There is also the possibility, if not the probability, that Hagel being damaged goods was more easily manipulated by the top braaasss who have demonstrated a long history of resolving problems by more and more violent means.
After submitting to the bullying of John McCain and Lindsey Graham at his nomination hearings, Hagel took up his office as a wounded leader with a tarnished image. At his hearing he should have stuck with his former position on Iran and told those two bullies what Dick Cheney reportedly told Pat Leahy; that is, "Go ...." Of course, that would have guaranteed his job application would have gone to the shredder, but he would have had the respect of many Americans who, probably, now pity him.
I just talked with the White House and chiefs of staff of the leading oligarchs in Congress, Republican and Democrat, and was assured that Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East and there is no daylight between Israel, its lobby and the DC Establishment.
Or, as an acquaintance of mine put it, "The revolution will come when enough people can't afford to buy "Happy Meals." Unfortunately, as history has shown there is a risk that the revolutionaries will be worse than the establishment they replaced .
Maybe not intentionally, but some wars are continuations of marches of folly such as the neocons are pursuing. The fact that Putin appears to have concluded diplomacy isn't working and flexing muscles is necessary should be a signal for the grown-ups to step in - if any are around and capable of doing what is necessary.
I think they just wanted payback against Muslims for 9/11.
In the case of politicians in Congress it is more likely they voted for the war because major supporters of (lobbies for) the war wanted them to do so. The 70% of the people persuaded by these lobbies would have been an added incentive. Not having any moral constraints probably made it easier for the politicians to vote for the war and what they believed was in their own personal interests.
Your comment could be considered the first paragraph of a long rap sheet for Hillary and Slick Willie. Getting these two for the price of one was no bargain.
It's like being at a movie that depicts a character as evil and the audience develops negative thoughts about him and look forward to an ending where he gets his comeuppance.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have another ending to the story in mind. And that is the “transfer” of Palestinian-Israelis and of Palestinians in the West Bank to some other country, probably Jordan. This crackpot plan of uprooting and moving 5 million people is also not very likely on the face of it.
Transfer of Palestinians from the Palestine Territories was part of the Zionist plan a hundred years ago and has continued to be Israel's policy since its founding as a nation. Israel's right-wing leadership clearly has complete ethnic cleansing as its policy and they will get away with it as long as it has the support of its morally-bankrupt supporters in the US, Europe and elsewhere. Moral bankruptcy is another constant in the US halls of power that preceded the founding of Israel and will be around until the eventual decline and fall of the American Empire - and its allies.
Israel's plan may be crackpot, but crackpot plans are no deterrence to its right wing and their supporters.
"India opts out of admonishing Israel: India's pursuit of deeper trade, political and military relations with Israel contrasts with the distance other allies have sought following the brutal assault on Gaza this summer. The Indian approach to relations, which seemingly equates the Palestinian struggle with cross-border terrorism, will not only damage India's global image - it could also lead to flawed internal policy decisions" by Ninan Koshy - link to atimes.com
Then there are the possible, if not probable, consequences of the 2016 elections in the US: "Hillary the Warmonger: The Next Presidential Election Will Move The World Closer To War" by PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS - link to counterpunch.org
After the undiplomatic and offensive treatment applied to Putin in Australia it will be interesting to see if he makes any retaliatory moves beyond his alliance with China.
“The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85 per cent of global gross domestic product and over 75 per cent of global trade."
And they want to keep it that way, except maybe rig control of a larger percentage of trade and reduce the qualified membership by half or more.
"How many Islamic State fighters are there?: Exclusive: As the United States slides back into war in the Middle East, the specter of Vietnam hovers over the endeavor with some observers wondering if wishful thinking will again replace hardheaded analysis about the risks and the costs," writes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. - link to consortiumnews.com
This isn’t Vietnam. ISIS can’t hide in the jungle.
Afghanistan isn't a jungle either, but the US and its NATO puppets look like they are on a losing cause there with the puppets getting out of there as soon as they can.
The US helped to create ISIS with its abuse and killings of Arabs. The unconscionable conduct of our military and mercenaries in Iraq - Abu Ghraib, Blackwater, Collateral Murder, Fallujah and its legacy of depleted uranium - created enemies with long memories.
Prior to our unprovoked invasion of Iraq among the few probable truths told to Congressional committees was there would be a need for one soldier on the ground for every 25 Iraqis to maintain control. (If I recall correctly, that truth is what got General Shinseki fired). The Kurds and some other Iraqis may like the idea of US soldiers returning to Iraq, but a sizable portion of them don't. Guess how many that would be and divide by 25 for how many "boots" will be needed on the ground.
If ISIS has so many men, why aren’t they making big gains or any gains at all? How does ISIS plan to pay all these troops?
If ISIS has managed to dominate an area similar in size to Britain that should qualify as a big gain. It certainly has the attention of many observers. How do they plan to pay all these troops? Presumably by selling more oil on the black market and whatever else it takes. They presumably have a low armaments budget given how they have accumulated so much with "Made in USA" labels for free or close to it.
This from the very well-informed Patrick Cockburn is reminiscent of the early years of the Vietnam War when news reports pegged the Viet Cong at !00K. After 20K or 30K were killed during the following week, the VC count was raised to 200K. Subsequent reports followed the same pattern with the VC count eventually passing the half-million mark. "War with Isis: Islamic militants have army of 200,000, claims Kurdish leader: Exclusive: CIA has hugely underestimated the number of jihadis, who now rule an area the size of Britain" by Patrick Cockburn - link to independent.co.uk
A reminder that our big war productions can come up short against indy performances: "The Iraq War’s pricy ticket: For American taxpayers, the Iraq War is a gift that keeps on taking, with new plans to spend tens of billions of dollars to retrain the Iraqi army whose initial training cost tens of billions before the army collapsed against a few thousand militants, a pricy dilemma" cited by ex-U.S. diplomat William R. Polk. - link to consortiumnews.com
In the US when we have elections we get to choose the lesser of two (sometimes the least of three) evils. Now it appears we are about to observe a contest between two groups noted for beheadings and other medieval barbarities..
