Jim Lobe

Jim Lobe served as chief of the Washington bureau of Inter Press Service (the other IPS) from 1980 to 1985 and again from 1989 to 2015. Best known for his coverage of the neoconservative movement’s influence on U.S. foreign policy, he has directed LobeLog.com, which has focused primarily on U.S. Middle East policy, since 2007. In 2015, LobeLog became the first weblog to win American Academy of Diplomacy’s Arthur Ross Media Award for Distinguished Reporting and Analysis on Foreign Affairs. Proud native of Seattle, Jim graduated with Highest Honors in History from Williams College and received a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall).

Latest

Overcoming ‘Strategic Suspicion’ — Goal of Obama-Xi Summit

Jim Lobe | June 6, 2013

This week’s summit between the presidents of the U.S. and China is being welcomed as a virtually unprecedented opportunity for each side.

Ten Years After Iraq War, Neo-Cons Struggle to Hold Republicans

Jim Lobe | March 19, 2013

The split between the Republican Party’s two wings appears certain to grow wider, if for no other reason than deficit-cutting will remain the Republicans’ main obsession for the foreseeable future.

Intrigue Surrounds U.S. Arrest of Iran-based Bin Laden Son-in-Law

Jim Lobe, Jasmin Ramsey | March 12, 2013

While Abu Ghaith’s trial venue provided the major source of debate on his fate in the U.S., foreign policy experts expressed more interest in how he came into U.S. hands.

After Unprecedented Fight, Hagel Confirmed as Obama’s Pentagon Chief

Jim Lobe | February 27, 2013

Despite a massive effort by “pro-Israel” neoconservatives to derail his nomination, the Senate has voted to confirm Chuck Hagel as the next secretary of defense.

U.S. Urged to Lean Harder on Bahrain’s Ruling Family

Jim Lobe | February 20, 2013

While Washington publicly advocates for open dialogue and reform between Bahrain’s regime and the opposition, its policy has so far avoided exerting any real pressure on the kingdom to achieve these ends.

It’s All About Israel

Jim Lobe | February 2, 2013

Hagel’s hearing demonstrated quite dramatically how Israel dominates the foreign-policy agenda on Capitol Hill.

Major Test for Israel Lobby As Obama Leans to Hagel for Pentagon

Jim Lobe | January 7, 2013

The powerful Israel lobby faces a dilemma over President Obama’s likely appointment of former Sen. Chuck Hagel to head the Pentagon.

Widespread Muslim Scepticism of U.S. as Democracy Advocate

Jim Lobe | July 16, 2012

This article discusses Middle Eastern attitudes toward democracy and the role that the United States and others play in helping or hindering democratization in the Muslim world.

New U.S.-Pakistani Supply Accord Seen as Tenuous

Jim Lobe | July 9, 2012

This article examines the troubled relations between the U.S. and Pakistan in light of events which occurred throughout recent years.

Law of the Sea Treaty Ratification Faces Unsettled Waters

Jim Lobe | June 7, 2012

This article discusses the current politics surrounding the Law of the Sea Treaty, particularly the right-wing opposition.

Fearful Iran Hawks Flat Harder

Jim Lobe | May 25, 2012

This article discusses the latest developments in the tension between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program as the Baghdad talks approach quickly.

Will Israeli Dissent Halt the March Towards War?

Jim Lobe | May 5, 2012

War fever has broken — temporarily anyway.

Unexpected Nomination by Obama for World Bank Chief

Jim Lobe | April 9, 2012

As the search for the next leader of the World Bank continues, President Obama has pushed hard for Jim Yong Kim, a health development specialist, to lead the world’s largest multilateral development institution.

Bomb-Iran Week Turns Syrious

Jim Lobe | March 20, 2012

Despite indications that direct military involvement in Syria would be unwise, strong supporters of Israel like John McCain have called for the U.S military to bomb the country, in addition to Iran.

Obama Requests Slightly Higher Aid Levels for 2013

Jim Lobe | February 20, 2012

President Obama’s new budget requests an increase in State Department funding, but simultaneously decreases funds vital for humanitarian, health, and other aid groups.

In Signal to Israel and Iran, Obama Delays War Exercise

Jim Lobe, Gareth Porter | January 24, 2012

The postponement of a massive joint U.S.-Israeli military exercise appears to be the culmination of a series of events that has impelled the Barack Obama administration to put more distance between the United States and aggressive Israeli policies toward Iran.

Erdogan Most Popular Leader By Far Among Arabs

Jim Lobe | November 29, 2011

Despite repeated expressions of support by President Barack Obama for democratic change during the “Arab Spring”, the United States remains widely distrusted in the region, according to a major new survey of public opinion in five Arab countries released here Monday.

U.S. Obama Waives Aid Curbs on Militaries Using Child Soldiers

Jim Lobe | October 8, 2011

For the second year in a row, U.S. President Barack Obama has waived a Congressionally-mandated ban on military aid for four countries that use child soldiers.

Expanding Network of Drone Bases To Hit Somalia, Yemen

Jim Lobe | September 23, 2011

WASHINGTON, Sep 21, 2011 (IPS) – As Somalia undergoes its worst famine in six decades and Yemen slides into civil war, the administration of President Barack Obama is expanding its network of bases to carry out drone strikes against suspected terrorists in both countries, according to reports published in two major U.S. newspapers Thursday.

China Eclipsing U.S. in Global Reach, Poll Finds

Jim Lobe | July 19, 2011

A growing number of people around the world believe that China will eventually surpass the United States as the world’s premier superpower, if it hasn’t already, according to the latest survey of 22 countries released here Thursday by the Pew Global Attitudes Project.