Month: August 2008

Much has been written about the war between Russia and Georgia. Neoconservatives, as Justin Raimondo pointed out, have suddenly discovered the “democratic” republic of Georgia, which has been a historical "victim” of the Russian “empire.” Never mind that not only was Georgia not a democracy before it was devoured by the Soviet Union in 1921, … Continue reading “Political Pipeline”

The remarks by Zalmay Khalilzad, America’s UN ambassador, denouncing Russian aggression against that paragon of democratic virtue, the Republic of Georgia, are almost too funny to quote. U.S. government hypocrisy obviously is not new, but Washington’s inconsistency on this occasion is more spectacular than usual. Proving yet again that history has not ended, last week … Continue reading “Washington’s Laughable Lack of Self-Awareness”

Updated at 9:40 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2008A major attack against Shi’ite pilgrims occurred in Iskandariya today, leaving dozens dead and wounded. Overall, at least 40 Iraqis were killed and another 111 were wounded throughout Iraq. Meanwhile, a party spokesman revealed that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is in the United States, recovering from heart surgery. … Continue reading “Thursday: 40 Iraqis Killed, 111 Wounded”

BAQUBA – Haider returned from Iran recently, with enough money to pay for his wedding and a new car. He was trained to join Badr, the armed wing of the Dawa Party of U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Many more come where he recently came from. Badr is being trained ostensibly to defend Shia … Continue reading “Iraqi Sunnis Complain of Increased Iranian Influence”

UNITED NATIONS – While the United States has repeatedly accused Iran of providing lethal weapons to Shi’ite militias, last week, U.S. officials once again failed to provide solid evidence for this charge, raising questions about the actual level of Iran’s meddling in Iraq. Last Wednesday, Alejandro Daniel Wolff, deputy permanent U.S. representative to the UN, … Continue reading “Nothing Behind US Allegations Against Iran?”

While overall levels of violence in Iraq have significantly dropped from their peak in 2006, every day seems to bring news of yet another ghastly suicide bombing, only now the bomber often comes in a black abaya, the full-length robe worn by many Iraqi women. For the one deadly number that has risen substantially since … Continue reading “Behind the Surge in Iraqi Female Suicide Bombers”

Having watched John McCain and Barack Obama resolutely pledge their allegiance – and their countrymen’s lives and treasure – to the defense of Israel via AIPAC, the media, and personal meetings with Israeli leaders, it is worth asking what could possibly drive these men to so ardently commit America to participation in other people’s religious … Continue reading “The Lobby Like No Other
Wants a War Like No Other”

Six days ago, as most of the world was watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing, Georgian troops attacked the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia. Russia quickly intervened, ousting Georgian forces from the region and attacking Georgian military bases. Despite the training and weapons supplied by the U.S. and Israel, the Georgian military … Continue reading “Krajina, Not Kosovo”

Updated at 5:59 p.m. EDT, Aug. 13, 2008Bomb attacks disturbed the peace in several northern cities today. Overall, at least 12 Iraqis were killed and 43 more were wounded across the country. Also, a U.S. soldier was killed in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Iraq and the U.N. signed a cooperation treaty. A roadside bomb blast killed a … Continue reading “Wednesday: 1 US Soldier, 12 Iraqis Killed; 43 Iraqis Wounded”

The commander in chief of America’s laptop bombardiers, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, can always be counted on to reveal not only the content of the neoconservative party line, but also, in so many words, the impulse that motivates it. In his latest peroration from his perch at the New York Times, the intellectual architect … Continue reading “‘Poor Little Georgia’ – Not!”