Thomas Knapp

Thomas L. Knapp is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism, publisher of Rational Review News Digest, and moderator of Antiwar.com’s commenting/discussion community.

Same as the Old Boss, Julian Assange Edition

On February 9, the US Justice Department announced that US President Joe Biden, as in so many other areas, intends to serve Donald Trump’s second term when it comes to persecuting heroes guilty of exposing US war crimes and embarrassing American politicians. As Trump’s presidency drew to an end, some activists held out hope that … Continue reading “Same as the Old Boss, Julian Assange Edition”

Biden’s Iran Dilemma: Serve Obama’s Third Term – or Trump’s Second?

Even before winning the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden began hedging his bets on US policy toward Iran. While correctly blaming Donald Trump for violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka the Iran nuclear deal, he tried to fob responsibility for restoring that deal off on the Iranians rather than accepting the job … Continue reading “Biden’s Iran Dilemma: Serve Obama’s Third Term – or Trump’s Second?”

The No Fly List: More Dangerous Than the Capitol Rioters

As I write this, the Capitol Hill riot of January 6 is enjoying its extended 15 minutes of fame, complete with straight-faced comparisons to December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001. In hindsight, it will hopefully (and hopefully quickly) shrink to its real-life proportions: A few thousand hysterical Donald Trump supporters, and likely at most … Continue reading “The No Fly List: More Dangerous Than the Capitol Rioters”

There Ain’t No Such Thing as a ‘Must-Pass’ Bill

“Congress,” The Hill reports, “is barreling toward a veto showdown with President Trump over the mammoth must-pass annual defense policy bill.” At issue: The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which as usual has little to do with actual defense. Trump says he’ll veto the NDAA if it requires military bases named after Confederate generals to … Continue reading “There Ain’t No Such Thing as a ‘Must-Pass’ Bill”

Trump Regime vs. the ICC: The Wrong Side of ‘Sovereignty’

In June, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order providing for sanctions against persons who “have directly engaged in any effort by the [International Criminal Court] to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any United States personnel without the consent of the United States.” On September 2, The US regime imposed such sanctions on two … Continue reading “Trump Regime vs. the ICC: The Wrong Side of ‘Sovereignty’”

Ten Years After Lieberman’s ‘Internet Kill Switch,’ the War on Freedom Rages On

In 2010, US Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Thomas Carper (D-DE) introduced their Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act. Better known as the “Internet Kill Switch” proposal for the emergency powers it would have conferred on the president, the bill died without receiving a vote in either house of Congress. A … Continue reading “Ten Years After Lieberman’s ‘Internet Kill Switch,’ the War on Freedom Rages On”

Afghanistan Bounties: Pot, Meet Kettle (and Turn Off the Stove!)

“American intelligence officials have concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces in Afghanistan,” claims the New York Times. More controversially, the authors write that US president Donald Trump was briefed on the assessment (he denies it) and the piece’s tag line says that his administration … Continue reading “Afghanistan Bounties: Pot, Meet Kettle (and Turn Off the Stove!)”

Stop Blaming Russia, China for US Disarmament Failures

On June 22 and 23, Russian and American diplomats met in Vienna to discuss New START, a nuclear arms reduction treaty which expires next year. The treaty provides for an optional five-year extension. Alternatively, the parties could negotiate a new agreement as has happened several times in the past. A third possibility involves one or … Continue reading “Stop Blaming Russia, China for US Disarmament Failures”

Time To Stop Messing Around and Strike at the Root of Police Violence

Protests quickly broke out nationwide following the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, which was caught on video and quickly went viral. Yes, Chauvin has been arrested and charged with murder. Yes, the usual “voices of reason” are issuing a new round of calls for “police reform,” just as … Continue reading “Time To Stop Messing Around and Strike at the Root of Police Violence”

Who Was Behind the Incompetent Venezuela ‘Invasion’?

On May 3, a group of around 60 mercenaries attempted an amphibious landing at Macuto, on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast. They were quickly defeated and 13 of them – including two Americans, Airan Berry and Luke Denman – captured. US president Donald Trump has denied any association with, knowledge of, or involvement in the affair on … Continue reading “Who Was Behind the Incompetent Venezuela ‘Invasion’?”