The End of War As We Know It?

Originally posted at TomDispatch. Consider it strange. The U.S. has been fighting in Somalia on and off (mostly on) since the early 1990s. (Who, of a certain age, doesn’t remember the "Black Hawk Down" fiasco?) Almost 30 years later, at a time when the U.N. secretary-general, supported by dozens of countries, has reasonably enough called … Continue reading “The End of War As We Know It?”

Trump Wants To Make the New Cold War Hot Before It Even Gets Cold

After nearly 30 years without nuclear test explosions by the United States, the Trump administration is flirting, in 2020, with resuming explosive tests. This follows on the heels of China’s new security bill on Hong Kong and the flurry of Congressional and executive attempts to accelerate our entry into such a pointless conflict, and it’s … Continue reading “Trump Wants To Make the New Cold War Hot Before It Even Gets Cold”

US Interference Gives Beijing Cover To Tighten Its Grip on Hong Kong

One of the more dangerous symptoms of the Covid-19 pandemic is the ever-increasing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The relationship could be the worst it’s been since President Nixon’s historic trip to China in 1972. This new Cold War is being played out in many theaters, including Hong Kong, which has served as a stage … Continue reading “US Interference Gives Beijing Cover To Tighten Its Grip on Hong Kong”

How To Honor Memorial Day: Stop Sacrificing Troops in Endless Wars

Another Memorial Day, another holiday filled with politicians rhapsodizing about the valiant sacrifices of courageous military men and women. Freedom isn’t free, we are told, as high officials extol the armed services for protecting Americans’ liberties. It sounds so glorious. Especially eloquent tend to be the chicken hawks and summer patriots who had "other priorities" … Continue reading “How To Honor Memorial Day: Stop Sacrificing Troops in Endless Wars”

William Kristol, the Flaming Neocon, Is Looking To Reinvent Himself as a Dissenter

“A ‘Neocon’ is neither new or conservative, but old as Babylon and evil as Hell.” – Edward Abbey Being an unrepentant Neocon, such as William (Bill) Kristol, means never having to say you’re sorry. To qualify, you need to be an ideologue, who also has paid no price for recklessly cheerleading 4,488 U.S. troops to … Continue reading “William Kristol, the Flaming Neocon, Is Looking To Reinvent Himself as a Dissenter”

Michael Flynn’s Forgotten Turkish Connection

Former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is best known for his connection to the Russiagate investigation. Lost in that hubbub, however, was Flynn’s slimy role as a lobbyist for Turkey. A Turkish businessman paid Flynn $530,000 in 2016 to push pro-Turkey, anti-Kurd policies in hopes of influencing the Trump Administration. The American public has mostly … Continue reading “Michael Flynn’s Forgotten Turkish Connection”

What Does Winning Mean in a Forever War?

When a Wall Street Journal editorial warned this week against any precipitous U.S. withdrawal that might imperil our gains in Afghanistan, an exasperated President Trump shot back: "Could someone please explain to them that we have been there for 19 years. … and except at the beginning, we never really fought to win." Is that … Continue reading “What Does Winning Mean in a Forever War?”

Gaslighting of the American Public on Pensacola Terrorist Attack Continues

The terrorist attack carried out on December 6, 2019 by a Saudi national who was in the US for pilot training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station is back in the news. Three Americans were killed and eight injured in this second surreptitious terrorist attack carried out on US soil by Saudi jihadists. At a … Continue reading “Gaslighting of the American Public on Pensacola Terrorist Attack Continues”