Justifying massive military expenditures and a program of universal conscription isn't easy in a time of peace, but the Swiss military has managed to keep it up even though they don't face any conceivable military threats, and indeed haven't faced any in decades. But...
Whistleblowers Vs. Newspapers: The Bias on Disclosures
According to government officials speaking to the New York Times, traditional mainstream newspaper reporting of a single incident last month caused more damage to national security than everything Edward Snowden leaked. As the nation’s spy agencies assess the fallout...
US Faces Pressure From Israel, Saudi Arabia to Rebuff Iran Overtures
Given the divisive political climate up on Capitol Hill right now, one might think the greatest liability to the Obama administration for its positive reaction to Iran's diplomatic overtures would be Republicans who prefer sanctions and war over détente. But one would...
Iranian FM on Détente with US: ‘Iran Is Not Seeking a Nuclear Weapon’
This interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on ABC's This Week is well worth watching, despite the horrible Stephanopoulos. Breaking News
McCain Hires Disgraced Syria ‘Expert’ Elizabeth O’Bagy
People involved in politics almost invariably engage in confirmation bias. It's easy to welcome ideas that bolster what you already believe, than to deal with facts and evidence that seem to puncture your own opinions. If there are two seasoned politicians in...
Kelley Vlahos on African Blowback
Antiwar.com columnist/reporter Kelley Vlahos appeared on Russia Today's Crosstalk program today. The subject was blowback triggered by Western-supported Kenya intervention in Somalia. Also on the show were occasional Antiwar.com contributor Stephen Zunes and Richard...
Judge Expels Sikh From Courtroom, Orders Him to Remove ‘That Rag’ Or Go To Jail
At the Pike County Justice Court in Mississippi, Judge Aubrey Rimes expelled Mr. Jageet Singh from the courtroom, telling his attorney that he'd better remove "that rag" (his turban) from his head or go to jail. That sounds bad enough, right? But how'd he get into the...
Despite Hawks’ Claim of Greatest Threat, Iran is Very Weak
The diplomacy with Iran is proceeding slowly in the days following the almost-handshake at the UN earlier this week. While skepticism is warranted, as I've written, there is a chorus of right-wing fear-mongers really upset about the prospect of detente with Iran. See,...
The Surge Didn’t Work, Or How Can We Continue to Ignore Iraq?
Children tend to have a tough time focusing on too many ideas at once. The same goes for adults who have the brain capacity of children. Syria stories obviously soared in the media over the past month, and rightly so given that the Obama administration was going drag...
US-Backed Syrian Rebels Form New Alliance With Al-Qaeda Affiliate
Ideally, the question of whether it's wise for America to support allegedly "moderate" elements within the Syrian opposition should have been settled when thousands of foreign fighters were reported flooding into Syria for "jihad." Or maybe when rebels were caught...


