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Such measures are likely to be increasingly successful in the future as NAM will soon launch its own "non-aligned news network" (NNN). While the Malaysian information minister -- the network will be based in Kuala Lumpur -- expressed his strong desire to establish a "credible news agency," several NAM members see this as an opportunity to counter what they view as Western propaganda.

Morteza Granghadt of Iran's IRNA recently stated that "western media wages war against developing countries using the media … NNN is a good example of how we could use new information technology to respond to this threat." Syria's information minister expressed similar sentiments. However, it was Ernesto Lopez Dominguez, the president of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, who was victorious in his duplicity. Dominguez assailed the lack of transparency in western news organizations as he disingenuously offered: "Disinformation is silent and continuous terrorism. It qualifies as mental genocide, as it deprives audiences from ideas and arguments on key issues." Regrettably, this is the voice that will be driving NAM for the following three years as Cuban President Fidel Castro assumes the Chair of the organization in September.

Cuba's attainment of the chairmanship of NAM will coincide with a summit of the organization's leaders in Havana scheduled to begin on September 11. Ahmadinejad has already been invited, and there have been talks between Fidel Castro and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe about the latter receiving an advisory role in the organization. With the return to prominence to the Non-Aligned Movement, Iran has found comfort, Cuba prestige, and the United States finds itself once again confronted by those who seek excuses for their failures and legitimacy for their despotism.

topics:
Vladimir Putin, Television, Islam, Environment, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Israel, Pakistan, United Nations, Africa, Energy