Imperial Hubris

Despite Ongoing Protest, Obama Resumes Drone Attacks in Pakistan

"Despite repeated and recent warnings that such attacks are destabilizing and an affront to its territorial sovereignty, reports indicate the US military executed a pair of drone missile strikes in Pakistan on Wednesday in what appears to be an attempt to assassinate a high-level Taliban commander. It remains unclear whether or not Wali-ur-Rehman—the reported target of the attack— was, in fact, killed, but reports from various media outlets suggest between four and seven fatalities resulted from the attack that occurred in the North Waziristan tribal region." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDespite Ongoing Protest, Obama Resumes Drone Attacks in Pakistan

Georgian president accused of using state funds for botox treatments

"Georgian prosecutors said Friday they were probing the alleged misuse of state funds, as accusations surfaced that President Mikheil Saakashvili had spent thousands of dollars of government money on botox treatments in the United States. According to alleged expense documents aired by anti-Saakashvili broadcaster Imedi on Friday, the president splashed out more than $11,000 (8500 euro) in government money on cosmetic procedures while visiting New York in 2009 and 2011. The documents also purported to show that Saakashvili spent around $9,000 of state money in the United Kingdom on a naked portrait of an unspecified US actress." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGeorgian president accused of using state funds for botox treatments

Imprisoned CIA Torture Whistleblower John Kiriakou Pens “Letter from Loretto”

"Greetings from the Federal Correctional Institution at Loretto, Pennsylvania. I arrived here on February 28, 2013 to serve a 30-month sentence for violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982. At least that’s what the government wants people to believe. In truth, this is my punishment for blowing the whistle on the CIA’s illegal torture program and for telling the public that torture was official U.S. government policy. But that’s a different story. The purpose of this letter is to tell you about prison life." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingImprisoned CIA Torture Whistleblower John Kiriakou Pens “Letter from Loretto”

Israeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

"Israel’s defense chief said Tuesday a Russian plan to supply sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Syria was a 'threat' and signaled that Israel is prepared to use force to stop the delivery. The warning by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon ratcheted up tensions with Moscow over the planned sale of S-300 air-defense missiles to Syria. Earlier in the day, a top Russian official said his government remained committed to the deal. Israel has been lobbying Moscow to halt the sale, fearing the missiles would upset the balance of power in the region and could slip into the hands of hostile groups, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, a close ally of the Syrian regime." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsraeli defense chief indicates if Russia ships advanced missiles to Syria, they could be hit

The EU Joins the Syrian War More Directly

"U.S. Secretary of State Kerry went to Europe urging that the European Union drop its embargo on shipments of heavy arms into the hands of the Syrian rebels. Are we surprised that the EU has now done exactly that? The article says 'British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the amended embargo puts pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to seek a non-military solution to more than two years of fighting.' Remember that a political process occurred in February of 2012 when a new Syrian constitution was passed overwhelmingly. The EU's decision affirms that the EU intends violently to overthrow Assad in violation of their oaths in the U.N." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe EU Joins the Syrian War More Directly

Senator Menendez Calls for More Dead Bodies

"There are no vital national interests at stake in Syria. None. Not Iran, not Israel and not oil. Yes, we can watch from the sidelines and let the Iranians and Syrians form their own politics. This is what the U.S. did with Mexico and Canada. Did the U.S. relish interference from Spain, France, Great Britain and Russia into its affairs? How brainless is it to act as if the refugee crisis is an independent reason for intervening, when it is an outcome of the war itself, encouraged every step of the way by the U.S.? And why must the U.S. rectify this tragedy? What good is a 'freedom' that marches us off to wars willy-nilly or grabs our wealth to do what it wills?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSenator Menendez Calls for More Dead Bodies

Rand Paul: Helping Syrian rebels a dangerous risk

"The United States has a history of often picking sides in Middle East conflicts to its own detriment. Empowering Islamic extremists to achieve questionable short-term goals does not serve America's long-term security or interests. Nor does it serve the interests of nearly 2 million Christians in Syria who fear they could suffer the same fate as Iraqi Christians who were abused and expelled from that country as radical Islamic forces gained influence and power." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul: Helping Syrian rebels a dangerous risk

Family Concerned After John McCain Wanders Into Syria

"Members of Sen. John McCain’s family expressed deep concern Tuesday after receiving word that the aging legislator had wandered off into Syria. 'Unfortunately, this has been happening a lot lately; he’ll walk out of the Capitol building, get disoriented, and then we get a call late at night saying that John is in Syria,' McCain’s wife Cindy said upon learning that her 76-year-old husband turned up in the war-torn country after ambling across the Turkey-Syria border and delivering a rambling, incoherent speech to a group of rebels." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFamily Concerned After John McCain Wanders Into Syria

Rand Paul: Senate Is Arming Al-Qaeda and Rushing to War in Syria

"'This is an important moment. You will be funding, today, the allies of al Qaeda.' That was the declaration Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.; pictured) made on May 21 during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Paul’s comments were directed at his colleagues, nearly all of whom voted to send arms to Syrian rebels. Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) co-sponsored the bill that authorizes 'critical support to the Syrian opposition through provision of military assistance, training, and additional humanitarian support.' The bill sailed through the committee, passing with bipartisan support by a vote of 15-3." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul: Senate Is Arming Al-Qaeda and Rushing to War in Syria

Reality Check: Sen. McCain Visits Rebels In Syria, Congressman Questions Al-Qaeda Ties

"A secret visit to Syria over Memorial Day weekend by Senator John McCain. The Senator, meeting with leaders of the Free Syrian Army, as Washington debates whether or not to arm the rebels. But is arming the rebels a good idea?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReality Check: Sen. McCain Visits Rebels In Syria, Congressman Questions Al-Qaeda Ties