War & Peace

Destroying the Switzerland of Central America

"Leave it to the U.S. national-security state to destroy another country, this one being Costa Rica, known as the 'Switzerland of Central America' and whose national slogan is 'pura vida'—'pure life.' How is the U.S. government now destroying Costa Rica? No, not with bombs or missiles—at least not yet—but with its much-vaunted drug war, which the Pentagon and the CIA are expanding in Latin America since that their adventures in Afghanistan and the Middle East might be winding down. Does anyone in Costa Rica really believe that the militarization of Costa Rican society is going to have any significant effect on the 40-year-old war on drugs?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDestroying the Switzerland of Central America

Weed Warrior: Keith Stroup

"I do believe several additional states will fully legalize marijuana over the coming five to ten years, and all states will stop arresting people for private use. So we too should have an exciting next few years. It is difficult to know where the fight for personal freedom will next break through the public consciousness, but it may well involve the militarization of domestic law enforcement—including the use of unmanned drones to gather intelligence on our own citizens by local and state officials who are not worried about terrorism, but are rather seeking a new tool to use to enforce existing criminal laws, those against personal drug use." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWeed Warrior: Keith Stroup

Iran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

"Iranian graphic artist Ali Molavi asked 50 people in Tehran: 'What's your wish for today?' At first timid, they answered candidly, reflecting the passions, problems and politics in Iran today. Their wishes ranged from buying a motorcycle, being reborn, to finding a good job. One man wanted 'all the inflation and high prices to go away.' Another wished for Iran to 'move towards peace and understanding with other countries. One woman did not have any wishes. 'They have not left any room for us to dream anymore,' she said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIran: One question fifty answers (English Captions)

Gold trade booms in war-torn Syria

"In Syria’s northern metropolis, as across the Middle East, those who can afford to have traditionally invested in jewellery for their womenfolk, especially gold, to ward against a rainy day. As daily clashes between troops and rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad have brought a devastating halt to all normal economic activity, the trade in precious metals has boomed as people struggle to make ends meet. Two years of devastating conflict have sent the Syrian pound into freefall and, for those with any money, gold is a popular refuge to maintain the value of their savings." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGold trade booms in war-torn Syria

China mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

"China has placed military forces on heightened alert in the northeastern part of the country as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula following recent threats by Pyongyang to attack, U.S. officials said. Reports reveal the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently increased its military posture in response to the heightened tensions, specifically North Korea's declaration of a 'state of war' and threats to conduct missile attacks against the United States and South Korea. According to the officials, the PLA has stepped up military mobilization in the border region with North Korea since mid-March, including troop movements and warplane activity." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChina mobilizing troops, jets near N. Korean border, US officials say

Whose “Provocative Actions”?

"March 28 2013 - US sends nuclear-capable B-2 bombers to SKorea; March 26 2013 - U.S. Army learns hard lessons in N. Korea-like war game; March 20 2013 - U.S. flies B-52s over South Korea; March 19 2013 - S. Korea, U.S. carry out naval drills with nuclear attack submarine; March 17 2013 - Troops remember sacrifices of Cheonan sailors; March 12 2013 - First day of SK-US military exercises passes without provocation; March 8 2013 - Air Assault Course increase 2ID capabilities; March 8 2013 - 'Frozen Chosen' Marines; March 6 2013 - S. Korea says it will strike against North’s top leadership if provoked." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhose “Provocative Actions”?

U.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel

"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday that the United States was 'prepared to deal with any eventuality' from North Korea and warned that danger from Pyongyang was on the rise. 'We will unequivocally defend — we are unequivocally committed — to that alliance with South Korea as well as our other allies in that region of the world,' Hagel told reporters. 'We will be prepared...to deal with any eventuality,' Hagel said after the United States flew two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers on a mission over South Korea. 'We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we’ll respond to that,' Hagel said. Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. will ‘respond’ to North Korea’s provocations, says Chuck Hagel

U.S. sends anti-missile destroyer near North Korean coast

"The USS Fitzgerald, which had sailed to South Korea as part of recent exercises, has been sent off the southwestern coast of the Korean peninsula instead of returning to its home port in Japan, a US defense official said. Pyongyang in February tested a nuclear bomb and has declared itself to be at a state of war with US-allied South Korea. The United States previously took the unprecedented step of announcing test bombing by nuclear-capable state-of-the-art B-2 bombers. It has also deployed F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to South Korea as part of an ongoing exercise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. sends anti-missile destroyer near North Korean coast

NATO airstrike kills two Afghan children

"A NATO helicopter strike killed two children in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said, in the latest civilian casualties to beset the coalition’s war against Taliban militants. The operation close to Ghazni city was conducted after local people complained of a Taliban post targeting traffic convoys in the area, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, the deputy governor of Ghazni province, said. 'It was a joint (Afghan and coalition) operation conducted this morning that killed nine Taliban. Unfortunately, two school children were also killed and seven other civilians were wounded,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNATO airstrike kills two Afghan children

Study: Iraq and Afghanistan wars will cost U.S. up to $6 trillion

"The Iraq and Afghanistan wars will cost the United States between $4-6 trillion in the long term. Harvard University scholar Linda Bilmes concluded that the United States will face increasing costs to care for an estimated 2.5 million veterans, and to pay down debt incurred by borrowing to pay for the wars. Bilmes said that costs will climb over decades. She wrote that the peak year for disability payments over World War I, which ended in 1918, was 1969 as veterans became elderly. Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary under Bush, said before the invasion that the Iraq war would cost around $50 billion and called higher estimates 'baloney.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudy: Iraq and Afghanistan wars will cost U.S. up to $6 trillion