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Iraq Crisis Resources for D&D LeadersBackground Information About the CrisisLinks to Iraq Data ? Iraqi Research Center: www.iraqdata.com ? Public Agenda Reports that the Public Opinion is Unsettled According to the September 25, 2003 Public Agenda Alert, public opinion surveys on the war in Iraq continue to return conflicting results on key questions, a classic sign that public attitudes are unsettled on this issue. Basic support for the U.S. presence remains strong, with 67 percent in favor in the latest ABC poll. But public concern over casualties has increased steadily since "major combat" ended in the spring. In general, while surveys found dissatisfaction with how the U.N. handled itself prior to the war, most Americans have always been willing to cede the lead role in setting up an Iraqi government to the U.N. (69 percent were willing to give the U.N. that responsibility in the August CBS poll, compared to 61 percent in April). Read the full article in Public Agenda's special edition on terrorism: www.publicagenda.org/specials/terrorism/terror_pubopinion6.htm ? TFF Collecting Articles on Iraq TFF claims to have ?“collected the best articles for you on world affairs, Iraq and why the US is losing the chance of peace and democracy in Iraq, in particular.?” Go to www.transnational.org/features/2003/Collection_Iraq.html for this library of the conflict and war. Or www.transnational.org/links/iraqlink.html for their expanded links to the best sites on Iraq. ? London-based OpenDemocracy.net presents arguments, reports and assessments of the core issues - from the difference between a regime change war and humanitarian intervention, to the politics of protest and questions of international criminal justice. Visitors to the site can get involved in an ongoing discussion. www.opendemocracy.net Sample listing of posts:? Iraq: Analysis, Argument, Voices Analysis... A LONG OR A SHORT WAR? After eight days of war, which of its five initial scenarios are still standing? And is the unthinkable - a US defeat - still out of the question? PAUL ROGERS gives his verdict. **Paul Rogers' essential analysis of the war will be twice weekly for the duration of the conflict** REBUILDING IRAQ - US-UK SPLIT Will US-UK military cooperation in Iraq be matched by joint humanitarian efforts post-Saddam? As George W. Bush and Tony Blair meet, ARTHUR HELTON and GIL LOESCHER reveal different agendas at work. Argument... IRAQ : A WAR LIKE NO OTHER This is a war for US power not human rights and democracy. All the more reason to defend the principle of humanitarian intervention, says MARY KALDOR. THE TRUE COURSE PETER HAIN, a British government minister, on why he believes firmly that destroying the Saddam regime is legitimate. THE WAR IS RIGHT The long years of Saddam's genocidal rule are evidence enough that the war is just, says Member of the European Parliament EMMA NICHOLSON. THE CHOICE FOR PROTESTORS: ANTI-WAR OR PEACE? War reshapes the ground of argument. Being 'anti' is no longer enough. MARTIN SHAW challenges. BEYOND PROTEST? The vibrant articulacy of anti-war protest carries its own lesson: democracy is attitude not opinion, inherently plural, conversation not weapon of power, says ROSEMARY BECHLER. Voices & Faces... FACES OF IRAQ Photo essay by Michele Stallo. I AM BLIND FROM CRYING: IN THE KURDISTAN MOUNTAINS Kurds are haunted by bitter memories, hopeful of freedom, still in flight. Around Sulaimaniya, WENDELL STEAVENSON meets eternal survivors. THE NORTHERN IRAQI KALEIDOSCOPE AYUB SHEIK NURI, a native of Halabja, has been guiding journalists in northern Iraq for years. His diary presents an illuminating picture of a complex, many-sided battle zone. DEMOCRACY IN THE ARAB WORLD: THE CASE OF KUWAIT On the ground in Kuwait, JENS MUNCH cautions against optimism over Iraq. THE DEATH OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY SUSAN GRIFFIN, a voice from America. ? Public Opinion on Protest & Patriotism In its March 27 update, Public Agenda said that the public both accepts the right to protest and does not consider dissent unpatriotic, at least up to a point. A majority of U.S. citizens see protests as a sign of a healthy democracy. Interestingly, few say they are persuaded by demonstrations. Seven in 10 told the ABC/Post poll that recent protests didn't change their opinion and 20 percent said it made them more likely to support the war. Anti-war groups are conducting protests around the country against the invasion of Iraq. Surveys show the public initially rallying to support the president, and expressing a strong desire to support U.S. troops who are in harm's way. Yet the public both accepts the right to protest and does not consider dissent unpatriotic, at least up to a point. A substantial majority of Americans (72 percent) told CBS News in February that people who oppose war should be permitted to rally. The outbreak of war hasn't changed that view: 60 percent told the ABC/Washington Post poll on March 23 that protests are a "sign of a healthy democracy." Only 16 percent said protests should not be permitted. Yet few say they are persuaded by the demonstrations. Seven in 10 told the ABC/Post poll that recent protests didn't change their opinion and 20 percent said it made them more likely to support the war. Only 7 percent said it made them more likely to oppose the war. ? The Boston Research Center for the 21st Century features a variety of articles on the "Perspectives on Terrorism and Nonviolence" page of their website. To access the complete articles or read other perspectives, click on www.brc21.org/resources/res_cmnt.html. Email for more info. ? |
      
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Last Updated:? September 28, 2003. |
