Like in Iraq, CIA Also Exaggerated Soviet Nuclear Threat

They say that history repeats itself. And so it does. Two years ago, the Central Intelligence Agency released reams of intelligence documents on the former Soviet Union that had been classified for nearly 30 years. The findings were damning: the CIA for more than 10 years greatly exaggerated the nuclear threat the communist country posed … Continue reading “Like in Iraq, CIA Also Exaggerated Soviet Nuclear Threat”

Democracy with Chinese Characteristics

Next week the Chinese Communist Party celebrates yet another year in power. The Party has evolved since its inception, it claims, into the benevolent, progressive Party we see today: capable of discussing such radical concepts as "intra-party democracy." Ahh, yes, the CPC’s idea of democracy differs a little from what, say, Europeans are used to. … Continue reading “Democracy with Chinese Characteristics”

‘Iraqi Freedom’

In a recent Pentagon briefing, Sec. Rumsfeld attempts to assuage concerns about the increased hostilities in Iraq. He states that the recent deaths of American and British soldiers “show the world is still engaged in a dangerous war against terrorism.” This subtle play of semantics reveals the trouble the administration is in. Indeed, it demonstrates … Continue reading “‘Iraqi Freedom’”

THE CULTURE OF IMPERIALISM

Let’s see: the Supreme Court has determined that the cops can’t just barge into my bedroom, catch me in the midst of an infamous act, and drag me and my, uh, partner, off to jail. Whew! What a relief! But they can still barge into my office, arrest me as an infamous “enemy combatant,” and … Continue reading “THE CULTURE OF IMPERIALISM”

Democratic Revolution – It’s What’s for Dinner

Under the headline "Mail Is Chronically Late In Iraq", on the 6/24 "O’Reilly Factor", Colonel Mark Storer inadvertently exposed the logic underlying the current military adventure in Iraq. Specifically, he referred to Iraq as a "theater" in the overall Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chickenhawk O’Reilly, of course, lacked the pluck to ask the Colonel what the … Continue reading “Democratic Revolution – It’s What’s for Dinner”

The Serbian Lincoln?

Two weeks ago, reporting on the violent arrest of a retired Serbian army colonel on war crimes charges raised by the Hague Inquisition, Reuters and other news media referred to the 1991 conflict as the “Croatian war of independence.” That term, however, is false. Many defenders of Slobodan Milosevic see him as the Serbian Abraham … Continue reading “The Serbian Lincoln?”

The Road to Coverup Is the Road to Ruin

Last fall, the White House released a national security strategy that called for an end to the doctrines of deterrence and containment that have been a hallmark of American foreign policy for more than half a century. This new national security strategy is based upon pre-emptive war against those who might threaten our security. Such … Continue reading “The Road to Coverup Is the Road to Ruin”

Wolfowitz Aimed to Undermine Blix So US Could Strike Iraq

Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defense, was so eager to see the United States launch a preemptive strike against Iraq in early 2002, that he ordered the CIA to investigate the past work of Hans Blix, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, who, in February 2002, was asked to lead a team of U.N. … Continue reading “Wolfowitz Aimed to Undermine Blix So US Could Strike Iraq”

India Must Resist US Pressure to Send Troops to Iraq

India, which criticised the United States-led invasion of Iraq, is under intense pressure from Washington to despatch a division (about 17,000 troops) or more of its soldiers to that country to help the Anglo-American occupation forces and legitimise the occupation. India’s government is strongly inclined to pull the US’s chestnuts out of the fire in … Continue reading “India Must Resist US Pressure to Send Troops to Iraq”

Deterring Regime Change in Iran?

The ongoing protests beginning with students and expanding (although it’s difficult for an outsider, even one who follows news reports, to know exactly how much) to other sectors of society have created a great deal of hope among those – surely most decent people around the world – who would like to see the repressive … Continue reading “Deterring Regime Change in Iran?”