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CTV News Interview: Obama in Iraq
Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor
Posted: 07/22/08

[Television Interview, CTV News, July 21, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV discussing the reception of presidential candidate Barack Obama in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simmons says that the citizens of former colonies like Afghanistan and Iraq are aware that Obama has a chance to become the first person of African descent to lead a great power. Simmons also discussed McCain's response to Obama's trip and the upcoming selection of running-mates. Interview conducted by Kate Wheeler on July 21, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST

RECENT COMMENTARY

McCain's Irresponsibly Rosy Outlook on Iraq, Afghanistan
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 05/21/08

[Published, The Hill, May 21, 2008] That Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cavalierly quips about first-term presidential accomplishments is not only deeply disconcerting, but also morally irresponsible (article, "McCain vows unprecedented transparency," May 15). Half-baked heroism has handily usurped the Straight Talk Express. The only unprecedented part of McCain's presidential pitch is the level of delusion embedded in his benchmarking. READ MORE

US Policy in Iraq: A Plague on Both Houses
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 05/02/08

[Published, Journal of International Peace Operations, Volume 3, Number 6, May-June 2008] For all of Washington's white papers on the war in Iraq, testimonies by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, and wonkish retching over the war's latest development - the recent routing of Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, for example - the cures counseled by Congress, the candidates, and the Administration continue to be nauseatingly simplistic: withdrawal or stay the course. The contrasting spectrum of solutions is stark - from immediate withdrawal to an unimaginable 100-year presence - and the criteria for success, or anything remotely close to a "win" constantly shifting. READ MORE

Calling for Clarity in Iraq
Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student
Posted: 03/24/08

[Published, Washington Post, March 24, 2008] The March 20 editorial "Fantasies on Iraq" bemoaned the lack of clarity and the unspecific nature with which Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton describe their "Iraq strategy." Realistic approaches are needed. Enhancing the strategies put forth by the candidates is necessary if voters are to understand what the next commander in chief will do to increase the chances of success in Iraq. READ MORE

Transparency Good, Accountability Better
Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student
Posted: 02/13/08

I applaud Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s openness and transparency in providing the “price tag” for our continued involvement in Iraq to the Senate Armed Services Committee (“$170B more for Iraq war,” Feb. 6). Although he argues that the figure isn’t precise, it’s a good first step that one day may lead to the current administration announcing in detail how the U.S. will work toward decreasing the brutal violence in Iraq, and begin the pulling down of our troop strength in Iraq. READ MORE

False Sense of Security in Iraq
Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted: 01/29/08

[Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, January 29, 2008] The Pentagon ushered in the New Year with seemingly welcome news: Iraq's security is improving. Attacks across the country fell 62 percent and, according to aid organization Iraqi Red Crescent, 20,000 Iraqi refugees returned home from Syria in December alone. The U.S. troop surge must be working. Even the Democratic opponents of President George Bush's agenda in Iraq are befuddled by the news, unclear how to proceed. READ MORE

What the Surge Doesn't Do
Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted: 01/19/08

[Published, New York Times, January 19, 2008] "Unfinished Debate on Iraq" (editorial, Jan. 13) cites the "serious inability of American civilian agencies" to meet Iraq's post-conflict needs. That is putting it mildly. The irony in the post-surge security successes is that while attacks may be down, Iraq remains utterly fragile. Why? Because the basics are still missing. Electricity production meets only half of demand. A third of Iraqis have clean drinking water, and barely a quarter have effective sanitation. READ MORE

What Iraq and Somalia Have in Common
Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student
Posted: 01/16/08

[Published, Arab News, January 16, 2008] In the United States' global war on terrorism, Iraq long ago became ground zero both for American forces and those eager to wage war against the West. But it has since also become a formula of sorts for US intervention in other key target areas. South of Iraq, in Somalia, the patterns are near identical and the consequences equally dire. READ MORE

The 'Surge' Will Not Rebuild Iraq
Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor
Posted: 01/10/08

