Month: December 2007

Updated at 1:10 a.m. EST, Dec. 28, 2007At least 29 Iraqis were killed and 22 more were injured in the latest round of violence. Another 22 people were kidnapped in Diyala province and an unknown number were abducted in Baghdad. Most of the dead were killed in security operations, while the injured were wounded during … Continue reading “Thursday: 29 Iraqis Killed, 22 Injured, 22 Kidnapped”

After several years of enjoying near-unchallenged world hegemony, in 2006 it began appearing as if the U.S. Empire had suffered a series of setbacks. The true extent of this "long defeat" became obvious in 2007, as the fruitless Iraqi occupation continued to produce death and destruction, a rickety economy collapsed on the home front, and … Continue reading “It’s No Longer 1999”

A former US Department of Justice (DOJ) ethics adviser has joined leading members of the US legal community in calling on Congress to investigate the destruction of tape recordings of interrogations carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Jesselyn Radack – who came to prominence as a whistleblower after she objected to the government’s … Continue reading “Legal Community Condemns Destruction of CIA Tapes”

FALLUJAH – The controversial move of the US military to back Sunni "Awakening" forces has created another wedge between Sunni and Shi’ite political groups. Following disputes between the tribal groups assembled into Awakening forces and the Iraqi government, the creation of these forces has become also a political issue. US-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, … Continue reading “US-Backed ‘Awakening’ Forces Arouse New Conflicts”

Many of us remember the Iraqi exile groups whose tall tales the Administration used to justify the invasion of their country in 2003. Fewer people are aware that similar groups from other Middle Eastern countries frequent the halls of Congress and editorial board rooms carrying their frightening ghost-written books with guidance from pro-war think tanks. … Continue reading “Iran Hawks Find New Supporters Against the NIE”

We Are All Prisoners Now Paul Craig Roberts "They’re locking them up today They’re throwing away the key I wonder who it’ll be tomorrow, you or me?" ~ The Red Telephone (LOVE, 1967) At Christmas time it has been my habit to write a column in remembrance of the many innocent people in prisons whose … Continue reading “We Are All Prisoners Now”

Approximately three months ago, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG), pressured out Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi. Surprisingly, this political re-arrangement of deckchairs generated much noisy headlines. Meanwhile the real story – the great unfolding humanitarian disaster – continued unnoticed. For the Somali people, the Ethiopian invasion of December of 2006 could not have started at … Continue reading “Government Brings Death and Destruction Back to Somalia”

Israeli “Defense” Minister Ehud Barak is definitely the most dangerous politician in the Middle East. Ahmadinejad can only dream of having the powers – political and military, conventional and non-conventional – that Barak already possesses. Netanyahu and other far-right Israeli politicians say what they think and are earmarked as extremists, so they are under permanent … Continue reading “Beware of Barak”

CARACAS – The day after Christmas was a time of agonizing waiting for the families of hostages held by Colombia’s FARC guerrillas, who promised to release three of the captives within the next few days. A bold international operation presented by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to ensure the safe release of Colombian politicians Consuelo González … Continue reading “Colombia Okays Chávez’s Hostage Release Plan”

Updated at 10:35 p.m. EST, Dec. 26, 2007At least 31 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 17 more were wounded in the latest round of violence. Seventeen of the dead were from a mass grave near Baquba. Meanwhile, Turkey continues to send warplanes into Iraq, but the only casualties were reported on the Turkish … Continue reading “Wednesday: 3 US Soldiers, 36 Iraqis Killed; 17 Iraqis Wounded”