ISIL Freedom Network: Middle East and Central Asia

• Websites (6)
• Organizations (12)
• Action Opportunities (2)
• Contests and Scholarships (0)
• Experts (1)
• Introductions to Issues (14)
• In-Depth Studies (24)
• Periodicals (0)
• Audio and Video (3)
• Games, Surveys, and Tools (1)

Israeli Classical Liberal Web Site
Source: Noah Nissani
City: Beersheva, Country: Israel
E-mail: nhnisani@shani.net

Includes the "classical liberalism online primer with links to biographies and sources." Excellent material here, mostly available in English, though some of it is in Hebrew. Also includes thoughts on the Arab-Israeli conflict from a "liberal" viewpoint.

Stop Alcohol Prohibition in the Islamic Nations
Source: Transnational Radical Party
Country: United States
E-mail: trp_ny@yahoo.com

This site includes a petition form for those who oppose these institutionalized religious mores.

The plight of the Afghan woman
Source: Afghan Web
Country: Afghanistan

This resource directory points to information on and organizations concerned with the political oppression of women in Afghanistan. It makes the refreshing statement, "The current oppression of women in Afghanistan is due to politics and ignorance, not Islam!"

Update on Asian drug news
Source: CSDP
Country: Afghanistan

An overview of recent stories and links on the opium and heroin situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and surrounding areas. Draws parallels between the war on drugs and the war on terrorism, which have similar casts of characters.

Al-Jazeera links
Source: Cursor.Org
Country: United States

Cursor.Org provides headlines from -- and a real-time translation link for -- Al-Jazeera, "the Arab CNN." Al-Jazeera has taken advantage of more open access for its Arab reporters, as well as its ability to report without government pressure (unlike the American media) to cover the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in depth.

Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies web site
Source: JIMS
Country: Israel
E-mail: corinne.sauer@jims-israel.org

A new independent, non-profit think tank whose mission is to raise awareness of the benefits of free market interactions in Israel and to discover and promote practical ways to foster competition in Israel and the region.

3H HAREKETİ. .::HÜRRİYET::.::HUKUK::.::HOŞGÖRÜ::.
Source: İ. Erhan Bilici
City: İstanbul, Country: Turkey
E-mail:

The "3H Movement" (Liberty, Rule of Law, Tolerance)[named "3H" because in Turkish the words for these three concepts all start with an H, as does the word for movement] is a libertarian youth organization based in Istanbul with representatives in other main Turkish cities, welcoming Turkey to reform herself regarding civil liberties, individual human rights, rule of law, asking her to tolerate all kinds of diversities within her borders. Turkey must adopt a liberal constitution, its government must respect civil liberties and individual human rights without any hierarchies within those values, practice the rule of law without any exceptions, tolerate all the diversities within the country (for instance ethnic, cultural, social and sexual). And Turkey needs an effective free market economy. A Statist approach, Byzantine bureaucracy and high taxes form an obstacle to the free market. These three facts must be abolished. In Turkish. With an English section.

The Shalem Center: Ideas for the Jewish Nation
Source: Shalem Center
City: Jerusalem, Country: Israel
E-mail: shalempr@shalem.org.il

A think tank on Jewish social thought and Israeli public policy. Shalem publishes original research, a journal, and books including the Hebrew translation of "The Road to Serfdom." Research fellowships are available. Some content is in Hebrew.

Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Source: IASPS
City: Jerusalem, Country: Israel

Joint Israeli-American public policy think tank. Argues that Israeli socialism is a leading instrument in undermining the Western tradition, including the Jewish state. IASPS pursues the limitation of Israeli socialist statism supported by U.S. aid, by means of free-market reform and a robust missile defense. Site available in English and Hebrew.