[Published, Financial Times, January 10, 2008] Sir, General David Petraeus’ “surge” in Iraq, measured in terms of number of attacks and of US and Iraqi fatalities, has been a success, more so than many of its supporters had thought possible. But it is also true that the window of opportunity provided by this success in increasing “negative peace” (eg, reductions in hostilities) has not been maximised by Iraqi leaders’ promised efforts to achieve reconciliation among the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions (“Iraq surge brings a lull in violence but no reconciliation”, January 7). READ MORE

Expert Analysis: Iraq's Internally Displaced Peoples (Part 1 of 2)
Carlos Sluzki, ICAR Professor
Posted 11/14/07

Click to See Part 2 of 2: Carlos Sluzki: Internally Displaced Peoples in Iraq

Expert Analysis: General Petraeus' Report to Congress on Iraq War
Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor
Posted 09/18/07

Partitioning Iraq Ill-Advised; Let Nation Determine Own Fate
Paul Snodgrass, ICAR Technology and Communications Coordinator
Posted: 10/03/07

[Published, The Hill, October 2, 2007] From Paul Snodgrass, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University

(Regarding article, “Biden’s Iraq plan scores Senate win,” Sept. 27.) Sen. Joseph Biden’s (D-Del.) plan for Iraq is problematic in two ways. First, while supporters of this non-binding amendment to the defense authorization bill believe they are challenging the president’s Iraq policy, they are instead reinforcing the idea that it is for policymakers in Washington to decide the fate of the Iraqi nation. READ MORE

America is Paralyzed in Iraq
Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor
Posted: 09/30/07

[Published, The Economist, September 27, 2007] SIR – You made a very convincing case that the situation in Iraq will deteriorate even further if America withdraws. But in effect, America is locked into a classic double-bind: damned if it does and damned if it does not remain there. America is paralysed, a fact which Americans should take into account when they hear some of their leaders gleefully state that there has not been another attack since September 11th. Indeed, why should there be? READ MORE

Displacement, Identity and Violence
Ali Erol, ICAR Certificate Student
Posted: 09/17/07

As Iraq grows more and more violent, there is less and less attention to daily lives of people and how the ongoing and increasing violence affects how people live, eat, sleep and even breathe. There are more discussions about allocating the resources, remapping, re-drawing the borders, making new borders between sectarian groups, displacing people, putting more troops here and training Iraqis there, giving more money to these groups and cutting money form those and so on. These tactics are being employed since the beginning of the war and it should be quite apparent now that they are not so successful. In fact, there are alternative ways to soften the conflict in Iraq without perpetuating the sectarian violence. READ MORE

In Pursuit of Turnround on a US Policy Catastrophe
Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/16/07

[Published, Financial Times, August 16, 2007] Sir, David Gardner's article "Lost in Iraq: the illusion of an American strategy" (August 10) adds to the growing, compelling confirmation, including from US government insiders, that, despite all the claims to the contrary, President George W. Bush's policies in the "global war on terror", including (with his British allies) the invasion and occupation of Iraq, have in fact increased the forces making for global terrorism, paradoxically making the world less safe for all concerned. READ MORE

Conflict Resolution in Iraq
Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor
Posted: 06/15/07

The Need for a Robust Security Strategy in Iraq
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 06/06/07

[Published, Journal of International Peace Operations, March-April, 2007] The 43rd MÜNICH Conference on Security Policy, an annual February forum discussing security and foreign policy challenges in European and American relations, brought the latest chastisement of United States security policy, this time by the Germans. The overwhelming feeling was that the U.S. focuses too heavily on the number of troops on the ground and is weak on reconstruction and economic development. Not only is Germany right, but more disturbing is that America’s security modus operandi ironically spawns more insecurity than it eradicates, both at home and abroad. READ MORE

