The American Withdrawal from Iraq – the Debate

Published on International Affairs Forum, by Dr. Erik Lindell, Sept 24, 2014.

The “who lost Iraq” blame game has begun in earnest. Conservatives have attacked the Obama Administration for withdrawing all U.S. forces from Iraq at the end of 2011. It was premature, they argue, and contend that the current mess in Iraq, with the terrorist group ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) now taking control of Mosul and other cities in Northern Iraq, is attributable to this disastrous decision by the President.[1] With no American troops left after 2011 the political leverage of the U.S. diminished accordingly, leaving free -for- all sectarian clashes in its wake. Senator John McCain has been the most vocal critic of the President on this point, even claiming that the war had been “won” until the Obama Administration foolishly pulled all the troops out.   Continuer la lecture de « The American Withdrawal from Iraq – the Debate »

Europe's Original Sin: What Asylum Policy Says about the EU

Published on Spiegel Online International, an Essay by Jürgen Dahlkamp, Sept 22, 2014.

European asylum policy is a messy compromise that has led to vast suffering on the EU’s external borders. But having become used to our prosperity, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s time to talk about asylum, about our European Union with its execrable policy based on deterrence, fortification and deportation. It’s time to talk about the fact that people are starving, drowning and otherwise suffering on their way to our borders. And it’s time to address the question as to why these things happen every day: today, tomorrow and the day after that. Continuer la lecture de « Europe's Original Sin: What Asylum Policy Says about the EU »

Turn Left for Earth

Published on War is a Crime (also on David Sanson’s BLOG – and on ZNet), by David Swanson, Sept 21, 2014.

… I’m in favor of mixed-use protests, not just urban developments. Don’t just let the conservative marchers know about opportunities for more direct protest, but get them involved. Take a safe march to a resistance action, where its size will keep it safe and its members will be energized. Let the crowd demonstrate within sight and sound of the people it is petitioning for a redress of grievances, and let those who are ready join in disruptive protest actions.   Continuer la lecture de « Turn Left for Earth »

money system – système monétaire – geldsystem

War, Circus and Injustice Down Under

Published on ZNet, by John Pilger, Sept 19, 2014.

There are times when farce and living caricature almost consume the cynicism and mendacity in the daily life of Australia’s rulers. Across the front pages is a photograph of a resolute Tony Abbott with Indigenous children in Arnhem Land, in the remote north. “Domestic policy one day,” says the caption, “focus on war the next.” Continuer la lecture de « War, Circus and Injustice Down Under »