The US has a dilemma about which of our "allies" we support. If the Iraqi army is influenced (led?) by General Soleimani, who is the Al Quds leader in Iran, then supporting the Kurds might prevail. Al Quds has been conveniently declared a terrorist organization by the US - as well as the Trump's general disdain for Iran. On the other hand, supporting the Kurds would be anathema to Turkey and Erdogan, whose strong-man image Trump likes. Either way, if the US had a strong State Dept. and President who respects diplomacy, this situation might not have gotten so dangerous.
I am more interested in who is pulling the strings than the man himself. Trump is so sure of himself that he can't see he is being manipulated. Just as Cheney and company pulled the strings on GWB, Bannon and company are pulling the strings on the Trump puppet. Does anyone honestly believe Trump wrote his inaugural speech?
Thank you for some perspective on this hysteria. The news is PEOTUS very public disrespect across the board for anyone who does not 100% support his delusions.
I count on you every day for thoughtful and well-articulated insights into issues that are important to me. I also like the additional articles your site includes in the right side column.
It’s too late for military action of any sort. Strong diplomacy – including Iran – is imperative. Blowback to military action is sure to occur in unforeseen ways that will draw the US even deeper into the Middle East from a military perspective.
I listened to Kerry and I believe him regarding what “we know.” I ache for the Syrian civilians (of all persuasions). Intervention or not – conditions will only get worse for them.
The US simply has no support from any world organization or meaningful country (except France!) for an attack on Syria of whatever nature. The administration has really boxed itself in with fine rhetoric – which is no reason to attack.
Call Congress to return to Washington and VOTE on this. We need our Reps and Senators to publically state their position – a la the British Parliament.
I am a committed Democrat and an Obama/Kerry supporter … but they are wrong to suggest attacking Syria.
I have been ready to scream for the past few days over how the MM is handling the Snowden situation, but I haven't been able to articulate my extreme frustration as well as these 10 points. The question that keeps occurring to me - as it does in so many of these situations of government run amok - is what can one ordinary person like me really do that makes any difference. Write, call, talk - to my Senator, Rep and the White House - but they don't listen. At least people like you, Juan, keep speaking up in a manner that a few (albeit not enough) people hear.
I appreciate a well-thought out commentary on the impact of the Iraq war. I think, however, that #10 is not as relevant as 1-9. The US is doing a good job all by itself to discourage green energy.
"increasingly inexpensive natural gas ..." But - we are paying a high future expense for natural gas considering how it is being obtained - fracking is and will pollute clean water sources.
Re anyone listening (to the TV news). I record the News Hour. For at the past 2 months I fast forward through at least half of it. I absolutely refuse to listen to all the political c... with talking heads analyzing the latest baloney.
The sadness is that the US is destroying any sense of morality, purpose or sensibility in our military by repeated missions, demonizing the enemy to encourage guilt-free killing, and lowering the standards of screening people for recruitment and enlistment. This is OUR fault and we need to look deeply at who we are and what we are doing. Not that I have much hope it will occur.
If this had occurred in the US, the person(s) would immediately be locked up and brought to trial facing either the death penalty (depending on the state) or life imprisonment. Do you have any faith this will be the fate of the soldier(s) responsible for this act? I don't.
PayPal will not accept my credit card, which is perfectly valid for everything else I use it for - electronically and "bricks & mortar" purchasing. Has anyone else had this problem? (I have tried numerous times on numerous days).
This is such a discouraging piece. It's not our fault ... but the enormous amounts of money influencing all the decisions seems to overwhelm anything that WE could influence. Writing and calling congress people, voting - seems like a drop in a bucket and doesn't dilute the s***.
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The US has a dilemma about which of our "allies" we support. If the Iraqi army is influenced (led?) by General Soleimani, who is the Al Quds leader in Iran, then supporting the Kurds might prevail. Al Quds has been conveniently declared a terrorist organization by the US - as well as the Trump's general disdain for Iran. On the other hand, supporting the Kurds would be anathema to Turkey and Erdogan, whose strong-man image Trump likes. Either way, if the US had a strong State Dept. and President who respects diplomacy, this situation might not have gotten so dangerous.
I am more interested in who is pulling the strings than the man himself. Trump is so sure of himself that he can't see he is being manipulated. Just as Cheney and company pulled the strings on GWB, Bannon and company are pulling the strings on the Trump puppet. Does anyone honestly believe Trump wrote his inaugural speech?
Thank you for some perspective on this hysteria. The news is PEOTUS very public disrespect across the board for anyone who does not 100% support his delusions.
I count on you every day for thoughtful and well-articulated insights into issues that are important to me. I also like the additional articles your site includes in the right side column.
It’s too late for military action of any sort. Strong diplomacy – including Iran – is imperative. Blowback to military action is sure to occur in unforeseen ways that will draw the US even deeper into the Middle East from a military perspective.
I listened to Kerry and I believe him regarding what “we know.” I ache for the Syrian civilians (of all persuasions). Intervention or not – conditions will only get worse for them.
The US simply has no support from any world organization or meaningful country (except France!) for an attack on Syria of whatever nature. The administration has really boxed itself in with fine rhetoric – which is no reason to attack.
Call Congress to return to Washington and VOTE on this. We need our Reps and Senators to publically state their position – a la the British Parliament.
I am a committed Democrat and an Obama/Kerry supporter … but they are wrong to suggest attacking Syria.
I have been ready to scream for the past few days over how the MM is handling the Snowden situation, but I haven't been able to articulate my extreme frustration as well as these 10 points. The question that keeps occurring to me - as it does in so many of these situations of government run amok - is what can one ordinary person like me really do that makes any difference. Write, call, talk - to my Senator, Rep and the White House - but they don't listen. At least people like you, Juan, keep speaking up in a manner that a few (albeit not enough) people hear.
I appreciate a well-thought out commentary on the impact of the Iraq war. I think, however, that #10 is not as relevant as 1-9. The US is doing a good job all by itself to discourage green energy.
"increasingly inexpensive natural gas ..." But - we are paying a high future expense for natural gas considering how it is being obtained - fracking is and will pollute clean water sources.
Re anyone listening (to the TV news). I record the News Hour. For at the past 2 months I fast forward through at least half of it. I absolutely refuse to listen to all the political c... with talking heads analyzing the latest baloney.
The sadness is that the US is destroying any sense of morality, purpose or sensibility in our military by repeated missions, demonizing the enemy to encourage guilt-free killing, and lowering the standards of screening people for recruitment and enlistment. This is OUR fault and we need to look deeply at who we are and what we are doing. Not that I have much hope it will occur.
If this had occurred in the US, the person(s) would immediately be locked up and brought to trial facing either the death penalty (depending on the state) or life imprisonment. Do you have any faith this will be the fate of the soldier(s) responsible for this act? I don't.
PayPal will not accept my credit card, which is perfectly valid for everything else I use it for - electronically and "bricks & mortar" purchasing. Has anyone else had this problem? (I have tried numerous times on numerous days).
This is such a discouraging piece. It's not our fault ... but the enormous amounts of money influencing all the decisions seems to overwhelm anything that WE could influence. Writing and calling congress people, voting - seems like a drop in a bucket and doesn't dilute the s***.
Jim Lobe in today's Asia Times. Yup - it's hype.
link to atimes.com