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Noam Chomsky: Obama, the Middle East, and the Prospects for Peace

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Boston University
December 8, 2009

Hosted by School of Education and Axis of Hope

In a lecture reaching far beyond the designated topic of Middle East peace prospects, Noam Chomsky is sharply critical of Israel, India, Pakistan, President Obama, and the United States—which he calls a “rogue nation” and “the Godfather.” He accuses the U.S. of controlling Israel and undermining the two-state solution that would establish a Palestinian state.

Chomsky criticizes the domestic media, which he believes is complicit in demonizing Iran (“a massive propaganda campaign”) while ignoring violations of international law and United Nations resolutions by the U.S., Israel, India, and Pakistan. Attributing Obama’s victory to backing by major financial institutions, he dismisses U.S. presidential elections as “a façade, like a TV commercial, a way to get uninformed consumers to make irrational choices.” Chomsky also charges the Obama administration with secretly undermining a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, insisting that if the United States directed Israel to cease aggressions in Gaza or new settlements in the West Bank, Israel would oblige. He chides Obama for going soft on “evil dictator” Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s president, and for increasing stealth bomber plane production on the eve of accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. However, Chomsky praises peace efforts in Northern Ireland as evidence that peace is possible if terrorists’ grievances are addressed. Chomsky also lauds special envoy George Mitchell, calling him a good choice as a Middle East negotiator.

December 8, 2009, 6 p.m.
871 Commonwealth Avenue

Video length is 01:29:19.

via BUniverse – Obama, the Middle East, and the Prospects for Peace

h/t: chomsky.info

see

Modern-Day American Imperialism: The Middle East and Beyond by Noam Chomsky (2008)

Noam Chomsky: The Unipolar Moment and the Culture of Imperialism

Daniel Ellsberg: Obama, The Con Man

3 Airstrikes in Gaza + One killed, 2 injured as Israeli jets pound Gaza

11 thoughts on “Noam Chomsky: Obama, the Middle East, and the Prospects for Peace”

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  10. Brilliant man of unique intellect and courage, ahead of his times, understandably misunderstood and underappreciated. A rare breed who tells the truth raw, straight and as painful as it is. Honesty, awareness and courage like that are wasted on people the majority of which aren’t mature enough to comprehend such bold and unmainstream ideas, and who aren’t equipped culturally, morally and intellectually to listen, recognize, appreciate and learn from this rare breed of a man.

    I tip my hat to you Mr. Chomsky.

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