Fellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at IPS, focusing on Middle East, U.S. wars and UN issues. She is also a fellow of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. In 2001 she helped found the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, and now serves on the national board of Jewish Voice for Peace. She works with many anti-war and Palestinian rights organizations, writing and speaking widely across the U.S. and around the world. She has served as an informal adviser to several top UN officials on Middle East issues and was twice short-listed to become the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Phyllis has written and edited eleven books. Among her latest is the just-published 7th updated edition of her popular Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. She has also written Before & After: US Foreign Policy and the War on Terror and Challenging Empire: How People, Governments and the UN Defy U.S. Power.

Stay up to date on events in the Middle East with the New Internationalism newsletter.

Latest

AIPAC is Losing Influence Over U.S. Foreign Policy

The failure of the pro-Israel lobby to force Congress to vote for intervention into Syria or for additional sanctions on Iran represents a significant decline in its influence.

Talking Points: State of the Union, of War, of the Middle East

Phyllis Bennis weighs in on the State of the Union address, AIPAC’s campaign against the Iran talks, and John Kerry’s ‘new framework’ for Israel-Palestine.

Digging in on Drones and other Flawed Foreign Policy Strategies

Obama’s declaration that “America must move off a permanent war footing” wasn’t the Wow! moment it should have been during his State of the Union address.

Remembering Pete Seeger

Phyllis Bennis reflects on the passing of Pete Seeger, renowned folk singer and activist.

Four Things Obama Should Say During his State of the Union Address

IPS experts weigh in on inequality, taxes, global trade deals, and global talks with Syria and Iran.

Sharon is Dead, but Sharonism Lives On

There is nothing remotely honorable in the legacy of Ariel Sharon, Israel’s perhaps most consistent war criminal.

Vietnam War Created Middle East Activist

Phyllis Bennis traces her development from an active Zionist youth to a leading U.S. critic of Israel and international anti-war activist on The Real News.

“Viva Mandela, Viva!”

The Institute for Policy Studies Mourns and Celebrates Nelson Mandela, Revolutionary Freedom Fighter

The Rise of Diplomacy, Not Military Force, in U.S. Foreign Policy?

Could we be seeing the rising role of diplomacy instead of military force as the basis of U.S. foreign policy?

What Comes Next: Rights, Not ‘Arrangements,’ for Palestinians

On the ground, in the real world, of course there is no longer any possibility of a real “two-state” solution.

Reading Obama’s Iran Speech

President Obama’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly reflected some of the extraordinary shifts in global politics that have taken shape in the last six or eight weeks. – Article originally appeared on The Nation’s blog.

U.S. Not Bombing Syria: A Victory Against Another U.S. War

President Obama’s decision to ask Congress for authorization to use military force against Syria set the stage for a resurgent anti-war movement that cohered quickly – and won an extraordinary, unforeseen victory.

Joint Statement by Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and Phyllis Bennis: “Forceful Diplomacy, Not Military Force” in Syria

Today we have the possibility to turn the threat of war around. There is renewed hope that the global community can make that turn now, today.

Assessing Russia’s Syria Proposal

Tamron Hall discusses the latest developments in Syria with Phyllis Bennis and others on MSNBC’s NewsNation.

Talking Points: Why We Shouldn’t Attack Syria

An easy-to-use list of reasons that the United States should not take military action in Syria. Ready to print, copy, and hand out at the next antiwar demonstration!

U.S. ‘Does Not’ Have Compelling Evidence to Warrant Syria Strike

CCTV’s Elaine Reyes interviews Phyllis Bennis on the Syria crisis and about what the United States’ next move may be.

Optimism and Fear: President Obama on War in Syria

President Obama’s speech gives opponents of greater U.S. intervention in Syria a week or more to mobilize, to build opposition in Congress and in the public, and to continue fighting against this new danger.

MoveOn: Syria Townhall

Discussion with MoveOn supporters about Syria and U.S. military intervention.

There is No Military Solution to Syria

U.S. policy should emphasize direct diplomacy to negotiate a ceasefire with all sides including Syrian President Bashar Assad, but direct military intervention will lead to more bloodshed and Obama fighting on the side of an Al-Qaeda affiliated organization.

As Strikes on Syria Loom, Is U.S. Ignoring a Diplomatic Track That Could Prevent More Violence?

Amy Goodman interviews Phyllis on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and looming U.S. military action against the Assad regime.

Program Director

New Internationalism

Email this expert

202-787-5206

anti-war movements, International Law, Iran, Iraq, ISIS, Israel-Palestine, Middle East, military budget, Refugees, sanctuary movement, Saudi Arabia, Syria, terrorism, Torture, U.S. foreign policy, U.S. wars, United Nations, War on Terror, Yemen

More...