How Not To Win Hearts and Minds in Africa

Originally posted at TomDispatch. In light of recent history, perhaps it’s time to update that classic U.S. Army recruitment campaign slogan from "be all that you can be" to "build all that you can build." Consider it an irony that, in an era when Congress struggles to raise enough money to give America’s potholed, overcrowded … Continue reading “How Not To Win Hearts and Minds in Africa”

Nixon’s Vindication

Forty years ago many Americans celebrated the demise of the imperial presidency with the resignation of Richard Nixon. Today it is clear they celebrated too soon. Nixon’s view of presidential powers, summed up in his infamous statement that, “when the president does it that means it is not illegal,” is embraced by the majority of … Continue reading “Nixon’s Vindication”

Civilians Killed in Airstrikes in Iraq; 72 Killed, 27 Wounded

Airstrikes in northern Iraq have accidentally killed civilians, including seven newborns at a hospital. This would not be the first government strike against civilian targets, accidentally or purposefully. Overall, at least 59 people were killed and 27 were wounded. Those were the documented casalties. Security forces reported killing and injuring dozens of militants in Anbar province.

NATO – An Idea Whose Time Has Gone

In the past dozen years, the armed forces of NATO countries, whether operating under the NATO banner or in related ad-hoc coalitions, have killed many hundreds of thousands of people. Of those hundreds of thousands of people, only a few hundred at most ever had any connection to any attack on a NATO country. Whatever … Continue reading “NATO – An Idea Whose Time Has Gone”

Winners and Losers in Gaza: On Victory and False Victory

In the rush to analyze the outcome of Israel’s 51-day war in Gaza, dubbed Operation Protective Edge, some may have neglected an important factor: this was not a war by traditional definitions of warfare, thus the conventional analyses of victory and defeat is simply not applicable. That being the case, how can we explain Israeli … Continue reading “Winners and Losers in Gaza: On Victory and False Victory”

Reevaluating World War II Is Good for You

September 1 was the 75th anniversary of the long-considered start of World War II. The Nazis and the Soviets put aside their griping long enough to hungrily divide and conquer Poland, and the European theater proceeded from there. The potential for smaller conflicts to turn into monstrous ones the world over has lately provoked comparisons … Continue reading “Reevaluating World War II Is Good for You”