Imperial Hubris

Al-Qaeda claims Iraq prison raids, says 500 inmates freed

"Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for simultaneous raids on two Iraqi prisons and said more than 500 inmates had been set free, in a statement posted on militant forums on Tuesday. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which was formed earlier this year through a merger between al Qaeda’s affiliates in Syria and Iraq, said it had carried out the attacks on Abu Ghraib and Taji jails after months of preparation. Sunni Islamist militants have in recent months been regaining momentum in their insurgency against Iraq‘s Shi’ite-led government, which came to power after the U.S. invasion to oust Saddam Hussein." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAl-Qaeda claims Iraq prison raids, says 500 inmates freed

Yemeni journalist who reported U.S. drone strike released from jail

"A Yemeni journalist who was kept in prison for years at the apparent request of the Obama administration has been released in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, according to local reports. Abdulelah Haider Shaye was imprisoned in 2010, after reporting that an attack on a suspected al-Qaida training camp in southern Yemen for which the Yemeni government claimed responsibility had actually been carried out by the United States. Shaye had visited the site and discovered pieces of cruise missiles and cluster bombs not found in Yemen’s arsenal, according to a Jeremy Scahill dispatch in the Nation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingYemeni journalist who reported U.S. drone strike released from jail

Congress moves towards arming Syrian rebels

"President Barack Obama’s plan to provide vetted Syrian rebels with weapons and strategic military aid has gained traction in Congress, US lawmakers said Tuesday. The United States is currently providing humanitarian and non-lethal military aid to rebel groups battling the regime of strongman Bashar al-Assad. Obama’s administration promised an expansion of military aid to Syria’s rebel forces in June after accusing the regime of using chemical weapons, but such aid has yet to be disbursed. Lawmakers have been split on the proposal, but on Monday House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Rogers said a 'consensus' had been reached." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCongress moves towards arming Syrian rebels

German Intelligence Worked Closely with NSA on Data Surveillance

"Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly said she knew nothing about American surveillance activities in Germany. But documents show that German intelligence cooperates closely with the NSA and even uses spy software provided by the US. The shift to a more offensive German security policy began in 2007. Since then, there have been 'regular US-German analytic exchanges and closer cooperation in tracking both German and non-German extremist targets.' The German foreign intelligence agency went even further in its effort to please the Americans, 'working to influence the German government to relax interpretation of the privacy laws'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman Intelligence Worked Closely with NSA on Data Surveillance

Death toll rises in Egypt following clashes

"At least six people were killed in overnight clashes in Cairo between supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, the health ministry has confirmed to Al Jazeera. The clashes late that night saw the use of birdshot, gunfire and molotov cocktails, witnesses said. Police then intervened, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. Earlier in the day, Adly Mansour, Egypt's interim president, renewed appeals for reconciliation. 'We want to turn a new page in the country’s book with no hatred, no malice, no division,' he said in a pre-recorded speech that also highlighted the importance of the army in Egypt's history." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDeath toll rises in Egypt following clashes

‘Are We Rome?’ Was A Questioned Asked and Answered Long Ago

"The US hunts down and kills very many innocents abroad by drone. It’s a bit of a sport—so much so that decadent New Rome has even established a 'new medal that honors drone pilots and computer experts' for their long-distance killing prowess. War-time slaughter has just been industrialized, streamlined, made more efficient in our times. Compare the demographic and economic indices of countries the US has invaded—for their own good, of course, but without their consent—before and after the 'merciful' intervention. The latter-day Rome has mechanized the warfare-state’s killing and has refined its propaganda wing to an art." Continue reading →

Continue Reading‘Are We Rome?’ Was A Questioned Asked and Answered Long Ago

Former CIA Officer Philip Giraldi: ‘Edward Snowden Is No Traitor’

"Even accepting the somewhat fast and loose standard for being at war, it is difficult to discern where Snowden has been supporting the al-Qaeda and 'associated groups' enemy. Snowden has had no contact with al-Qaeda and he has not provided them with any classified information. Nor has he ever spoken up on their behalf, given them advice, or supported in any way their activities directed against the United States. The fallback argument that Snowden has alerted terrorists to the fact that Washington is able to read their emails and listen in on their phone conversations—enabling them to change their methods of communication—is hardly worth considering." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer CIA Officer Philip Giraldi: ‘Edward Snowden Is No Traitor’

Which Countries Can The NSA Whistleblower Escape To?

"An extradition treaty is a legal mechanism that countries use to transfer people to another country for numerous reasons. The terms and conditions of extradition treaties vary due to the circumstances of each individual case and also from country to country. Some countries (like France and Brazil) will not extradite their own citizens no matter what. Generally speaking, in order for extradition to be successful, the suspected criminal act must not be political in nature, it must be recognized as a crime in both jurisdictions, and the suspect must not be in danger of receiving the death penalty or torture if transferred." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhich Countries Can The NSA Whistleblower Escape To?

Al Qaeda militants flee Iraq’s Abu Ghraib in violent mass break-out

"Hundreds of convicts, including senior members of al Qaeda, broke out of Iraq's Abu Ghraib jail as comrades launched a military-style assault to free them, authorities said on Monday. The deadly raid on the high-security jail happened as Sunni Muslim militants are gaining momentum in their insurgency against the Shi'ite-led government that came to power after the U.S. invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. Suicide bombers drove cars packed with explosives to the gates of the prison on the outskirts of Baghdad on Sunday night and blasted their way into the compound, while gunmen attacked guards with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAl Qaeda militants flee Iraq’s Abu Ghraib in violent mass break-out

If Edward Snowden Had Read This Book …

"In most countries, extradition is not automatic. A hearing is usually required, with the person subject to extradition given the opportunity to argue his or her case. Some countries, such as Brazil, almost never allow extradition. Many refuse to return a person they deem to be wanted for 'political' offenses. Usually, an extradition request seeks persons facing criminal prosecution or an already convicted escapee, but there are other grounds for such official demands. Generally, tax offenses have not been extraditable. However, fraud per se is an extraditable offense, so a government that wants to pursue a tax case claims 'tax fraud.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIf Edward Snowden Had Read This Book …