Month: February 2008

Waterboarding: Two Questions for Michael Hayden

The media is buzzing with the news that Michael Hayden, the director of the CIA, admitted in an open session of Congress on Tuesday that waterboarding – a long-reviled torture technique, which produces the perception of drowning – was used on three "high-value" al-Qaeda suspects in CIA custody in 2002 and 2003. The three men … Continue reading “Waterboarding: Two Questions for Michael Hayden”

India to Pay a Price For Launching Israeli Spy Satellite

NEW DELHI – India’s traditionally friendly relations with Iran have come under unprecedented strain because of the launching of an Israeli spy satellite by an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket a fortnight ago. This comes on top of recent tensions caused by India’s refusal to attend talks to complete a commercial deal on a … Continue reading “India to Pay a Price For Launching Israeli Spy Satellite”

Powell’s UN Fiasco: Fresh and Festering

Yesterday was a difficult day for Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. It was hard to celebrate the fifth anniversary of our first corporate memorandum, a same-day critique of Colin Powell’s Feb. 5, 2002 UN address, when we could not escape the reality that this speech greased the skids for death and destruction in Iraq and … Continue reading “Powell’s UN Fiasco: Fresh and Festering”

The War of Fog: Canadian Prisoners in Afghanistan

Mr. Robert Marleau Information Commissioner of Canada Place de Ville, Tower B 112 Kent Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1H3 Dear Mr. Marleau, I read with great admiration and (Canadian) pride your appeal for the government of Canada to pursue more open communications, honoring the spirit of the Access to Information Act, now 25 … Continue reading “The War of Fog: Canadian Prisoners in Afghanistan”

The Winter of Our Discontent

This is one election season in which the conventional wisdom is no sooner formulated than it is refuted by events: Hillary was "inevitable" – now she’s content to hold her ground. Rudolph Giuliani was the "frontrunner" in the national polls – today he’s a laughingstock, who earned the distinction of paying the most cash ever … Continue reading “The Winter of Our Discontent”

Wednesday: 1 US Soldier, 46 Iraqis Killed; 46 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 9:40 p.m. EST, Feb. 6, 2008At least 46 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 46 more were wounded during numerous but small attacks throughout the country. The DOD reported that one U.S. soldier died of non-combat-related causes. Elsewhere, a U.S. army report noted that American troops are hit by anti-armor attacks every … Continue reading “Wednesday: 1 US Soldier, 46 Iraqis Killed; 46 Iraqis Wounded”

Intel Chief: Pakistan-Based al-Qaeda Biggest Threat

With key improvements in the security situation in Iraq during 2007, al-Qaeda – and particularly its central leadership based in border regions of Pakistan – continues to pose the most significant threats to the United States, both at home and abroad, according to the director of national intelligence (DNI), retired Adm. J. Michael McConnell. And … Continue reading “Intel Chief: Pakistan-Based al-Qaeda Biggest Threat”

Bush: Uniter, Decider, and Now, Interpreter

When George W. Bush signed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act into law last week, he again thumbed his nose at Congress by taking a second now-familiar step: he issued a "signing statement" – a declaration that effectively asserts his authority to ignore parts of the law he disagrees with. His action brought harsh criticism … Continue reading “Bush: Uniter, Decider, and Now, Interpreter”

Tuesday: 3 GIs, 90 Iraqis Killed; 7 Iraqis Wounded; Mass Grave Found

Updated at 12:45 a.m. EST, Feb. 6, 2008A mass grave containing dozens of bodies was discovered west of Samarra. Elsewhere, a small but deadly U.S. raid on a civilian residence was reported for the second day in a row. Overall, 90 Iraqis were reported killed or found dead, and seven were wounded across Iraq. Three … Continue reading “Tuesday: 3 GIs, 90 Iraqis Killed; 7 Iraqis Wounded; Mass Grave Found”