[This is a monthly archive of pieces written by Jadaliyya contributors and editors on the Occupations, Interventions,and Law (O.I.L.) Page. It also includes material published on other platforms that editors deemed pertinent to post as they provide diverse depictions of O.I.L.-related topics. The pieces reflect the level of critical analysis and diversity that Jadaliyya strives for, but the views are solely the ones of their authors. If you are interested in contributing to Jadaliyya, send us your post with your bio and a release form to post@jadaliyya.com [click "Submissions" on the main page for more information]
US Foreign Policy
Guantánamo Inmate Vomited Blood after Force-Feeding, Documents Show, Karen McVeigh
Documents filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia relating to Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Rabbani, held without charge for more than a decade, reveal Rabbani vomited blood after an attempt at force-feeding.
Obama, in Afghanistan, Hopeful on Security Pact, Steve Holland
US President Barack Obama has made a surprise trip to Afghanistan, reportedly telling US troops in Bagram that US military involvement in the country will reach "a responsible end" by the end of 2014.
Obama to Lay Out Foreign Policy Approach in Speech at West Point, Jim Acosta
President Obama plans to address the approach of his administration to conflict in Syria at an upcoming speech at West Point, with White House officials commenting Obama will argue for a foreign policy that is "both interventionist and internationalist, but not isolationist or unilateral."
The Year of Living More Dangerously: Obama`s Drone Speech was a Sham, Andrea J. Prasow
Writing for The Guardian, Prasow contrasts President Obama`s rhetorical promises for transparency on its targeted killing programs and a closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay with the reality of the administration`s inaction on both issues.
Law
Cleric Convicted of All Terrorism Charges, Benjamin Weiser
The Federal District Court in Manhattan has convicted Mostafa Kamel Mostafa of eleven charges related to terrorism, including involvement in a 1998 kidnapping of sixteen tourists in Yemen and attempting to incept a training camp in Oregon.
Memo Approving Targeted Killing of US Citizen to Be Released, Ashley Parker
The Obama administration plans to release sections of a memo arguing for the legality of the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki, a US citizen killed by a drone strike in late 2011.
Implications of Security Council Veto on ICC Referral of Syrian Situation, Kristen Boon
The controversy over ICC jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Syrian conflict illustrate an entanglement between international courts and the UN Security Council, writes Boon for Opinio Juris.
Israel-Palestine
Israel Hints Back-Channel Talks Launched with Palestinians, Allyn Fisher-Ilan
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman suggested Israel has participated in secret discussions with Palestinian Authority officials following the breakdown of the most recent round of peace negotiations.
One Palestinian Museum`s Message to the Pope, Joey Ayoub
Global Voices features a series of banners pairing traditional Catholic imagery with contemporary photographs of Palestinian plight at the hands of Israel, produced by The Palestinian Museum to coincide with the visit of Pope Francis to Palestine.
Letter from Ramallah, Ben Ehrenreich
Ehrenreich contributes an Essay on the funerals of Nadim Nawara and Mohammad Abu Thaher, two Palestinian teenagers killed by Israeli soldiers at a Nakba Day protest this year.
CNN Camera Catches Israeli Soldier Who Fired at, Killed Palestinian Teen, Ali Abunimah
CNN footage from the shooting of two Palestinian teenagers at a Nakba Day protest near the West Bank village of Beitunia reveals Israeli soldiers shot the boys, amidst Israeli government suggestions that Palestinians were behind the shooting.
Palestinian Activists Condemn Lethal Attack on ‘Zapatista Brothers and Sisters,’ Asa Winstanley
A group of Palestinian activists wrote a statement in which they condemn a lethal attack against a Zapatista community which recently took place in Chiapas, in southern Mexico.
Iran
Cullis on Iran Sanctions, Tyler Cullis
Tyler Cullis, a policy associate at the National Iranian American Council, discusses the possibility of the US cutting a nuclear deal with Iran that reduces sanctions, and potential political and legal difficulties.
Iran Says U.N. Report Proves its Nuclear Intentions are Peaceful, Reuters
Nuclear spokesman Behruz Kamalvandi has spoken approvingly of an International Atomic Energy Agency report claiming Iran has reduced its stockpile of uranium gas in an agreement signed with the United States and five other western powers.
Palestinian Activism
Fearing Divestment from Israel, Jewish Orgs Oppose Divestment to Halt Global Warming, Hody Nemes, Nathan Guttman
Forward reports that the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and other Jewish community organizations are reluctant to use divestment campaigns as a tactic for environmental activism, largely out of a fear that doing so would legitimize pro-Palestinian divestment campaigns.
DePaul Divest Referendum on SGA Ballot Passes 1,575-1,333, Kevin Gross
Students at DePaul University have approved a Student Government Association referendum calling on the University to divest from companies doing business with the Israeli military or in the West bank and Gaza.
Artists of the Palestinian Revolution, Karma Nabulsi
A series of posters, films, and other forms of art is showing across London, telling the story of the Palestinian revolution, and breaking a long period of silence on the part of those who had participated in it.
On Jadaliyya
Quick Thoughts: Keane Bhatt on Human Rights Watch’s `Revolving Door` for US Government Officials, Keane Bhatt
Press Release: DePaul Divest Declares Victory in Student Campaign, Jadaliyya Reports
Press Release: NLG Palestine Subcommittee to Observe Appeal Hearing of Slain U.S. Peace Activist Rachel Corrie, Jadaliyya Reports
نقاش نقدي لتطبيقات النموذج الجنوب إفريقي على فلسطين, Fawwaz Traboulsi
Joint Statement: Verdict Against Mahienour El-Massry Must be Renunciated, The Protest and Public Assembly Law Needs to be Revised, Jadaliyya Reports
Nobel Peace Laureates and Others to Human Rights Watch: Close Your Revolving Door to US Government, Jadaliyya Reports
Defence for Children International Releases Video and Accompanying Statement Detailing Israeli Killing of Two Unarmed Palestinian Teenagers, Jadaliyya Reports