This past Thursday and Friday, President Obama delivered two speeches designed to outline his new thinking on national security and counter-terrorism. While much was made in the media of the president’s statements at the National Defense University and the US Naval Academy suggesting that the most active phase of US military action overseas was coming …
Continue reading “The Real Meaning of President Obama’s National Security Speeches”
About halfway through President Obama’s drone speech, I nearly threw in the towel and changed the channel back to HGTV. After all, why should I sit there and listen to out-and-out lies – and miss the latest episode of “Rehab Addict“? What set me off was the part starting with this line: “Journalists should not …
Continue reading “The Resurrection of Barack Obama”
Sinclair Lewis once wrote that if fascism ever comes to the United States it will be wrapped in the American flag and carrying a cross. Lewis might have been describing our contemporary “political Christians,” the mostly evangelicals who believe that Washington has a manifest destiny to make the world behave while simultaneously expunging the constitution …
Continue reading “The New World Order is Unimpeachable”
Obama defends imperial delusions, says Nebojsa Malic
He inherited it from Bush, says William Pfaff
As the United States marks the change in mission for Iraq, one American soldier was killed in sniper fire in Tikrit. At least four Iraqis were killed and five more were wounded in unusually light violence that could be the result of a media blackout.
Updated at 8:20 p.m. EDT, Aug. 6, 2010
A rash of attacks in Baghdad today highlighted a trend towards attacking vulnerable traffic policemen. At least seven Iraqis were killed and 29 more were wounded in those and other attacks In Baghdad. Meanwhile, al-Qaeda is offering to pay Sunnis to return fighting alongside them against the government. Also, the U.N. is reporting that 25 percent of Iraqis live below the poverty line and 30 percent are unemployed.
Despite indications of a surge in violence, U.S. President Barack Obama promised to end U.S. combat operations on schedule this month and shift the Iraq mission to civilian and diplomatic efforts. Still, at least 14 Iraqis were killed and 36 more were wounded in new violence. Meanwhile, Kuwait marked the 20th anniversary of the country’s invasion by Iraqi troops and start of the first Gulf War. Also, Saudi Arabia is welcoming the opportunity to strengthen relations with Iraq and reign in Iran’s influence in the region.
Updated at 5:32 p.m. EDT, July 23, 2010
Only one Iraqi death was reported today, but 33 Iraqis were wounded in new attacks. Three U.S. soldiers who were wounded at their base in Nasariya as well. Meanwhile, Iraq trudged on another day without a new government, but the United States continued pressure on the leading contenders for prime minister.
Dilip Hiro on Obama’s rudderless foreign policy
