Future of Armed Conflict takes account of
current American drone campaigns and the developing legal, ethical,
and strategic implications of this new way of warfare. Among the
contributions to this volume are a thorough examination of the
American government's legal justifications for the targeting of
enemies using drones, an analysis of American drone campaigns'
notable successes and failures, and a discussion of the linked
issues of human rights, freedom of information, and government
accountability.
This fine study, combining scrupulous scholarship with the sharp
insights of a highly informed participant-observer, was the first
to explore in depth the processes of disaffection, organized
opposition and resistance that undermined the US military forces
attacking Indochina, and their far-reaching consequences. It
remains today the msot penetrating and revealing investigation and
analysis of these remarkable developments, with current
implications that are all too evident.' - Noam Chomsky With a new
introduction by Howard Zinn.'
How American soldiers opposed and resisted the war in Vietnam While
mainstream narratives of the Vietnam War all but marginalize
anti-war activity of soldiers, opposition and resistance from
within the three branches of the military made a real difference to
the course of America's engagement in Vietnam. By 1968, every major
peace march in the United States was led by active duty GIs and
Vietnam War veterans. By 1970, thousands of active duty soldiers
and marines were marching in protest in US cities. Hundreds of
soldiers and marines in Vietnam were refusing to fight; tens of
thousands were deserting to Canada, France and Sweden. Eventually
the US Armed Forces were no longer able to sustain large-scale
offensive operations and ceased to be effective. Yet this history
is largely unknown and has been glossed over in much of the written
and visual remembrances produced in recent years. Waging Peace in
Vietnam shows how the GI movement unfolded, from the numerous
anti-war coffee houses springing up outside military bases, to the
hundreds of GI newspapers giving an independent voice to active
soldiers, to the stockade revolts and the strikes and near-mutinies
on naval vessels and in the air force. The book presents first-hand
accounts, oral histories, and a wealth of underground newspapers,
posters, flyers, and photographs documenting the actions of GIs and
veterans who took part in the resistance. In addition, the book
features fourteen original essays by leading scholars and
activists. Notable contributors include Vietnam War scholar and
author, Christian Appy, and Mme Nguyen Thi Binh, who played a major
role in the Paris Peace Accord. The book originates from the
exhibition Waging Peace, which has been shown in Vietnam and the
University of Notre Dame, and will be touring the eastern United
States in conjunction with book launches in Boston, Amherst, and
New York.
Following on the publication of The Sanctions Decade - lauded as
the definitive history and accounting of United Nations sanctions
in the 1990s - David Cortright and George Lopez continue their
collaboration to examine the changing context and meaning of
sanctions and the security dilemmas that the Security Council now
faces. Cortright and Lopez note that, despite widespread
disagreement about the effectiveness of UN sanctions and the need
for reform, the Security Council continues to impose sanctions, and
it maintains ongoing measures in eight countries. Exploring the
dynamics of recent developments, the authors assess a range of new
multilateral approaches to sanctions and economic statecraft,
review the heated debate over the humanitarian impact of sanctions,
and consider the increasingly important role of NGOs in UN
policymaking. They conclude with a framework for future policy, as
well as specific recommendations for enhancing the viability of
""smart sanctions"" strategies.
Since the end of the Cold War, economic sanctions have been a
frequent instrument of UN authority. Based on more than 200
interviews with officials from both sides, this book aims to
provide a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of UN
sanctions in the 1990s.
A definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement
As the Bush administration prepared to wage war against Iraq,
millions of people in the United States and around the world took
to the streets to warn against the impending disaster. It was the
largest wave of antiwar protest in history. This is the story of
those dramatic events, told by distinguished peace scholar and
activist David Cortright. This revealing account offers an insider
view of the emergence of the movement and its political and
communications strategies in attempting to prevent the attack. It
reviews the arrogance of power as senior officials rejected public
and expert opinion and rushed ahead with their ill-fated invasion.
The book traces efforts by opponents of the war to end the
worsening conflict and win Congressional approval for the
withdrawal of troops. Cortright explores the role of the Iraq issue
and the impact of antiwar networks in propelling Barack Obama to
the White House, and the frustrations many activists felt in
navigating the limitations of conventional politics. Readable,
insightful and passionately argued, A Peaceful Superpower provides
a definitive analysis of the impacts of the Iraq antiwar movement
and a hopeful look at the power of civil society to shape the
course of history.
During the past decade, armed drones have entered the American
military arsenal as a core tactic for countering terrorism. When
coupled with access to reliable information, they make it possible
to deploy lethal force accurately across borders while keeping
one's own soldiers out of harm's way. The potential to direct force
with great precision also offers the possibility of reducing harm
to civilians. At the same time, because drones eliminate some of
the traditional constraints on the use of force like the need to
gain political support for full mobilization they lower the
threshold for launching military strikes. The development of drone
use capacity across dozens of countries increases the need for
global standards on the use of these weapons to assure that their
deployment is strategically wise and ethically and legally sound.
Presenting a robust conversation among leading scholars in the
areas of international legal standards, counterterrorism strategy,
humanitarian law, and the ethics of force, Drones and the Future of
Armed Conflict takes account of current American drone campaigns
and the developing legal, ethical, and strategic implications of
this new way of warfare. Among the contributions to this volume are
a thorough examination of the American government's legal
justifications for the targeting of enemies using drones, an
analysis of American drone campaigns' notable successes and
failures, and a discussion of the linked issues of human rights,
freedom of information, and government accountability.
People's Peace lays a solid foundation for the argument that global
peace is possible because ordinary people are its architects.
Saikia and Haines offer a unique and imaginative perspective on
people's daily lives across the world as they struggle to create
peace despite escalating political violence. The volume's focus on
local and ordinary efforts highlights peace as a lived experience
that goes beyond national and international peace efforts. In
addition, the contributors' emphasis on the role of religion as a
catalyst for peace moves away from the usual depiction of religion
as a source of divisiveness and conflict. Spanning a range of
humanities disciplines, the essays in this volume provide case
studies of individuals defying authority or overcoming cultural
stigmas to create peaceful relations in their communities. From
investigating how ancient Jews established communal justice to
exploring how black and white citizens in Ferguson, Missouri, are
working to achieve racial harmony, the contributors find that
people are acting independently of governments and institutions to
identify everyday methods of coexisting with others. In putting
these various approaches in dialogue with each other, this volume
produces a theoretical intervention that shifts the study of peace
away from national and international organizations and institutions
toward locating successful peaceful efforts in the everyday lives
of individuals.
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