Freedom Forward Analysis, Bahrain, News

Is the Ironman Triathlon Becoming a Sport for Dictators?

By Peter Bogdanich

December 4, 2015

This Saturday, the U.S. triathlon promoter Ironman will hold its first competition in the Middle East. But by choosing Bahrain as its host, Ironman is teaming up with a royal family that has arrested top athletes and thousands of others who called for political reforms.

Bahrain_map_-_2 (1)Ironman’s half-marathon “Middle East Championship” is set for December 5th in Bahrain, an island monarchy located off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. The local partner for the event, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad al-Khalifa, is a prince who stands accused of calling for and overseeing the arrest of major Bahraini athletes who participated in demonstrations for democracy and reform.

In February of 2011, thousands of Bahrainis took to the streets of the capital city to call for democratic reforms in largely peaceful protests. Security forces responded with tanks, tear gas, and live ammunition. Dozens of peaceful protesters were killed, and thousands were subjected to arbitrary arrest.

Bahrain_crackdown_Nuwaidrat_14_feb._2011
2011 Bahrain protests. Photo by Lewa’a Alnasr.

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Freedom Forward Uncategorized

About Freedom Forward

Freedom Forward seeks an end to U.S. support for dictators, kings, and nondemocratic governments. We envision a world in which U.S. foreign policy is fully aligned with the hopes and aspirations of people who desire freedom.

For too long, U.S. foreign policy has directly contradicted U.S. government rhetoric. While U.S. officials talk about freedom, the U.S. government maintains alliances with other governments that brutalize critics and silence dissent at home.

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Freedom Forward Analysis, Palestine

Analysis: A US Diplomat Ignores Israel’s Occupation

In a speech delivered last month, US diplomat Andrew J. Shapiro revealed the enormous extent of US military aid to Israel — including his goal of increasing that aid and reducing Congressional oversight.

Freedom Forward Analyst Patrick J. Finn, PhD, has written an insightful review of Shapiro’s speech — as well as what Shapiro failed to mention.  While Shapiro spent an awful lot of time talking about the “unwavering commitment to Israel’s security,” he didn’t once mention the word occupation.

In his speech, Shapiro also didn’t mention that the gift of US weapons is what helps Israel maintain that brutal occupation of Palestinian communities.

Shapiro is the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs — the man whose team is the US State Department’s “principal link to the Department of Defense.”

Click here to read Patrick Finn’s insightful analysis.

Freedom Forward Bahrain

US Authors Urge Sec. Clinton to Stand Up for Bahraini Freedom

In a  Freedom Forward letter released today, prominent US writers Khaled Hosseini, Nafisa Haji, Aisha Sultan, and Susanne Pari are urging US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to support Bahraini activists who have faced a government crackdown.

The authors urge Secretary Clinton to secure the freedom of Bahraini poet Ayat al-Qarmezi and other peaceful Bahraini reform activists.

The authors state, “We are concerned that the US military relationship with Bahrain’s unelected government may be coming at the expense of our support for democracy activists in the country.  The sentencing of Ayat al-Qarmezi and countless others requires us to take a stand for their freedom.

The letter is signed by:

  • Khaled Hosseini, Author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
  • Nafisa Haji, Author of The Writing on My Forehead and The Sweetness of Tears; Freedom Forward Boardmember.
  • Aisha Sultan, Journalist.
  • Susanne Pari, Author of The Fortune Catcher).

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Freedom Forward Uncategorized

Let’s stop calling Egypt’s dictator a “president”

Why are major US media organizations using the term “President” for Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak?

Mubarak is a US-funded dictator who has ruled Egypt for 30 years.  He is not a president by any democratic definition of the word.

This is important because US taxpayers are forced to give $10 each in annual military aid to Mubarak’s dictatorship — a dictator tax.  Americans need to know the true nature of the dictatorship they are forced to fund.

Urge key US media organizations to stop using the word “president” when reporting on Hosni Mubarak.  He is a dictator.

Click here to urge US media to stop calling Mubarak “president.”

Freedom Forward Media, Take Action

Thank the Wall Street Journal for Covering Drone Missile Critics

Thanks to emails from Freedom Forward activists, the Wall Street Journal has begun improving its coverage of US drone missile attacks.

In its latest online reporting on drone missile strikes in Yemen, the Wall Street Journal took a step in the right direction by including the voices of civilians and critics.

The newspaper’s earlier piece on Pakistan only quoted US officials and ignored drone missile critics.  In response to your emails, their latest article includes critics’ views.

The online version even includes Reuters video footage of Yemeni civilians expressing their fears of being killed by US drone attacks.

Click here to thank the Wall Street Journal for including both sides of the drone missile debate.