If Iran links up with China alliances, it might be joining the winning team: "China’s silky road to glory: Any remaining doubts about the stupidity of Western corporate media should have been banished by the puerile coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin's gentlemanly conduct at the APEC summit in Beijing. Infinitely more relevant to the real world, and largely ignored, was the fact that China got what it wanted - on all fronts". By Pepe Escobar - link to atimes.com and link to counterpunch.org
Iran didn't back down when it took severe punishment from Iraq, and it is highly unlikely it will back down if attacked by Israel and other forces promoted by its lobby. North Vietnam didn't back down. Iraqi militias didn't back down. The Taliban hasn't backed down. So, why would Iran back down?
So, I expect congress critters to rant and rave about Iran for months, but in the end they will not be able to actually do a single thing ...
The problem here is that all that ranting and raving could very likely paint these "congress critters) into a corner from which they will just as likely lack the integrity and moral courage to create a face-saving exit. The march of folly would then continue and who knows where that would lead. Given the abysmal quality of our "congress critters" there would be no cause of optimism unless you have stock in one or more of our "defense" corporations.
Then there are the usual, but horrendous, unseen consequences that follow the failure of diplomacy and outbreak of war. No one will win in a US/Iran war except the now perennial villains - the military-industrial complex.
Unfortunately, Obama's words have become progressively meaningless with each passing speech so there is no reason to expect the telecom agents on the FCC to pay much attention to this latest and belated pronouncement.
Studies have shown that readers won’t wait 60 seconds for a site to load, ...
We already have something similar with website pages being jerked around while advertisements load and some sites are doing whatever they do in the background. For these reasons I just dropped The Guardian (UK) and The Hill from my daily reading lists.
Normally, we could expect the mass of American people to go along with this proto-fascistic rigging of the Internet, but with so many using the Internet perhaps they might show some integrity this time - for a change.
What preposterous rubbish. For openers Israel's governing right-wing has been violating international law with impunity for decades thanks to its protection from the equally lawless political courtesans in Washington bought at auctions by the Israel Lobby.
Then there is the factor that the law is not necessarily synonymous with justice, a term that seems to translate in Hebrew as vengeance.
Meanwhile in Egypt, IS has found fertile ground: "En Egypte, l’Etat islamique remporte son « premier vrai succès en termes de cooptation »" - link to lemonde.fr
When will media stop using boots on ground phrase which only dehumanizes these guys,,,,
Never. By using impersonal terms and other euphemisms deaths and maiming of soldiers become tolerable and the recipients of MSM news become suitably desensitized. Reporting something like "The 1500 military personnel in the war zone consist of a thousand fathers who leave behind 2500 children of school age, 1500 sons of whom 500 are less than 23 years of age." might wake up the scheeple on the home front.
In an age of weasel words and Orwellian diction, it would be refreshing to hear Mr. Obama call this escalation what it is. It is not as if he will be running for office again or needs to win a popularity contest.
Don't hold your breath on that one. A six-year habit is hard to break.
The US strategy looks like it is taking another shot with the SOP that failed in Vietnam, didn't work all that well in Iraq (except for the turkey-shoot in Kuwait), and will very likely join the Brits in that graveyard of empires (Afghanistan).
More evidence of people rising to their levels of incompetence. Given that bureaucrats and military personnel the world over soon learn that the path to promotion requires saying "Yes, sir/ma'am," "No, sir/ma'am" as appropriate on cue to the incompetent who signs their performance report, this should come as no surprise.
The US dilemma in Syria is that US policy is determined by people who don't know what they are doing unless, in some cases, the object is to drag the US into another quagmire ... or, would that be the same quagmire they got into years ago?
So, if the best laid schemes of mice and men go awry, what hope is there for schemes coming out of a corrupt and, consequently, perennially bungling Washington?
Dogged by accusations of corruption (though acquitted in the Israeli courts) and widely considered a racist and flamethrower, Lieberman has emerged as Foreign Minister, a powerful cabinet post.
For some reason this reminds me of an old Western movie in which the townspeople invited gunslingers to provide them protection but they ultimately took over and oppressed the people. Lotsaluck, Bibi.
It appears we also need to be concerned about our foreign office (aka state department): "Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern Arrested While Trying to Attend David Petraeus Event in New York" by Kevin Gosztola, FireDogLake - link to commondreams.org and link to dissenter.firedoglake.com
Uri Avnery confirms the obvious (for some, at least) that Netanyahu shares Lieberman's mindset though using subtle language: "Prime Minister “Chickenshit”: The Method to Netanyahu's Madness" by URI AVNERY - link to counterpunch.org
Some have pointed out that Sodastream employs many Palestinian Arab factory workers, providing them with a substantial wage,...
On the other hand there have been countless businesses, legal and illegal, that provided good wages to some of their employees for dishonorable and immoral behavior. There were unions that were pleased with the well-paying jobs that the Vietnam and other wars created, but that was nothing more than blood money.
"Chuck Hagel: Turkey’s Friend in High Places: American Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s Remote Reporting About the Mideast From South America" by Dr. M. KOOHZAD - link to counterpunch.org
Consider what a diplomatic resolution is up against: "A mysterious Iran-nuke document: A mysterious document has been used for a half dozen years to derail nuclear talks with Iran, but its origins remain dubious and one expert says it’s been used to take international inspectors 'for a ride,'” as Gareth Porter reports for Inter Press Service. - link to consortiumnews.com
The second lesson of this article is how the Brits were on the wrong side of the moral divide in Irish history. Further study of British history will reveal Britain's role in Ireland was similar to its role in its former empire. It also helps to explain why the Brits have such a close relationship with the United States.
We now, like it or not, are faced with little choice but more war.
We, that is the US and its accomplices, have been responsible for subversion and aggression in the Middle East for decades especially since the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the 1953 overthrow of Mossadegh in Iran, and it has been one disaster after the other ever since. It is time to admit to the gross bungling of our leaders and get them out of there.
