Medea Benjamin and Charles Davis

Medea Benjamin is cofounder of CODEPINK: Women for Peace and Global Exchange. Charles Davis has covered Congress for NPR and Pacifica stations, and freelanced for the international news wire Inter Press Service. More of his work may be found on his website."

Colin Powell: Another War Criminal Cashes In

One could be forgiven for thinking there’s anything honorable or honest about Colin Powell. For more than two decades now the Washington media has portrayed the former secretary of state as something of a real-life action hero, a reluctant warrior whose greatest fault — should they deign to mention any — was just being too … Continue reading “Colin Powell: Another War Criminal Cashes In”

Obama’s Pentagon Strategy: A Leaner, More Efficient Empire

In an age when U.S. power can be projected through private mercenary armies and unmanned Predator drones, the US military need no longer rely on massive, conventional ground forces to pursue its imperial agenda, a fact President Barack Obama is now acknowledging. But make no mistake: while the tactics may be changing, the US taxpayer … Continue reading “Obama’s Pentagon Strategy: A Leaner, More Efficient Empire”

Only ‘Success’ in Iraq is that US Troops are Leaving

The US occupation of Iraq is reportedly set to come to an end, with most of the roughly 40,000 soldiers currently stationed there set to be removed by year’s end. But let’s make no mistake: contrary to what you’re likely to hear from the political and media establishment, the only thing worth celebrating is this … Continue reading “Only ‘Success’ in Iraq is that US Troops are Leaving”

The Congressional ‘Supercommittee’: Debt Panel or Death Panel?

When it comes to government handouts, there’s no bigger welfare queens than the Pentagon and the legions of mercenaries and weapons manufacturers profiting from America’s half-dozen ongoing wars and its global empire of military bases. In fact, more than half of U.S. income taxes are funneled, not to welfare mothers and underprivileged youths, but to what President … Continue reading “The Congressional ‘Supercommittee’: Debt Panel or Death Panel?”

Iraq Withdrawal? Don’t Take It to the Bank

Since coming to Washington, Barack Obama has won a Nobel Prize for Peace, but he hasn’t been much of a peacemaker. Instead, he has doubled down on his predecessor’s wars while launching blatantly illegal ones of his own. But, as his supporters would be quick to point out, at least he’s standing by his pledge … Continue reading “Iraq Withdrawal? Don’t Take It to the Bank”

Enormous Cuts in Military Spending? Read the Fine Print

In this age of austerity, all the politicians are talking about the need for spending cuts. But when it comes to shared burdens and slashed budgets, don’t expect the Pentagon to start holding bake sales, despite what you may have heard about reductions to its obscenely bloated funding. Citing the U.S. government’s $14.3 trillion debt, … Continue reading “Enormous Cuts in Military Spending? Read the Fine Print”

Needed: An Antiwar Movement That Puts Peace Over Politicians

After campaigning as the candidate of change, the man awarded a Nobel Prize for peace has given the world nothing but more war. Yet despite Barack Obama’s continuation—nay, escalation—of the worst aspects of George W. Bush’s foreign policy, including his very own illegal war in Libya, you’d be hard-pressed to find the large-scale protests and … Continue reading “Needed: An Antiwar Movement That Puts Peace Over Politicians”

Obama Should Follow His Own Advice on the ‘Moral Force’ of Non-Violence

Given that President Obama daily authorizes the firing of hellfire missiles and the dropping of cluster bombs in places such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, it was awful odd seeing him wax eloquent this week about the "moral force of non-violence" in places like Egypt and Tunisia. But there he was, the commander-in-chief of the … Continue reading “Obama Should Follow His Own Advice on the ‘Moral Force’ of Non-Violence”

Obama on Libya: George W. Bush 2.0

His lines may be better delivered, but Barack Obama is sounding – and acting – more like the heir to George W. Bush than the answer sold to the public in his award-winning ad campaign. Indeed, when not sending billions of dollars to repressive governments across the globe, the great liberal hope is authorizing deadly drone strikes and military … Continue reading “Obama on Libya: George W. Bush 2.0”