Constitutional Monarchy Movement
Source: CMM
Country: Iraq
E-mail: info@iraqcmm.org

The Constitutional Monarchy Movement (CMM) firmly believes in the unity of the Iraqi homeland, the borders of which were marked out under international law in the 1920’s. The diversity of ethnic and religious groups in Iraq should be a source of strength to the homeland. The people of Iraq adopted the Iraqi Constitution in 1925 after protracted negotiations in a form which was acceptable to them all and which was subsequently approved by the people through a free referendum. The CMM calls for constitutional legitimacy and a return to the situation as it was before being interrupted by the coup of 14 July 1958. That legitimacy was established by the only Permanent Constitution approved by the people in a general referendum in Iraq's history. The new amended constitution must state that the constitutional monarchy is a symbol of unity of the Iraqi land and people, and the arbitrator between competing political groups, but not the ruler.

INDICT
Source: INDICT
Country: Iraq/United Kingdom
E-mail: info@indict.org.uk

Bringing Iraqi war criminals to justice. INDICT is committed to assisting the Iraqi people achieve justice and reconciliation following the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime.

Women's Alliance for Peace and Human Rights in Afghanistan
Source: Waphra
Country: Afghanistan

"WAPHA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit and independent organization founded...to promote awareness of the tragic human rights situation in Afghanistan and to advocate for social, political, economic and civil rights of the Afghan women and girls." Click on the Afghan News button for bulletins. Note: site is difficult to read but worthwhile.

Liberal Düşünce Topluluğu (Association For Liberal Thinking)
Source: LDT (ALT)
City: Ankara, Country: Turkey
E-mail: atillayayla@liberal.org.tr

A Turkish think tank established in 1992 to promote "values like liberty, justice, peace, human rights, rule of law, and tolerance." Most of the Web site is in Turkish, but an English section is present.

The International Network for the Rights of Female Victims of Violence in Pakistan
Source: INRFVVP
Country: Pakistan

The INRFVVP heightened worldwide awareness of the degree and nature of the violence being done to girls and women in Pakistan, where honor killings still occur.

Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
Source: RAWA
Country: Afghanistan
E-mail: rawa@rawa.org

"RAWA is a political/social organization of Afghan women struggling for peace, freedom, democracy and women's rights in fundamentalism-blighted Afghanistan." Find out more about the condition of women in Afghanistan and RAWA's efforts to improve the situation and rid the nation of the Taliban's oppressive, sexist regime.

Students for freedom in Iran
Source: SMCCDI
Country: United States

SMCCDI is a student activist organization in Iran that is agitating for separation of church and state and intellectual freedom. They are not specifically pro-market, but definitely a huge push in the right direction, and their members risk great harm to take a stand.

Gush Shalom web site
Source: Gush-Shalom.org
Country: Israel

Resource for news and commentary in Israel from people who are critical of Sharon and his policies.

Buy Israeli
Source: Jewish Agency for Israel
Country: Israel

"Due to the current situation and partial embargos, the Israeli economy has suffered considerably. If every family would make it a point to buy at least $10 worth of Israeli goods every week, this could make a tremendous impact on the economy here in Israel." Includes URLs for Israeli goods.

Volunteer for Israel
Source: Jewish Agency for Israel
Country: Israel

"In light of the war in Israel and the launching of 'Operation Defensive Shield,' the Jewish Agency is initiating a special project that will give concrete expression to the concept of world Jewish solidarity with Israel." Volunteers ages 18-65 are being accepted for two week stints with the Civil Guard, Maintenance and Supply Services and other jobs.

no entry for the time being (two entries deleted that have become invalid)

Alvin Rabushka
Source: Hoover Institution
City: Jerusalem, Country: Israel

Best know for his work on the flat tax. Also and expert on the Israeli economy and is director of economic policy research at the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies.

Social Security System and Its Reform
Source: Korea Center for Free Enterprise
Country: South Korea

Wide-ranging interview of Mukul G. Asher, on reforming Korea's social security system. In English and Korean.

