Peace / Security - OtherWords

Congress Should Protect National Security Whistleblowers

What makes America safe? This fundamental question lies at the heart of current congressional debate over whether national security employees who expose wrongdoing should have the right to fight against retaliation.

We’ve Got Empire Stress Disorder

by William A. Collins

It’s a lot of work being an empire. Expensive, but well worth it. Americans make up only 4 percent of the world’s population, but we get to use up 25 percent of its resources. That’s pretty high living and you don’t get to pull it off by being a wimpy socialist nonentity. We also get to spew 25 percent of the earth’s unsustainable pollution. Sure, this all has to come to an end eventually, but no matter; it’s been a great ride.

Afghanistan’s Fool’s Gold

by Jim Hightower

Here’s some free advice: Never buy shares in a goldmine from a guy operating out of a house trailer. Likewise, never buy a story from the Pentagon about an incredible discovery of gold in Afghanistan.

Bombs Bursting in Air

by William A. Collins

War has always boasted adherents. Think of the Kaiser, Ghengis Khan, Alexander, Hitler, Darius, Charlemagne, Stalin, etc. America’s foremost cheerleader was Teddy Roosevelt. He made no bones about the thrill of combat and conquest. He even went off to fight himself, an uncommon commitment among world leaders.

Let’s Sit Down and Talk with Iran

by Mary Slosson

As this summer’s temperatures climb, pressure on Iran is heating up. For years now, Iran has claimed that its nuclear program is peaceful and only designed to generate electricity. But the international community has been skeptical.

We’ve Got to Get out of There

by Donald Kaul

Pretty much everyone (outside of the nutty “he’s the Antichrist” coalition) thinks President Barack Obama did the right thing in firing his Afghanistan commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Unfortunately, he did it for the wrong reasons.

Afghanistan Exit Strategy

by Khalil Bendib

The Lineup: Week of July 5-12, 2010

by Emily Schwartz Greco

Here’s what you’ll find in the latest OtherWords editorial package, which features a Donald Kaul column and Khalil Bendib cartoon on the futility of the Afghanistan War and an op-ed about the “passion investments” of the how the ultra-rich.