Leave it to the Middle Easterners to resolve this mess. They can't do anything worse than what we have done and just might come up with some resolution; although, I wouldn't bet on it.
ISIS/ISIL/IS is in trouble now. The Pentagon has come up with a new code name - Operation Inherent Resolve - for the war on ISIS/ISIL/IS. That should take care of those nasties. Peace in our time.
If only one British MP seriously believed in this vote to recognize Palestine and had the courage to stand in defiance of Israel and its UK lobby, that's one more than what Congress came up with.
"Beware of the role of the laptop in our addiction to politics and war: It is the internet not Isis that radicalises. The ‘virtual’ has dropped out of ‘virtual reality’" by Robert Fisk - link to independent.co.uk
In a worrisome development, radicals throughout the region are rallying to the so-called “Islamic State,” which is actually just a bunch of armed thugs and brigands.
This is reminiscent of the old question: "How can you vote for such a crook?" And the answer: "Because he is our crook."
There are some good people in the Middle East, but it is the bad guys who are center-stage with the dominant roles, and that includes Western would-be colonizers.
Honoring someone with the bravery and resiliency and ethical intelligence of a Malala Yousafzai is easy. Taking her more challenging positions seriously and engaging with them is much more difficult.
Of course, the distinction is that Ms. Yousafzai and her co-laureate are interested in developing a world where human rights and justice prevail. People engaged in the sordid business of international politics and the running of global corporations couldn't care less about these virtues
“I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fueling terrorism… Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people. If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact.”
Ms. Yousafzai didn't have much effect on Mr. Obama, did she?
Honoring someone with the bravery and resiliency and ethical intelligence of a Malala Yousafzai is easy. Taking her more challenging positions seriously and engaging with them is much more difficult.
It appears John Kerry agrees with you which should be a matter of concern:
"Isis in Kobani: Still no sign of Turkey reacting to threat on its border as John Kerry says preventing the fall of the town is not a 'strategic objective': As the fighting continues, the lack of assistance for those living in Kobani sparked more violent demonstrations across Turkey" by Isabel Hunter - link to independent.co.uk
There is something about this evolving situation in the Middle East that echoes Europe in August 1914 when nobody except a few generals prancing on their horses really wanted a war involving all of Europe. Presumably, no one except perhaps the Caliph, Senators McCain and Graham and their supporters really wants a war involving all of the Middle East, but the potential for one appears to be more ominous each day.
It appears that a case can be made that the Catholics on the Supreme (sic) Court who voted for Citizens United put this nation at greater risk than anything ISIS is likely to come up with, but that is no reason to condemn all Catholics.
Maher lost me a long time ago when he said he admired Colin Powell. That was after Powell's craven speech (February 5, 2003) before the UN that was ripped apart almost immediately by people who knew what they were talking about and were ultimately proved right. Christopher Hitchens got it right when he said Powell was the most-overrated man in Washington.
"Lastly, the Palestinian Authority, an entity that was created with Israeli consent, and funded by US-led donor countries, cannot operate outside the US political sphere. According to a reading of the just published annual report by the Palestinian Monitory Authority, as reported by Ma’an news agency, the West Bank economic indicators for 2012 were terrible, and prospects for the next two years are even worse. The PA has no political vision, and even if it did, it is too overwhelmed by economic dependency to act as a self-respecting political entity. The PA has to play the game, fully knowing that the game has been rigged from the very start." - link to counterpunch.org
If the US does veto the resolution, then Washington is clearly saying that it is all right with American elites if Israel goes on stealing Palestinian land on a vast scale and expropriating and oppressing the stateless Palestinians under its boot.
Make that: If the US does veto the resolution, then Washington is clearly continuing to say that it is all right with American elites if Israel goes on stealing Palestinian land on a vast scale and expropriating and oppressing the stateless Palestinians under its boot.
Add to that the psychological problems created by poverty that lead to a variety of social problems. It isn't like this is news. I believe it was Aristotle who said a couple of millennia ago that poverty is the parent of crime and revolution.
... to cut billions from the programs that keep us a civilized society rather than a predatory jungle–
Ours is a civilized society? Did you mean: ... that keep us a predatory jungle rather than a civilized society."?
From another angle: "Just When We Thought They Had Tormented Us Enough: It's Going to Be a Sorry Day for the American Working Class" by DAVID MACARAY - link to counterpunch.org
Syrian air-strikes: Does the US have the foggiest idea who their enemy is?: America's bombing of Jabhat al-Nusra has raised significant concerns over their strategy by Kim Sengupta - link to independent.co.uk
Let's not forget how the Dubya administration, their warmongering supporters, Congress and a gullible majority of the American people "misunderestimated" the consequences of the war they began in 2003.
... former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, now one of three largely symbolic vice presidents, is attempting to undermine his successor, Haydar al-Abadi.
Who would ever have thought such an event could occur?
It appears Obama's claim to have ended the war on/in Iraq was really an ending of the prologue to a wider Middle East War. And who knows where it will go to from there? Netanyahu, Kristol, McCain and their cohorts must be feeling this is like Christmas in September. Well, maybe, "Christmas" isn't appropriate for the first two.
Your first two suggestions would probably be more effective if local lobbying groups all over the nation engaged in civil disobedience (such as blocking main streets in downtown areas) and instead of sending letters to Congress local citizens held sit-ins at the offices of federal and state politicians.
One of the more absurd assemblies of people occurred several years ago. If I recall correctly it was "Hands Across America" to raise money to combat hunger. It reportedly raised about $100K. There was another report that the rally cost about $100K.
I suspect in many cases these assemblies are "events" that are something for some people to "do."
There is a story told of former President Lyndon Johnson that when he was a young teacher looking for a job in Texas he was asked if he believed the world was flat or round. He replied he could teach it either way.
