Diplomats Say "No" to Iraq
by There is a lot of good news coming from Iraq these days: Violent deaths of U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians appear to have fallen sharply …
Category: Iraq
Blackwater Shooters Given Immunity
Why? Three senior law enforcement officials said all the Blackwater bodyguards involved — both in the vehicle convoy and in at least two helicopters above …
Kurdistan and Self-Rule
From the NY Times – fifteen years ago – but still highly relevant given recent events: The Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Iran and Syria condemned the …
Islamists Booby-Trap Toys
Yesterday in Kirkuk a question was asked: Rizkar Khourshid, 56, whose wife and three children were injured in the explosion and taken to a hospital. …
Blackwater, War Criminals?
The LA Times says that Blackwater, the U.S. security contractor, may soon be facing down a war crimes inquiry. The United Nations today called on …
There You Go Again, Jimmy
Jimmy Carter says that the United States tortures prisoners in violation of international law. From CNN: “I don’t think it. I know it,” Carter told …
Would the World be Better Off…
…if the U.S. loses the war in Iraq? Fox News asked that question of 900 registered voters and came up with what I think is …
Black Waters Indeed
Congress has issued a report that is critical of the private security firm Blackwater, according to the NY Times. The report by the Democratic majority …
The Mercenary Problem
In reference to American para-military contractors in Iraq, Paul Krugman at the NY Times writes: "mercenaries, whom Machiavelli described as ‘useless and dangerous’ more than …
Basra, Test Case for Withdrawal
The Christian Science Monitor says that Basra is turning into an emerging "Shiite Taliban state" now that the British are packing up their kit bags …