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The Center for Global Analysis 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140 USA Telephone: 617-492-4570 Fax: 617-354-2832 E-mail: globalanalysis@earthlink.net **************************************************************************** *********** Strengthening the Anti-Sanctions Movement by Conducting, Compiling, and Disseminating Research on Current U.S. Policy and the Situation in Iraq **************************************************************************** *********** The Center for Global Analysis (CGA) is a research and advocacy organization recently formed by a group of researchers and peace advocates in Boston, Massachusetts. CGA was created in response to a lack of much-needed analysis and research in the Iraq anti-sanctions community. The anti-sanctions movement has relied heavily on eyewitness accounts and UN humanitarian reports to state its case to the public, media, and policy constituencies. On the other hand, proponents of current American policy have written extensively on the need to continue pursuing a hard-line policy toward Iraq. Recent policy papers that have been floating around Washington, DC, such as the Washington Institute for Near East Policy's "Iraq Strategy Review" and the U.S. State Department's "Saddam Hussein's Iraq," as well as policy journal articles, make recommendations that range from continuing economic sanctions and long term containment to military invasion. Moral and humanitarian arguments, though important, are not enough to counteract such analysis and change the sanctions policy and the public's perception of it. Pro-sanctions analysts and policy makers dominate the public debate on Iraq, and unless their arguments are thoroughly analyzed and critiqued, these policies will remain entrenched. By conducting, compiling, and disseminating research on current U.S. policy and the situation in Iraq, CGA hopes to bridge the gap between the world of activism and the world of academia. Current Projects: 1. The Oil for Food Deal as the Permanent Solution? * Are stated goals being met? What exactly is U.S. policy? * Sanctions as a tool: Historical analysis * Humanitarian impact * Sociological and psychological impact: Current and long term * Saddam Hussein's internal and external policy plans: Analysis and feasibility assessment * Weapons of mass destruction: Likelihood of rebuilding. * Alleged warehousing of food and medicine: Analysis * Dual-use goods and technology: Analysis and recommendation * Defining military sanctions * Defining economic sanctions * Deterrence as a policy option * De-linking economic and military sanctions - Can military containment be achieved after economic sanctions are lifted. 2. "Getting Rid of Saddam"- Arming the Opposition and Pursuing a Roll-back Policy: Analysis and Recommendation: * Pros and cons * Likelihood of replacing current regime with one that respects the rights of the Iraqi people * The human cost * Potential regional fallout and long-term effects CGA Methodology: CGA will not try to "reinvent the wheel" by conducting independent research on topics that have already been extensively researched by experts and academics. Instead we will rely on this research as factual evidence for our analysis. To ensure that our analysis is foolproof, we will frequently solicit the advice of leading experts in the fields of public health, economics, law, international relations, sociology, psychology and other disciplines. In making these contacts, CGA will also be cultivating these experts as possible allies in the struggle to lift sanctions. Critical to CGA's work is a close relationship with the anti-sanctions community. Regular interaction with leading activist organizations such as EPIC, FOR, and AFSC will allow CGA to be in a better position to meet their informational needs. WHAT we will offer: Lobbying: CGA will be an invaluable behind the scenes resource for people engaged in lobbying. We will provide research papers and sourced materials to lobbyists and distribute CGA material to policy makers ourselves. With the full weight of research, analysis, policy recommendations, and advocate networks behind them, lobbyists will be more effective at what they do. Rapid Response Network: "Knowing the facts" puts us in a position to quickly refute questionable statements by government officials, State Department reports, and media articles with a spin. Our responses will be disseminated to the media and activists within 24-48 hours to ensure that well-researched, alternative positions are available immediately. Grassroots Education: Based on activists' needs, CGA will disseminate sourced talking points and summaries of research material to activists. Activists will in turn pass those points and summaries on to the communities in which they live. Multi-faceted education that goes beyond appeals to morality and that addresses the fears of the general public is the key to creating more widespread opposition to sanctions. Additional Resources: * Circulated articles about specific issues, e.g., if water boiling could drastically reduce mortality in Iraq? * Briefing books with articles, op-eds, essays, and other written materials that can serve as a library and educational packet. * Materials for activists attending events at which policy makers will be present, including pointed sample questions to ask during q&a sessions. * Well-crafted letters to the editorial boards of major newspapers and magazines. * A frequently updated informational Web-site containing links to research sources, bibliographies and summaries of relevant articles and books, as well as CGA reports. HOW YOU CAN HELP: CGA is a newly developing organization. We need researchers, advisors, sources, and more. To become involved in CGA or to learn more, please contact us! Nathaniel Hurd, a CGA board member, is traveling from Boston to attend the upcoming CASI conference. If you are at the conference, and have any questions about CGA's work or the organization itself, Nathaniel will be happy to answer them. Please also feel free to E-mail us at any time. The Center for Global Analysis 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140 USA Telephone: 617-492-4570 Fax: 617-354-2832 E-mail: globalanalysis@earthlink.net -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Please do not send emails with attached files to the list *** Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html ***