Branko Marcetic

Imagine if Russia – instead of doing what it has been accused of doing last year – had funded and facilitated an attack on US soil that killed thousands of Americans. Then imagine that US policymakers, rather than punish the Kremlin by cutting diplomatic ties, imposing sanctions, seeking legal recourse, or all of the above, … Continue reading “Why Is There No ‘Saudi-Gate’?”

The idea that a tyrannical government is secretly plotting against US citizens is a popular and longstanding belief among much of the American far right. The scenario has many variations, but the basics are that politicians, threatened by a potentially rebellious populace, are watching and listening in on them, working to undermine them and readying … Continue reading “The FBI’s Secret War”

“It is now [September 12, 2001] that the world is in a state of shock; now that it feels maximum sympathy for the US; now that it can be co-opted most easily,” Blair wrote. “The report should lay to rest allegations of bad faith, lies or deceit.” So said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair … Continue reading “Blair to Bush on 9/12/01: ‘Co-Opt’ Sympathy for War”

Today, if you go on Twitter, you can find the NSA tweeting about its commitment to recycling, or the CIA joking about still not knowing the whereabouts of Tupac. Why are these once-sinister and little-known spy agencies so eager to put on a friendly face for us? The answer can be traced back to the … Continue reading “Why Activists Today Should Still Care About the 40-Year-Old Church Committee Report”

The neoconservative Right would have you believe this election affords them a uniquely tough choice. On the one hand, there’s Hillary Clinton, liberal bogeywoman and hated embodiment of the Democratic establishment. On the other, there’s Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called the Iraq war a mistake, accused the Bush administration of lying to drag the United … Continue reading “Neocon War Hawks Want Hillary Clinton Over Donald Trump. No Surprise – They’ve Always Backed Her”

Hillary Clinton has spent much of her presidential campaign running away from her responsibility for the United States’ disastrous 2011 intervention in Libya. The February 19 release of more emails from her private server may make it harder for her to do so. In an email with the subject “bravo!” sent on March 19, 2011–the … Continue reading “‘Bravo!’ Email Appears To Show Clinton’s Friend Congratulating Her on Bombing of Libya”

Foreign policy has always been something of a sore spot for Democrats, who have to toe a difficult line. While less eager for war than the GOP, Democrats feel they have to look “tough” and “credible” on foreign policy, typically done by proving they’re just as ready to fight America’s supposed enemies when push comes … Continue reading “Democrats Use Debate To Embrace History’s Warmongers”

The latest release of emails from Hillary Clinton’s private server has prompted numerous stories about the former Secretary of State’s battle with an intransigent White House phone operator, her preparations for an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' TV show and the fact that even the United States’ top diplomat gets sent the same kind of scam … Continue reading “New Hillary Clinton Emails: Anne-Marie Slaughter, Sidney Blumenthal Urged Libya Military Action”

Increased state surveillance can be thought of in several different ways, depending on where you stand. Described uncharitably, it’s a Faustian bargain that dissolves from within the very liberty and democracy it’s meant to defend. Viewed less negatively, it’s a social contract between state and citizen, albeit a contract one of the parties was never … Continue reading “What Is the Use of Mass Surveillance?”

If he were still alive today, Osama bin Laden would no doubt be quietly celebrating in his Abbottabad bunker. Three years after the al Qaeda founder was killed by US forces and his body floated to the bottom of the North Arabian Sea, bin Laden’s own strategy for "degrading and destroying" his enemy continues to … Continue reading “Bin Laden’s Strategy Continues To Outlive Its Creator”