Month: January 2010

West Bank Route May Open, but Not to Peace

ROUTE 443, Occupied West Bank – Just beyond the main Israeli checkpoint, 10 kilometers short of Jerusalem, a white Nissan station wagon is abruptly edging to the side of the road. It comes to a halt on the shoulder. Four Orthodox Jews clamber out and gather around the mound at the side of the road. … Continue reading “West Bank Route May Open, but Not to Peace”

Afghan Prisoners Challenge Indefinite Detention

While the unsuccessful attempt to bring down a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day captured the headlines and put major political roadblocks in the path of prisoner release from Guantanamo Bay, the courts – far more quietly – continued to play a major role in influencing the detention issue. That influence was demonstrated by two cases … Continue reading “Afghan Prisoners Challenge Indefinite Detention”

Friday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded

Updated at 4:50 p.m. EST, Jan 8, 2010 At least 10 Iraqis were killed and 12 more were wounded in the latest attacks; however, the Accountability and Justice Committee’s decision to ban several lists yesterday could foreshadow a larger increase in violence than was previously expected. Accusations continue to fly since the decision was announced. … Continue reading “Friday: 10 Iraqis Killed, 12 Wounded”

The Case of the Tell-tale Tunnels: Tall Tales from the Times

The drumbeat for war with Iran started quite some time ago, but as we begin the new year the tom-toms are getting more frenetic and certainly louder. It wasn’t twenty-four hours after the intrepid Gareth Porter effectively debunked the latest war propaganda in the Times of London – a forged document purporting to show Iranian … Continue reading “The Case of the Tell-tale Tunnels: Tall Tales from the Times“

Afghanistan Dominated TV Foreign News in 2009

Afghanistan and the U.S. military escalation in the civil war there dominated foreign-related news coverage by the three major U.S. television networks in 2009, according to the latest annual review by the authoritative Tyndall Report. Despite the continued presence of well over 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan received more than four times the amount … Continue reading “Afghanistan Dominated TV Foreign News in 2009”

Two Blackwater Guards Arrested by FBI on Murder Charges

Two former Blackwater operatives were arrested by US federal agents on murder charges, stemming from their alleged involvement in the shooting deaths of two Afghan civilians in Kabul in May. They have been identified as Justin Cannon, 27, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Christopher Drotleff, 29, of Virginia Beach, Va. They have been charged with … Continue reading “Two Blackwater Guards Arrested by FBI on Murder Charges”

Thursday: 1 US Soldier, 12 Iraqis Killed; 31 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 7:50 p.m. EST, Jan. 7, 2010 At least 12 Iraqis were killed and 31 more were wounded during attacks in three cities. A U.S. soldier died of non-combat injuries. Meanwhile, Iran and Iraq’s foreign ministers met to resolve at border dispute. Also, Blackwater Worldwide has settled a number of civil lawsuits stemming from … Continue reading “Thursday: 1 US Soldier, 12 Iraqis Killed; 31 Iraqis Wounded”