• Top News
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This week’s top news:

Is US ‘Pullout’ Talk Simply Tough Diplomacy for Karzai Visit?: Much attention has been given to the Obama Administration’s plan for a withdrawal from Afghanistan, with reports that they are considering to a total withdrawal from Afghanistan, using the eventual pullout from Iraq as a model. But it may just be a negotiating strategy.

Hagel Continues to Face Tough Opposition in Senate: While former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R – NE) has sought to tamp down opposition to his nomination as defense secretary by insisting that claims he is averse to starting a war with Iran have been overstated, the opposition he faces within the Senate doesn’t appear to be waning.

Two Former US Officials Criticize Obama’s Counter-Productive Drone War: Two former US officials, one military general and another top counter-terrorism adviser for President Obama, have publicly denounced the drone wars in Pakistan and Yemen, saying they disproportionately kill civilians and generate anti-American sentiments that aid al-Qaeda recruitment efforts.

Al-Nusra Front Emerging as Major Force in Syrian Rebellion: For the past several months, the US-designated terrorist organization, the al-Nusra Front, initially a small but aggressive faction interested primarily in attacking Syrian media outlets, has grown into one of the biggest and most fearsome front-line fighting forces, with an estimated 5,000 fighters today.

US Contractor Pays $5 Million to Iraqis Over Abu Ghraib Lawsuit: New financial statements from Engility Holdings of Chantilly, VA, reveal that the company’s subsidiary, L-3 services, has paid out $5 million related to its role in the abuse of Iraqi detainees at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison.

Gitmo Judge: Evidence Exonerating Detainee Must Remain Secret: Long-standing Guantanamo Bay detainee Wali Mohammed will have his day in court, at least to the extent that the military tribunal system counts as “court,” but the evidence exonerating him of the allegations against him will not, according to Judge Rosemary Collyer.

Opinions and Analysis:

• Justin Raimondo wrote about Israel’s anti-black racism and explained the Chuck Hagel battle as a cultural revolution in the US foreign policy debate and the revenge of the realists.
• Phil Giraldi explored the question Are Israel and the US Becoming Fascist States?
• Ivan Eland analyzed the split decision on Obama’s national security nominees.
• Kelley B. Vlahos revealed the war profiteer Leonie Industries and its military propaganda operations.