That was just one teacher reportedly following the money. Nowadays we have universities following the money and selling out on what higher education should be. This travesty is not limited to donors but to sports addicts who believe rapists, if they are highly talented athletes, should get away with their crimes and its okay to victimize the victims yet again.
On the other hand there were Scots who might have voted "yes" but voted "no" because of a lack of confidence in the leaders for independence. Whether that was fair or not, I don't know, but I'm sure it was a factor.
But when consideration is given to some of the "no" supporters, such as Gorden Brown, it seems to have been in some cases a matter of choosing the lesser evil.
Robert Parry has an article at Consortium News about the long memories of Scots that apparently apply equally to people in the Middle East.
"Braveheart, Edward I, and Bush: From the Archive: As Scots vote on independence from Great Britain, part of the motivation for those voting “aye” is the brutal history of English repression of Scottish freedom, dating back centuries but fresh in the minds of many Scots, a lesson about unintended consequences of violence that should be remembered by today’s politicians," as Robert Parry noted in 2005. - link to consortiumnews.com
When he originally wrote that article Parry believed it was something Bush the Younger should have heeded. Today, it is obviously something Obama should heed.
Obama has said that politicians shouldn't do 'stupid stuff' but in the tradition of don't-do-as-I-do-but-as-I-say he seems to have reserved for himself the right to do 'stupid stuff.'
With regard to Obama saying no boots on the ground and Dempsey saying maybe boots on the ground, Dempsey may have been authorized to say this as a trial balloon.
Unfortunately, the logic in Washington usually ratchets toward the macho and the simplistic. Obama at first admitted that the US could only degrade ISIL, not destroy it.
Didn't Obama at one time declare al-Qa'eda had been eliminated? Perhaps he has learned these jihadists are a tougher problem than simplistic nostrums would have us believe.
Peter Lee of China Matters has a couple of interesting comments on the IS-Syria crisis du jour: "ISIS gives US its ‘Suez Crisis’ moment" by Peter Lee - link to atimes.com and link to counterpunch.org
“No citizen of this country is under any obligation to account for, interpret or comment on any event that takes place elsewhere in the world, and in which he/she has no involvement. There is no onus on the Jewish community of Turkey, therefore, to declare an opinion on any matter at all.
On the other hand, as the old saying goes, "All that is needed for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing."
As for Obama it appears he is now paying the price for his Faustian bargains with Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Patrick Cockburn's report of a discussion with former Senator Bob Graham (not to be confused with the warmonger from South Carolina) is very revealing about Saudi Arabia's various roles.
"Saudi Arabia, 9/11 and the Rise of ISIS: An Interview With Senator Bob Graham" by PATRICK COCKBURN - link to counterpunch.org
While they are promoting these hate-encouraging emotions and enthusiasm for more war, the mainstream media dutifully avoids applying the barbarism label to actions by our "friends" that are clearly barbaric.
Previous support from Iran (e.g.: against the Taliban) didn't keep our warmongers from attacking it when prompted by the tail that wags the American dog. Undoubtedly, the Iranians will have no illusions about this latest "partnership."
Obama & Cameron find little Enthusiasm at NATO for new Iraq War
But that won't stop them from doubling down. There remains a lot of this world for the American hegemon and its English puppet (whatever happened to the British bulldog?) to conquer.
On the other hand Russia and China may not trust the US ...
Why would Russia and China not trust the US? If Obama gave them his word wouldn't that be a rock-solid guarantee? Give me one example where Obama has said one thing and done another. Okay. That's enough.
It seems odd to me that the discussion of this issue has been completely unconnected to the Snowden revelations that the US government has been assiduously spying on everyone’s cloud.
American "values" really mean an interest in prurient behavior of others with almost total indifference towards the immorality and incompetence of national leadership. If our CIA's latest blunder meant giving weapons to ISIS, that should come as no surprise. Their Keystone antics have been going on for years such as believing Afghans selling some hapless neighbors to gullible CIA agents for a few lousy bucks.
It doesn't help when some union leaders are in bed with politicians who are more interested in taking care of corporations that donate to their political campaigns than the people who vote for them. For decades the AFL-CIO has been donating to a Democratic (sic) Party that has repeatedly stiffed labor.
File this under "Blowback." As I recall, al-Qaeda claimed one reason for its 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington was American support for Israel's treatment of Arabs in Palestine. Presumably, al-Qaeda will continue its hostility towards Israel, especially after its latest attack on Gaza.
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There is also the possibility, if not the probability, that Hagel being damaged goods was more easily manipulated by the top braaasss who have demonstrated a long history of resolving problems by more and more violent means.
After submitting to the bullying of John McCain and Lindsey Graham at his nomination hearings, Hagel took up his office as a wounded leader with a tarnished image. At his hearing he should have stuck with his former position on Iran and told those two bullies what Dick Cheney reportedly told Pat Leahy; that is, "Go ...." Of course, that would have guaranteed his job application would have gone to the shredder, but he would have had the respect of many Americans who, probably, now pity him.
I just talked with the White House and chiefs of staff of the leading oligarchs in Congress, Republican and Democrat, and was assured that Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East and there is no daylight between Israel, its lobby and the DC Establishment.
Or, as an acquaintance of mine put it, "The revolution will come when enough people can't afford to buy "Happy Meals." Unfortunately, as history has shown there is a risk that the revolutionaries will be worse than the establishment they replaced .
Wrong. It's long past time for the American people to rise and vote for what a sizable portion believe in - NONE OF THE ABOVE.
Maybe not intentionally, but some wars are continuations of marches of folly such as the neocons are pursuing. The fact that Putin appears to have concluded diplomacy isn't working and flexing muscles is necessary should be a signal for the grown-ups to step in - if any are around and capable of doing what is necessary.
I think they just wanted payback against Muslims for 9/11.
In the case of politicians in Congress it is more likely they voted for the war because major supporters of (lobbies for) the war wanted them to do so. The 70% of the people persuaded by these lobbies would have been an added incentive. Not having any moral constraints probably made it easier for the politicians to vote for the war and what they believed was in their own personal interests.
