Maj. Danny Sjursen, USA (ret.)

For a writer, any criticism of Israeli military action is a veritable "third-rail" in American politics. Touch that nerve and you’re open to charges of anti-Semitism or worse. Still, recent events in Gaza demand that some of us, at least, shed light on the plight of Palestinians. Let us begin with a thought experiment: imagine … Continue reading “American Empathy Gap: Massacres in Gaza and US Silence”

This article originally appeared at TruthDig. Consider the irony: The United States, which bills itself as the world’s beacon of freedom, has for some 70 years allied itself with one of the last absolute monarchies on the planet. Time and again, Washington has done the bidding of Saudi Arabia in the Greater Middle East, as … Continue reading “US Should Do the Opposite of What Saudis Want”

The U.S. military remains mired in countless wars in the Greater Middle East. Ironically – and tragically – it tends to combat Islamists that Washington either armed or birthed. We, Americans, truly are a strange lot. Our government in Washington – ostensibly representative of "We the People" – speaks of peace, but wages endless war, … Continue reading “Circle of Absurdity: Killing the Islamists We Create”

Originally posted at TomDispatch. His appointment was a genuine Bolton from the blue (so to speak). After all, everyone knew that former U.N. Ambassador (and Fox News commentator) John Bolton couldn’t be chosen for a major post in the Trump administration. No, not because of his outlandish views on war-making, or his responsibility for helping … Continue reading “Cleaning House, Enabling War”

"War is just a racket… I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service…during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism." ~ Major General Smedley Butler, US … Continue reading “Unbridgeable Gap: Who We Were and Who We Thought We Were”

This article originally appeared at TruthDig. He knew war well—well enough to know he hated it. George McGovern was a senator from South Dakota, and he was a Democrat true liberals could admire. Though remembered as a staunch liberal and foreign policy dove, McGovern was no stranger to combat. He flew 35 missions as a … Continue reading “Where Have You Gone, George McGovern?”

Students march for gun control; women march for a variety of causes, and, well, against anything Trump; but who is marching for less American war in the Greater Middle East? Why? Why isn’t there a passionate coalition willing to combat the American war machine? A machine that is, by now, on autopilot. This weekend, hundreds … Continue reading “The March We Need: A March for Peace… or, at least, De-Escalation”

Why a new Cold War? Why now? This morning, Americans awoke to news that the supposedly Russia-supplicant Trump administration, along with 14 other EU nations, will expel scores of Russian diplomats. The announcement, which Russia called a "provocative gesture," and vowed to retaliate against, constitutes the largest collective expulsion of Russian Intel officers in history. … Continue reading “Trump, 14 EU Nations Expel Russian Diplomats and Recall Ambassadors”

This article originally appeared at TruthDig. [T]he President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons. … – S.J. Res. 23 (107th): Authorization for the Use … Continue reading “Illegal Wars: The New American Way”

"If you don’t care for obscenity, you don’t care for the truth; if you don’t care for the truth, watch how you vote. Send guys to war, they come home talking dirty." ~ Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried (1990) Violence begets violence. The empire, it seems, always comes home…eventually. No doubt, Albert Wong, who … Continue reading “Wake-Up Call: Damaged Vets, Unnecessary War, and the Price We Pay”