American Empathy Gap: Massacres in Gaza and US Silence

For a writer, any criticism of Israeli military action is a veritable "third-rail" in American politics. Touch that nerve and you’re open to charges of anti-Semitism or worse. Still, recent events in Gaza demand that some of us, at least, shed light on the plight of Palestinians. Let us begin with a thought experiment: imagine … Continue reading “American Empathy Gap: Massacres in Gaza and US Silence”

Trump: Prisoner of the War Party?

"Ten days ago, President Trump was saying ‘the United States should withdraw from Syria.’ We convinced him it was necessary to stay." Thus boasted French President Emmanuel Macron Saturday, adding, "We convinced him it was necessary to stay for the long term." Is the U.S. indeed in the Syrian civil war "for the long term"? … Continue reading “Trump: Prisoner of the War Party?”

Israelis Kill Unarmed Protesters, Barely Notice

Write down: I, Uri Avnery, soldier number 44410 of the Israel army, hereby dissociate myself from the army sharpshooters who murder unarmed demonstrators along the Gaza Strip, and from their commanders, who give them the orders, up to the commander in chief. We don’t belong to the same army, or to the same state. We … Continue reading “Israelis Kill Unarmed Protesters, Barely Notice”

Trump’s Disastrous Syria Attack

Over the weekend, President Trump celebrated firing more than 100 missiles into Syria by Tweeting, “Mission Accomplished!” They say if you cannot learn from history you are condemned to repeat it. So I guess we are repeating it. We all remember that “Mission Accomplished” was the banner behind then-President Bush as he gloated aboard a … Continue reading “Trump’s Disastrous Syria Attack”

Attacking Syria: Thumbing Noses at Constitution and Law

The U.S. Constitution and international law suffered a stinging blow last night at the hands of an odd coalition that might be called Goldilocks and two moral dwarfs posing as Marine generals, together with a “Right Dishonorable” harridan and a young French poodle. As was the case 15 years ago when the US and UK … Continue reading “Attacking Syria: Thumbing Noses at Constitution and Law”

Syria and the Revolt of the ‘Deplorables’

Surely there has never been a presidential peroration as filled with contradictions – not to mention regrettable rhetoric – as President Donald J. Trump’s speech to the nation explaining why he backtracked on his campaign promise to get us out of Syria. Particularly striking was this bit of doubletalk: “To Iran and to Russia, I … Continue reading “Syria and the Revolt of the ‘Deplorables’”

The Real Message Behind Trump’s Syrian Strike

We are seeing a lot of hyperbole about the start of “World War 3” and a lot of speculation about how this will play out … so, let me pump the brakes a bit. Here goes … No, there was no legal or constitutional justification for this strike. Sorry, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, this does … Continue reading “The Real Message Behind Trump’s Syrian Strike”

Who Is the Real Culprit Behind the Chemical Attacks in Syria? A Brief History

Last Friday night, the United States launched a series of missile strikes on Syria in retaliation for the alleged chemical attacks by the Syrian army in Douma, a town in northeast suburb of Damascus. Douma, which is part of the Ghouta district where a ferocious war has been raging between the Syrian government forces and … Continue reading “Who Is the Real Culprit Behind the Chemical Attacks in Syria? A Brief History”