U.S.
CIA Largely in the Dark on Interrogation Tactics
CIA turned to countries known for their use of torture including Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to develop program.
Term Limits, Sen. Kennedy?
In a much-hyped rally announcing his endorsement of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) piled heaps of praise on the young Illinois senator Monday. Obama, Kennedy said, will be a fighter, an inspirer, a great uniter in the image of Kennedy's brother Jack, who came to power in another era of ideological bickering.
Clinton Devised Both Pro-war and Anti-war Candidacy
Ten minutes in Hollywood on Thursday could prove to be Clinton's Waterloo -- if not now, then perhaps in November.
Ayn Rand 101
THE JAUNDICED EYE
Two dozen colleges have accepted millions to start programs devoted to Ayn Rand's philosophy. What could a survey course look like?
The Colonels and 'The Matrix'
A group of young thinkers has triggered a simmering debate about how far the military should go in embracing counterinsurgency.
When War Seems Unwinnable: Why Tet Matters
By the close of 1967, a half-million U.S. troops were in Vietnam, and Americans at home, viewing the war on television in their living rooms, had become inured to familiar images. Sweating in the fierce tropical heat and humidity, platoons of “grunts” were disgorged from hovering helicopters and cut through thick jungles or crossed flooded rice fields to faraway villages, occasionally stumbling onto mines or booby traps, or drawing fire from concealed snipers.
Clinton, Obama Already Courting Edwards Supporters
Even before John Edwards officially ended his campaign, the Democratic front-runners issued statements praising his efforts and making not-so-subtle pitches to his supporters.
It's Not Like We're In Two Resource-Intensive Ground Wars Where Economy of Force is Crucial or Anything
Iraq. Afghanistan. And then, the Navy. From the Pentagon public affairs shop today:
In Solidarity With Jim Risen
The Justice Department is going after New York Times reporter Jim Risen for the non-crime of revealing President Bush's illegal domestic surveillance program. It's pathetic and unsurprising -- a fixture of Bush Justice -- that the activity DOJ pursues isn't the blatant illegality of Bush violating the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, but instead the fact that government sources blew the whistle to a great investigative reporter.
The right response from the press, and the public, is to put one arm around Risen and, with the other arm, extend a single finger in the direction of the Justice Department.
Show About Discredited Science Airs Tonight
Despite protest from the American Academy of Pediatrics, ABC has decided to air the controversial first episode of its daffy new show "Eli Stone" tonight. It's about a money-grubbing drug company-representing lawyer who has a saintly conversion and helps a winsome momma win $5 million by convincing a jury that the mercury-containing preservative in a flu vaccine--thimerosal--gave her kid autism.
Complexity, Intellectuals and Iraq
George Packer has an amazing essay in the debut issue of the revamped World Affairs foreign-policy journal. Summarizing it is beyond my abilities, so just read it. But the gist is that most Americans have a reductive view of Iraq that can't account for the complexity of the country. Our understanding, and what facts we emphasize, tracks with whether or not we think the Iraq war was just or wise. I don't really disagree with that. But something about the piece rubbed me the wrong way. (Full disclosure: Both Packer and WA's editor, Lawrence Kaplan, are friends of mine. Kaplan has also commissioned a piece from me.)
McConnell: Buckley's Death Inspires Me!
Lillis is on the phone reporting or something, so I'm going to steal his thunder on this press release Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell just sent out about the late William F. Buckley.
Bill Buckley inspired us with the passion and conviction of his life. And when we learned that he had died in his study, he inspired us by his death.
Um, dude. What were you inspired to, you know, do?
FISA Battle Is More Politics than Policy
Call it a game of political chicken: Four days after the Bush administration lost its authority to sidestep the courts when eavesdropping on some U.S. residents, House Democrats and the White House remain embroiled in a high-profile rhetorical battle over what the change means for the nation's security.
Donald Rumsfeld: Still There
Remember Donald Rumsfeld? He seems like a bad dream. And yet here he is, popping up in Washington to talk about how the U.S. needs a Ministry of Propaganda. Here’s what he told Sharon Weinberger of Wired’s Danger Room:
Iraq Veterans To Testify at Their Own 'Winter Soldier'
In 1971, 100 veterans gathered in Detroit to speak publicly about war atrocities they witnessed and committed. Iraq veterans will meet in Washington, hoping to hold the military -- not individuals -- responsible for the horrors of war.
Why Is Doan Out?
It's never wise to blast those in charge of audits.
Democracy 'Every Four Years'
In defense of Vice President Dick Cheney's open dismissal of public disenchantment with the Iraq war earlier this week, White House press secretary Dana Perino uttered an equally revealing statement yesterday about the way this administration views the workings of our constitutional democracy. Responding to pressure from reporters, Perino said the administration would not be swayed by public opinion polls, but would lead instead based on "principle."
Public sentiment on specific policy, Perino added, matters little except during elections.
A House Divided
If Obama strikes back at Clinton's new negative tactics with his own, will the result be a damaged Democratic Party?
Decision Time
With myriad factors in play, many voters wait until the last minute to make their pick.
McCain Joins Vaccines Cause Autism Fray
John McCain has jumped into the vaccines-cause-autism fray on the side of those who blame vaccines for the "epidemic" of autism. It would be interesting to know who fed him the Kool-aid on this issue, since McCain isn't known to have any familiarity with vaccine safety issues.
