Month: September 2007

To no one’s surprise, Gen. David Petraeus wants to keep U.S. troops in Iraq at current strength – or given the Bush administration’s facility at "figuring," greater strength – for at least six more months. If you listen more closely, you’ll discover they’re even more "optimistic" – you’ll hear talk of "Our Children’s Children’s War," … Continue reading “Bull in the China Shop”

[Note to TomDispatch readers: After a long break, this is the 13th in a series of interviews at the site. The previous 12 were collected in the book Mission Unaccomplished: TomDispatch Interviews with American Iconoclasts and Dissenters.] He’s a man who knows something about the dangers of mixing religious fervor, war, and the crusading spirit, … Continue reading “American Exceptionalism Meets Team Jesus”

With increased U.S. pressure on Iran and Israel’s small-scale invasion of Syria, the stage appears set for an ultimatum concerning Iran’s nuclear aspirations that many analysts and even foreign dignitaries warn may result in war. At the same time, both Russia and China have announced that long-delayed energy-development projects with Iran are finally on the … Continue reading “Chaos in the Great Game”

Instead of charting a new direction for U.S. policy in Iraq, President Bush’s speech to the nation last week was an impassioned plea to the American public to stay the course. But much of Bush’s argument for staying the course was based on spin instead of reality. In this edition of "Annotate This…" Stephen Zunes … Continue reading “Annotate This… President Bush’s Sept. 13 Speech to the Nation”

Updated at 12:35 a.m. EDT, Sept. 18, 2007A day after a controversial shooting involving American contractors, the Iraq government says that it will revoke Blackwater USA’s license and prosecute any contractors who used excessive force during the incident. At least 33 Iraqis were killed and 44 more wounded in other attacks. Also, two GIs were … Continue reading “Monday: 2 GIs, 33 Iraqis Killed; 44 Iraqis Wounded”

Amid all the brouhaha over Moveon.org’s Petraeus-Betray-Us newspaper ad, the ongoing martyrdom of Britney Spears, and the latest on O.J., the punditocracy somehow managed to miss the most significant decision any American administration has ever made, bar none: Bush’s announcement, midway through his recent speech to the nation, that we intend to establish a permanent … Continue reading “An ‘Enduring Relationship’ – Or A Perpetual Burden?”

For those still wondering why President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney sent our young men and women into Iraq, the secret is now "largely" out. No, not from the lips of former secretary of state Colin Powell. It appears we shall have to wait until the disgraced general/diplomat draws nearer to meeting … Continue reading “Greenspan Misses Cheney’s Memo: Spills the Beans on Oil”

Gen. David Petraeus proved my point. He’s a political general. Worse than that, he said something in his Senate testimony that should infuriate the loved ones of every man and woman fighting in Iraq. “Is everything you are doing over there making America safer?” Sen. John Warner asked. Petraeus tried to evade the question, but … Continue reading “Petraeus the Politician”

Updated at 11:15 p.m. EDT, Sept. 16, 2007As expected, attacks have increased during the Ramadan holiday. At least 120 Iraqis were killed and 73 were wounded in the latest violence. Although many of the dead were suspected militants, several bombings targeted civilians. Also, hundreds of bodies were discovered in mass graves dating to the Saddam … Continue reading “Sunday: 120 Iraqis Killed, 73 Wounded”

Updated at 9:25 p.m. EDT, Sept. 15, 2007At least 57 Iraqis were killed and 43 more were injured in the latest violence. Several assassination attempts in and around Baquba left a number of important figures and their companions dead or wounded. A Task Force Marne soldier was killed and four were wounded during an IED … Continue reading “Saturday: 1 GI, 57 Iraqis Killed; 43 Iraqis Wounded”