Bin Laden: Islamists' new figurehead
Source: BBC
Author: Roger Hardy
Country: Afghanistan

An overview of the history of modern political Islamism since its birth in Egypt in the 1920s and up to the emergence of its new powerful "global jihad" form, headed by Osama bin Laden. (10/19/01)

Profile: Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Source: BBC
Country: Israel

The BBC profiles the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a radical Palestinian Arab movement that claims responsibility for the assassination of Israel's Tourism Minister Zeevi. (10/17/01)

A history of folly
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
Author: Adam Young
Country: United States

"Each time America has become politically involved in the Middle East, the results have been the same: U.S. demonization of a single man grows a once-shadowy or despised crank into a popular hero of the Arab masses..." (11/09/01)

Taliban: Who's who
Source: BBC News Online
Country: Afghanistan

International efforts to build a broad-based coalition to govern Afghanistan continue. Some say the Taliban should be completely excluded from the process. Others, such as Pakistan, insist moderate Taliban members have to be included. BBC News Online profiles some of the movement's most influential figures. (11/15/01)

Afghanistan's king in exile
Source: BBC
Country: Afghanistan

In 1964, a new constitution transformed Afghanistan into a modern democracy, with free elections, a parliament, civil rights, emancipation for women and universal suffrage. The constitution was the blueprint of the country's last King, Mohammad Zahir Shah. Yet, less than a decade later, he was deposed. The BBC describes the biography of the aged monarch, who may be coming back. (10/01/01)

After the Taliban
Source: BBC
Country: Afghanistan

People of Afghanistan face an uncertain future as the United Nations begins the daunting task of finding a replacement for the Taliban regime. The BBC introduces the main forces and persons who may take part in the formation of Afghanistan's future government.

Israel and the Palestinians: a history of conflict
Source: BBC
Country: Israel

A timeline of the main events in the conflict in the land of Israel, also known as Palestine, from the ancient times (and especially from the turn of the century) to the present. An excellent and concise, albeit necessarily incomplete, introduction to the background of the conflict. Complete with maps and some document texts.

'Peace in our time' with terrorists in Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Yuval Levin
Country: Israel

"For eight years, ever since that moment at the White House when the terrorist [Yassir Arafat] shook hands with the leaders of Israel and the United States, a pattern has been in place." The entire 'peace process' for Israel has been repeating this pattern – offering more and more concessions for the promise not to murder innocent people, which gets broken again and again anyway. (06/14/01)

Time to think again about US aid to Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Yuval Levin
Country: Israel

"American economic assistance, while well intentioned from the outset, has been a disaster for the Jewish state, and has done harm to American interests as well ... Israel’s growing reliance on aid, and the attitudes of dependency and defeatism which have resulted, have led the Jewish state down a dangerous path which in time may prove fatal." (01/26/01)

Israel: from free enterprise to socialism
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Dr. Alvin Rabushka
Country: Israel

"Until the advent of independence in 1948, Israel was largely a free-enterprise economy ... In what must rank as one of the great ironies in economic history, German reparations financed the transformation of Israel from a private-investment, private-enterprise, free-market economy to a socialist system that fulfilled the vision of Jewish leftists." IASPS works to return Israel to freedom. (2001)

Occupation 101, a documentary
Source: Occupation 101
Country: United States

"'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions. The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the United States' role, and sheds light on the major obstacles which stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace."

Casualties of war
Source: Jerusalem Post
Country: Israel

Since 2000, "Palestinian [Arab] terrorists and militants have killed more than 600 people in Israel. The victims have ranged in age from less than a year to more than 80. ... As the ... campaign of terror against Israel continues into its third year, we hope this living memorial to its victims honors their memory." Contains descriptions of all the terrorist acts, with a list of victims for each.

The Myths of Korean Land Policy
Source: Korea Center for Free Enterprise
Author: Chung-Ho Kim
Country: South Korea

Korean land policy relies on several myths. This detailed analysis addresses each, and calls for policy based on market principles and the rule of law.

Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Policy in Korea
Source: Korea Center for Free Enterprise
Author: Yoong-Deok Jeon
Country: South Korea

An examination of current Korean policy on import restrictions and foreign direct investment. Calls for reform to a free-trade policy.

Imperial Overreach: Dubious Strategy to Overthrow Saddam Hussein
Source: The Cato Institute
Author: David Isenberg
Country: United States

In this study, David Isenberg looks at the flawed U.S. policy of attempting to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. This report is in PDF. (11/17/99)

Overwhelming force
Source: The New Yorker
Author: Seymour Hersh
Country: Iraq

Former federal "drug czar" Barry McCaffrey commanded an infantry division in the Gulf War, and engaged in war crimes, says the author. (06/05/00)

Study on 'honor killings' and blood feuds
Source: Gendercide
Author: Adam Jones
Country: United States

Honour killings have been defined as the murder of women who are perceived to have committed an "immoral" act, such as adultery or divorce. This Gendercide Watch study focuses on the plight of women in four areas: Pakistan, Jordan, Palestine/Israel and the Balkans. (9/00)

The great game, round 2: Washington’s misguided support for the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline
Source: The Cato Institute
Author: Stanley Kober
Country: United States

This report examines the economic and political problems of the Clinton administrations support of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. It is available in Adobe PDF. (10/31/00)

The Liberty cover-up
Source: The Guardian
Country: Egypt

New research suggests that the 1968 Liberty incident, in which a U.S. spy ship was attacked by Israeli forces, was a deliberate effort to conceal the slaughter of Egyptian prisoners of war. (08/10/01)

The counterterrorist myth
Source: The Atlantic Monthly
Author: Reuel Marc Gerecht
Country: Afghanistan

"A former CIA operative explains why the terrorist Usama bin Ladin has little to fear from American intelligence." (07/01)

The cost of an Afghan 'victory'
Source: The Nation
Author: Dilip Hiro
Country: Afghanistan

How U.S. Cold War intervention in the Soviet-Afghani war resulted in Taliban control and eventual support and harbor for terrorist activities of Osama bin Laden, among others. (02/15/99)

The roots of Muslim rage
Source: The Atlantic Monthly
Author: Bernard Lewis
Country: United States

"Why so many Muslims deeply resent the West, and why their bitterness will not easily be mollified." This article from 1990 is still, or even more, relevant today. (09/90)

Gulf War crimes?
Source: Salon
Author: Daniel Forbes
Country: Iraq

"In his latest exposé, the New Yorker's Seymour Hersh reports allegations that the military committed a massacre against Iraqi soldiers and whitewashed it." (05/15/00)

Afghanistan -- humanity denied
Source: Human Rights Watch
Country: Afghanistan

A new report (10/29/01) by Human Rights Watch documents the assault on Afghan women's human rights during a decade of conflict and under the Taliban. Unfortunately, it recommends a UN presence as a "solution."

The Islamic Commercial Crisis: Institutional Roots of Economic Underdevelopment in the Middle East
Source: University of Southern California
Author: Prof. Timur Kuran
Country: United States

Under Islamic law, inheritance was prescribed in rigid detail. The fragmentation produced by inheritance law, combined with the strictures of partnership law, kept Middle Eastern enterprises small. That, in turn, limited the pressure to evolve new economic forms. In the course of the second millennium, the Middle East's commerce with Western Europe fell increasingly under European domination. Two factors played critical roles. First, the Islamic inheritance system, by raising the costs of dissolving a partnership following a partner's death, kept Middle Eastern commercial enterprises small and ephemeral. Second, certain European inheritance systems facilitated large and durable partnerships by reducing the likelihood of premature dissolution. The upshot is that European enterprises grew larger than those of the Islamic world. Moreover, while ever larger enterprises propelled further organizational transformations in Europe, persistently small enterprises inhibited economic modernization in the Middle East. The Middle East's far-reaching commercial reforms of the nineteenth century were meant to overcome the consequent crisis. (September 2002)

Cinema and Chinese feminism
Source: Bright Light Films
Author: Andrew Grossman
Country: China

Through an analysis of Chinese film, Grossman provides a fascinating overview of a feminism that is alien to the West, a feminism "adrift in a sea of ogling orientalism, global capitalism, and fatalist aesthetics."

