Month: February 2008

Often what is hidden in our world is so simply because no cares or thinks to look. Yes, a fair amount of attention has recently been given to the staggering new Pentagon budget request, the largest since World War II, that the Bush administration has just submitted to Congress for fiscal year 2009. It comes … Continue reading “The Growing Military-Industrial Complex in Asia”

Finally, then, nearly six and a half years after the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government has charged six Guantánamo detainees with, among other things, terrorism, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, and conspiracy – adding, for good measure, that it will seek the death penalty in the case of any convictions. … Continue reading “Gitmo Charges: Why Now? And What About the Torture?”

Speaking to a friendly crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week, President Bush declared: "The Taliban, al-Qaeda, and their allies are on the run." Although he wasn’t declaring victory ("Afghanistan has a long road ahead"), the president made happy talk about elections, hospitals and roads being built, and girls who previously were … Continue reading “Hobbled in Kabul”

Updated at 7:35 p.m. EST, Feb. 12, 2008As Coalition and Iraqi forces secure more areas in Iraq, the number of mass graves found has increased. The latest was found in Muqdadiyah, while several more bodies were discovered scattered around Baquba. Overall, at least 46 Iraqis were killed or found dead and 18 more were wounded … Continue reading “Tuesday: 46 Iraqis Killed, 18 Wounded”

By his own admission, U.S. Ambassador John W. Limbert’s ordeal as a captive during the Iranian hostage crisis began with a monumental failure of negotiation. "In 1979, somebody thought it would be a good idea to the let the shah [of Iran] into the U.S. for medical treatment, despite – I must say – the … Continue reading “Iran and the US: A History of Mistrust”

BAQUBA – U.S.-backed Sunni militants have challenged the U.S.-backed Iraqi government in Baghdad and demanded political power after two women were killed by government forces. Tensions rose earlier this month when men dressed in Iraqi security personnel uniforms kidnapped two women. Their naked bodies were found later. After the incident, the "Awakening Groups" in Baquba, … Continue reading “US-Backed Groups Challenge Iraqi Government”

BAQUBA – University professors now enjoy increased pay, but in the face of threats and isolation, there is little they are able to do in the world of academics. All that has gotten better is the pay. Under the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein – and primarily because of the U.S.-backed and UN-enforced economic … Continue reading “In Iraq, Learning Can Be Dangerous”

As the man responsible for the health and strength of the U.S. military, Pentagon chief Robert Gates is increasingly finding himself between the devil and the deep blue sea. On the one hand, there’s the devil in his Iraq-obsessed boss, President George W. Bush, who clearly opposes any move that could risk what gains have … Continue reading “SecDef Torn Between Bush and Military Over Iraq”

Back in June 2003 Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath came to the White House to meet President Bush for the first time. Shaath relates that Bush told his visitors during their meeting in the Oval Office that God had commanded him to establish a Palestinian state: "God told me, ‘George, … Continue reading “God vs. Elliott Abrams”

"We support the troops!" That’s the excuse the Democrats have given for continuing to fund Bush’s aggression against Iraq and Afghanistan. But, of course, war funding doesn’t support the troops. War funding supports an evil machine that chews up and spits out the lives and well-being of the troops, along with that of hundreds of … Continue reading “Bush Calls on France for Help”