Op-Ed Articles
Oil Price Blowback
Is Putin Creating a New World Order?
By Mike Whitney
Let's cut to the chase: All these oil shenanigans are really aimed at just one man: Vladimir Putin.
Wobbles in US-EU Axis Against Russia
By Finian Cunningham
Official Europe is coming to its senses about the dangerous course the US is driving.
Time To End the Special UK 'Military Relationship' With America?
By John Snow
Is it then so wise to follow the United States so willingly into war? How heroic Prime Minister Harold Wilson now emerges for his refusal to join America's Vietnam and Cambodian adventures.
The Greatest Trick Obama Ever Pulled Was Convincing The World America Isn't Still At War
By Trevor Timm
As long as the White House doesn't admit the United States is at war, we're all supposed to pretend as if that's true.
Obama Has Killed More People with Drones than Died On 9/11
By Washingtons Blog
Many of those killed were civilians, and only a tiny percentage of the dead were al-Qaeda or Taliban leaders.
US Presidents Are Gods
By David Swanson
Killer flying robots rain hell from the skies worldwide, and neither Congress nor the Washington Post nor the people who lock up governors for taking bribes can even imagine questioning that power, that privilege, that divine right.
The Per Day Cost Of US War Is Absolutely Amazing
By The Young Turks
The cost of US war-making in the 13 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks reached a whopping $1.6 trillion in 2014. Here's a breakdown of where most of that money went.
When Will Palestinians Learn?
Turning To International Law Isn't The Answer
By Robert Fisk
Those with an ounce of human sympathy are sickened at being slandered as anti-Semitic or anti-Zionist (whatever that is) every time they express their outrage at Israel's cruelty towards the Palestinians.
US Social Surveillance Abuse Puts Civil Liberties in Jeopardy
By Vladimir Platov
The United States has created a global system of cyber espionage that allows the interception and processing of personal data around the globe in violation of fundamental human rights.
Welcome to the National Security State of 2015
A Self-Perpetuating Machine for American Insecurity
By Tom Engelhardt
The national security state enveloped itself in a penumbra of secrecy that left the American people theoretically "safe" and remarkably ignorant of what was being done in their name.
If Children's Lives Are Precious, Which Children?
By Derek Summerfield
Are willing to pay the price of extending to all the world's children the sensibilities we apply to our own.
All Forms of Life Are Sacred
By Chris Hedges
What gives man the right to kill an animal, often torture it, so that he can fill his belly with its flesh.
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Hard News
Bush Blair Legacy Continues As
At least 30 Iraqi troops killed in twin 'ISIL attacks':
Tuesday's attacks, which security sources said were undertaken by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), targeted an army checkpoint and a mosque on the same day the Iraqi army marked its 94th anniversary.
Bush Blair Legacy Continues As
Young Iraqis see suicide as an escape: Analysis:
In Iraq the number of suicides, previously a rare phenomenon, has spiked since it was "liberated" by the US-led "coalition of the willing" in 2003.
American aircraft dropped weapons to ISIS, says Iraqi MP:
MP Majid al-Ghraoui said that, an American aircraft dropped a load of weapons and equipment into the hands of the ISIS group militants in southeast of Tikrit, located in Salahuddin province.
ISIS Attacks on U.S. Military 'Ineffective,' Officials Say:
Senior defense officials confirmed Monday that the al-Assad airbase in Iraq, where U.S. military are training Iraqi security forces, has been pounded almost daily by mortar attacks from ISIS militants, but claimed the attacks have been "completely ineffective."
U.S. Troops Now Under 'Frequent' Attack at Iraqi Base:
ISIS lobs `sporadic' rounds at base where Americans are training Iraqis
ISIS 'Releases 2015 Budget Projections' of $2bn with $250m Surplus:
The jihadist group Islamic State (ISIS) has estimated its 2015 budget at $2 billion, allegedly covering costs for wages of fighters and compensation of dead militants' families, Iraqi religious cleric Sheikh Abu Saad al-Ansari told Qatari news publication Al-Araby on Monday.
Kurdish militants kill 41 IS fighters in Syria:
A total of 41 terrorists of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed in clashes with Kurdish militants in a predominantly Kurdish city in northern Syria Tuesday, media reported.
McCain & other top officials accused of illegally visiting Syria:
Several senior US and French officials, including US Senator John McCain, entered Syria illegally - without proper visas - on separate occasions, thus violating the country's sovereignty, Syria said in a complaint submitted to the United Nations.
