WASHINGTON - Two years after the abuse by U.S. soldiers of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq first came to light, accountability for what turns out to have been a widespread pattern of mistreatment at several detention sites, including torture and at least eight...
It’s Not About Democracy
According to the new National Security Strategy of the United States of America promulgated in March 2006: "It is the policy of the United States to seek and support democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending...
Turkey Masses Troops
on Iraqi Border
Life for Kurds in northern Iraq is about to get a lot more complicated. The Turkish army has begun massing troops on Iraq's northern border in an effort to combat the Kurdish armed group the PKK. In the last week, the Turkish government has sent about 40,000 troops to...
Backtalk, April 26, 2006
Why We Cannot Talk With Hamas It always amuses me to hear the phrase "the Palestinians don't recognize Israel's right to exist." As if Israel ever seriously considered an independent Palestine as having a right to exist. Allowing the Israelis to divide the historic...
Tribes, Veils, and Democracy
Understanding much of the Muslim world can be helped by reviewing Braveheart, Mel Gibson's classic movie of Scottish freedom fighters. It shows how the clan chieftains were always ready to betray William Wallace and his Scottish nationalists for their narrow tribal...
Interesting Times
Spring in the Balkans News from the Balkans over the past week almost created the impression that this was just another ordinary region in the Empire's periphery, where local rustics practice entertaining eccentricities and cope with natural disaster. The greatest...
Afghan Farmers Fight Ban on Poppy Growing
KABUL - Agitated poppy farmers in western Herat province say they will not destroy their crops unless the Afghan government provides them with alternative sources of income. "I will not stop growing poppy despite the ban by the government because I've no other...
John Fund vs. the Truth
John Fund, former editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal and now a familiar talking head on cable gabfests, used to hang out with libertarians. He even used to claim to be one. Back in the day, he would visit the offices of Libertarian Review to chat with...
McCarthyism: Mary and Joe
As additional information on the firing of CIA official Mary McCarthy just 10 days short of her retirement becomes available, what is afoot is becoming quite clear. We are witnessing a Stalinesque show trial sans the actual trial and inevitable execution. The purpose...
Why Bush Is Going Nuclear
Just before Christmas, a few days after President Bill Clinton had been impeached by the House of Representatives, Clinton received intelligence from Iraqi exiles that Saddam Hussein and his entourage would be spending a specific night in an underground bunker beneath...