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ICAR News Network Iraq FEATURED COMMENTARY CTV News Interview: Obama in Iraq Analysis by Solon Simmons, ICAR Professor Posted: 07/22/08 [Television Interview, CTV News, July 21, 2008] Solon Simmons, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on CTV discussing the reception of presidential candidate Barack Obama in Iraq and Afghanistan. Simmons says that the citizens of former colonies like Afghanistan and Iraq are aware that Obama has a chance to become the first person of African descent to lead a great power. Simmons also discussed McCain's response to Obama's trip and the upcoming selection of running-mates. Interview conducted by Kate Wheeler on July 21, 2008. Video courtesy of CTV. WATCH BROADCAST RECENT COMMENTARY McCain's Irresponsibly Rosy Outlook on Iraq, Afghanistan Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student Posted: 05/21/08 [Published, The Hill, May 21, 2008] That Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) cavalierly quips about first-term presidential accomplishments is not only deeply disconcerting, but also morally irresponsible (article, "McCain vows unprecedented transparency," May 15). Half-baked heroism has handily usurped the Straight Talk Express. The only unprecedented part of McCain's presidential pitch is the level of delusion embedded in his benchmarking. READ MORE US Policy in Iraq: A Plague on Both Houses Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student Posted: 05/02/08 [Published, Journal of International Peace Operations, Volume 3, Number 6, May-June 2008] For all of Washington's white papers on the war in Iraq, testimonies by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, and wonkish retching over the war's latest development - the recent routing of Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, for example - the cures counseled by Congress, the candidates, and the Administration continue to be nauseatingly simplistic: withdrawal or stay the course. The contrasting spectrum of solutions is stark - from immediate withdrawal to an unimaginable 100-year presence - and the criteria for success, or anything remotely close to a "win" constantly shifting. READ MORE Calling for Clarity in Iraq Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student Posted: 03/24/08 [Published, Washington Post, March 24, 2008] The March 20 editorial "Fantasies on Iraq" bemoaned the lack of clarity and the unspecific nature with which Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton describe their "Iraq strategy." Realistic approaches are needed. Enhancing the strategies put forth by the candidates is necessary if voters are to understand what the next commander in chief will do to increase the chances of success in Iraq. READ MORE Transparency Good, Accountability Better Matt Shugert, ICAR M.S. Student Posted: 02/13/08 I applaud Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s openness and transparency in providing the “price tag” for our continued involvement in Iraq to the Senate Armed Services Committee (“$170B more for Iraq war,” Feb. 6). Although he argues that the figure isn’t precise, it’s a good first step that one day may lead to the current administration announcing in detail how the U.S. will work toward decreasing the brutal violence in Iraq, and begin the pulling down of our troop strength in Iraq. READ MORE False Sense of Security in Iraq Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student Posted: 01/29/08 [Published, Foreign Policy in Focus, January 29, 2008] The Pentagon ushered in the New Year with seemingly welcome news: Iraq's security is improving. Attacks across the country fell 62 percent and, according to aid organization Iraqi Red Crescent, 20,000 Iraqi refugees returned home from Syria in December alone. The U.S. troop surge must be working. Even the Democratic opponents of President George Bush's agenda in Iraq are befuddled by the news, unclear how to proceed. READ MORE What the Surge Doesn't Do Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student Posted: 01/19/08 [Published, New York Times, January 19, 2008] "Unfinished Debate on Iraq" (editorial, Jan. 13) cites the "serious inability of American civilian agencies" to meet Iraq's post-conflict needs. That is putting it mildly. The irony in the post-surge security successes is that while attacks may be down, Iraq remains utterly fragile. Why? Because the basics are still missing. Electricity production meets only half of demand. A third of Iraqis have clean drinking water, and barely a quarter have effective sanitation. READ MORE What Iraq and Somalia Have in Common Michael Shank, ICAR Ph.D. Student Posted: 01/16/08 [Published, Arab News, January 16, 2008] In the United States' global war on terrorism, Iraq long ago became ground zero both for American forces and those eager to wage war against the West. But it has since also become a formula