AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

On The Parliamentary Front Against The American Middle East Wars

Syria, Iraq and ISIS: Understanding the New War; How Should the Peace Movement Respond?

Wed, Dec. 10, 7:00 pm

Cambridge Friends Center

5 Longfellow Park, off Brattle Street, Cambridge

Prof. Elaine Hagopian on understanding the war
Activist views on the peace movement's response
Discussion on what to do next

The US announced early in November that troop deployment in the war against ISIS will be doubled from 1500 to 3000 -- although they are supposedly not "boots on the ground." Meanwhile, thousands of air sorties have been flown and the Obama administration is again asking Congress for billions to fund a new war. But US allies are reluctant to commit resources, Turkey regards the Kurds as the greater threat and Saudi Arabia is privately providing ISIS aid. The US is battling to overthrow Assad in Syria while also fighting his enemy. Contacts are made with Iran -- but we don't really want to coordinate efforts. Beheadings rouse demands for action.

The US claims its only goal is to defeat ISIS but the long term goal has not changed: regime change in Syria and continued domination over the region made unstable by years of US intervention. The prospect of a long and escalating war confronts us. What is our message in this complex and contradictory situation?

Elaine Hagopian, professor emeritus of sociology at Simmons College, will provide background and context on Syria, referencing Palestine and Iraq. Cole Harrison, executive director of Mass Peace Action, and Marilyn Levin, co-coordinator of United National Antiwar Coalition, will offer different views on the peace movement's response.

Elaine Hagopian is a retired professor of sociology from Simmons College, Boston. She served as visiting professor of sociology at the American University in Beirut, and as a distinguished Lecturer at the American University of Cairo. She was awarded two Fulbright Hays Faculty research grants to do research in France and the Arab region. She served with UNCIEF in the United Arab Emirates; and as part of a UNESCO team to do a feasibility study for a Palestine Open University. Her publications focus on Arab regional issues and on Arab-Americans; her article "Bashar Assad's Missed Opportunity: Syria's Pandoran Box" appeared in Counterpunch in June 2011.

$5 donation requested
Sponsored by United for Justice with Peace
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Dear Al,

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) is set to vote on authorizing our latest war in Iraq and Syria THIS week. Our Senator, Edward Markey, is a member of the committee. He needs to hear from you before the vote!

Call Senator Markey by using this special toll-free number: 877-429-0678. This number will connect you with the Capitol Switchboard operator, and you should ask to be connected to Senator Markey's office. (Thanks to the Friends Committee on National Legislation for the toll-free-number)

You can say: “I understand the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be debating the use of force against ISIS. I urge the Senator to oppose authorizing force in Iraq and Syria. However, if there are opportunities to constrain the use of force, such as by prohibiting ground troops, I urge the Senator to support those constraints.”

After calling Senator Markey, send him an email using this online form.

Now is the time to act. This is our last chance to restrain the war before the new Republican-controlled Congress comes to Washington. The SFRC’s vote will decide not only whether or not to endorse the war in Iraq and Syria, but what restrictions, if any, to place on that war. With congressional hawks set to take the reins of power, there will be a push to send combat troops to fight ISIS, to expand the war into pursuing regime change in Syria, and to flood the conflict with American weapons.

The SFRC must seize this opportunity to end endless war. Please call Senator Markey and ask him to vote against the war in Iraq and Syria: 877-429-0678. After calling Senator Markey, send him a message to follow up.

Responding to violence with violence is not working -- to improve safety or to defeat violent extremism. No use of force will solve the problems that plague the region. Violent extremism cannot be bombed out of existence. Instead, the U.S. needs to lead an effective response to stop the violence perpetrated by ISIS and to help people in the region restore security.

Now, finally, Senator Markey will have a chance to vote on whether this military-focused strategy is the right way forward. Please call him today: 877-429-0678.

After calling Senator Markey, send him a written note as a reminder!

Americans in uniform have already died in this war, and it is shameful that Members of Congress have so far hidden from their constitutional responsibility to debate and vote on such a monumental issue. Americans deserve to know whether our elected officials support yet another endless war in the Middle East or are ready to stand up for peace.

Power to the peaceful,

Shelagh Foreman
Program Director
P.S. Call Senator Markey NOW at 877-429-0678. Thanks!

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