Month: July 2007

Updated at 11:59 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2007At least 34 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 29 more were wounded on a very quiet Tuesday. A Marine was killed yesterday during combat operations in Anbar province. Also, a U.S. helicopter was forced to land when it came under fire in New Baghdad, but all … Continue reading “Tuesday: 1 Marine, 34 Iraqis Killed; 29 Iraqis Wounded”

Just 25 months after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denounced 60 years of U.S. support for authoritarian governments in Arab world, she and Pentagon chief Robert Gates are on their way to the Middle East bearing arms and an uncannily familiar strategic vision to the same regimes. Under former President Ronald Reagan 25 years ago, … Continue reading “Arms for Arab Authoritarians, as US Turns Back Clock”

While fear itself is not always the product of irrationality, once experienced, it tends to lead away from reason, especially if the experience is extreme in duration or intensity. When people are fearful they tend to be willing to irrationally surrender their rights. Thus, fear is a threat to rational liberty. The psychology of fear … Continue reading “The Fear Factor”

Last week, James Wolfensohn gave a long interview to Ha’aretz. He poured out his heart and summed up, with amazing openness, his months as special envoy of the U.S., Russia, the EU, and the UN (the "Quartet") in this country – the same job entrusted now to Tony Blair. The interview could have been entitled … Continue reading “A Warning to Tony Blair”

After two four-year terms as president of the United States, George Washington delivered some exceptionally sound advice in his farewell address in 1796, advice that’s been basically ignored. After expressing hope "that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained," Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army, referred … Continue reading “The First George W. on Blowback”

In an attempt to reverse plummeting approval ratings, the Bush administration is mounting an unprecedented, sustained campaign of disinformation on the terrorist threat confronting the United States. Even the mainstream media has noted how the White House has attempted falsely to tie al-Qaeda to the war in Iraq, with President Bush increasing the number of … Continue reading “Terrorists Are Everywhere”

Updated at 11:55 p.m EDT, July 30, 2007No major incidents involving Asian Cup celebrations were reported yesterday; however, Baghdad suffered one significant car bombing today. Overall, at least 82 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 65 were wounded. Also the U.S. military reported that four American servicemembers were killed. The DOD reported that three … Continue reading “Monday: 4 GIs, 82 Iraqis Killed; 65 Iraqis Wounded”

In a July 11 Wall Street Journal op-ed, writer Kimberly Kagan touted the success of the Iraq surge strategy. Kagan noted, among other supposed triumphs, that the Maliki government had “confronted Moqtada al-Sadr for promoting illegal militia activity, and has apparently prompted this so-called Iraqi nationalist to leave for Iran for the second time since … Continue reading “Misunderstanding Moqtada al-Sadr”

Pat Tillman was slated to become an iconic figure, the purest representation of the New Bushian Man: a football hero who had refused a lucrative contract in order to enlist in the military, who could have had a life of riches and ease but chose, instead, to go to Afghanistan to take up arms against … Continue reading “Who Killed Pat Tillman?”

Updated at 11:58 p.m. EDT, July 29, 2007Most of the country is celebrating the Iraqi soccer team’s championship win in the Asian Cup; however, security forces are bracing for what may be an excuse for extra violence. Several cities have car curfews in place. In the latest round of attacks, 66 Iraqis were killed and … Continue reading “Sunday: 2 GIs, 66 Iraqis Killed; 63 Wounded”