Heather Wokusch

The Justice Department has prepared criminal charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and is working behind the scenes to have him extradited to the United States. Press freedom and the right to dissent may hang in the balance. The criminal charges were accidentally revealed last week when Assange’s name was found on the court filing … Continue reading “The Case Against WikiLeaks Is a Crisis for the First Amendment”

When telling the truth is a revolutionary act, journalists and whistleblowers are targets. When politicians attack freedom of speech, media becomes weaponized. And here we are. How ironic that the government of Turkish President Erdogan is postured as truth-leaker in the apparent gruesome murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Turkey is the leading per-capita … Continue reading “Killing the Messenger: Truth in a Time of Universal Deceit”

News that a U.S. company recently sent vials of a 1957 pandemic flu strain to laboratories across the world by accident is only the latest outrage from the billion-dollar boondoggle called the federal biological weapons program. As you might recall, the Bush administration started its “bio-defense” spending spree following the September 2001 deadly anthrax attacks, … Continue reading “Who’s the Real WMD Threat?”

While some German politicians are worried about the closing of US military bases in their regions, others fear nasty surprises will surface after the Americans depart. The United States has consistently valued military power more than the environment  – but at what price? Some in the White House argue that US national interests transcend greenie … Continue reading “US Military Wreaks Worldwide Environmental Havoc”

The class action suit names 11 companies and 33 banks alleged to have helped Iraq with its chemical weapons program in the 1980’s, despite knowledge Saddam Hussein was actively using WMD against both Iranians and his own people. At the time, Reagan’s Middle East envoy was one Donald Rumsfeld, hard at work opening doors for … Continue reading “Gulf War Vets Sue Saddam’s WMD Suppliers”

China was the undisputed star of last week’s Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) conference in Vienna, leaving Uncle Sam hiding in the wings. The US has always been somewhat impatient with international non-proliferation agreements. Despite a 1992 self-imposed moratorium, in the past six years the States has conducted 19 nuclear tests, dismissing them as sub-critical … Continue reading “China Upstages US at Nuclear Non-Proliferation Conference”

In a little-known 1974 document entitled "Rumsfeld’s Rules," the Secretary of Defense offers his philosophy on life and work. But how well does Rumsfeld follow his own rules? Here’s a sampler of quotes from the text, followed by Rumsfeld’s actual performance. 1. "You and the White House staff must be seen to be above suspicion." Rumsfeld … Continue reading “Rumsfeld’s Rules”

In a little-known 1974 document entitled "Rumsfeld’s Rules," the Secretary of Defense offers his philosophy on life and work. But how well does Rumsfeld follow his own rules? Here’s a sampler of quotes from the text, followed by Rumsfeld’s actual performance. 1. "You and the White House staff must be seen to be above suspicion." Rumsfeld … Continue reading “Rumsfeld’s Rules”

One of the legacies of the Vietnam War is the now infamous quote from an American military press officer, "we had to destroy the village in order to save it." Rings some bells these days. In the name of "fighting terror," countries with secret weapons programs are poised to pulverize Iraq because of its secret … Continue reading “Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers”

One of the legacies of the Vietnam War is the now infamous quote from an American military press officer, "we had to destroy the village in order to save it." Rings some bells these days. In the name of "fighting terror," countries with secret weapons programs are poised to pulverize Iraq because of its secret … Continue reading “Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers”