At least 11 Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded as Iraqis seek reconciliation in the face of a growing threat of sectarianism. The latest blow to harmony between Iraqi’s ethnic, religious and political groups
came from the prime minister who threatened to quash any attempts at increasing
regional autonomy; however former rival and recent ally Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr moved forward with a Code of Honor that may tone down recent volatility.
Nebojsa Malic reviews 2011
Demonstrations took place as Iraqi officials blamed each other for yesterday’s slaughter in Baghdad. Today was more peaceful, but at least six Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded.
The announcement that the US government will henceforth push the achievement of “gay rights” internationally, as a key element of its foreign policy, gives new meaning to the phrase “blowback” – and cut out the snickering! Because the self-righteousness and narcissism of American policymakers, in this instance, will have very real consequences for gay people …
Continue reading “Gay Rights and American Foreign Policy”
Returning from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta dropped some jolting news. Asked by CBS’s Scott Pelley if Iran could have a nuclear weapon in 2012, Panetta replied: “It would probably be about a year before they could do it. Perhaps a little less. But one proviso, Scott, is that if they have …
Continue reading “Make Congress Vote on War on Iran”
Updated at 3:15 p.m. EST, Dec. 22, 2011
A coordinated series of bombings shattered the peace in Baghdad, shortly after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ratcheted up tensions between his government and Sunni politicians. Despite international calls for prudence, Maliki is now targeting another senior Sunni politician for harassment. At least 86 Iraqis were killed and 186 more wounded in today’s carnage.
For the last two decades, U.S. administrations have come in like a lion and out like a lamb with their policies on North Korea. Determined to demonstrate Washington’s resolve, U.S. presidents have played hardball with Pyongyang in an effort to precipitate regime change or at least bully the intransigent country into knuckling under. When this …
Continue reading “North Korea on the Verge of a New Era?”
When I was asked to speak at Saturday’s rally at Fort Meade in support of Pvt. Bradley Manning, I wondered how I might provide some context around what Manning is alleged to have done. (In my talk, so as not to think I had to insert the word “alleged” into every sentence, I asked for …
Continue reading “Pvt. Manning and Imperative of Truth”
Nearly all the Republican presidential candidates are showing their muscles, supporting the war on terror and a robust military while also vowing to do whatever it takes to disarm Iran. They know that it is essential to play the jingoistic “American exceptionalism” card, and they understand that being president also means becoming commander in chief …
Continue reading “Meet the Republican Chickenhawks”
During a press conference today, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki threatened his Sunni opponents and warned the Kurds not to harbor Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi. Meanwhile, at least six Iraqis were killed and 10 more were wounded in new attacks, and Camp Ashraf may finally be closing down.
