Month: February 2008

Updated at 12:23 a.m. EST, March 1, 2008In northern Iraq, Turkey began its troop pullout just in time for the weekly prayer day. Meanwhile, a Christian archbishop was kidnapped in Mosul. In Baghdad, an execution order was signed for “Chemical Ali” who killed tens of thousands of Kurds while working as his cousin Saddam Hussein’s … Continue reading “Friday: 14 Iraqis Killed, 4 Wounded; Christian Archbishop Abducted”

US veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are planning to descend on Washington from Mar. 13-16 to testify about war crimes they committed or personally witnessed in those countries. "The war in Iraq is not covered to its potential because of how dangerous it is for reporters to cover it," said Liam Madden, … Continue reading “Vets Break Silence on War Crimes”

I must be getting old. This virus, or whatever the heck it is, really knocked me for a loop. It’s funny, but I recall thinking, just before I came down with this, that I’d managed to entirely avoid getting sick this winter, and – whammo! Hubris – it’s the bane of mankind. At any rate, … Continue reading “The Foreign Policy Follies”

The presidential election is little more than eight months away and the battle lines already seem formed. The Democratic nominee, whether Hillary Clinton, or as looks increasingly likely, Barack Obama, will push economic and social issues while downplaying foreign policy. The presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain, will emphasize national security while attempting to appear modestly … Continue reading “Make America’s Policy of Promiscuous Intervention the Issue in November”

In the week that oil prices once again crested above $100 a barrel and more Americans than at any time since the Great Depression owed more on their homes than the homes were worth; in the year that the subprime market crashed, global markets shuddered, the previously unnoticed credit-default swap market threatened to go into … Continue reading “The Commander-in-Chef Cooks Up a Storm”

In an attempt to squelch rumors that he is pro-Palestinian, or god forbid Muslim, Barack Obama made it clear in the final Democratic Presidential debate on Tuesday that he is anything but. After being prodded by NBC’s Tim Russert on the issue, Obama said he has long been a "stalwart friend of Israel’s," believing the … Continue reading “Barack Obama’s Israel Bond”

Updated at 6:15 p.m. EST, Feb. 28, 2009Millions of Shi’ite Muslims are in Karbala today for the Arbaeen religious observance. Violence has been unexpectedly light following attacks on pilgrims earlier in the week. Overall, at least 13 Iraqis were killed and another 12 were wounded in the latest round of violence. Five Arab nationals were … Continue reading “Thursday: 13 Iraqis, 5 Arabs Killed; 12 Iraqis Wounded”

Former senior intelligence officials are disputing claims by the George W. Bush administration that the failure of Congress to pass a new foreign surveillance law is jeopardizing the country’s national security. In a letter to Admiral Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, the officials say "the intelligence community currently has the tools it needs … Continue reading “Bush, Congress Wrangle Over Domestic Spying”

BAQUBA – Life has been bad enough in Diyala province north of Baghdad after prolonged violence, unemployment and loss of all forms of normal living. What could be worse now is the loss of hope that anything will ever be better. In Baquba, capital city of Diyala province 40km northeast of Baghdad, it’s all about … Continue reading “Baquba Losing Life – and Hope”

If the Balkans had an anthem, it would be that 1950’s doo-wop hit, “Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread.” The latest Balkan fools are the United States and the European Union, which have rushed in to recognize what Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica rightly calls the “fake state of Kosovo.” Why is it … Continue reading “Kosovo: Fools Rush In”