Your comment could be considered the first paragraph of a long rap sheet for Hillary and Slick Willie. Getting these two for the price of one was no bargain.
If Obama's move "punked" the Republicans and gets Hillary elected, then he may also have "punked" the nation.
It's like being at a movie that depicts a character as evil and the audience develops negative thoughts about him and look forward to an ending where he gets his comeuppance.
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have another ending to the story in mind. And that is the “transfer” of Palestinian-Israelis and of Palestinians in the West Bank to some other country, probably Jordan. This crackpot plan of uprooting and moving 5 million people is also not very likely on the face of it.
Transfer of Palestinians from the Palestine Territories was part of the Zionist plan a hundred years ago and has continued to be Israel's policy since its founding as a nation. Israel's right-wing leadership clearly has complete ethnic cleansing as its policy and they will get away with it as long as it has the support of its morally-bankrupt supporters in the US, Europe and elsewhere. Moral bankruptcy is another constant in the US halls of power that preceded the founding of Israel and will be around until the eventual decline and fall of the American Empire - and its allies.
Israel's plan may be crackpot, but crackpot plans are no deterrence to its right wing and their supporters.
"India opts out of admonishing Israel: India's pursuit of deeper trade, political and military relations with Israel contrasts with the distance other allies have sought following the brutal assault on Gaza this summer. The Indian approach to relations, which seemingly equates the Palestinian struggle with cross-border terrorism, will not only damage India's global image - it could also lead to flawed internal policy decisions" by Ninan Koshy - link to atimes.com
Then there are the possible, if not probable, consequences of the 2016 elections in the US: "Hillary the Warmonger: The Next Presidential Election Will Move The World Closer To War" by PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS - link to counterpunch.org
After the undiplomatic and offensive treatment applied to Putin in Australia it will be interesting to see if he makes any retaliatory moves beyond his alliance with China.
“The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85 per cent of global gross domestic product and over 75 per cent of global trade."
And they want to keep it that way, except maybe rig control of a larger percentage of trade and reduce the qualified membership by half or more.
"How many Islamic State fighters are there?: Exclusive: As the United States slides back into war in the Middle East, the specter of Vietnam hovers over the endeavor with some observers wondering if wishful thinking will again replace hardheaded analysis about the risks and the costs," writes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. - link to consortiumnews.com
This isn’t Vietnam. ISIS can’t hide in the jungle.
Afghanistan isn't a jungle either, but the US and its NATO puppets look like they are on a losing cause there with the puppets getting out of there as soon as they can.
The US helped to create ISIS with its abuse and killings of Arabs. The unconscionable conduct of our military and mercenaries in Iraq - Abu Ghraib, Blackwater, Collateral Murder, Fallujah and its legacy of depleted uranium - created enemies with long memories.
Prior to our unprovoked invasion of Iraq among the few probable truths told to Congressional committees was there would be a need for one soldier on the ground for every 25 Iraqis to maintain control. (If I recall correctly, that truth is what got General Shinseki fired). The Kurds and some other Iraqis may like the idea of US soldiers returning to Iraq, but a sizable portion of them don't. Guess how many that would be and divide by 25 for how many "boots" will be needed on the ground.
In Baghdad, Gen. Dempsey speaks the truth.
Just like Westmoreland did in Saigon before our military proceeded to whip the Viet Cong.
If ISIS has so many men, why aren’t they making big gains or any gains at all? How does ISIS plan to pay all these troops?
If ISIS has managed to dominate an area similar in size to Britain that should qualify as a big gain. It certainly has the attention of many observers. How do they plan to pay all these troops? Presumably by selling more oil on the black market and whatever else it takes. They presumably have a low armaments budget given how they have accumulated so much with "Made in USA" labels for free or close to it.
This from the very well-informed Patrick Cockburn is reminiscent of the early years of the Vietnam War when news reports pegged the Viet Cong at !00K. After 20K or 30K were killed during the following week, the VC count was raised to 200K. Subsequent reports followed the same pattern with the VC count eventually passing the half-million mark. "War with Isis: Islamic militants have army of 200,000, claims Kurdish leader: Exclusive: CIA has hugely underestimated the number of jihadis, who now rule an area the size of Britain" by Patrick Cockburn - link to independent.co.uk
A reminder that our big war productions can come up short against indy performances: "The Iraq War’s pricy ticket: For American taxpayers, the Iraq War is a gift that keeps on taking, with new plans to spend tens of billions of dollars to retrain the Iraqi army whose initial training cost tens of billions before the army collapsed against a few thousand militants, a pricy dilemma" cited by ex-U.S. diplomat William R. Polk. - link to consortiumnews.com
In the US when we have elections we get to choose the lesser of two (sometimes the least of three) evils. Now it appears we are about to observe a contest between two groups noted for beheadings and other medieval barbarities..
If Iran links up with China alliances, it might be joining the winning team: "China’s silky road to glory: Any remaining doubts about the stupidity of Western corporate media should have been banished by the puerile coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin's gentlemanly conduct at the APEC summit in Beijing. Infinitely more relevant to the real world, and largely ignored, was the fact that China got what it wanted - on all fronts". By Pepe Escobar - link to atimes.com and link to counterpunch.org
Iran will back down...
Iran didn't back down when it took severe punishment from Iraq, and it is highly unlikely it will back down if attacked by Israel and other forces promoted by its lobby. North Vietnam didn't back down. Iraqi militias didn't back down. The Taliban hasn't backed down. So, why would Iran back down?
So, I expect congress critters to rant and rave about Iran for months, but in the end they will not be able to actually do a single thing ...
The problem here is that all that ranting and raving could very likely paint these "congress critters) into a corner from which they will just as likely lack the integrity and moral courage to create a face-saving exit. The march of folly would then continue and who knows where that would lead. Given the abysmal quality of our "congress critters" there would be no cause of optimism unless you have stock in one or more of our "defense" corporations.
