Month: September 2013

At least 33 Iraqis were killed and 131 were wounded in a series of attacks in central and northern Iraq. A retaliatory attack against a Sunni funeral took place in Baghdad while bombing against civilians and security personnel took place in the north.

Just three weeks ago, Washington’s hawks, particularly of the pro-Israel neo-conservative variety, were flying high, suddenly filled with hope. President Barack Obama, having trapped himself with his own “red-line” rhetoric, appeared on the verge of ordering air strikes designed not only to deter Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad from re-using his chemical weapons, but also, at … Continue reading “Hard Times for Iran Hawks”

At least 109 people were killed and 173 more were wounded today, mostly in two brazen attacks. In the worst assault, suicide bombers targeted a funeral in heavily populated Sadr City. Suicide bombers, these wearing police uniforms, also took advantage of a national police station in the north, as the commandos were out on maneuvers.

Just as it seemed the Empire was going to embark on yet another evil little war, a miracle happened on the road to Damascus. A sensible solution proposed by Moscow caught the Washington warmongers off-guard, and removed their justification for war. Between that and the overwhelming lack of popular support, the Empire backed down – … Continue reading “Imperial ‘Exemptionalism’”

The apparent employment of chemical weapons in Syria should remind us that, while weapons of mass destruction exist, there is a serious danger that they will be used. That danger is highlighted by an article in the September/October 2013 issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Written by two leading nuclear weapons specialists, Hans … Continue reading “Eliminating Nuclear Weapons Is Just as Important as Eliminating Chemical Weapons”

A mosque, where a bombing set off sectarian violence in 2006, suffered the worst of today’s violence. Overall, at least 30 Iraqis were killed and 52 more were wounded.

Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is sometimes credited with the proverb, “God has a special providence for fools, drunks and the United States of America.” Observing the unfolding of the Syrian crisis, the Iron Chancellor was an insightful man. In August, we were hours away from missile strikes on Syria and involvement in its civil … Continue reading “Is the Sun Peeking Through the War Clouds?”

First it was the Syrian peace deal brokered by Russia – and a war-sickened American public: next it may be a deal with Iran, which has been the War Party’s main target all along. Is peace breaking out all over? Not if the neocons in both parties can help it – however, they may not … Continue reading “Is Peace Breaking Out?”

Few attacks occurred again today, but they resulted in more casualties. Also, dumped bodies were found in Baghdad, but it is unclear when they were killed. Overall, at least 29 people were killed and 54 were wounded.

The disastrous reality TV style bungle in which the White House led the nation to the brink of war without the consent of the legislature and the American people should be and is raising questions about the competency of the president of the United States. Bombing a country with which the United States is not … Continue reading “‘I’ Is for ‘Impeachment’”