The Immorality of Empire

As I watch the popular uprisings unfold against brutal dictatorships supported by my own government, I cannot help but reflect upon the moral implications of my participation in the American empire. My crimes began almost before I can remember, but I will address only...

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Bahrain and the Freedom Contagion

“Saudi Arabia did not build a causeway to Bahrain just so that Saudis could party on weekends. It was designed for moments like this, for keeping Bahrain under control.” —Dr. Toby Jones, expert on Saudi Arabia at Rutgers University If Saudi Arabia was rattled by the...

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Dear Congress: Study War Some More

Dear 112th Congress: You are surely as inspired by events in Cairo, Tunis, and Benghazi as the rest of us. And you are surely as distressed by events in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan as your fellow Americans. Now is as good a time as any to face a grim fact: you and...

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Yemen and the Arab Awakening

Tens of thousands gather in the streets of Sa’na, demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh—it’s the Yemeni edition of the Great Arab Awakening sweeping the Middle East and toppling governments previously counted as US allies. Aside from framing events...

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Sunday: 6 Iraqis Killed, 27 Wounded

At least six Iraqis were killed and twenty-seven others were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced a 100-day evaluation period for government ministries to shape-up, as a result of widespread protests on Friday.
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Neocon Hawks Take Flight Over Libya

In a distinct echo of the tactics they pursued to encourage U.S. intervention in the Balkans and Iraq, a familiar clutch of neoconservatives appealed Friday for the United States and NATO to "immediately" prepare military action to help bring down the regime...

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Friday: 34 Iraqis, 1 US Soldier Killed; 189 Iraqis Wounded

Updated at 9:50 a.m. EST, Feb. 26, 2011 Despite repeated attempts to prevent Iraqis from venting their frustration with government corruption and poor services, thousands gathered across the country for a “day of rage.” In several cities, the protests became destructive and deadly, but in others some of the protestors’ demands were met. At least 34 Iraqis were killed and 189 more were wounded in demonstrations and other violence. The figures are likely to be higher as some reports had propotionally low figures for civilian wounded. Separately, a U.S. airman was killed in a vehicular accident at a base in Qatar. Also, members of Human Rights Watch reported seeing Baghdad police attack protestors earlier this week, while Reporters Without Borders condemned a ban on live coverage of events from Baghdad’s Tahrir Square.
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