Month: September 2008

NEW DELHI – Even as the Jammu region of the strife-torn Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is settling down to normality and peace, a two-month-old turmoil in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley shows no signs of abating. The Kashmir unrest, which unseated the elected government of the state in July, now threatens to become a … Continue reading “Dialogue Missing as Kashmir Erupts”

While the rest of the pundits opine about the meaning and implications of Sarah Palin’s ascension from small town mayor to prospective vice president – and whether or not her daughter’s private life is fair game for any media outlet other than the National Enquirer – those of us whose job it is to stand … Continue reading “September Surprise”

The window through which Salam Amira, 16, filmed the moment when an Israeli soldier shot from close range a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee has a large hole at its center with cracks running in every direction. "Since my video was shown, the soldiers shoot at our house all the time," she said. The shattered … Continue reading “Palestinian Village Faces Army Reign of Terror”

It’s now hard to remember that, when the Bush administration arrived in office in 2000, its hardcore members were all old Cold Warriors who hadn’t given up the ghost. If the Soviet Union no longer existed, they were still quite intent on rolling back what was left of it, stripping off Russia’s "near abroad," encircling … Continue reading “Bush Checkmated in Georgia”

Updated at 7:27 p.m. EDT, Sept. 2, 2008At least 20 Iraqis were killed and 43 more were wounded in a number of bombings carried out in Baghdad and Mosul. A U.S. soldier died in a non-combat related incident. Also, tensions between the central government and Kurdish Peshmerga are increasing in Diyala and spreading to Mosul. … Continue reading “Tuesday: 1 US Soldier, 20 Iraqis Killed; 43 Iraqis Wounded”

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signaled last week that all U.S. troops – including those with non-combat functions – must be out of the country by the end of 2011 under the agreement he is negotiating with the George W. Bush administration. That pronouncement, along with other moves indicating that the Iraqi position was hardening … Continue reading “Why Iraqi ‘Client’ Blocked US Long-Term Presence”

Just when you think that there can be no more outrageous proposals from the current lame duck government, and that it’s down to a straight race between Barack Obama, a man with respect for the rule of law, and John McCain, who, I fear, may allow the malign spirits of Dick Cheney and David Addington … Continue reading “Bush’s Proposed Terror Legacy: A Legal Basis for Perpetual War”

Among the reasons the Russians have offered to justify their aggressive counterattack into Georgian territory proper during the recent (ongoing?) Russo-Georgian war was Kosovo. When the United States strong-armed (wheedled? persuaded? bribed?) most of the Western countries into recognizing Kosovo as an independent state (although one completely dependent on NATO for almost all government services … Continue reading “Kosovo and Georgia:
The Larger Picture”

Goodbye I am going to miss Charley Reese. One of the first things I have always done for the many years I have been reading Antiwar.com was to check to see if he had an article in that issue. Several years ago I called the editor of the local paper and canceled my subscription because … Continue reading “Backtalk, September 2, 2008”

Updated at 8:25 p.m. EDT, Sept. 1, 2008Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for peace as Sunni Muslims began their observance of Ramadan. The holy month begins tomorrow for Shi’ites. In Anbar province, the U.S. military formally handed over security to Iraqi forces. Overall, five Iraqis were killed at least 26 others were wounded in attacks. … Continue reading “Monday: 1 US Soldier, 5 Iraqis Killed; 26 Iraqis Wounded”