THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

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  This week we present Between The Lines' summary
  of under-reported news stories and:

  Will U.S. Military Intervention in Afghanistan
  Prevent Future Acts of Terrorism?
  Interview by Denise Manzari.

  In reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11, President Bush declared an American war against terrorism. On October 7, the U.S. launched a bombing campaign in Afghanistan and is now massing ground troops to set up a land base near Kandahar, the last stonghold of the Taliban.

  Working with the Northern Alliance, the U.S. search for Osama bin Laden continues, with claims that his capture and the dismantling of the Al Queda network would greatly reduce the terrorist threat against the U.S.

  But some observers believe that if bin Laden were captured, it would be relatively easy to reconstruct his terrorist organization. The main requirement, demonstrated in the last few months, is the willingness to die for their cause.

  To underscore the resolve of some Islamic extremist fighters, loyalists to Osama bin Laden staged an uprising against their captors in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif November 25 and hundreds of soldiers were killes by the Northern Alliance and U.S. forces who assisted in quelling the rebellion.

  While political leaders and the medua applaud the results of the U.S. military assault on Afghanistan, many Americans are asking if this will make America more secure. David Gibbs is professor of politival science at the University of Arizona. Between The Lines' Denise Manzari spoke with David Gibbs, who questions claims the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan will prevent future acts of terrorism.

  For more information visit David Gibbs' Web site at http://www.gened.arizona.edu/dgibbs.org

  Veterans for Peace Respond to White House
  Call to Talk with Students About War
  Interview by Melinda Tuhus.

  As the U.S. war in Afghanistan entered its second month, President Bush put out the call for veterans to speak in schools in commemoration of Veterans Day. He asked them to discuss their experiences defending freedom and democracy. Many responded, including James Madison of Middletown, CT. Madison served honorably with the Marines during the Gulf War, but since then has joined the group Veterans for Peace. For years he has spoken out against U.S. foreign policy and military interventions, including the current war in Afghanistan.

  So Madison, a self-described patriot, formed a group called "Veterans Teaching Peace in Schools." He put out his own call through the Internet to find other veterans with similar views to talk with students about their opposition to the war.

  Between The Lines Melinda Tuhus spoke with James Madison about his opposition to the Afghan war, criticism of U.S. foreign policy and how students have responded to his views.

  For more information about Veterans Teaching Peace in Schools, visit the group's Web site at: http://www.erols.com/madjim/

  Prospects Are Dim for New Middle East
  Peace Initiative Without Fundamental Policy Shift
  Interview by Scott Harris.

  A growing number of nations concerned about the continuing violence between Israeli and Palestinians have exerted pressure on the Bush administration to abandon its policy of disengagement from the Middle East conflict. Calls for more direct U.S. participation in peace negotiations have also come from Islamic nations backing the American military operation in Afghanistan. In response the White House has sent Retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni and Assistant Secretary of State William Burns to meet Israeli President Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat in an effort to broker a cease-fire.

  Adding to the urgency of talks was the recent deaths of five young Palestinian boys aged 6 to 14 who were killed by what an Israeli nespaper says was a remote-controlled Israeli army bomb near the village of Khan Yunis. In retaliation for the deaths -- and the Israeli assassination of a leader of the militant group Hamas -- a Palestinian suicide bomber detonated the explosive he was carrying, injuring two Israeli soldiers at a Gaza Strip border crossing. Fourteen months of violence in the Middle East has claimed the lives of 722 Palestinians and 189 Israelis, according to a November 26 Reuters report.

  Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Ali Abunimah, vice president of the Arab-American Action Network, who examines the obstacles that stand in the way of acheiving a cease-fire and a viable, long-term peace agreement. P>Contact the Arab-American Action Network at (773) 436-6060. Or visit their Web site at http://www.aaan.org

  This week's summary of under-reported news
  Compiled by Bob Nixon and Rich Fraser

  • New oil exploration off coast of Western Sahara complicating the former Spanish colony's drive for independence. ( "Oil Drilling Strains Western Sahara Peace Deal," Financial Times, Nov. 2001)
  • Coal mine union and workplace safety experts had warned of hazards that led to the Sept. 23 accident which killed 13 miners near Brookwood, AL.( "Coal Miners' Slaughter," In These Times, November 12, 2001)
  • Wall Street demands increased profits at newspapers, triggering massive layoffs of reporters. ( "Wall Street's Gain is Journalism's Loss," Extra, October, 2001)

  Credits:
  Senior news editor/writer: Bob Nixon
  News writer: Rich Fraser
  Program narration: Denise Manzari
  News reader: Elaine Osowski
  Segment Producer: Denise Manzari, Melinda Tuhus
  Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
  Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo, Bill Cosentino
  Executive producer: Scott Harris

... MORE ...

Commentary on America's Crisis, from the Producer

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart"

"Respond to Terror With a Revolution of the Heart," audio file in MP3.

Between The Lines' Special Reports on Fallout from Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 21, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Sept. 28, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 5, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 12, 2001

Special Report, Week Ending Oct. 19, 2001

Ali Abunimah, vice president of Chicago's Arab American Action Network, interview in RealAudio, Sept. 12, 2001

In-Depth News Analysis

Third World Traveler, Foreign Policy section, collection of resources on www.thirdworldtraveler.com

"They can't see why they are hated: Americans cannot ignore what their government does abroad" by Seumas Milne, Guardian Unlimited, UK's Special Report on Terrorism in the U.S., Sept. 13, 2001

In-depth Reporting and Analysis of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

AlerNet.org

The Nation magazine

Mediachannel.org

Economic Globalization Resources

ZNet's Global Economic Crisis resource site Excellent source for understanding global economics and trade issues and particularly in preparation for ongoing demonstrations about economic justice

"The Fight for Everything" A series of interviews with activists and leaders of grassroots, progressive groups analyzing the goals, strategy and tactics of the global social justice movement

Multi-Ethnic Public Issues Advocacy

Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson's Commentaries, The Hutchinson Report

Between The Lines' 10th Anniversary CD