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CNN reports that as many as 400,000 Allied soldiers were exposed to uranium-depleted shells during their service in the Persian Gulf War. Continued investigation into the Gulf War Syndrome in Allied soldiers has not shown there to be any conclusive links to any chemical, biological or nuclear substance present.
All the while, Iraq continues to alternate between defiance of UN inspections and allowing limited inspections when it best serves their needs. The cycle of inspections and non-inspections needs to be broken. The UN has gathered huge amounts of evidence showing that the Iraqis were heavily involved in developing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and that could be used against others in the region. Tensions are high in Israel and the West Bank following an attack in the West Bank where two Israeli settlers were shot and killed. The stalled peace process, if you can call something that doesn't resemble a process or any attempt at peace stalled, is at fault and the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Netenyahu has been trying to counter the growing tension and dissent within his own coalition government but things haven't been going his way. Netenyahu is a survivor in politics; he's been able to overcome obstacles that would otherwise have ended the political careers of lesser men, but having the sheer force of will to continue in politics and having the political courage to make peace and force peace on a loud and vocal extreme right-wing minority seems to escape his abilities. Meanwhile, Hanan Ashrawi, a vocal critic of Yasir Arafat, has announced her resignation over the lack of progress in the peace process. This is a major blow to the Palestinian Authority. However, it might take time for the fallout from the resignation to hit as the Palestinian Authority is as much a figurehead organization as a working legislative body. Does Netenyahu need to be replaced via elections that would be moved up from 2000? Has his government so completely failed in its mission to bring peace through security that it should be replaced? What do you think? Suite101.com is always looking for new contributing editors. We're also adding new editors all the time, so please visit the contents page to see other topics that you can visit. Didn't sign up to be a member? Now is the time to Go To Page: 1 2 |
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