Uzbekistan Killings Set Off Massive Crackdown

The government of Uzbekistan has been engaged in unprecedented efforts, including massive detentions, torture, and forced confessions, to persuade its people and the outside world that Islamist extremists were responsible for a bloody massacre in Andijan last May, according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW). The two groups, which released separate reports Tuesday … Continue reading “Uzbekistan Killings Set Off Massive Crackdown”

‘The Most Expensive Military Effort in 60 Years’

The Institute for Policy Studies recently published an analysis of the cost of the Iraq War and occupation, “The Iraq Quagmire: The Mounting Costs of War and the Case for Bringing Home the Troops." The study was co-authored by two prominent researchers and writers, Phyllis Bennis and Erik Leaver. Bennis is a fellow at the … Continue reading “‘The Most Expensive Military Effort in 60 Years’”

Iraq: The Battle of Basra

As the Iraqi police checkpoint in Basra loomed up ahead, the two elite British special forces soldiers – dressed in plainclothes, i.e., traditional Arab dress – readied their weapons. For some reason, they weren’t too eager to be questioned or examined too closely. As the [UK] Independent reports: “In the confrontation that followed, shots were … Continue reading “Iraq: The Battle of Basra”

NYPD Unplugs Cindy Sheehan, but Not the Antiwar Movement

They can’t stop the antiwar movement, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying. On Monday Sept. 19, Cindy Sheehan spoke in New York City’s Union Square to a group of supporters and onlookers when police rushed in to break up her speech as it was winding down. “I was speaking and someone grabbed my backpack … Continue reading “NYPD Unplugs Cindy Sheehan, but Not the Antiwar Movement”

Backtalk, September 21, 2005

Why This Soldier Can’t Support This WarJustin Gordon: I have a lot of respect for your position. I served in the Navy during the war against Vietnam. Returning to Charleston, S.C., our home port at the time, I informed my captain that I would no longer be able to support the mission due to issues … Continue reading “Backtalk, September 21, 2005”

Will Neocon Fanaticism Destroy America?

The “cakewalk war” is now two and one-half years old. U.S. casualties (dead and wounded) number 20,000. As 20,000 is the number of Iraqi insurgents according to U.S. military commanders, each insurgent is responsible for one U.S. casualty. U.S. troops in Iraq number about 150,000. Obviously, U.S. troops have not inflicted 150,000 casualties on the … Continue reading “Will Neocon Fanaticism Destroy America?”

Hunger Strike Spreads at Guantanamo Camp

A hunger strike started in June by terror suspects imprisoned by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) – and reportedly settled – has been restarted and is growing, with 15 detainees hospitalized and 13 being fed through tubes. The number of hunger strikers varies. The military has said at various times the number … Continue reading “Hunger Strike Spreads at Guantanamo Camp”

The Tragedy of a Complicit Media

Standing before a German cameraman in Biloxi, Miss., Christine Adelhardt, spoke to her countrymen: “Two minutes ago, the president drove past in his convoy. But what has happened in Biloxi all day long is truly unbelievable. Suddenly recovery units appeared, suddenly bulldozers were there, those hadn’t been seen here all the days before, and this … Continue reading “The Tragedy of a Complicit Media”

Confronting the Warfare State

The New York Times began this week with an editorial that typifies the media mindset of the warfare state. Monday’s editorial warns of dire consequences from a growing deficit that has been boosted by tax cuts – in combination with "the pre-Katrina priorities laid down by Mr. Bush." Those priorities include a U.S. military budget … Continue reading “Confronting the Warfare State”