Kurds 'seize key Kobane district':
Syrian Kurds backed by Iraqi Peshmerga forces captured the security district including the police HQ, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
France to announce deployment of carrier group to Gulf region - media: -
France is preparing to send a naval carrier group, led by its sole aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, to the Gulf region to take part in the campaign against ISIL, media reports said on Tuesday.
BBC World News report on the addition of Assad's atrocities to the US Holocaust Museum:
Once again the Beeb fulfils its role as a selectively outraged reporter.
ISIS, Assad, and What the West is Missing About Syria: Op-Ed:
Catholic World Report: In the Middle East, apart from the Kurdish peshmerga, the only army with any clout that has taken on ISIS is Assad's. But Assad must go.
Who is the enemy?
U.S., Turkey Agree To Syrian Rebel Training, But Not Whom They'll Fight:
The United States and Turkey have agreed tentatively to start joint training of Syrian rebel fighters in March but have put off the question of defining the enemy - the government of President Bashar Assad or Islamist extremists - the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Monday.
Report: Erdogan Trying to Hide Evidence of Supporting ISIS:
The Arab news website Al-Watan Al-Arabi (Arabic link) quoted Turkish media sources as saying that West's intention to investigate the relationship between the Turkish regime and the Islamic state organization caused him to have the head of Turkey's intelligence service, get rid of any evidence that could be used against him in international courts.
http://www.thetower.org/1493-
3 Saudi guards killed in attack on Iraq border:
Two of the assailants were shot dead, while the others detonated explosive belts they were wearing
Saudi Arabia deals with oil markets' development "wisely" - King Abdullah:
He said Saudi Arabia was facing unprecedented regional challenges caused by conflicts in neighboring countries, which required vigilance.
Palestine recognizes ICC jurisdiction for period covering Gaza war:
International Criminal Court says Palestine formally recognizes jurisdiction to investigate crimes allegedly committed during last summer's Gaza war.
US officials and Israeli president blast withholding of Palestinian tax revenues;
Although Washington remains strongly opposed to last week's signing by Abbas of the Rome Treaty - which governs the international court of last resort - the Department of State issued a statement condemning the decision to freeze the transfer of $127m (£83m) in tax revenues.
EU condemns Israeli move to freeze Palestinian tax transfers:
The tax freeze "runs counter to Israel's obligations," agreed in 1994 following the Oslo peace accords, European Union foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said.
Power company prepares to cut supply to occupied Palestine:
The Israel Electric Corporation CEO Eli Glickman warned Israel's security chiefs in a letter sent Sunday that the company would have to limit electricity to territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority and the Jerusalem District Energy Company
Netanyahu unveils plan for two-party political system:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan Monday that would revolutionize the Israeli multi-party political system and change it to one with two main parties like in the United States.
Palestinian gets life in jail for murder of three Israeli teens;
An Israeli military court on Tuesday handed three life sentences to a Palestinian militant convicted of organising the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers.
Israeli Attempt to Assassinate Iranian N. Scientist Foiled by Iran:
"In the last two years, the Zionist enemy (Israel) was trying hard to assassinate an Iranian nuclear scientist, but the timely presence of the IRGC security forces thwarted the terrorist operation," Deputy Chief Liaison Officer of Flight Guards Corps Colonel Ya'qoub Baqeri told FNA today.
100 killed in Burundi clashes:
At least 99 people have been killed in Burundi after clashes broke out last week between an unidentified rebel group and government troops in Cibitoke province, media reported Monday.
20 Shabaab fighters killed in Somalia:
At least 20 Al-Shabaab militants and five Somali soldiers were killed on Tuesday in fierce fighting that broke out in Somalia's Galgala Mountains region.
2 killed as Libyan warplane bombs Greek oil tanker:
Warplane from internationally recognised government bombs ship at an eastern city controlled by rival fighters.
France 'ready' to bomb rebels on Libya border:
French president says he will target armed groups smuggling weapons out of Libya, but rules out unilateral intervention.
Turkish Airlines stops Libya flights:
Turkish Airlines, the only foreign airline operating in Libya, suspends flights to Misrata amid the worsening security situation.
Libya bans Palestinians, Syrians and Sudanese from entry:
Libya's official government has banned Palestinians, Syrians and Sudanese from entry because their countries are undermining the oil producing nation's security, the interior minister said.
