Month: April 2011

Are We Allied to a Corpse?

Of our Libyan intervention, one thing may be safely said, and another safely predicted. When he launched his strikes on the Libyan army and regime, Barack Obama did not think it through. And this nation is now likely to be drawn even deeper into that war. For Moammar Gadhafi’s forces not only survived the U.S. … Continue reading “Are We Allied to a Corpse?”

Across-the-Board Cuts Are the Only Road to Budget Reduction

Defense analysts and military personnel are trained to analyze the U.S. defense posture in a certain way. But even analysts who are trying to be restrained in their assessment of threats and force and equipment requirements are politically naïve about the way the real world of defense budgeting works. A different approach is needed to … Continue reading “Across-the-Board Cuts Are the Only Road to Budget Reduction”

Monday: 17 Iraqis Killed, 148 Wounded

Some Iraqi soldiers are now expressing an eagerness to see U.S. troops stay past a Dec. 31 deadline. Underscoring their belief that security concerns warrant the extension, at least 17 Iraqis were killed dead and 148 more were wounded across the country. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, secret memos are revealing to the public a link between oil companies and British officials in the months leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Israel Becomes the Settler State

The other day, the almighty General Security Service (Shabak, formerly Shin Bet) needed a new boss. It is a hugely important job, because no minister ever dares to contradict the advice of the Shabak chief in cabinet meetings. There was an obvious candidate, known only as J. But at the last moment, the settlers’ lobby … Continue reading “Israel Becomes the Settler State”

The Great Israeli Security Scam

Recent uprisings and rumblings across North Africa and the Middle East from Tunisia and Egypt to Saudi Arabia and Yemen have shone a bright, unflattering light on long-time U.S. allies in the region—despotic kleptocrats whom we supported sometimes to the tune of millions of dollars, or in some cases multi-billions of dollars, for decades. After … Continue reading “The Great Israeli Security Scam”

Hypocrites, Left and Right

I love hate to say I told you so, but not that much. Human Rights Watch reports that forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi are not systematically slaughtering civilians, but are targeting the rebels. Civilians caught in the crossfire account for noncombatant deaths, and the numbers are rising: but this isn’t genocide. Furthermore, as I maintained … Continue reading “Hypocrites, Left and Right”

What a Strange Way to Protect Civilians: Depleted Uranium and Libya

"We are there to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas"  – William Hague  "I was watching ABC News last night and, lo and behold, there was a DU impact. It burned and burned and burned." – Doug Rokke, ex-director of the Pentagon’s Depleted Uranium Project commenting on Libya attack.  "Depleted uranium tipped missiles fit the description of … Continue reading “What a Strange Way to Protect Civilians: Depleted Uranium and Libya”