Norman Solomon

Norman Solomon's Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters with America's Warfare State is out now.

The Hollow Politics of Escalation

An underlying conceit of the new spin about benchmarks and timetables for Afghanistan is the notion that pivotal events there can be choreographed from Washington. So, a day ahead of the president’s Tuesday night speech, the New York Times quoted an unnamed top administration official saying: "He wants to give a clear sense of both … Continue reading “The Hollow Politics of Escalation”

Biggest State Party to Obama: Get Out of Afghanistan

This week begins with a significant new straw in the political wind for President Obama to consider. The California Democratic Party has just sent him a formal and clear message: Stop making war in Afghanistan. Overwhelmingly approved on Sunday by the California Democratic Party’s 300-member statewide executive board, the resolution is titled "End the U.S. … Continue reading “Biggest State Party to Obama: Get Out of Afghanistan”

Starting Another Year of War in Afghanistan

October 2009 has begun with the New York Times reporting that "the president, vice president and an array of cabinet secretaries, intelligence chiefs, generals, diplomats, and advisers gathered in a windowless basement room of the White House for three hours on Wednesday to chart a new course in Afghanistan."  As this month begins the ninth … Continue reading “Starting Another Year of War in Afghanistan”

Men With Guns, in Kabul and Washington

For those who believe in making war, Kabul is a notable work product. After 30 years, the results are in: a devastated city. A stale witticism calls Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai "the mayor of Kabul." Now, not even. On block after block in the Afghan capital, AK-47s are conspicuous in the hands of men on … Continue reading “Men With Guns, in Kabul and Washington”

Escalation Scam: Troops in Afghanistan

The president has set a limit on the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. For now.  That’s how escalation works. Ceilings become floors. Gradually.  A few times since last fall, the Obama team has floated rising numbers for how many additional U.S. soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan. Now, deployment of 21,000 more is a … Continue reading “Escalation Scam: Troops in Afghanistan”