Month: December 2008

"Peace on Earth," people ritualistically intone every Christmas. It’s a wonderful platitude. But utterly meaningless, at least in the US. Without question the American government is the most aggressive, belligerent, and warlike on earth. That doesn’t mean Washington is the worst, most murderous regime in existence. There are wars, like America’s invasion of Panama, and … Continue reading “Peace on Earth: Once a Year?”

At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 47 more were wounded as Christians and other Iraqis celebrated Christmas as a national holiday for the first time. One U.S. soldier was killed by indirect fire near Mosul. For the first time, the Iraqi government declared Christmas an official holiday for the country. Although Christians only number … Continue reading “Thursday: 1 US Soldier, 10 Iraqis Killed; 47 Iraqis Wounded”

"What comes next is anybody’s guess" were the closing words of this column in December 2007. That had been a turbulent year, marked by a series of setbacks for the Empire on all fronts. Aside from the ongoing quagmire in Iraq and Afghanistan, even in the Balkans – the region handpicked for the demonstration of … Continue reading “Beginning of the End”

Updated at 5:15 p.m. EST, Dec. 24, 2008Three U.S. soldiers died in a vehicular accident on an otherwise quiet day in Iraq. At least four Iraqis were also killed and another 26 were wounded in violent attacks. A U.S. Marine was killed on Sunday as well. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is in Ankara for … Continue reading “Wednesday: 4 GIs, 4 Iraqis Killed; 26 Iraqis Wounded”

It seems as if the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been dissected from every possible angle. But despite these various close examinations, there has been relatively little progress made toward a lasting peace deal between the two parties, discouraging some peace activists. Many observers, still abiding that by the well-worn adage that "the road to peace runs … Continue reading “Overcoming the Zero-Sum Hurdle in Israel-Palestine Negotiations”

In my Veterans Day column last month, I quoted free-market economist and World War II veteran Richard Timberlake, who wrote: "Yet, any U.S. soldier or airman who thought even briefly about his job of trying to kill and destroy ‘the enemy,’ knew that he was not within range of damaging Hitler and other Nazi leaders. … Continue reading “Silent Night”

Well, well, well – it looks like our war-birds over at the American Enterprise Institute are getting kicked out of their very well-feathered nest, as Jacob Heilbrunn, author of a fascinating book on the neoconservatives, reports: "The neocon world has been rocked by recent events at AEI. Numerous neocons told me that a vicious purge … Continue reading “Here Come the Progressives!”

At least 10 Iraqis were killed and another 12 were wounded in the latest attacks. No Coalition deaths were reported. Meanwhile, the resignation of the parliamentary speaker allowed the passage of a measure that will govern foreign troops in the coming months. Also, U.S. General Ray Odierno said that the situation in Iraq is still … Continue reading “Tuesday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded”

CAIRO – Washington and Baghdad signed a security agreement earlier this month allowing the U.S. to maintain a military presence in Iraq for another three years. But while Baghdad officials hailed the pact as the “beginning of the end” of the U.S.-led occupation, Egyptian commentators – like much of the Iraqi opposition – say the … Continue reading “It Could Be More Than Three Years to US Departure From Iraq”

Updated at 10:35 p.m. EST, Dec. 22, 2008Debate over the journalist shoe-thrower forced parliament to postpone voting on the fate of foreign troops in Iraq and instead focus on the removal of its speaker. Meanwhile, two Iraqis were found dead and six more were wounded during a quiet day in Iraq. A U.S. soldier died … Continue reading “Monday: 1 US Soldier, 2 Iraqis Killed; 6 Iraqis Wounded”