Month: November 2007

The turmoil in Pakistan might have one positive result: the need to strengthen the American presence in neighboring Afghanistan could narrow the White House’s options and permanently derail plans to attack Iran. Nevertheless, the likelihood of a war that will be a catastrophe for both belligerents, almost certainly for the entire Middle East, and possibly … Continue reading “A Conservative View of Iran”

Why Are They So Afraid of Ron Paul? Justin Raimondo describes Glenn Greenwald as having to choose between “liberal hawks and outright neocons.” It is the clarity of Ron Paul’s positions that is allowing people to finally realize that there is no difference between the liberal hawks and the neocons and that together they form … Continue reading “Backtalk, November 20, 2007”

Updated at 1:15 a.m. EST, Nov. 20, 2007At least 43 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 28 others were wounded on a day marked by the multiple discoveries of dumped corpses throughout the country. Another controversial incident involving foreign security personnel shooting an Iraqi civilian occurred in Baghdad. A possible second incident happened near … Continue reading “Monday: 2 GIs, 43 Iraqis Killed; 28 Iraqis Wounded”

Over the last seven years, it’s often been said that George W. Bush exists in a bubble. When it comes to the cast of characters in his administration – and the Washington Consensus generally – it turns out he isn’t alone. The other night I watched Harvard academic Joseph Nye and former Deputy Secretary of … Continue reading “Invading Washington”

As we approach the new year, a fresh crop of overseas crises threatens to spring up, like mushrooms after a rain, and the prospects for peace on earth, this holiday season, are dimmer than ever. Iraq: First up on the agenda is, of course, the war in Iraq, which, we are told, is going swimmingly. … Continue reading “Wars to Watch Out For”

A Question for Mr. Romney In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said something quite interesting about Iran. One of the editors at the Journal asked him how he would respond upon learning that President Bush had launched an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He answered: "I would … Continue reading “Why Attack Iran?”

Updated at 11:05 p.m EST, Nov. 17, 2007Reports have once again surfaced concerning U.S. troops firing upon Iraqi civilians. This time, a controversial event happened near the capital of the Muthanna province. Overall, 33 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 61 were wounded throughout the country. Four U.S. soldiers were killed as well.Three U.S. … Continue reading “Sunday: 4 U.S. Soldiers, 33 Iraqis Killed; 61 Iraqis Wounded”

The George W. Bush administration’s campaign to seize and detain Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials in Iraq, presented by Bush himself last January as a move to break up an alleged Iranian arms smuggling operation in Iraq, appears to have run its course without having been able to link a single Iranian to … Continue reading “Seizure of Iranians Failed to Validate Bush Line”

Updated at 12:30 a.m. EST, Nov. 18, 2007At least 69 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 13 more were wounded in the latest attacks. The toll includes a mass grave grave found in the capital. No Coalition casualties were reported.In Baghdad, a mass grave containing approximately 35 corpses, including those belonging to women and … Continue reading “Saturday: 69 Iraqis Killed, 13 Wounded”

Heaven knows there are plenty of troubles and potential crises in the Middle East, let alone the rest of the world. While many are understandably focused on Iraq, Iran, Pakistan or even Somalia, the tiny, beleaguered country of Lebanon is facing a crisis that could not only tear the country apart but invite intervention from … Continue reading “Lebanon: The Next Civil War?”