Month: December 2006

Updated at 3:05 p.m. EST, Dec. 27, 2006 At least 79 Iraqis were killed or found dead today and another 26 were wounded in violent acts. Also, military authorities have reported the deaths of three GIs in separate events. December has already proven to be one of the most violent months since the occupation of … Continue reading “Saturday: 79 Iraqis, 3 GIs Killed; 26 Iraqis Wounded”

“If the king attacks Persia, he will destroy a great empire.” – Delphic Oracle All the news is that despite growing antiwar sentiment among the public and the establishment, Bush has decided to reject the major recommendations of the Baker panel and continue to settle for nothing less than total “victory” in Iraq, that he … Continue reading “Could Bush Start Another War?”

For those who believed that the precise and overwhelming demonstration of U.S. military power in Afghanistan and Iraq would “shock and awe” the rest of the world – and particularly Washington’s foes and aspiring rivals – into accepting its benevolent hegemony, 2006 was not a good year. Not only has Washington become ever more bogged … Continue reading “A Bad Year for Empire”

Lately, the Bush administration has been trying to play nice on the global stage – emphasizing collaboration with other countries on issues like nuclear proliferation and the "war on terror." But the Bush administration’s obsession with domination and control keeps cropping up – most recently in its new space policy, the first new statement of … Continue reading “Win the Space Race by Not Running It”

with Ali Al-Fadhily BAGHDAD – Despite promises from Iraqi and U.S. leaders that 2006 would bring improvement, Iraqis have suffered through the worst year in living memory, facing violence, fragmentation and a disintegrated economy. A year back Iraqis were promised that 2006 would be the fresh beginning of a, prosperous, democratic and unified Iraq. Through … Continue reading “Iraqi Hopes Dim Through Worst Year of Occupation”

Last year Condi whizzed down to New Delhi to prevent India from finalizing technical and commercial contracts for a $4.5 billion natural gas pipeline – the so-called “Peace Pipeline” – that would transit Pakistan but provide Iranian natural gas mostly to India. Iran proposed making India effectively a “partner” in the gas pipeline, oil refining … Continue reading “Condi’s Diplomatic Triumph”

Updated at 2:00 p.m. EST, Dec. 23, 2006 As U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ended his visit to Iraq, the U.S. military reported that five American servicemembers were killed there. Also, at least 36 Iraqis were killed and 15 were wounded in separate attacks. Friday is the Muslim day of prayer, so there is … Continue reading “Friday: 5 GIs, 36 Iraqis Killed; 1 GI, 15 Iraqis Wounded”

Today (Thursday, December 21), is the eleventh anniversary of Antiwar.com, and I didn’t even realize it, at first. A look at our blog reminded me, and the ever-present question – “What shall I write about today?” – was, mercifully, answered. I say mercifully because that question has been bedeviling me, of late, rather more than … Continue reading “An Anniversary”

Iraq is a disaster, probably America’s greatest strategic mistake since World War II. It will be years, if not decades, until we see, let alone overcome, all of the consequences of George W. Bush’s misbegotten war. Most people – other than President Bush, who admits that “we’re not winning” but still thinks the invasion was … Continue reading “Losing Lives or Face: Time to Leave Iraq”

Updated at 3:25 p.m. EST, Dec. 21, 2006 Bombings rattled Baghdad again today where at least two suicide bombers killed over a dozen people. Overall, at least 59 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 42 wounded in violent incidents. Also, the U.S. military reported that three more U.S. servicemembers were killed, bringing the … Continue reading “Thursday: 59 Iraqis, 3 GIs Killed; 42 Iraqis Wounded”