Phyllis Bennis

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.

Celebration and Relief in Egypt

Phyllis Bennis | June 24, 2012

Many of the secular activists and organizations who had played such a central role in the Arab Spring uprising came together with the Muslim Brotherhood in a unified front to challenge the military’s continuing seizure of power.

The Phases of War: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Israel

Phyllis Bennis | April 6, 2012

Before a book-writing break in Texas, Phyllis reflects on the different stages where our various wars are at this moment in this edition of the New Internationalism newsletter.

[VIDEO] Phyllis Bennis: Syria’s Opposition Wants More Arms

Phyllis Bennis | March 8, 2012

The Syrian National Council says its decision to form a military council and unify the opposition will help get weapons from outside sources. The U.S. says all options on the table in Syria, but has not commented on whether to arm the opposition.

Obama Goes to AIPAC

Phyllis Bennis | March 7, 2012

The president offered carefully crafted remarks on Iran while writing off the Palestinians.

[VIDEO] Phyllis Bennis: Obama Distances U.S. from Netanyahu’s Rhetoric

Phyllis Bennis | March 5, 2012

Obama’s speech in front of Israel supporters used strong language in support of Israel, but was very careful to break clearly from the Israeli position.

We’ve Seen the Threats Against Iran Before

Phyllis Bennis | February 17, 2012

Intelligence confirms that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons – which leads to speculation that the sabre-rattling is because Israel wants to remain the sole regional nuclear hegemon.

What is the State of the Union Address for, Anyway? Obama Launches Campaign

Phyllis Bennis | January 25, 2012

Obama knew that many people who voted for him in 2008 did so based on his commitment to end the war in Iraq, so highlighting that made perfect sense. But he was way wrong in claiming that the war in Iraq has made the United States “more respected around the world.”

Obama’s Real Israel Problem – and it isn’t Bibi

Phyllis Bennis | January 9, 2012

Israel’s fundamental policy toward the Palestinians is the problem, and that policy has hardly changed, despite the left, right and center parties that have been in power.

[VIDEO] Up with Chris Hayes: Looking Back at the Iraq War

Phyllis Bennis | January 6, 2012

One thing stands out when reflecting on the Iraq War: millions of people were right when they stood up to oppose it at its onset.

[VIDEO] The Impact at Home of U.S. Troops Around The World

Phyllis Bennis | December 29, 2011

Callers from around the country ask about the presence of U.S. troops around the world, their role, and how U.S. military capabilities compare with other countries in this C-SPAN Washington Journal segment.

[VIDEO] Worst Violence in Months Hits Baghdad

Phyllis Bennis | December 23, 2011

A series of blasts in Baghdad which are believed to have killed at least 72 people in an apparently coordinated attack is the topic of this RT interview.

A Stunning Victory

Phyllis Bennis | November 22, 2011

U.S. troops will finally withdraw from Iraq, but what about the contractors? We need to bring home all U.S. personnel and dollars.

The Arab World’s Intifada

Phyllis Bennis | November 7, 2011

The Arab Spring may have started in early 2011, but its origins link directly to the non-violent, society-wide mobilization that transformed Palestine’s national struggle beginning in the late 1980s.

Defunding UNESCO for the 1 Percent

Phyllis Bennis | November 3, 2011

Putting Israeli interests ahead of American interests begins to backfire.

Further Reading:

Latest

Celebration and Relief in Egypt

Palestinians Hunger Strikers and U.S. Veterans Returning Service Medals Lead Movements for Peace

We’re Fighting in a War We Lost Before the War Began

The Phases of War: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Israel

[VIDEO] Phyllis Bennis: Syria’s Opposition Wants More Arms

Obama Goes to AIPAC

[VIDEO] Phyllis Bennis: Obama Distances U.S. from Netanyahu’s Rhetoric

We’ve Seen the Threats Against Iran Before

What is the State of the Union Address for, Anyway? Obama Launches Campaign

Debate Club: Did the U.S. Withdraw from Iraq Too Soon?

Obama’s Real Israel Problem – and it isn’t Bibi

[VIDEO] Up with Chris Hayes: Looking Back at the Iraq War

[VIDEO] The Impact at Home of U.S. Troops Around The World

[VIDEO] Worst Violence in Months Hits Baghdad

A Stunning Victory

America Is Not Broke

The Arab World’s Intifada

Defunding UNESCO for the 1 Percent

[VIDEO] As NATO Ends Libyan Bombing Campaign, Is the U.S. Seeking Greater Military Control of Africa?

[VIDEO] U.S. Pulls All Funding for UNESCO After Sweeping Vote to Support Palestinian Membership

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