Suchergebnisse

A review of the attitudes of the Arab Press towards the execution of Saddam Hussein.

The ramifications of a reported April 2004 memo between President George W. Bush to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that expressed Bush's desire to attack the Qatar headquarters of the Arab media corporation al-Jazerra for the freedom and security of the international media are contemplated. Even though the authenticity of the reported memo remains unconfirmed, it is noted that the US military has attacked al-Jazerra offices in Afghanistan and Iraq during George W. Bush's presidency. After discussing the political significance of al-Jazerra, several charges against the Bush administration that suggest the memo's authenticity are presented, eg, the Bush administration's manipulation of the national and international media. However, it is noted that such charges against the Bush administration are partially muted by particular Arab commentators' disinclination to portray al-Jazerra as the mouthpiece for the Arab people and that other critics' contention that al-Jazerra is perpetrating division within the Middle Eastern Arab community.

The author contends that the Pentagon admits in a leaked document that the US failed to "win the hearts and minds" of the Arab and Muslim general public. Moreover, some Arab media are calling for a US withdrawal timetable, while others suspect the US of manipulating the elections. Meanwhile, the US continued to assault Fallujah, which was considered to be counterproductive.

The author suggests that the U.S. claim that Syria was responsible for the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri is politically motivated. Skepticism in the Arab press of US motives in calling for Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon is described.

Reports on the awarding of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize to Mohamed ElBaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency in the context of current and ongoing nuclear issues with Iran and Israel.

A review of journalistic reactions to the 2005 Arab League summit. It is claimed that US journalism's treatment of the Arab League is generally shallow and dismissive. In the Arab press, some criticized Israel's rejection of a peace initiative produced at the summit, while others were critical of the summit itself.

A review of reactions in the Arab press to the upcoming elections in Iraq. A minority of commentators call for postponement of the elections. Among the majority who support holding the elections as scheduled, many are nevertheless concerned about US influence on the outcome.