‘Palestinian Life is Cheap’

RAMALLAH – In early February, 41-year-old Fayez Ahmed Faraj, a father of nine from the city of Hebron, 30 miles south of Jerusalem, in the southern West Bank, was shot dead in his home town by Israeli soldiers after he allegedly tried to stab one of them. After a preliminary investigation the Israeli military authorities … Continue reading “‘Palestinian Life is Cheap’”

Republicans Seek Deal on Detainee Trials

The prominent scholar who believes that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, self-styled mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks, should receive no trial is nonetheless advising Sen. Lindsey Graham on a proposal to the White House to create "an overarching detainee framework", including a new approach to habeas corpus petitions and indefinite detention of "too dangerous to free" … Continue reading “Republicans Seek Deal on Detainee Trials”

Truth and Consequences in the Middle East

Considering the Obama administration’s ever wobblier attempt to impose "crippling sanctions" on Iran, the New York Times‘ David Sanger recently wrote, "The delays and the potential for a substantially watered-down resolution, Mr. Obama’s allies say, have put the administration’s credibility on the line in one of its biggest foreign policy challenges." Credibility. Washington policymakers have … Continue reading “Truth and Consequences in the Middle East”

Israeli Army World’s Most Moral?

RAMALLAH – Many Israelis like to believe, and the cliché is repeated regularly in Israel, that their army is the "most moral army in the world." However, following the Gaza war which left 1,400 Palestinians dead, most of them civilians, some Israelis have begun to question this. Furthermore, the fatal shooting of four Palestinian teenagers … Continue reading “Israeli Army World’s Most Moral?”

More Sanctions Against Iran Are Not the Answer

Because President Barack Obama’s attempt to entice Iran to give up its nuclear program has ended in unsurprising failure, he is now trying to ratchet up the pressure on the regime by leading the drive to increase international economic sanctions. However, even if he were to succeed in getting Russia and China to go along … Continue reading “More Sanctions Against Iran Are Not the Answer”

Stop Funding the Israelis

If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the AIPAC conference isn’t a reason for the US to declare – finally – that they’ve had quite enough of the "special relationship," then nothing is. After ambushing the Vice President of the United States with an announcement that new "settlements" are in the works, the Prime … Continue reading “Stop Funding the Israelis”

Tuesday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 15 Wounded; Mass Grave Found

Although few casualties were reported today, a message from an al-Qaeda leader is raising fears of a coming surge in violence. At least two Iraqis were killed and 15 more were wounded in today’s attacks. Also, a Saddam-era mass grave gave up about 20 victims. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stressed that he will not recognize election results until there is a recount. In the U.S., a four star general testified in a hearing concerning the murder of Iraqis in Haditha five years ago.

Unwarranted Influence

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex." – President Dwight David Eisenhower, 1961 Michael D. "Mike" Furlong has, to all appearances, established himself as the premier military-industrial scumbag of the New American Century, an eye-watering accomplishment considering the competition in … Continue reading “Unwarranted Influence”