Then there are the usual, but horrendous, unseen consequences that follow the failure of diplomacy and outbreak of war. No one will win in a US/Iran war except the now perennial villains - the military-industrial complex.
Big Energy, that obviously had a stake in Obama in 2008, will only let Obama go so far in the populist direction.
Unfortunately, Obama's words have become progressively meaningless with each passing speech so there is no reason to expect the telecom agents on the FCC to pay much attention to this latest and belated pronouncement.
Studies have shown that readers won’t wait 60 seconds for a site to load, ...
We already have something similar with website pages being jerked around while advertisements load and some sites are doing whatever they do in the background. For these reasons I just dropped The Guardian (UK) and The Hill from my daily reading lists.
Normally, we could expect the mass of American people to go along with this proto-fascistic rigging of the Internet, but with so many using the Internet perhaps they might show some integrity this time - for a change.
Isn’t Israel to be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity,...?"
Not as while the Israel lobbies in the US, Canada and Europe continue to wield so much power.
To the contrary, the US got itself into its Israel entanglement through politics that included politicians pandering to the Israel lobby.
“Israel is a nation of law."
What preposterous rubbish. For openers Israel's governing right-wing has been violating international law with impunity for decades thanks to its protection from the equally lawless political courtesans in Washington bought at auctions by the Israel Lobby.
Then there is the factor that the law is not necessarily synonymous with justice, a term that seems to translate in Hebrew as vengeance.
Now there is Libya to be considered: "Groups in Egypt and Libya pledge allegiance to ISIS" by DSWright - link to news.firedoglake.com
Meanwhile in Egypt, IS has found fertile ground: "En Egypte, l’Etat islamique remporte son « premier vrai succès en termes de cooptation »" - link to lemonde.fr
When will media stop using boots on ground phrase which only dehumanizes these guys,,,,
Never. By using impersonal terms and other euphemisms deaths and maiming of soldiers become tolerable and the recipients of MSM news become suitably desensitized. Reporting something like "The 1500 military personnel in the war zone consist of a thousand fathers who leave behind 2500 children of school age, 1500 sons of whom 500 are less than 23 years of age." might wake up the scheeple on the home front.
In an age of weasel words and Orwellian diction, it would be refreshing to hear Mr. Obama call this escalation what it is. It is not as if he will be running for office again or needs to win a popularity contest.
Don't hold your breath on that one. A six-year habit is hard to break.
McCain has never appeared to meditate the mistakes he made in arming Muslim radicals to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan,
Has McCain ever admitted to any of the major mistakes he has made?
The US strategy for fighting ISIL,...
The US strategy looks like it is taking another shot with the SOP that failed in Vietnam, didn't work all that well in Iraq (except for the turkey-shoot in Kuwait), and will very likely join the Brits in that graveyard of empires (Afghanistan).
More evidence of people rising to their levels of incompetence. Given that bureaucrats and military personnel the world over soon learn that the path to promotion requires saying "Yes, sir/ma'am," "No, sir/ma'am" as appropriate on cue to the incompetent who signs their performance report, this should come as no surprise.
The US dilemma in Syria is that US policy is determined by people who don't know what they are doing unless, in some cases, the object is to drag the US into another quagmire ... or, would that be the same quagmire they got into years ago?
So, if the best laid schemes of mice and men go awry, what hope is there for schemes coming out of a corrupt and, consequently, perennially bungling Washington?
Iraq and Syria exemplify the verses of W. B. Yeats:...
Or, as the Scottish bard put it, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley," (To a mouse, Robert Burns)
Dogged by accusations of corruption (though acquitted in the Israeli courts) and widely considered a racist and flamethrower, Lieberman has emerged as Foreign Minister, a powerful cabinet post.
For some reason this reminds me of an old Western movie in which the townspeople invited gunslingers to provide them protection but they ultimately took over and oppressed the people. Lotsaluck, Bibi.
It appears we also need to be concerned about our foreign office (aka state department): "Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern Arrested While Trying to Attend David Petraeus Event in New York" by Kevin Gosztola, FireDogLake - link to commondreams.org and link to dissenter.firedoglake.com
Uri Avnery confirms the obvious (for some, at least) that Netanyahu shares Lieberman's mindset though using subtle language: "Prime Minister “Chickenshit”: The Method to Netanyahu's Madness" by URI AVNERY - link to counterpunch.org
Some have pointed out that Sodastream employs many Palestinian Arab factory workers, providing them with a substantial wage,...
On the other hand there have been countless businesses, legal and illegal, that provided good wages to some of their employees for dishonorable and immoral behavior. There were unions that were pleased with the well-paying jobs that the Vietnam and other wars created, but that was nothing more than blood money.
What happens now? Do more settlers move into Sodastream's sullied buildings?
"Chuck Hagel: Turkey’s Friend in High Places: American Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s Remote Reporting About the Mideast From South America" by Dr. M. KOOHZAD - link to counterpunch.org
What if more radical elements in the US gain more influence again?
Make that "What if more radical neocon elements in the US gain more influence?"
Consider what a diplomatic resolution is up against: "A mysterious Iran-nuke document: A mysterious document has been used for a half dozen years to derail nuclear talks with Iran, but its origins remain dubious and one expert says it’s been used to take international inspectors 'for a ride,'” as Gareth Porter reports for Inter Press Service. - link to consortiumnews.com
Given that Kerry is part of the equation don't bet on anything.
What took Sweden, the UK and Ireland so long?
The second lesson of this article is how the Brits were on the wrong side of the moral divide in Irish history. Further study of British history will reveal Britain's role in Ireland was similar to its role in its former empire. It also helps to explain why the Brits have such a close relationship with the United States.
We now, like it or not, are faced with little choice but more war.
We, that is the US and its accomplices, have been responsible for subversion and aggression in the Middle East for decades especially since the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the 1953 overthrow of Mossadegh in Iran, and it has been one disaster after the other ever since. It is time to admit to the gross bungling of our leaders and get them out of there.
