U.S. Tea Party Loses in Fight with Big Business Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, 16 May (IPS) - For leaders of the right-wing populist "Tea Party" who have bragged about their growing influence – if not domination – of the Republican Party, the past week's battle over the future of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) has been a humbling experience. more...   OP-ED Arab Autocrats Aiding Resurgence of Terrorism Dr. Emile Nakhleh* WASHINGTON, 16 May (IPS) - The rising spectre of terrorism in Syria shows that by clinging to power and refusing to implement meaningful reforms, Arab autocrats in Syria, Bahrain, and elsewhere are indirectly contributing to the resurgence of terrorism in their societies. more...   OP-ED Bullying, Leadership and the Presidency of the United States Kerry Kennedy* NEW YORK, 15 May (IPS) - The 1965 bullying incident at Michigan's elite Cranbrook School that came to light this week has kicked off a series of conversations about bullying and about the extent to which we should hold our nation's leaders accountable for past behaviour. more...   Obama's Gay Marriage Endorsement Makes Waves in the Caribbean Peter Richards PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, 15 May (IPS) - It is a widely recognised cliché that when the United States sneezes, the Caribbean catches cold. more...   U.S. Arms Sale Sends Wrong Signal to Bahrain, Groups Say Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, 14 May (IPS) - The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is sending the wrong signal to the government of Bahrain in proceeding with a partial sale of new arms to Manama, according to human rights activists and some lawmakers here. more...   BOOKS Controversy and Deadly Destruction Arising from Drone Use Johanna Treblin NEW YORK, 13 May (IPS) - Grasshoppers and other insects might become the next generation of drones, if researchers with the Israeli research centre Technion who are studying the movements of these insects succeed. Ultimately, they hope to be able to remotely control where the insects fly. more...   Unresolved Ethnic Issues Threaten Myanmar Reforms Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 11 May (IPS) - Discussion of economic reforms in Myanmar (Burma) should not overshadow the critical need for a political solution to the longstanding grievances of the country's ethnic minorities, observers in Washington warned on Friday. more...   U.S. Treasury Claim of Iran-Al-Qaeda "Secret Deal" Is Discredited Gareth Porter* WASHINGTON, 10 May (IPS) - The U.S. Treasury Department's claim of a "secret deal" between Iran and Al-Qaeda, which had become a key argument by right-wing activists who support war against Iran, has been discredited by former intelligence officials in the wake of publication of documents from Osama bin Laden's files revealing a high level of antagonism between Al-Qaeda and Iran. more...   U.S. Obama Comes Out For Same-Sex Marriage Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, 9 May (IPS) - U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday declared his support for same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting president to do so and thrusting the issue into the centre of his campaign for re-election. more...   China Key to Green Tech Innovation? Carey L. Biron WASHINGTON, 9 May (IPS) - With U.S. federal funding sources for renewable energy sources already drying up, coupled with a newfound antipathy towards "green" issues issue here in Washington, some are suggesting that China could offer an important opportunity for the future of renewables in the United States and around the world. more...