A Debate Worth Noting

James Zogby, 11.14.2009

Founder and president of the Arab American Institute

A story universally missed last week was the extraordinary debate that occurred in Congress in advance of a vote on a resolution against the Goldstone Report.

"Qum" Buy Ya

Amb. Marc Ginsberg, 11.13.2009

Former US Amb. to Morocco

While the technical revelations regarding the Qum nuclear enrichment facility filter out as the IAEA prepares its final report to the U.N., the U.S. is at a crossroads regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Due Diligence in Darfur

Human Rights First, 11.13.2009

Non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization

By Ann-Louise Colgan Perpetrators of atrocities in Darfur--like anywhere else--are dependent on at least indirect support from other countries. The g...

Cuba's Soft Power: Exporting Doctors Rather Than Revolution

Steve Clemons, 11.12.2009

Publisher of "The Washington Note"

I would have encouraged Cuba's foreign minister to say that the embargo was an anachronism of the Cold War, has not achieved the goals the US had for it, and harmed both Cuban and US interests.

Talking With Ban Ki-Moon About His Hopes for Copenhagen

Frances Beinecke, 11.11.2009

President, Natural Resources Defense Council

On Tuesday when we met in Washington, Ban Ki-Moon said he was hopeful that the December climate conference in Copenhagen will be elevated to the head-of-state level.

Everyone Should Be Aware Of Their Inalienable Human Rights

Shulamith Koenig, 11.11.2009

Founding President, People's Movement for Human Rights Learning

Allow me humbly to ask you to walk with me into this discourse about human rights as a way of life, slowly and thoughtfully.

Turning a Blind Eye to Killing and Rape in DR Congo

Navi Pillay, 11.10.2009

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Turning a blind eye to egregious human rights abuses is a recipe for disaster. The UN Security Council, when discussing the protection of civilians in armed conflict, must hold perpetrators of these abuses accountable.

U.S. Must Lead U.N. to New Action on Darfur

Human Rights First, 11.12.2009

Non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization

By Julia Fromholz Three weeks ago, the Obama administration announced its comprehensive policy toward Sudan, relying on both incentives and pressures...

Goldman's Profits Come from Our Pockets: Why We Need a Tobin Tax

Ellen Brown, 11.09.2009

Author, "Web of Debt"

While Wall Street's welfare queens have been busy collecting generous government handouts, the 50 states have been left to fend for themselves.

UN Note: The Missing U.S. Ambassador

Phyllis Bennis, 11.08.2009

Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

Susan Rice, known for her powerful support for accountability regarding war crimes in Darfur, regardless of potential political consequences, had of course reversed herself when the issue was accountability for Gaza.

Road to Copenhagen - Part 6: Money-Changers in Democracy's Temple

William S. Becker, 11.08.2009

Executive Director, Presidential Climate Action Project

Government's stewardship responsibility is recognized in the body of laws past congresses developed once we realized that burning rivers, poisoned water, and dangerous air were not in the national interest.

U.N. Birthday Rocks for Its Peacemakers

Jim Luce, 11.06.2009

Thought Leaders and Global Citizens

Flashbulbs popping non-stop, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations in New York, entered the U.N. General Assembly Hall in New ...

Sustainable Agriculture: The Unrecognized Key to Reversing Climate Change

Andrew Kimbrell, 11.12.2009

Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety

Even though research concludes that industrial agriculture is one of the major contributors to global warming, neither international nor U.S. domestic policies are adequately addressing this sector.

Thinking the Unthinkable on Nuclear Policy

Alyn Ware, 11.05.2009

It's become commonplace to say we can't put the nuclear genie back in the bottle. There's a grain of truth to this, but it doesn't mean we can't still make complete nuclear disarmament a reality.

Road to Copenhagen: Waiting for America

Ben Jervey, 11.05.2009

Columnist, GOOD

After European leaders laid out their first finance proposal on Friday, pressure is on the States to make a formal offer. We'll soon find out whether the White House is comfortable stepping in front of Congress on the critical issue of finance.

Frank Sinatra's Big Apple Box Set Tastes Sweet, Despite a Few Worms

Tony Sachs, 11.04.2009

Pop music know-it-all, spirits enthusiast, baseball obsessive, bon vivant

Despite all the missteps and bad choices that went into making it, you should buy this box. Why? Because Frank Sinatra was the greatest singer of the 20th century, and he could teach the singers of the 21st century a thing or two.

He Cannot Succeed Without Us: One Year After the Election of President Barack Obama

Rahim Kanani, 11.03.2009

Research Associate, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University

With a litany of crises to deal with, now more than ever, President Obama needs his army of advocates once more to continue the fight for change.

Obama Gets Good Grades at the United Nations

Stephen Schlesinger, 11.03.2009

Author and Adjunct Fellow at the Century Foundation

Obama has compiled an extraordinary list of accomplishments already at the UN. Let's begin with his decision to appoint a new ambassador, Susan Rice, who actually believes in the UN.

Arms Trade: A "Booming" Business

Frida Berrigan, 11.04.2009

Senior Program Associate at The New America Foundation's Arms and Security Initiative

For 2010, total military spending is $680 billion, an increase of 3.9 percent, or $26 billion, over 2009. This is not the end of business as usual at the Pentagon.

Read Goldstone's Report on Gaza

Rep. Keith Ellison, 11.03.2009

U.S. Congressman from Minnesota's 5th District

We stand for the values of democracy, truth and justice. There is no reason for Congress, Israel or any other party to fear an honest judge like Richard Goldstone -- his report should be studied, not dismissed.

Thirsting for Justice

Deborah Jacobs, 10.31.2009

Executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey

Since August, Newark turned off nearly 600 water accounts in an attempt to collect $29 million in unpaid bills. Newark's desire to collect this debt is entirely understandable, but unpaid bills do not trump human rights or public health.