Leave it to the Middle Easterners to resolve this mess. They can't do anything worse than what we have done and just might come up with some resolution; although, I wouldn't bet on it.
ISIS/ISIL/IS is in trouble now. The Pentagon has come up with a new code name - Operation Inherent Resolve - for the war on ISIS/ISIL/IS. That should take care of those nasties. Peace in our time.
The fact that Lebanon, Syria and Iraq were states didn't keep Israel from attacking them overtly and Iran covertly.
Mark: Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
What difference would it make if Palestine became a state if Israel can assault it and its people with impunity?
"The British Parliament Vote to Recognize Palestine: The Pressure Mounts on Israel" by JONATHAN WOODROW MARTIN - link to counterpunch.org
If only one British MP seriously believed in this vote to recognize Palestine and had the courage to stand in defiance of Israel and its UK lobby, that's one more than what Congress came up with.
"Beware of the role of the laptop in our addiction to politics and war: It is the internet not Isis that radicalises. The ‘virtual’ has dropped out of ‘virtual reality’" by Robert Fisk - link to independent.co.uk
In a worrisome development, radicals throughout the region are rallying to the so-called “Islamic State,” which is actually just a bunch of armed thugs and brigands.
This is reminiscent of the old question: "How can you vote for such a crook?" And the answer: "Because he is our crook."
There are some good people in the Middle East, but it is the bad guys who are center-stage with the dominant roles, and that includes Western would-be colonizers.
Honoring someone with the bravery and resiliency and ethical intelligence of a Malala Yousafzai is easy. Taking her more challenging positions seriously and engaging with them is much more difficult.
Of course, the distinction is that Ms. Yousafzai and her co-laureate are interested in developing a world where human rights and justice prevail. People engaged in the sordid business of international politics and the running of global corporations couldn't care less about these virtues
“I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fueling terrorism… Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people. If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact.”
Ms. Yousafzai didn't have much effect on Mr. Obama, did she?
Honoring someone with the bravery and resiliency and ethical intelligence of a Malala Yousafzai is easy. Taking her more challenging positions seriously and engaging with them is much more difficult.
That bears repeating.
It appears John Kerry agrees with you which should be a matter of concern:
"Isis in Kobani: Still no sign of Turkey reacting to threat on its border as John Kerry says preventing the fall of the town is not a 'strategic objective': As the fighting continues, the lack of assistance for those living in Kobani sparked more violent demonstrations across Turkey" by Isabel Hunter - link to independent.co.uk
How about the people living in Kobani who are apparently at risk of being slaughtered?
There is something about this evolving situation in the Middle East that echoes Europe in August 1914 when nobody except a few generals prancing on their horses really wanted a war involving all of Europe. Presumably, no one except perhaps the Caliph, Senators McCain and Graham and their supporters really wants a war involving all of the Middle East, but the potential for one appears to be more ominous each day.
It appears that a case can be made that the Catholics on the Supreme (sic) Court who voted for Citizens United put this nation at greater risk than anything ISIS is likely to come up with, but that is no reason to condemn all Catholics.
Maher lost me a long time ago when he said he admired Colin Powell. That was after Powell's craven speech (February 5, 2003) before the UN that was ripped apart almost immediately by people who knew what they were talking about and were ultimately proved right. Christopher Hitchens got it right when he said Powell was the most-overrated man in Washington.
"The Tale of Two UN Speeches: Who Cares What the Goyim Think?" by URI AVNERY - link to counterpunch.org
"Lastly, the Palestinian Authority, an entity that was created with Israeli consent, and funded by US-led donor countries, cannot operate outside the US political sphere. According to a reading of the just published annual report by the Palestinian Monitory Authority, as reported by Ma’an news agency, the West Bank economic indicators for 2012 were terrible, and prospects for the next two years are even worse. The PA has no political vision, and even if it did, it is too overwhelmed by economic dependency to act as a self-respecting political entity. The PA has to play the game, fully knowing that the game has been rigged from the very start." - link to counterpunch.org
If the US does veto the resolution, then Washington is clearly saying that it is all right with American elites if Israel goes on stealing Palestinian land on a vast scale and expropriating and oppressing the stateless Palestinians under its boot.
Make that: If the US does veto the resolution, then Washington is clearly continuing to say that it is all right with American elites if Israel goes on stealing Palestinian land on a vast scale and expropriating and oppressing the stateless Palestinians under its boot.
Add to that the psychological problems created by poverty that lead to a variety of social problems. It isn't like this is news. I believe it was Aristotle who said a couple of millennia ago that poverty is the parent of crime and revolution.
Essentially, this legalized bribery gives the briber the privilege to demand a piece of the US treasury.
And gives the bribed politician a chance to sell his or her soul and the nation down the river.
And the lesser-evil vote went to Obama. Just think what it would have been like if McCain or Romney were in the Executing Office.
... to cut billions from the programs that keep us a civilized society rather than a predatory jungle–
Ours is a civilized society? Did you mean: ... that keep us a predatory jungle rather than a civilized society."?
From another angle: "Just When We Thought They Had Tormented Us Enough: It's Going to Be a Sorry Day for the American Working Class" by DAVID MACARAY - link to counterpunch.org
A Dictionary Reference to the War on ISIS: The Spin Cycle by BEN SCHREINER - link to counterpunch.org
Syrian air-strikes: Does the US have the foggiest idea who their enemy is?: America's bombing of Jabhat al-Nusra has raised significant concerns over their strategy by Kim Sengupta - link to independent.co.uk
Let's not forget how the Dubya administration, their warmongering supporters, Congress and a gullible majority of the American people "misunderestimated" the consequences of the war they began in 2003.
... former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, now one of three largely symbolic vice presidents, is attempting to undermine his successor, Haydar al-Abadi.
Who would ever have thought such an event could occur?