of sorts for US intervention in other key target areas. South of Iraq, in Somalia, the patterns are near identical and the consequences equally dire. READ MORE The 'Surge' Will Not Rebuild Iraq Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor Posted: 01/10/08 [Published, Financial Times, January 10, 2008] Sir, General David Petraeus’ “surge” in Iraq, measured in terms of number of attacks and of US and Iraqi fatalities, has been a success, more so than many of its supporters had thought possible. But it is also true that the window of opportunity provided by this success in increasing “negative peace” (eg, reductions in hostilities) has not been maximised by Iraqi leaders’ promised efforts to achieve reconciliation among the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish factions (“Iraq surge brings a lull in violence but no reconciliation”, January 7). READ MORE Expert Analysis: Iraq's Internally Displaced Peoples (Part 1 of 2) Carlos Sluzki, ICAR Professor Posted 11/14/07 Click to See Part 2 of 2: Carlos Sluzki: Internally Displaced Peoples in Iraq Expert Analysis: General Petraeus' Report to Congress on Iraq War Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor Posted 09/18/07 Partitioning Iraq Ill-Advised; Let Nation Determine Own Fate Paul Snodgrass, ICAR Technology and Communications Coordinator Posted: 10/03/07 [Published, The Hill, October 2, 2007] From Paul Snodgrass, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University (Regarding article, “Biden’s Iraq plan scores Senate win,” Sept. 27.) Sen. Joseph Biden’s (D-Del.) plan for Iraq is problematic in two ways. First, while supporters of this non-binding amendment to the defense authorization bill believe they are challenging the president’s Iraq policy, they are instead reinforcing the idea that it is for policymakers in Washington to decide the fate of the Iraqi nation. READ MORE America is Paralyzed in Iraq Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor Posted: 09/30/07 [Published, The Economist, September 27, 2007] SIR – You made a very convincing case that the situation in Iraq will deteriorate even further if America withdraws. But in effect, America is locked into a classic double-bind: damned if it does and damned if it does not remain there. America is paralysed, a fact which Americans should take into account when they hear some of their leaders gleefully state that there has not been another attack since September 11th. Indeed, why should there be? READ MORE Displacement, Identity and Violence Ali Erol, ICAR Certificate Student Posted: 09/17/07 As Iraq grows more and more violent, there is less and less attention to daily lives of people and how the ongoing and increasing violence affects how people live, eat, sleep and even breathe. There are more discussions about allocating the resources, remapping, re-drawing the borders, making new borders between sectarian groups, displacing people, putting more troops here and training Iraqis there, giving more money to these groups and cutting money form those and so on. These tactics are being employed since the beginning of the war and it should be quite apparent now that they are not so successful. In fact, there are alternative ways to soften the conflict in Iraq without perpetuating the sectarian violence. READ MORE In Pursuit of Turnround on a US Policy Catastrophe Dennis Sandole, ICAR Professor Posted: 08/16/07 [Published, Financial Times, August 16, 2007] Sir, David Gardner's article "Lost in Iraq: the illusion of an American strategy" (August 10) adds to the growing, compelling confirmation, including from US government insiders, that, despite all the claims to the contrary, President George W. Bush's policies in the "global war on terror", including (with his British allies) the invasion and occupation of Iraq, have in fact increased the forces making for global terrorism, paradoxically making the world less safe for all concerned. READ MORE Conflict Resolution in Iraq Richard Rubenstein, ICAR Professor Posted: 06/15/07 The Need for a Robust Security Strategy in Iraq Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student Posted: 06/06/07 [Published, Journal of International Peace Operations, March-April, 2007] The 43rd MÜNICH Conference on Security Policy, an annual February forum discussing security and foreign policy challenges in European and American relations, brought the latest chastisement of United States security policy, this time by the Germans. The overwhelming feeling was that the U.S. focuses too heavily on the number of troops on the ground and is weak on reconstruction and economic development. Not only is Germany right, but more disturbing is that America’s security modus operandi ironically spawns more insecurity than it eradicates, both at home and abroad. READ MORE News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Sri Lanka / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution