Month: February 2009

While human rights and legal advocacy groups applauded President Barack Obama’s decision to close the military prison at Guantánamo Bay within a year, many immediately raised another thorny question: "What about Bagram?" The answer came as a shock. In a brief filing in federal court last week, lawyers from Obama’s Department of Justice said they … Continue reading “What About Bagram?”

Hours after President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress, the New York Times printed the news that he plans to gradually withdraw "American combat forces" from Iraq during the next 18 months. The newspaper reported that the advantages of the pullout will include "relieving the strain on the armed forces and freeing up … Continue reading “Freeing Up Resources… for More War”

Update at 7:45 p.m. EST, Feb. 25, 2009A jet plane carrying a Sunni legislator accused of sectarian violence was forced to return to Baghdad when the lawmaker’s immunity was lifted. Meanwhile, two Iraqis were killed and another nine were wounded in an unusually quiet day. Another four people were kidnapped. Also, U.S. officials said that … Continue reading “Wednesday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 9 Wounded”

A leading human rights organization charges that, contrary to recent U.S. government reports that found prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, being treated humanely, they are in fact “deteriorating at a rapid rate” due to “harsh conditions that continue to this day, despite a few cosmetic changes to their routines.” The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) … Continue reading “Gitmo Report Contradicts Govt. Claims of ‘Humane’ Detention”

In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and throughout the Middle East [.pdf], America’s name is mud, thanks to the Bush administration and its predecessors. During the Bush era, our international standing took a huge hit, with millions wondering what crazed act of aggression was going to come out of Washington next. Our militaristic foreign policy [.pdf] has alienated … Continue reading “To Russia, With Hate”

Updated at 6:45 p.m. EST, Feb. 24, 2009One U.S. soldier was killed and three others were injured during an armed attack in Mosul. At least five Iraqis were killed and 15 others were wounded across the country. Meanwhile, a Sunni lawmaker is demanding parliament form a special committee to look into violence perpetrated by other … Continue reading “Tuesday: 1 US Soldier, 5 Iraqis Killed; 15 Iraqis Wounded”

Monday’s call by Sen. Richard Lugar for a major reassessment of Washington’s nearly half-century effort to isolate Cuba increases the likelihood that U.S. President Barack Obama will make substantial changes in policy toward Havana beyond those he promised during his election campaign, according to experts. "What’s significant is that this is the senior statesman for … Continue reading “Lugar Report Calls for New Cuba Policy”

As British resident Binyam Mohamed stepped off a plane at RAF Northolt on Monday Feb. 23, six years and 10 months since he was first abducted by the Pakistani authorities at Karachi airport, it was impossible not to sympathize with the words written in a statement by the tall, thin, slightly stooped 30-year-old and delivered … Continue reading “Who Is Binyam Mohamed?”

"If you know neither your enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." – Sun Tzu Sun Tzu maintained that proper planning secures victory before the battle begins. Carl von Clausewitz insisted that war must focus on the political aim. How is it, then, that we are about to put more troops into a … Continue reading “Obama’s Bananastan”

Updated at 4:25 p.m. EST, Feb. 23, 2009Three U.S. soldiers were killed in combat along with their interpreter. At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 23 more were wounded across Iraq today. Three U.S. soldiers were killed in combat in Diyala province today. Their Iraqi interpreter was killed as well. Security forces detained 12 Interior … Continue reading “Monday: 3 US Soldiers, 11 Iraqis Killed; 23 Iraqis Wounded”