IPS Fellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at IPS, focusing on the Middle East, U.S. militarism, 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 more recently spent six years on the board of Jewish Voice for Peace, where she now serves as its International Adviser. 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 11 books. Among her latest is the 7th updated edition of her popular Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, published in 2018. She is also the author of Before & After: U.S. Foreign Policy and the War on Terror and Challenging Empire.

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Latest

War Crimes Then and Now

The only ones the Afghan war makes safer are the war profiteers pocketing billion-dollar contracts — and the politicians pocketing campaign contributions in return.

Israel-U.S. Relations, Obama Visits Afghanistan, and Another Occupation Election

Talking points on the aftermath of Biden’s trip to Israel, the president’s trip to Afghanistan, and the elections in Iraq.

Afghanistan: This War Won’t Work

The reasons for ending the war are growing, and justifications are few.

Ending the U.S. War in Afghanistan: A Primer

Was Afghanistan ever a “good war”? And will President Obama’s plan and escalation of U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan work?

Haiti Again?

The U.S. treatment of Haiti is, unfortunately, nothing new.

Yemen: Deja Vu All Over Again

The United States punished Yemen 20 years ago by cutting off aid. Today, the United States is punishing Yemen by sending aid.

Annotate This! President Obama’s Afghanistan Escalation Speech

An assessment of what Obama said — and what he didn’t say.

President Obama’s Afghanistan Escalation Speech

An assessment of what Obama said — and what he didn’t say.

Reprise? Obama and Afghanistan

The president’s Afghanistan dilemma isn’t a new one.

Can Talks with Iran Lead to Obama’s ‘World without Nuclear Weapons’?

Obama can make important steps toward denuclearization if he continues engaging with Iran.

UN Note: The Missing U.S. Ambassador

The UN voted on the Goldstone Report last week. But where was U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice?

‘A World Without Nuclear Weapons’ Might Still be Possible

Real U.S. negotiations with Iran should begin with a call for a nuclear weapons-free zone across the Middle East–no exceptions.

Talking Points: The Midwest, Mideast, and a New Book on Afghanistan

The dangers of another, even greater, U.S. escalation in Afghanistan are rising; the continuing war in Iraq is exploding anew; the possibilities-but-still-dangers in U.S. engagement with Iran remain hopeful but tense; and U.S. diplomatic engagement in the Middle East is still designed to fail.

Netanyahu Speaks: The Israel-Palestine Ball Remains in Obama’s Court

The Israeli prime minister’s speech responding to U.S. wishes for the region amounted to little more than rhetorical change.

Changing the Discourse: First Step toward Changing the Policy?

Obama’s approach toward the Muslim world may be diplomatic, but it remains the work of mobilized people across the United States to end Obama’s war in Afghanistan and Pakistan, halt the occupation of Iraq immediately rather than years from now, stop U.S. military aid to Israel, and launch new negotiations with Iran not based on military threats.

Obama in Egypt: Changing the Discourse

Obama’s approach toward the Muslim world may be diplomatic but there needs to be more action.

Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

Netanyahu at the White House: Not Yet Change We Can Believe In

The reality of power – that the U.S. is still the financial, military, diplomatic and political superpower patron on which Israel depends – was not reflected in the press conference that followed the meeting.

Netanyahu Visits the White House: Change We Can Believe in for U.S.-Israeli Relations?

Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Obama has the chance to make good on real change in U.S. policy in the Middle East.

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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

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