Americas

"We need a social/political revolution in this country -- and we progressives must work ceaselessly to make this happen -- but we may have to get used to incremental change, at least in the first few years of the new administration. At the very least, after eight years of regressive, disastrous rule, Obama's America will be moving in the correct direction."

"Is Afghanistan the same as Vietnam? Of course, competent geographers would say no. But the United States is the United States - with domestic continuity between two eras of military intervention, spanning five decades, much more significant than we might think."

"Some of the problems Obama may face are, to be sure, the result of distortions in policy formulation that occur during the campaign season. It is here, bumping up against one's Democratic and Republican rivals that pledges are made, becoming near-doctrinal statements: like a firm date to leave Iraq or unrealistic and ultimately damaging commitments like those made to Israel regarding Jerusalem, or to end U.S. dependence on Middle East and Venezuelan oil by 2012."

"...irrational fear breeds irrational and hypocritical responses. Hopefully, India will respond to the Mumbai attacks by adopting the more rational Spanish model and not the hysterical U.S. model."

"They are pressurising Pakistan to deal with terrorist and to clean up terrorists and their groups and training camps. Whereas the fact of the matter is that the current wave of terrorism including recent in India are the outcome of long standing issues created by India, US and Britain. Today, Pakistan has received the most terrorist incidents and killings in Pakistan. Pakistan arm forces have already been fighting against militants in Northern Pakistan which is the gift of CIA."

"Whether in Israel , Sudan , Ethiopia , Somalia or any where else, the vicious cycle of oppression and human misery can only be broken when all people of conscience rise to resist it, and pressure the powers that be to heed the moral will of the people."

"The combination of incentives and disincentives that will succeed in advancing US interest vis-a-vis Iran is one in which diplomacy is at the center and sanctions are in the periphery--not the other way around."

"The only change in the US is that a new conductor is getting on the train to relieve the old conductor of his shift. The train is still heading in the same direction."