Month: May 2013

Doubting Obama’s Resolve to Do Right

An article in the Washington Post on July 6, 2010, reported me standing before the White House, announcing a new epithet for President Barack Obama: “Wuss – a person who will not stand up for what he knows is right.” The report is correct – and so, I believe, is the epithet. And after the … Continue reading “Doubting Obama’s Resolve to Do Right”

Obama’s New Restricted War on Terror Is Unlikely to Be Lasting

Prior to the 2012 election, President Obama told aides that he wanted to institutionalize the ad hoc war on terror, thus shaping it for years to come whether he was re-elected or a successor took over, according to the New York Times. This desire led to the recent presidential speech at the National Defense University … Continue reading “Obama’s New Restricted War on Terror Is Unlikely to Be Lasting”

The Eternal War?

Twelve and a half years after Congress didn’t declare war on an organization of hundreds or, at most, thousands of jihadis scattered mainly across the backlands of the planet, and instead let President George W. Bush and his cohort loose to do whatever they wanted; twelve and a half years after the president, his top officials, his neocon supporters, … Continue reading “The Eternal War?”

Why John McCain Wants to Aid Syrian Terrorists

When John McCain slipped into Syria the other day to meet with Islamist rebels, Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted “best wishes” to his fellow warmonger and claimed “dibs on his office if he doesn’t come back.” Leave it to Sen. Graham, who has been agitating along with McCain for the US to send weapons to the … Continue reading “Why John McCain Wants to Aid Syrian Terrorists”

The Unraveling of Sykes-Picot

The thrice-promised land it has been called. It is that land north of Mecca and Medina and south of Anatolia, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. In 1915 — that year of Gallipoli, which forced the resignation of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill — Britain, to win Arab support for its … Continue reading “The Unraveling of Sykes-Picot”

Our Twisted Politics of Grief

Darwin observed that conscience is what most distinguishes humans from other animals. If so, grief isn’t far behind. Realms of anguish are deeply personal—yet prone to expropriation for public use, especially in this era of media hyper-spin. Narratives often thresh personal sorrow into political hay. More than ever, with grief marketed as a civic commodity, … Continue reading “Our Twisted Politics of Grief”

The Real Meaning of President Obama’s National Security Speeches

This past Thursday and Friday, President Obama delivered two speeches designed to outline his new thinking on national security and counter-terrorism. While much was made in the media of the president’s statements at the National Defense University and the US Naval Academy suggesting that the most active phase of US military action overseas was coming … Continue reading “The Real Meaning of President Obama’s National Security Speeches”

Why I Spoke Out at Obama’s Foreign Policy Speech

Having worked for years on the issues of drones and Guantanamo, I was delighted to get a pass (the source will remain anonymous) to attend President Obama’s speech at the National Defense University. I had read many press reports anticipating what the President might say. There was much talk about major policy shifts that would … Continue reading “Why I Spoke Out at Obama’s Foreign Policy Speech”