Month: October 2007

Picture the scene: The head of a private military company is appearing before the legislature. For years, his firm has prospered from the occupation of a resource-rich Asian country, protected by its shareholders’ powerful political connections. Only now are years of long-ignored abuses coming to light. The setting is not Washington 2007, but London 1787. … Continue reading “From Bengal to Baghdad: Three Centuries of Corporate Warriors”

While the world holds its breath in anticipation of the Mideast Summit in Annapolis – which, no doubt, will constitute a historic landmark, giving a most significant boost to the economy of that small town in Maryland – the Israeli right wing comes up with a new peace initiative, launched by MK Benny Elon, chairman … Continue reading “The Israeli Right Has a Peace Plan”

Updated at 12:06 p.m. EDT, Oct. 15, 2007At least 46 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 76 more were wounded in the latest violence. Figures may yet rise in two separate attacks, which occurred in Diwaniya and Balad. No foreign military deaths were reported. The DOD reported that two American soldiers were killed in … Continue reading “Monday: 2 GIs, 46 Iraqis Killed; 76 Iraqis Wounded”

A friend and colleague of mine at the Hoover Institution, Peter Robinson, wrote a book a few years ago titled How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life. In this excellent book, Peter tells of how his time as a speechwriter for Reagan changed his life in a good way. Peter, by the way, was the author … Continue reading “How George Bush Changed
My Life”

The great "mystery" arising out of the recent Israeli strike at Syria – purportedly targeting a nuclear-related site near the town of Dair El Zor in the northern part of the country – has been the subject of much speculation, but its real purposes have been hidden behind the veil of obfuscation deliberately thrown over … Continue reading “The Dair El Zor Hoax”

The Ron Paul Breakthrough Is he really antiwar?: “Paul Calls for Congressional Declaration of War with Iraq.“ ~ Roger Kulp Albuquerque Eric Garris replies: Ron Paul used the same tactic used by antiwar members of Congress for many years. In fact, his “Declare War” resolution was cosponsored by many antiwar Democrats. Mike Gravel did the … Continue reading “Backtalk, October 15 2007”

Updated at 11:54 p.m. EDT, Oct. 14, 2007Due to the holiday news blackout, a significant suicide bombing yesterday in Samarra went unreported until today. Overall, at least 69 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 74 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Most were civilians. Two American soldiers were reported killed in separate events. … Continue reading “Sunday: 2 GIs, 69 Iraqis Killed; 74 Iraqis Wounded”

Updated at 11:55 p.m. EDT, Oct. 13, 2007Thanks to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, news was scant for a second day in a row. Many newspapers in Iraq have temporarily ceased publication during the holiday. Overall, at least 58 Iraqis were killed, mostly gunmen, and 22 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Also, … Continue reading “Saturday: 4 GIs, 58 Iraqis Killed; 22 Iraqis Wounded”

A resolution recognizing as "genocide" the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in the former Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago has gained the sponsorship of a majority of members in the US House of Representatives. But it has also drawn heavy criticism from George W. Bush administration officials, who argue that the non-binding and largely … Continue reading “White House Hopes to Avert Major Rift With Turkey”

Just now it’s Blackwater USA that’s in the spotlight due to the shooting that left 17 Iraqis dead on September 16, and a history of being more aggressive than most in their duties of guarding U.S. diplomats and other various hangers-on. The Iraqi government, in a development that just might presage its coming together into … Continue reading “Why So Many Mercenaries in Iraq?”