Month: August 2004

The battle for Najaf, at least at the military level, is inconclusive as I write, and the ultimate political implications will probably take weeks or months to sort out, though it is virtually certain that one result will be better recruiting prospects for militants, insurgents, jihadists and the like. The nomination of Porter Goss to … Continue reading “Parsing the Libyan Myth”

Once again, U.S. armed forces appear on the verge of winning a decisive military victory in Iraq – this time in the holy city of Najaf. And once again, they appear closer to losing the larger wars for a stable and friendly Iraq and for an Islamic world that will cease producing anti-U.S. terrorism. That … Continue reading “US Winning Najaf Battle, Losing Iraq War”

The tom-toms are beating, and the word is going out to neocons worldwide: Save yourselves! Anybody but Bush! Yes, I know it must be hard to believe, since loyalty is such a big deal to the neocons (as in: they don’t have any), but the word on the street is that, since the Great Cause … Continue reading “Reinventing the War Party”

If a mandatory evacuation from your storm-threatened holiday leaves you with time on your hands, or you have energy left for reading after the hassles of airport security and can block out the incessant blared warnings over the airport loudspeakers, here are some diverting suggestions. For light reading with a weighty message, try Bill Fawcett’s … Continue reading “Follies of the High and Mighty”

The American Bar Association (ABA) this week added its voice to appeals for independent investigation of the abuse and torture by U.S. soldiers of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Bush administration’s "war on terrorism." Adopting by an overwhelming margin a proposed resolution during its annual convention in Atlanta earlier this week, the … Continue reading “American Bar Association Calls for Independent Torture Probe”

MONTREAL – Recent terrorism alerts in New York City have not slowed plans there to protest the Republican National Convention (RNC), which is set to officially nominate George W. Bush on Sept. 2 to run for president in November’s U.S. elections. This week alone, the myriad groups and coalitions organizing marches, days of action, conferences … Continue reading “Protesters Plan to Give RNC the Bronx Cheer”

BAGHDAD – The latest round of fighting in Iraq is the first real test for the country’s new government after it took over from the U.S. and British-led occupation authority in the last days of June. The initial relative calm that greeted the handover has been slowly disintegrating across the country. The opposition against the … Continue reading “Insurgents Get Support of Homegrown Media”

Just days before Venezuelans vote on whether to recall Hugo Chavez, U.S. officials and analysts appear increasingly resigned to at least another two and a half years of a government headed by the fiery populist. They have watched Chavez surge in the polls in the past few weeks and, what with a leaderless opposition united … Continue reading “US Set to ‘Grin and Bear’ Chavez Victory”

WASHINGTON – Human rights, veterans and civil liberties groups on Thursday will urge a federal court to order the U.S. government to release records on the alleged mistreatment of prisoners at U.S. military bases and other detention facilities overseas, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the … Continue reading “Groups Ask Court for Prisoner Abuse Info”

In any war, one of the most useful opportunities is a chance to see the conflict through the other side’s eyes. A Marine captain recently sent me a fascinating look at the misnamed "war on terror" through the eyes of al-Qaeda, in the form of an interview by an al-Qaeda journal, Sawt Al-Jihad, of Fawwaz … Continue reading “The War Through al-Qaeda’s Eyes”