Gunmen shoot dead two policemen guarding Egyptian church:
Unknown gunmen shot and killed, on Tuesday, two Egyptian policemen guarding a church in southern Egypt, Al-Ahram's Arabic news website reported.
Egypt police officer killed in Cairo bomb:
An Egyptian police officer has been killed while trying to defuse a bomb outside a petrol station in Cairo, police say. Three employees were also wounded when the device, hidden in a flower pot, exploded near a police station on Al-Harram Street.
US charges over Gambia 'coup plot':
Two men have been charged in the US with attempting to overthrow The Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh, the justice department says.
UN: Ebola kills 8,153 people in West Africa, infects 20,650:
The U.N. health agency says 2,915 deaths have been reported from Sierra Leone, 3,471 in Liberia and 1,767 in Guinea. The current outbreak, which began about a year ago, has also claimed more than dozen lives elsewhere.
Pakistan adopts army courts in 'terror' cases:
Parliament approves establishment of military courts to hear terrorism-related cases after school massacre by Taliban.
France seeks end to Russia sanctions over Ukraine:
Mr Hollande said Russian President Vladimir Putin "doesn't want to annex eastern Ukraine - he told me that". Germany's vice-chancellor has warned against further sanctions on Russia.
Brent crude oil falls to new five-year low:
The fall appeared to have been prompted by Saudi Arabia cutting prices to Europe. At the same time, the kingdom, Opec's largest oil-producing nation, raised them for Asian customers.
Euro plummets as global oil prices collapse:
The euro has plunged to a nine-year low against the dollar on worries that a victory in Greece by the far-left Syriza party in the January 25 election will result in the country's departure from the European Union.
EU wants Turkey's explanation on smuggling of migrants in cargo ships:
The European Union wants Turkey to explain how human traffickers could have taken two cargo ships filled with migrants out of the country and towards the EU without the authorities noticing.
Germany Pegida protests: 'Islamisation' rallies denounced:
Politicians and celebrities in Germany have joined a media campaign against Pegida, a group protesting against what it sees as the "Islamisation" of Europe.
UK Nursery staff to be forced to report toddlers at risk of becoming terrorists :
Critics have dismissed the proposals as being unnecessarily draconian and turning staff, who are meant to be caring for youngsters, into spies.
Ecuadorean President: We Must Respond to the Current Reality:
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa stated Tuesday in Beijing that the Chinese-based Eximbank will grant US$5 billion to finance various development projects throughout the country.
Mexican Journalist May Have Been Disappeared by Authorities:
"As part of investigations into the disappearance of Moises Sanchez Cerezo, municipal police from Medellin de Bravo were detained and placed under investigation during the first minutes of today," said a statement by the attorney general.
Obama Has Nothing to Gain by Propping Up Mexico's Government:
If Washington gives the Mexican president a pat on the back, it will be a stab in the back for the Mexican movement for justice and transparency.
World Bank's Corrupt Companies Blacklist Dominated By Canada:
Canada has the dubious honour of being home to the largest number of firms on a World Bank blacklist of corrupt companies.
Defiant on Witness Stand, James Rise Says Little;
After losing a seven-year legal battle, James Risen, a reporter for The New York Times, reluctantly took the witness stand in federal court here on Monday, but refused to answer any questions that could help the Justice Department identify his confidential sources.
FBI says search warrants not needed to use "stingrays" in public places:
Nicknamed "stingrays," the devices are decoy cell towers that capture locations and identities of mobile phone users and can intercept calls and texts.
NYC Mayor Ignores Police Slowdown;
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio described a sharp decline in arrests and court summonses in the city as a few "aberrant" days, brushing off reports they were signs of a police work slowdown.
Republicans Take Control of US Congress:
Republicans will regain control of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday for the first time in eight years, opening a two-year period of a divided government with a Democrat president and Republicans in control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Big threat for Obama's climate efforts from GOP-run Congress:
Obama's efforts to combat global warming face their biggest trial yet as Republicans take full control of Congress this week. The GOP vows to move fast and forcefully to roll back his environmental rules and force his hand on energy development.
US Factory Orders Drop Most YoY In 19 Months:
For the 4th month in a row, US Factory Orders have fallen MoM. November's 0.7% drop is worse than the 0.5% decline expected and leads to the biggest yearly drop since March 2013
The Coming Cost of Superbugs: 10 Million Deaths Per Year:
If you weren't taking antibiotic resistance seriously before, now would be a good time to start.
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