Middle East

Thousands of US Troops Arrive Near Syrian Shore on USS Eisenhower

"The USS Eisenhower, an American aircraft carrier that holds eight fighter bomber squadrons and 8,000 men, arrived at the Syrian coast yesterday in the midst of a heavy storm, indicating US preparation for a potential ground intervention. While the Obama administration has not announced any sort of American-led military intervention in the war-torn country, the US is now ready to launch such action 'within days' if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad decides to use chemical weapons against the opposition, the Times reports." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThousands of US Troops Arrive Near Syrian Shore on USS Eisenhower

Thousands of US Troops Arrive Near Syrian Shore on USS Eisenhower

"The USS Eisenhower, an American aircraft carrier that holds eight fighter bomber squadrons and 8,000 men, arrived at the Syrian coast yesterday in the midst of a heavy storm, indicating US preparation for a potential ground intervention. While the Obama administration has not announced any sort of American-led military intervention in the war-torn country, the US is now ready to launch such action 'within days' if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad decides to use chemical weapons against the opposition, the Times reports." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThousands of US Troops Arrive Near Syrian Shore on USS Eisenhower

Anti-drone protesters knocked off course by broad restraining order

"Adams said that he has repeatedly been arrested as he attempted to deliver a letter to the base commander, Colonel Greg Semmel, and others accusing the government of war crimes. The order of protection, issued by Donald Benack, a judge in the Dewitt town court, Onondaga, New York, on 25 October, forbids the 17 activists from contacting Colonel Earl A. Evans. The activists, Adams said, had asked if the order meant they had to stay away from the weekly permitted protest across the road from the base. The response from law enforcement officers: if Evans found it 'irritating' then it did." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnti-drone protesters knocked off course by broad restraining order

Glenn Greenwald: The ‘both-sides-are-awful’ dismissal of Gaza ignores the key role of the US government

"For years now, US financial, military and diplomatic support of Israel has been the central enabling force driving this endless conflict. Just consider the actions of the US over the last week as violence in Gaza escalated. On Tuesday, the US vetoed a UN Security Council cease-fire resolution on the ground, in essence, that it was too balanced. The US State Department publicly attacked its Nato ally, Turkey, for condemning Israeli aggression. As always, the US Congress and the US Executive Branch are virtually unanimous in their full-throated, completely one-sided support for Israeli actions." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: The ‘both-sides-are-awful’ dismissal of Gaza ignores the key role of the US government

Egypt protesters tear-gassed as world concern mounts

"Anti-riot police fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse protesters camped out in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as Western governments voiced growing concern over Islamist President Mohamed Morsi’s assumption of sweeping powers. The president already held both and executive and legislative powers and Thursday’s decree puts him beyond judicial oversight until a new constitution has been ratified in a referendum." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEgypt protesters tear-gassed as world concern mounts

Gaza, an impoverished and besieged sliver of land

"Some 1.6 million Palestinians live in the cramped territory spread over 362 square kilometres (140 square miles) along the Mediterranean, making it one of the most densely populated parts of the world. The economic and humanitarian situation in the enclave has been precarious since Israel imposed an economic embargo after Hamas seized power in 2007. Under its blockade, Israel controls all goods entering the Gaza Strip, except those smuggled through tunnels under the border with Egypt. The blockade also involves a blanket ban on all weapons and munitions." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGaza, an impoverished and besieged sliver of land

U.S. gives ‘full backing’ to Israel while urging de-escalation of Gaza violence

"The Israeli ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, says the US has given his government a free hand in its assault on Gaza as the Israeli cabinet ordered a large call up of military reserves, prompting fears of a ground invasion. The Palestinian delegation to Washington condemned the US response to the crisis as 'biased and weak', and called on the White House to stop Israel using American-made weapons against civilians. It also described as 'shameful' what it called the justification of the murder of Palestinians by countries supporting Israeli actions, including Britain." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. gives ‘full backing’ to Israel while urging de-escalation of Gaza violence

Israel taking steps to mobilize up to 75,000 reservists

"Defence Minister Ehud Barak sought government approval on Friday to mobilize up to 75,000 reserve troops for Israel's Gaza campaign, political sources said, in a sign of preparations for a possible ground offensive. The sources, speaking after Palestinian rockets were fired at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, said ministers were being polled by telephone by the cabinet secretary to approve the call-up." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsrael taking steps to mobilize up to 75,000 reservists

U.S. soldier could face death over Afghan massacre

[Should have been a drone pilot instead.] "Bales faces 16 counts of murder, six of attempted murder, seven of assault, two of using drugs and one of drinking alcohol. Seventeen of the 22 victims were women or children and almost all were shot in the head. The 39-year-old allegedly left his base in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province on the night of March 11 to commit the killings, which included nine children. He allegedly set several of their bodies on fire. Prosecutors at the pre-trial hearing have alleged that Bales left the base twice to carry out the killings, returning in between and even telling a colleague what he had done." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. soldier could face death over Afghan massacre

In Egypt streets, Islamists throw weight around

"Four months since Egypt elected veteran Muslim Brotherhood politician Mohamed Mursi as president, human rights activists say hardliners are trying to impose Islamist ways on society. Such actions have grabbed local headlines and fuelled the worst-case-scenario fears of moderates worried by the rise of Islamists who were tightly reined in by Hosni Mubarak but have emerged as a major force since he was swept from power. Christians say overall the atmosphere has become increasingly menacing as the presence of hostile Salafi Muslim hardliners in public life has grown more pronounced." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIn Egypt streets, Islamists throw weight around