Bipartisanship: US House Races Massive Ukraine Weapons Transfer to the Floor!

In Washington the global US military empire is a bipartisan affair. With a trillion dollar yearly military budget, there are plenty of opportunities for both the position and the opposition parties to thrust snouts deeply into the trough. While Ron Paul was in Congress and GW Bush was president, we did a good deal to … Continue reading “Bipartisanship: US House Races Massive Ukraine Weapons Transfer to the Floor!”

Biden’s Ukrainian Albatross

Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell is given credit for popularizing the “Pottery Barn” rule of foreign policy. Though he denies using that exact phrase, in arguing against what became the disastrous 2003 US attack on Iraq Powell made the point that, as in Pottery Barn, “if you break it, you own it.” Bush and his … Continue reading “Biden’s Ukrainian Albatross”

Stumbling Into Catastrophe

There is a real danger for foreign policy advisors and analysts – and especially those they serve – when they are in a bubble, an echo chamber, and all of their conclusions are based on faulty inputs. Needless to say it’s even worse when they believe they can create their own reality and invent outcomes … Continue reading “Stumbling Into Catastrophe”

The Unbearable Hypocrisy of US Sanctions on Iran

On November 22nd of last year, the US government announced it would impose sanctions on Iran’s information minister for his alleged role in limiting domestic Internet access while protests raged in that country over increases in gas prices. At the time, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin condemned the Iranian government for censuring information that Iranian … Continue reading “The Unbearable Hypocrisy of US Sanctions on Iran”

The Failure of the Juan Guaido Coup in Venezuela

Remember Juan Guaido? Just a year ago the Venezuelan politician, unknown even in his own country, was tapped by the US government to lead a coup against the elected government of Nicolas Maduro. In a phone call with no less than Vice President Mike Pence himself, Guaido was told that if he declared himself president … Continue reading “The Failure of the Juan Guaido Coup in Venezuela”

Lindsey Graham: ‘Steal Syria’s Oil To Pay for US Occupation!’

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has been chewing down his fingernails ever since President Trump’s first suggestion that US troops should come home from the Middle East. Last December, when Trump made it clear that he wanted to end the US troop presence in Syria and let the people of the region take care of their … Continue reading “Lindsey Graham: ‘Steal Syria’s Oil To Pay for US Occupation!’”

Nikki Haley Meltdown: Assad Must Go… and War With North Korea!

There must be something about being named US Ambassador to the UN that brings out the inner mass murderer in people. Madeline Albright famously admitted that she thought 500,000 dead Iraqi children due to US sanctions was “worth it.” John Bolton never met a disagreement he didn’t want to turn into a war. Samantha Power … Continue reading “Nikki Haley Meltdown: Assad Must Go… and War With North Korea!”

Russia Sanctions and the Coming Crackdown on Americans

Last week I wrote an article and did an interview explaining that in my reading of the new Russia sanctions bill just signed by President Trump, there is a measure opening the door to a US government crackdown on some of the non-mainstream media. In particular, Section 221 of the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions … Continue reading “Russia Sanctions and the Coming Crackdown on Americans”

House Passes New Russia Sanctions, Pumps Adrenaline Into Cold War 2.0

Late Tuesday afternoon the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HR 3364, the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.” The vote was 419-3, with the only nays coming from Republicans Justin Amash (R-MI), John Duncan (R-TN), and Thomas Massie (R-KY). The bill adds additional sanctions on Russia as punishment for the as-yet-unproven claims that Moscow … Continue reading “House Passes New Russia Sanctions, Pumps Adrenaline Into Cold War 2.0”