Joint Declaration by International Law Experts on Israel’s Gaza Offensive - link to richardfalk.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders get off Israel bandwagon, for once by Philip Weiss - link to mondoweiss.net
It appears Obama's claim to have ended the war on/in Iraq was really an ending of the prologue to a wider Middle East War. And who knows where it will go to from there? Netanyahu, Kristol, McCain and their cohorts must be feeling this is like Christmas in September. Well, maybe, "Christmas" isn't appropriate for the first two.
Your first two suggestions would probably be more effective if local lobbying groups all over the nation engaged in civil disobedience (such as blocking main streets in downtown areas) and instead of sending letters to Congress local citizens held sit-ins at the offices of federal and state politicians.
One of the more absurd assemblies of people occurred several years ago. If I recall correctly it was "Hands Across America" to raise money to combat hunger. It reportedly raised about $100K. There was another report that the rally cost about $100K.
I suspect in many cases these assemblies are "events" that are something for some people to "do."
There is a story told of former President Lyndon Johnson that when he was a young teacher looking for a job in Texas he was asked if he believed the world was flat or round. He replied he could teach it either way.
That was just one teacher reportedly following the money. Nowadays we have universities following the money and selling out on what higher education should be. This travesty is not limited to donors but to sports addicts who believe rapists, if they are highly talented athletes, should get away with their crimes and its okay to victimize the victims yet again.
On the other hand there were Scots who might have voted "yes" but voted "no" because of a lack of confidence in the leaders for independence. Whether that was fair or not, I don't know, but I'm sure it was a factor.
But when consideration is given to some of the "no" supporters, such as Gorden Brown, it seems to have been in some cases a matter of choosing the lesser evil.
Robert Parry has an article at Consortium News about the long memories of Scots that apparently apply equally to people in the Middle East.
"Braveheart, Edward I, and Bush: From the Archive: As Scots vote on independence from Great Britain, part of the motivation for those voting “aye” is the brutal history of English repression of Scottish freedom, dating back centuries but fresh in the minds of many Scots, a lesson about unintended consequences of violence that should be remembered by today’s politicians," as Robert Parry noted in 2005. - link to consortiumnews.com
When he originally wrote that article Parry believed it was something Bush the Younger should have heeded. Today, it is obviously something Obama should heed.
Obama has said that politicians shouldn't do 'stupid stuff' but in the tradition of don't-do-as-I-do-but-as-I-say he seems to have reserved for himself the right to do 'stupid stuff.'
With regard to Obama saying no boots on the ground and Dempsey saying maybe boots on the ground, Dempsey may have been authorized to say this as a trial balloon.
Unfortunately, the logic in Washington usually ratchets toward the macho and the simplistic. Obama at first admitted that the US could only degrade ISIL, not destroy it.
Didn't Obama at one time declare al-Qa'eda had been eliminated? Perhaps he has learned these jihadists are a tougher problem than simplistic nostrums would have us believe.
Peter Lee of China Matters has a couple of interesting comments on the IS-Syria crisis du jour: "ISIS gives US its ‘Suez Crisis’ moment" by Peter Lee - link to atimes.com and link to counterpunch.org
“No citizen of this country is under any obligation to account for, interpret or comment on any event that takes place elsewhere in the world, and in which he/she has no involvement. There is no onus on the Jewish community of Turkey, therefore, to declare an opinion on any matter at all.
On the other hand, as the old saying goes, "All that is needed for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing."
As for Obama it appears he is now paying the price for his Faustian bargains with Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Patrick Cockburn's report of a discussion with former Senator Bob Graham (not to be confused with the warmonger from South Carolina) is very revealing about Saudi Arabia's various roles.
"Saudi Arabia, 9/11 and the Rise of ISIS: An Interview With Senator Bob Graham" by PATRICK COCKBURN - link to counterpunch.org
While they are promoting these hate-encouraging emotions and enthusiasm for more war, the mainstream media dutifully avoids applying the barbarism label to actions by our "friends" that are clearly barbaric.
Mark Levine has a summary of our "allies" in the war against ISIS - link to america.aljazeera.com
Previous support from Iran (e.g.: against the Taliban) didn't keep our warmongers from attacking it when prompted by the tail that wags the American dog. Undoubtedly, the Iranians will have no illusions about this latest "partnership."
...so where indeed can the 1% find foot soldiers to implement its elite projects?
More important, where can they find competent leadership to lead those foot soldiers mostly drawn from the lower economic strata?
Obama & Cameron find little Enthusiasm at NATO for new Iraq War
But that won't stop them from doubling down. There remains a lot of this world for the American hegemon and its English puppet (whatever happened to the British bulldog?) to conquer.
On the other hand Russia and China may not trust the US ...
Why would Russia and China not trust the US? If Obama gave them his word wouldn't that be a rock-solid guarantee? Give me one example where Obama has said one thing and done another. Okay. That's enough.
Since when have the United States and its European agency for our military-industrial complex cared about international law when deciding on policies?
It seems odd to me that the discussion of this issue has been completely unconnected to the Snowden revelations that the US government has been assiduously spying on everyone’s cloud.
American "values" really mean an interest in prurient behavior of others with almost total indifference towards the immorality and incompetence of national leadership. If our CIA's latest blunder meant giving weapons to ISIS, that should come as no surprise. Their Keystone antics have been going on for years such as believing Afghans selling some hapless neighbors to gullible CIA agents for a few lousy bucks.
It doesn't help when some union leaders are in bed with politicians who are more interested in taking care of corporations that donate to their political campaigns than the people who vote for them. For decades the AFL-CIO has been donating to a Democratic (sic) Party that has repeatedly stiffed labor.
File this under "Blowback." As I recall, al-Qaeda claimed one reason for its 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington was American support for Israel's treatment of Arabs in Palestine. Presumably, al-Qaeda will continue its hostility towards Israel, especially after its latest attack on Gaza.
This is from MondoWeiss: "Salaita's hire set off fund-raising alarm at U of Illinois" link to mondoweiss.net
Which way will Dr. Wise go? I'll bet "follow the money" at this or any other alleged institute of higher learning.