Jason Ditz

When lives are on the line and a fast decision has to be made, leaving the matter in the hands of the military is sub-optimal. In the future, the decisions could be left in the hands of artificial intelligence. That’s a goal for the Pentagon in general and DARPA in particular, with the underlying assumption … Continue reading “Military Wants AI Decision-Makers To Replace Humans”

Fresh off of signing a peace deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel submitted a list of demands to the US for a substantial amount of arms, estimated at $8 billion in value. This is nominally to ensure Israel retains qualitative superiority after the UAE buys American F-35s. Israel’s list includes an entire squadron … Continue reading “Israel-UAE Deal Requires New US-Funded Arms Race”

With the last of the ISIS-held territory in Iraq recaptured, Iraqi officials are cheerfully proclaiming the war is over. Pentagon’s commanders, who recognize that this is the third “end of the Iraq war” in just 15 years, are trying to spin it as a new phase in the continuing war. It makes sense for them … Continue reading “Welcome to Iraq War 3½”

With the Yemen War fast approaching its third anniversary, Afghanistan well into its 17th year, Iraq and Syria seemingly permanent US wars, and escalations ongoing across Africa, the US has seemingly more wars than ever going on. President Trump has been giving the military increasing autonomy in those wars, and the feeling of loss of … Continue reading “Yemen Proves US Needs to Get a Handle on War-Making Powers”

40 years after the US formally criminalized the participation of US citizens in economic boycotts of the state of Israel, Americans remain strongly divided on the question of the BDS movement, which seeks to protest Israeli behavior in the occupied territories through boycotts, divestment, and sanctions. While there were some ad-hoc boycotts against Israel even … Continue reading “BDS a Bigger Issue After Israel’s Rightward Shift”

Intense debate and international diplomatic blackmail has dominated the discussion of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, a bipartisan bill which would open up civil lawsuits against any foreign nations if they are found to be involved in the funding of a terrorist attack occurring on US soil. It’s not totally clear what the … Continue reading “US Protects Saudis From Terror Suits, Backs Suits Against Iran”