Today, President Zelensky informed the nation at the Ukraine 2024 Independence forum in Kyiv that his government was preparing a “plan for victory” to submit to President Biden, Vice-President Harris, and Former-President Trump. Kyiv Independent described it as a “proposal” and said he would present it during an upcoming meeting with the three politicians in … Continue reading “Kursk Offensive To Be Part of Zelensky’s ‘Victory Plan’”
Does the Government Classification System Need Reform?
For decades, presidents and their appointees have misused the classification system to conceal waste, fraud, abuse, and even criminal conduct, failing to properly manage classified federal records generally. That is why a new bipartisan effort to deal with this major executive branch misuse of power is both remarkable and welcome. The solution offered by Senate … Continue reading “Does the Government Classification System Need Reform?”
Iraq Weekly Roundup: 41 Killed
Two others were wounded.
Prolonging Genocide as a Smokescreen: On Israel’s Other War in the West Bank
Promises of “absolute victory” in Gaza are nothing but “gibberish”, according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Gallant’s comments were not meant to be public, but somehow were leaked and published by Israeli media on August 12. The explanation of why Netanyahu is pursuing a losing war in Gaza has been largely confined to the … Continue reading “Prolonging Genocide as a Smokescreen: On Israel’s Other War in the West Bank”
Caution: Red Line Crossing
The highest stakes in the Ukrainian offensive into Russian territory in Kursk may turn out not to be how far they advance nor whether they can hold it. The advance seems already to be running out of gas and few in the U.S. or NATO have any expectation that Ukraine can hold onto the territory … Continue reading “Caution: Red Line Crossing”
US Calls for Ceasefire But Keeps Supporting War
On August 12, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, issued a press statement commemorating the anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. He said: “The 75th anniversary of the adoption of the 1949 Geneva Conventions is a fitting occasion to reaffirm our commitment to respecting international humanitarian law… We call on others to … Continue reading “US Calls for Ceasefire But Keeps Supporting War”
American Interventionist Foreign Policy: One and a Quarter Century of Failure
When Theodore Roosevelt succeeded William McKinley as president in 1901, he realized the US was no longer just a continental republic; with the Spanish-American War of 1898, America now claimed Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines as territories, Cuba a protectorate and annexed Hawaii. Roosevelt “believed it was the burden of ‘civilized’ nations to uplift … Continue reading “American Interventionist Foreign Policy: One and a Quarter Century of Failure”
The DNC Fiddles While the World Burns
An Orwellian disconnect haunts the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In the isolation of the convention hall, shielded from the outside world behind thousands of armed police, few of the delegates seem to realize that their country is on the brink of direct involvement in major wars with Russia and Iran, either of which could escalate … Continue reading “The DNC Fiddles While the World Burns”
Partners in Genocide: Israel Is Slaughtering Palestinians With Western Arms
While many are earnestly pointing at the devastation of war, the rampant human rights violations and the deliberate relegation of international and humanitarian law, there are those who see war from an entirely different perspective: profits. For the merchants of war, the collective pain and misery of whole nations is dwarfed by the lucrative deals … Continue reading “Partners in Genocide: Israel Is Slaughtering Palestinians With Western Arms”
The Cost of Kursk
The bold and surprising incursion across the border into the Kursk region of Russia has won Ukraine the temporary possession of several Russian villages and a few hundred square miles of Russian territory. But the strategically cheap Russian land may have been bought at a very costly price. The Ukrainian armed forces managed a lightning … Continue reading “The Cost of Kursk”