Sometimes, the world sends you back to school. These last months have offered us a crash course – call it Surveillance 101 – in how Washington, enveloped in a penumbra of extreme secrecy, went to work creating a global surveillance state on a scale almost...

A funny thing happened on the way to a war on Syria – in fact several funny things. First the road to Damascus was blocked by the sentiment of the American people who are fed up with war. Second, international opposition from every corner of the earth, save two or...

The founders of the United States envisioned a federal government that was constrained by a written Constitution, which further diluted power within that government into four competing branches. Those branches were the two houses of Congress, which were clearly...

At least 38 people were killed and 25 more were wounded in random attacks across the country. Most of them took place north of Baghdad, but heavy clashes took place just south of the capital.

Quite frankly, I didn't even want to use you guys, with your dip and velcro and all your gear bullshit. I wanted to drop a bomb. But people didn't believe in this lead enough to drop a bomb. So they're using you guys as canaries. And, in theory, if bin Laden isn't...

Last week, for the first time since the 1979 Iranian revolution, the US president spoke with his Iranian counterpart. Their 15 minute telephone call was reported to open the door to further high-level discussions. This is a very important event. I have been saying for...

Baghdad once again suffered a series of coordinated bombings. Today’s mostly occurred during a 40-minute window. Violence, meanwhile, continued outside the capital as well. Overall, at least 71 people were killed and 164 more were wounded.

October 9, 2013A Note to My ReadersI’ve got some pressing business to take care of, and so no column today. But I’ll be back on Friday, all fresh and sassy.The US government may be in "shutdown" mode, but the American Empire is still operating at maximum...

Suicide bombers staged a horrific attack against a tiny village in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, Shi’ite pilgrims were again targeted in Baghdad. Overall, at least 64 people were killed and 192 more were wounded.

A deadly morning attack against two journalists working in Mosul was quickly overshadowed by bombings in Baiji and then Baghdad. Both bombings were targeting Shi’ite Iraqis. Overall, at least 107 people were killed and 179 more were wounded.