Ancap mog: so close yet so far
Source: anti-state.com
Author: Bryce Bigwood
Country: Somalia

"What is the state of the State in beautiful Mogadishu aka 'Mog,' past (and future?) capitol of Somalia? This essay is based on surfing English language web pages. I have never been to Somalia or spoken to a native Somali about any of this. If any readers have information or analysis that contradicts any of this, please correct me." (02/04/02)

The Rise and Fall of Private Higher Education in Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Sara Bernstein
Country: Israel

"Israel's higher education system not only does not follow contemporary international development trends, but it is proceeding in the opposite direction. The Israeli government ... sets policy for all institutions of higher learning, in both the public and the private sectors." This study covers the regulatory policy, and "the grave repercussions of that policy to the private sector..." (01/02)

Waste collection and disposal in local authorities: A proposal for reform
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Koby Simana
Country: Israel

"In Israel, traditionally, the local authorities bear full and sole responsibility for waste collection and removal ... This study will prove that the local authorities’ control of the garbage collection industry causes a tremendous waste of Israeli taxpayers’ money ... [It] sets forth a series of policy recommendations, which will save, and then properly utilize, taxpayers' money." (10/2001)

How taxes keep high-tech investors away from Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Yitzhak Sabato
Country: Israel

"[T]he Israeli high-tech industry plays a major role in Israel's economy and is a key element for future economic growth. Nevertheless, it appears that in the last two years the Israeli high-tech locomotive has been derailed. Numerous technology companies have moved their operations to the US ... Tax considerations appear [to be] the most important factor in [this] flight." (PDF file) (11/01)

Stamp tax in Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Ehud Menirav
Country: Israel

The stamp tax typifies the Israeli economy: professionals agree that the stamp tax is anachronistic and should be abolished; yet, the government refuses to cancel the tax. This IASPS study describes past and present government policy regarding the stamp tax and its effects. (01/00)

The Jewish National Fund
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: David Blougrund
Country: Israel

"This study offers systematic solutions that are designed to cancel the influence of the JNF on land policy and on the state budget and to open the real estate market to free competition that will bring about economic growth throughout the whole Israeli economy." (PDF file) (09/01)

Protective trade practices in Israel
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Moria Katz
Country: Israel

This study examines the restrictive import policies of the Israeli government in the past and present, shows how they hurt the Israeli consumer, and puts forward proposals for reforming import-prevention policy. (PDF file) (03/02)

Internet policy in Israel: an update
Source: Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies
Author: Daniela Green
Country: Israel

Despite recommendations to the contrary, Israel's Internet access market remains limited to the state-controlled monopoly, Bezek. In the past two years, this has led to great damage, as new broadband technology was not widely used. This study examines the state of this market and the damages sustained because of tight regulation. Adobe PDF. (05/02)

A legal analysis of the attacks on civilians and infliction of 'collateral damage' in the Middle East conflict
Source: The Federalist Society
Author: David B. Rivkin, Jr., Lee A. Casey and Darin R. Bartram
Country: United States

The authors examine the Middle East conflict and conclude that "the deliberate attacks on Israeli civilians, whether involving suicide elements or not, carried out by various Palestinian organizations and groups, constitutes a profound violation of international law." (PDF file) (12/05)

The mounting costs of the Iraq War
Source: Antiwar.com
Author: IPS and FPIF
Country: United States

A Study by the Institute for Policy Studies and Foreign Policy In Focus

no entry for the time being (one entry deleted that has become invalid)

A video interview with Leila Farsakh
Source: Antiwar.com
Author: Saul Landau
Country: Israel

Choose between high bandwidth (DSL or cable modem) or low bandwidth (dial-up modem) streams (both WMV format). Leila Farsakh, a Palestinian political economist, is a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University and research fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for International Studies. (3/15/04)

Interview with Iraq activist Chibli Mallat
Source: Reason
Author: Tim Cavanaugh
Country: United States

Text transcript of a 6/04 Reason interview with Iraqi law professor and activist Chibli Mallat.

Interview With Ivan Eland
Source: Antiwar.com
Author: Scott Horton
Country: United States

Choose between streaming audio or MP3 download of this 8/26 interview, titled "Leave Iraq or Be Expelled".

Iraq quiz
Source: LewRockwell.com
Author: Jim Cox
Country: United States

Take a twenty question quiz to see how much you know about Iraq. Answers are given after the quiz with links for references.(4/15/04)

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