The ongoing turmoil in Kenya, set off by last week's disputed election results, is prompting considerable concern here about the future of the East African nation that has served as Washington's longest-standing and most reliable ally in a deeply troubled region. The...
‘A Heartbeat Away’ From War
As the American people amuse themselves with the illusion that they have any say in the way they are presently governed, our rulers are moving toward war. Two recent incidents underscore the imminence of this prospect. The Iranian "provocation" in the...
A Surge in Logic
Before we declare the occupation of Iraq a success, nuke Iran, and/or barge into Pakistan, it might be wise to take a deep breath and think logically about some of the pressing issues of the day. Whether you come down on the side of non-interventionism and the...
Providing for the Common Defense
American Airlines will be the first U.S. commercial passenger carrier to flight test a defensive system against anti-aircraft shoulder-fired missiles – known in military parlance as MANPADS, for "man-portable air defense system." Although they are participating...
Tuesday: 1 US Soldier, 22 Iraqis Killed; 12 Iraqis Wounded
Updated at 11:45 p.m. EST, Jan. 8, 2008Tuesday saw a break from attacks; however, at least 24 Iraqis were killed or found dead and another 17 were wounded in light violence. Two Arabs were killed in Suleimaniya as well. Meanwhile, American troops staged a massive but...
Killer of US Soldiers Becomes Hero for Iraqis
BAGHDAD - The recent killing of two U.S. soldiers by their Iraqi colleague has raised disturbing questions about U.S. military relations with Iraqi forces. On Dec. 26, an Iraqi soldier opened fire on U.S. soldiers accompanying him during a joint military patrol in the...
Israel’s White Bird
Tzipi Livni, as her name indicates, is the white bird of Israeli politics (Tzipi is short for Tzipora, "bird," and Livni comes from Lavan, "white"). As against the hawk Binyamin Netanyahu, the vulture Ehud Barak, and the raven Ehud Olmert, she was...
Who Are the 10 Saudis Just Released From Guantánamo?
As 2007 drew to a close, the tally of detainees released from Guantánamo throughout the year rose to 122, as another 10 Saudis were repatriated, to add to the 53 sent home between February and November. With 492 detainees now released – and 281 remaining...
Monday: 1 Sailor, 62 Iraqis Killed; 85 Iraqis Wounded, 8 Iraqis Kidnapped
Updated at 12:15 a.m. EST, Jan. 8, 2008The wave of attacks on U.S.-backed Awakening Councils continued today. Overall, 62 Iraqis were killed or found dead, and 85 more were wounded. At least eight neighborhood patrolmen were kidnapped in the capital as well....
An Imperialist Comedy
Open Steve Coll's aptly titled book, Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001, at almost any page and you're likely to find something that makes a mockery of the film Charlie Wilson's War....