The Deal

The announcement of a “framework” for an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear research and development had all the drama of a thriller – the extended negotiations, dragging out over several days and deadlines, the anticipation, the furor surrounding the process, and of course the naysayers carping from the sidelines, all focused the attention … Continue reading “The Deal”

When War Comes We Know Who To Blame

The news broke on Twitter – where else? – at around five on Tuesday morning: "Officials: Iran Nuke Talks to Continue in New Phase." The Associated Press headline writer might just as well have shortened that to "No Deal," as the content of the story made all too clear: "Wrapping up six days of marathon … Continue reading “When War Comes We Know Who To Blame”

The Real Axis of Evil

As the deadline for a deal with Iran approaches, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his very public meltdown – and it gets more revealing every time he opens his mouth. At the latest Israeli cabinet meeting Netanyahu reported that his American vassals are all lined up to scotch any agreement: “I just came from … Continue reading “The Real Axis of Evil”

Leave the Houthis Alone!

Saudi Arabia‘s US-backed aggression against the sovereignty of Yemen is a textbook example of how local conflicts are internationalized – and become tripwires for regional wars and even global conflagrations. Like Libya, Yemen is yet another Middle Eastern country that doesn’t really exist: it is actually at least two separate countries, perhaps three – the … Continue reading “Leave the Houthis Alone!”

Espionage, Treason, and the Congressional Fifth Column

The spectacle of virtually the entire Senate GOP caucus mobilizing in support of a foreign power in order to drag us into war with Iran has certainly been instructive. Not since the Federalist party plotted with the British during the War of 1812 has an American fifth column been so open about their treason. But … Continue reading “Espionage, Treason, and the Congressional Fifth Column”

Obama Stands Up for America

From the perspective of a noninterventionist, President Obama’s foreign policy has been a disaster. Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, and now the stalled withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan – all this and more is evidence that the candidate who campaigned against the reckless policies of his predecessor has turned out to be worse, in many … Continue reading “Obama Stands Up for America”

Netanyahu, the George Wallace of the Middle East

Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress provoked a storm of controversy that has only increased since his victory in the Israeli elections. It was a blatant attempt to split the US polity and claim the Republican-controlled Congress as what Patrick J. Buchanan once described as "Israeli-occupied territory." Yet that long occupation may be ending sooner rather … Continue reading “Netanyahu, the George Wallace of the Middle East”

Rand Paul, Revisited

When likely presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) signed on to his Senate colleague Tom Cotton’s open letter to the Iranian leadership, a storm broke – among his own supporters. As Dave Weigel of Bloomberg News notes, it’s "a decision that has caused real fury in the libertarian base" that forms the core of Sen. … Continue reading “Rand Paul, Revisited”

Bin Laden and Bibi, Together At Last

Remember the brouhaha a few months ago when it was revealed that fighters of the Nusra Front, the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, had seized territory adjacent to Israel? The "let’s intervene in Syria" crowd was up in arms: this supposedly proved the absolute necessity of going full-bore into the region, with US bombing raids … Continue reading “Bin Laden and Bibi, Together At Last”

Is Venezuela Really a Threat to US National Security?

In The Mouse That Roared, a 1955 satirical novel by Leonard Wibberly, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick – a mythical three-by-five mile nation between Switzerland and France – declares war against the United States. This is done not because Princess Gloriana, the absolute ruler, and Tully Bascomb, commander of its "army" outfitted with the latest … Continue reading “Is Venezuela Really a Threat to US National Security?”