[haw-info] HAW Notes 11/19/14: Links to recent articles of interest

Links to Recent Articles of Interest

"Foreign Policy: Can't Anybody Play This Game Better?"

By William R. Polk, History News Network, posted November 16

A, eloquent, historically based article by a former State Department official and history professor

"Obama's JFK Problem: How the Battle Between the President and His Joint chiefs Chairman over Iraq Recalls the Early Days of Vietnam"

By Fredrik Logevall and Gordon M. Goldstein, Politico, posted November 16

Fredrick Logevall teaches history at Cornell University; both authors have written books about the US war in Vietnam.

"Do Wars Really Defend America's Freedom?"

By Lawrence S. Wittner, History News Network, posted November 16

The author is a professor of history emeritus at SUNY Albany.

"25th Anniversary of Salvadoran Jesuits' Murders"

By the National Security Archives, posted November 16

Includes links to newly released US documents from November 1989, showing an effort to deflect blame from the Salvadoran military hierarchy.

"Title VI and Middle East Studies: What You Should Know"

By Bekah Wolf, Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), posted November 14

"The Bases of War in the Middle East: From Carter to the Islamic State, 35 Years of Building Bases and Sowing Disaster"

By David Vine, TomDispatch.com, posted November 13

"Al Jazeera Investigates the USS Liberty Attack in 'The Day Israel Attacked America'"

By Colleen McGuire, Mondoweiss.net, posted November 11

"Veterans' Day through a Maureen Dowd Flashback"

By Jerry Lembcke, CounterPunch.org, posted November 10

The author is a Vietnam veteran who teaches sociology at the College of the Holy Cross.

"Act of Congress: Israel, Iran, and the Republican Victory"

By Trita Parsi, Foreign Affairs, posted November 5

"A Half-Hearted U.S. War Effort in the Middle East"

By Andrew J. Becevich, Los Angeles Times, posted November 1

The author, retired from teaching history at Boston University, is now a fellow at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

This list was edited by Steve Gosch and Jim O'Brien, with thanks to Rosalyn Baxandall and an anonymous reader for suggesting articles that are included. Suggestions can be sent to jimobrien48@gmail.com.

[haw-info] Thursday November 13 National Call-in Day -HAW Alert

Call Congress Today:

Toll-free number to Capitol Switchboard:  877-429-0678

 

President Obama announced last week that he was sending another 1500 troops to Iraq and would be calling on Congress to issue a new "authorization for the use of force" (AUMF) against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. He is also asking for $5.6 billion to pay for this new war.

 

It's already clear that this policy isn't working. After months of American bombing in Iraq and Syria ISIS is stronger than ever, controlling roughly the same territory they did when the first strikes occurred. Instead of being degraded ISIS has seen a massive increase in recruitment,

 

Another American-directed war is not a solution to the challenge of ISIS. There are less violent alternatives available with greater prospects for success.

See Grassroots Handout- Short Version
       Congressional Handout

 

Recognizing the urgency of this situation, Historians Against the War is joining together with more than twenty national peace and justice organizations to build Congressional opposition to this new war.

 

You can help. Pick up the phone and call your Representative and two Senators. Use Toll-free Number to Capitol Hill Switchboard: 877-429-0678 *(provided by Friends Committee on Legislation)

 

Let them know you are opposed to this new war.

Emphasize  that as a constituent you want them to Vote Against Any Authorization for the Use of Force (AUMF) in Syria and Iraq.

 

Ask the staff member where the member of Congress stands on the issue. Please report results to:  Carolyn.Eisenberg@hofstra.edu 

We are now facing an uphill struggle in mobilizing members of Congress. But it is helpful to remember that every member of Congress who votes AGAINST this counter-productive, dangerous and costly  effort is laying the foundation for an ongoing mobilization on behalf of peace.

Please copy and forward widely.

Carolyn Rusti Eisenberg and Margaret Power for the HAW-SC

 

[haw-info] HAW Notes 11/7/14: opposing US bombing campaign; links to recent articles of interest

Note: This message was to be sent last Friday, Nov. 7 but did not go out due to problems with the email server.

The HAW Steering Committee has signed-on to a campaign by more than twenty national peace and justice groups to oppose the current US bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria. The joint statement (at http://winwithoutwar.org/alternatives-to-war) poses a range of nonmilitary options for countering the growth of ISIS. It urges people to contact members of Congress, preferably during the period November 11-16 after a lame-duck session of Congress convenes.

Links to Recent Articles of Interest

"US Dilemma in Syria: Moderate Stronghold Falls to Al-Qaeda, Fighters Desert to Extremists"

http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/157461

By Juan Cole, History News Network, posted November 3

The author teaches history at the University of Michigan.

"The Long, Shameful History of American Terrorism"

By Noam Chomsky, In These Times, posted November 3

"Gaza: How We Got There ... and the Prospects for Peace"

By William R. Polk, History News Network, posted October 31

A lengthy article rich in historical background

"Whose Side Is Turkey On?"

By Patrick Cockburn, London Review of Books, posted October 24

"The Importance of Being Exceptional: From Ancient Greece to Twenty-First Century America"

By David Bromwich, TomDispatch.com, posted October 23

The author teaches English at Yale University.

"MI5 Spied on Leading British Historians for Decades, Secret Files Reveal"

By Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian, posted October 23

"The Legacy of WW1 Shell Shock for PTSD-TBI"

By Jerry Lembcke, CounterPunch.org, posted October 22

The author is a Vietnam veteran who teaches sociology at the College of the Holy Cross.

"Western Imperialists Have Been Bombing Iraq for 100 Years"

By Nicholas J. S. Davies, AlterNet.org, posted October 20

"Lessons for Today's Social Movements from Gandhi's Salt March"

By Mark Engler and Paul Engler, In These Times, posted October 17

"Celebrating the Life of Peace Hero Fred Branfman"

By Jeremy Kuzmarov, CounterPunch.org, posted October 1

The author teaches history at the University of Tulsa.

The above list was edited by Steve Gosch and Jim O'Brien with thanks to Rosalyn Baxandall, Mim Jackson, and Jerry Lembcke for suggesting articles that are included.