When Congress enacted the Stored Communications Act of 1986 (SCA), it claimed the statute would guarantee the privacy of digital data that service providers were retaining in storage. The act prohibited the providers from sharing the stored data, and it prohibited unauthorized access to the data, commonly called computer hacking – except, of course, if … Continue reading “The Government Compels Silence Again”
Kamala Harris Isn’t Listening to U.S. Intelligence on Iran
Who is “America’s greatest adversary?” That is the question 60 Minutes asked Vice President Kamala Harris. “I think there’s an obvious one in mind, which is Iran,” was her answer. She gave two reasons for her verdict: “Iran has American blood on their hands” and “what we need to do to ensure that Iran never … Continue reading “Kamala Harris Isn’t Listening to U.S. Intelligence on Iran”
Iranian ‘Ahmad Chalabis’ Are Helping Israel Plan Bombing of Iran
Ever since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, the conservatives, the Israel lobby in the United States, and allied groups have been searching for an Iranian version of Ahmad Chalabi, the notorious Iraqi figure that was allied with the neoconservatives in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, who for years fabricated … Continue reading “Iranian ‘Ahmad Chalabis’ Are Helping Israel Plan Bombing of Iran”
Reject the Failed Hawkish Consensus on Iran
No matter who wins the presidential election next month, US policy towards Iran seems likely to remain extremely hostile and confrontational. Both campaigns seem determined to out-hawk each other. The Iran policy debate in Washington, such as it is, is focused entirely on the same bankrupt coercive measures of sanctions, threats, and military action that … Continue reading “Reject the Failed Hawkish Consensus on Iran”
American Neocons Get Their Iran War as Congress Sleeps
Over the weekend, the Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, arrived in Israel to “coordinate” with the Israeli military and plan a military strike against Iran. Think about that for a moment: one of the highest-ranking officers in the US military is planning a war in a foreign country against another … Continue reading “American Neocons Get Their Iran War as Congress Sleeps”
It’s Time To Really Help Ukraine
The United States has sent billions of dollars of munitions and weapons to Ukraine. But arming Ukraine was never really about helping Ukraine pursue its goals. It was about the U.S. pursuing its goal of preserving its hegemony. A war is being fought in Ukraine, not to assure Ukraine the right to join NATO – … Continue reading “It’s Time To Really Help Ukraine”
Iraq Weekly Roundup: 31 Killed
Words Kill: Why Israel Gets Away With Murder in Gaza and Lebanon
The official Israeli army version of why it has targeted civilian areas during the intense and deadly bombardment of September 20 in south Lebanon is that the Lebanese are hiding long-range missile launchers in their own homes. This official explanation by the Israeli military was meant to justify the killing of 492 people and the … Continue reading “Words Kill: Why Israel Gets Away With Murder in Gaza and Lebanon”
October 7th in Retrospect, Why Hamas Attacked
A year has passed since Hamas’ incursion into Israel on October 7th. Dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Hamas conducted an improbable attack that resulted in 1200 dead Israelis and over 250 hostages taken into Gaza. Israel also initiated the Hannibal Directive that day, killing some of their civilians to prevent them from being taken into Gaza. … Continue reading “October 7th in Retrospect, Why Hamas Attacked”
Bret Stephens Says the US Must Attack Iran
High upon his perch atop the New York Times editorial page, Bret Stephens offers a full-throated call for the United States to launch a war of aggression against Iran. This featured opinion piece in the “paper of record” is noteworthy because it reflects the detritus that’s currently swirling around the minds of U.S. foreign policy … Continue reading “Bret Stephens Says the US Must Attack Iran”