Peace and Security
Retired Dictators
Libya: It’s All about the Oil
If the U.S.-NATO war on Libya sounds pretty fishy to you, go to the head of the class. You’re way ahead of Congress and the most influential media outlets. Lawmakers and pundits know full well why Washington is intervening in Libya. But they don’t want to risk their mainstream credentials by revealing it.
Libya War Is No Pentagon Lifeline
The United States is fighting another war–of unknown scope and length–in Libya. At a time of budget-cutting fever on Capitol Hill, the war represents a potential lifeline for the Pentagon. If you believe the Libya operation justifies current U.S. military spending levels–or even an increase–think again.
World War II’s Invisible Wounds
World War II: the good and righteous war. We still celebrate in the 21st century the heroic success of the 16.2 million who fought in the last uncomplicated conflict.
Diagnosing a Military-Industrial Complex
Torturers? Who, Us?
There are today a number of honorable Western governments seeking to punish the perpetrators of torture. Unfortunately, the Obama administration isn’t among them. This failure of will is doubly lamentable because the best-known contemporary torturers happen to be from the United States. It’s still a bit hard to conjure up President Barack Obama’s rationale for protecting the guilty parties. But whatever that reason may be, it hardly seems worthy.
‘Stability’ a Fig Leaf for Dictatorship
It’s a tricky time to be secretary of state. You have to praise democracy out one side of your mouth while promoting “stability” out the other. You praise democracy because that’s what the United States does. Your promote stability because that’s what our policymakers really want.
Attack on Libya May Unleash a Long War
The United States and its allies launched the war against Libya on the eighth anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. President Barack Obama says the U.S. will transfer command authority very soon, that military action should be over in “days, not weeks,” and that he wants no boots on the ground. But the parallels with other U.S. wars in the Middle East don’t bode well.
Nuclear Generations
No More Deals with Unscrupulous Government Contractors
The Pentagon reported in January that it had awarded more than $270 billion in contracts to companies found guilty of fraud, and millions more to companies suspended or debarred from federal contracting. Our military brass didn’t seem too worried about these findings, however. The Defense Department assured the public that “existing remedies with respect to contractor wrongdoing are sufficient.” Really?
