Month: January 2007

If, as expected, George W. Bush next week announces his intention to "surge" some 20,000 additional US troops to Iraq to pacify Baghdad and Sunni-dominated Anbar province, he may find himself in a tougher fight than he expected even a week ago. Not only are the new Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress lining … Continue reading “Bush’s Surge Strategy Faces Heavy Opposition”

with Ali al-FadhilyBAGHDAD – The footage of the execution of Saddam Hussein has generated controversy in Iraq that is refusing to die down. Footage of Saddam’s last moments, taken by an onlooker with a mobile phone, shows the former dictator appearing calm and composed while dealing with taunts from witnesses below him. The audio reveals … Continue reading “Execution Memories Refuse To Go Away”

For more than a decade, Somalia has been Exhibit A in the Hall of Statelessness, a place where the state had not merely weakened into irrelevance but disappeared. Somalia’s statelessness had defeated even the world’s only hyperpower, the United States, when it had intervened militarily to restore order. Fourth Generation war theorists, myself included, frequently … Continue reading “Somalia: A State Restored? Not So Fast”

Scott Ritter, a former U.N. arms inspector in Iraq, has written a book, Target Iran, in which he accuses the Israeli government and its American lobby of pushing the U.S. into attacking Iran. Ritter writes, “Let there be no doubt: If there is an American war with Iran, it is a war that was made … Continue reading “Israel’s Bad Influence”

  Watch Ron Paul’s speech on video.     Saddam Hussein is dead. So are three thousand Americans. The regime in Iraq has been changed. Yet victory will not be declared: not only does the war go on, it’s about to escalate. Obviously the turmoil in Iraq is worse than ever, and most Americans no … Continue reading “Saddam Is Dead – So Are 3,000 Americans”

Once George W. Bush became President, the neo-crazies – in and out of government – attempted to implement their long gestating plan to remake the Middle East to their peculiar liking, effecting “regime change” in Iraq, Iran and elsewhere, by force if necessary. Of course, the Best Congress Money Can Buy was perfectly willing to … Continue reading “Bonkers Bolton’s Legacy”

While U.S. officials were euphoric over last month’s unexpectedly easy rout by Ethiopia and Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Islamic Courts Union, skepticism that stability can be restored to the long-suffering African nation remains high. Much now depends, according to regional specialists, on whether the fractious TFG can be persuaded to make far-reaching … Continue reading “Somalia’s ‘Government’ Still on the Brink”

NEW DELHI – A month after President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan proposed a four-point formula to resolve the troubled question of Kashmir jointly with India, exploratory contacts between the two governments have gathered momentum. Their efforts at reconciling mutual differences are likely to get a boost during a planned visit to Pakistan next week by … Continue reading “Kashmir Resolution in Sight?”

The Democrats’ Agenda Thomas Moore said: “…the Constitution makes the president the Commander-in-Chief, giving him control over the military, Congress has little direct say over where and how the troops are deployed.” Why has he not recommended that this presidential power be taken away? – like right now! We have a nut case as president. … Continue reading “Backtalk, January 6, 2006”

Updated at 11:55 a.m. EST, Jan. 6, 2007 In Baghdad, Muslim clerics issued warnings that residents should be on the alert for increased attacks during what is called “Baghdad Liberation Day.” Clashes did erupt in one neighborhood despite precautions. Overall today, 82 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 27 were wounded in separate … Continue reading “Friday: 82 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded”