Dan Sanchez

Stop Helping ISIS in Its War on the ‘Gray Zone’

What were Islamist terrorists trying to accomplish when they attacked Paris on Friday, killing over 120 French civilians? A growing number of analysts now agree with Juan Cole’s theory about the extremists’ strategy in France, which he raised after the the Charlie Hebdo attacks, writing: “The problem for a terrorist group like al-Qaeda is that its … Continue reading “Stop Helping ISIS in Its War on the ‘Gray Zone’”

On Veterans Day, Who Should Thank Whom?

“You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. (…) You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. (…) I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to … Continue reading “On Veterans Day, Who Should Thank Whom?”

Missile Test Terrorism Over Los Angeles

“Wait, what the f*** is that?” Julien Solomita finally managed to spit that out after two minutes of dumbfounded silence as he recorded an unidentified flying object from a rooftop parking lot in Van Nuys, California on Saturday night. He had been gathering footage for his video blog when he noticed a strange light in … Continue reading “Missile Test Terrorism Over Los Angeles”

Syrians Deserve Self-Determination

“Assad must go. Assad must go.” This monotonous mantra has echoed endlessly in halls of power throughout the US-led imperium. In Washington, London, Riyadh, Doha, Ankara, and Tel Aviv, its chant has droned on for years, heedless of developments. Al Qaeda and ISIS leading the anti-Assad insurgency? Assad must go. And we will risk future … Continue reading “Syrians Deserve Self-Determination”

The Neocon Hunger for Universal Empire

When Bill Kristol watches Star Wars movies, he roots for the Galactic Empire. The leading neocon recently caused a social media disturbance in the Force when he tweeted this predilection for the Dark Side following the debut of the final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Kristol sees the Empire as basically a galaxy-wide … Continue reading “The Neocon Hunger for Universal Empire”

When War Hawks Coo Like Doves

Disastrous policies often raise the question of whether the policy makers at fault are stupid or evil. The scales tips toward malevolence whenever the guilty parties evince a basic grasp of the reasons why their schemes are calamitous. For example, Washington’s Syria policy has been a slow motion train wreck. And the “train engineers” keep … Continue reading “When War Hawks Coo Like Doves”

Tunisian Nobel Peace Prize an Indictment of US Intervention in the Arab Spring

A group of peace negotiators has won the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in preserving the Tunisian Revolution. That 2011 event kicked off the wave of uprisings known as the Arab Spring. The Tunisian Revolution is widely seen as the one bright spot of the Arab Spring, which has otherwise brought war, tyranny, and chaos to … Continue reading “Tunisian Nobel Peace Prize an Indictment of US Intervention in the Arab Spring”

Make America Good Again

“Make America Great Again” is the slogan for Donald Trump’s phenomenally popular presidential campaign. With it, Trump has tapped a deep well of frustration among American conservatives about the direction of the country under President Barack Obama. This longing for lost greatness especially concerns American foreign policy (although upon close examination Trump’s actual statements are … Continue reading “Make America Good Again”

Medical Care for Terrorists Will Get You Bombed by the US… Unless You’re Israel

U.S. and Afghan officials have tried to justify the recent U.S./NATO bombing of a Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) hospital in Afghanistan (which killed 22 people) by claiming that it was housing Taliban fighters. Glenn Greenwald recently wrote of the: “…long-standing tension between the Afghan military and this specific MSF hospital, grounded in the … Continue reading “Medical Care for Terrorists Will Get You Bombed by the US… Unless You’re Israel”