War & Peace

Former Drone Operator Says He’s Haunted By His Part In More Than 1,600 Deaths

"A former Air Force drone operator who says he participated in missions that killed more than 1,600 people remembers watching one of the first victims bleed to death. Brandon Bryant says he was sitting in a chair at a Nevada Air Force base operating the camera when his team fired two missiles from their drone at three men walking down a road halfway around the world in Afghanistan. The missiles hit all three targets, and Bryant says he could see the aftermath on his computer screen – including thermal images of a growing puddle of hot blood." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Drone Operator Says He’s Haunted By His Part In More Than 1,600 Deaths

Ron Paul: Iraq Collapse Shows Bankruptcy of Interventionism

"May was Iraq's deadliest month in nearly five years, with more than 1,000 dead – both civilians and security personnel – in a rash of bombings, shootings and other violence. Millions live in constant fear, refugees do not return home, and the economy is destroyed. The Christian community, some 1.2 million persons before 2003, has been nearly wiped off the Iraqi map. Other minorities have likewise disappeared. US support for the Syrian rebels next door has drawn the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government into the spreading regional unrest and breathed new life into extremist elements. The invasion of Iraq opened the door to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, which did not exist beforehand..." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRon Paul: Iraq Collapse Shows Bankruptcy of Interventionism

CIA didn’t always know who it was killing in drone strikes, classified documents show

"About one of every four of those killed by drones in Pakistan between Sept. 3, 2010, and Oct. 30, 2011, were classified as 'other militants,' the documents detail. The 'other militants' label was used when the CIA could not determine the affiliation of those killed, prompting questions about how the agency could conclude they were a threat to U.S. national security. The uncertainty appears to arise from the use of so-called 'signature' strikes to eliminate suspected terrorists -- picking targets based in part on their behavior and associates. A former White House official said the U.S. sometimes executes people based on 'circumstantial evidence.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCIA didn’t always know who it was killing in drone strikes, classified documents show

Iraq hit by worst violence since 2008

"Iraq was hit in May by its worst violence in five years, further stoking fears of all-out sectarian strife, as its top two political rivals publicly embraced on Saturday in symbolic move aimed at easing tensions. Authorities have failed to bring the wave of unrest under control, nor addressed the underlying political issues that analysts say are driving the attacks, and the UN envoy to Iraq has warned that the violence is 'ready to explode.' May’s death toll was more than 600, according to officials and more than 1,000, according to the United Nations. The wave of violence comes about 18 months after the last American troops left Iraq, which is neither secure nor stable." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIraq hit by worst violence since 2008

U.S. levies sanctions on Iranian petrochemical industry

"The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry, vowing to target more of the Islamic regime’s sources of revenue after curbing its vital oil exports. US officials said they were taking action against Iran’s petrochemical industry as it represented the Iranian government’s largest source of revenue after oil, which has been severely curtailed by a US-led sanctions campaign. The United States slapped sanctions that include a ban on US-based financial transactions on the Niksima Food & Beverage Co., a Dubai-based frozen yogurt and dessert company. Since last year, the United States has brandished sanctions against anyone who buys Iran’s oil." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. levies sanctions on Iranian petrochemical industry

Palestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave

"The remains of dozens of Palestinians killed by Israelis in fighting following the 1948 foundation of the Israeli state have been found in a mass grave in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa district. The grisly find occurred on Wednesday when ground subsided as workers carried out renovations, revealing six chambers full of skeletons. Jaffa was at the time a Palestinian town, but there was an exodus of most of its Arab population when it fell to the fledgling Israeli army and rightwing Jewish militias. Around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their homes in what they call the 'Nakba' or 'catastrophe' of 1948 and which Israel refers to as its 'War of Independence'." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPalestinian victims of 1948 war found in mass grave

Israel: Syria Missile Defense Acquisition a ‘Red Line’ for Military Action

"In a meeting with EU ambassadors, Israeli National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror declared the Syrian government’s imminent acquisition of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to be a 'red line' that would obligate Israeli military action to prevent them becoming operational. Syria is eager to acquire them after several recent Israeli air strikes, which their existing defensive systems proved unable to prevent. The comments come just a day after Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon suggested in an interview that Israel might attack the Russian Navy in an attempt to sink the ships and prevent the delivery." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIsrael: Syria Missile Defense Acquisition a ‘Red Line’ for Military Action

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

Far-right and anti-fascists face off over London soldier murder

"Dozens of people were arrested in London on Saturday as rival far-right and anti-fascist groups faced off over the murder of a British soldier by suspected Islamists. London’s Metropolitan Police said 58 people from the Unite Against Fascism pressure group were arrested after they gathered to oppose a rally by the far-right British National Party (BNP) near the Houses of Parliament. The arrested UAF protesters, who were part of a group of around 300 people opposing the 150-strong BNP rally, were detained on suspicion of breaching the Public Order Act, Scotland Yard added." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFar-right and anti-fascists face off over London soldier murder

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