Month: January 2012

Eight Iraqis Killed As Maliki’s Rivals Try To Outplay Him

Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq called for replacing his dictatorial boss during an interview today.. Separately, officials in Iraqi Kurdistan told Baghdad to consider holding Hashemi’s trial in neutral territory because they aren’t handing Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi to Maliki operatives. Meanwhile, no major attacks against Shi’ite pilgrims took place today, but least eight Iraqis were killed and nine more were wounded in new violence. Also, one Syrian militant was killed.

AIPAC Tries to Bamboozle DC Appeals Court

On Feb. 14, 2012, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee will deliver oral arguments to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. At issue is whether AIPAC defamed its former top official Steven J. Rosen by telling the New York Times he was terminated because his behavior “did not comport with standards that AIPAC expects … Continue reading “AIPAC Tries to Bamboozle DC Appeals Court”

Leading Think Tank Urges Naval Buildup in South China Sea

While much of the world’s attention has been focused on U.S.- Iranian tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a key think tank is urging Washington to devote more focus and resources on another key hub for international commerce several thousand miles to the east.In a major report released Tuesday, the Center for a New American … Continue reading “Leading Think Tank Urges Naval Buildup in South China Sea”

Don’t Count on Obama’s Defense Cuts

The “lamestream media,” which often parrots what government officials blather, has touted the approximately $480 billion in promised savings to the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) budget over 10 years as “defense cuts.” Instead, these should be termed “Washington cuts” or “imaginary cuts” or even “fraudulent cuts.” First, the national budget is usually legislated each year, … Continue reading “Don’t Count on Obama’s Defense Cuts”

Defend Corporal Jesse Thorsen

Support the troops – as long as they keep their mouths shut. That’s the operative principle as far as Jesse Thorsen is concerned. The Boston Globe reports: “An Army reservist who took the stage at a political event for Ron Paul and expressed his support for the Republican presidential candidate could face legal troubles, the … Continue reading “Defend Corporal Jesse Thorsen”

Energy Wars 2012

Last week, the president made a rare appearance at the Pentagon to unveil a new strategic plan for U.S. military policy (and so spending) over the next decade. Let’s leave the specifics to a future TomDispatch post and focus instead on a historical footnote: Obama was evidently the first president to offer remarks from a … Continue reading “Energy Wars 2012”

Obama’s New Military Strategy Doesn’t Add Up

President Barack Obama ordered up yet another strategic review last year. This one explicitly aimed at bringing the nation’s military posture into line with something we can afford. In response to that review, his administration forged a plan [.pdf], unveiled during the first week of the year, that takes a few modest steps in the … Continue reading “Obama’s New Military Strategy Doesn’t Add Up”

Mentally Unfit but Serving Anyway

The year began with a story about a 24-year-old ex-soldier who shot and killed a female park ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington before dying of apparent hypothermia, his body face down in the snow. Months before, the mother of Benjamin Colton Barnes’ young daughter reportedly filed for sole custody of their young … Continue reading “Mentally Unfit but Serving Anyway”