Democratic Party

In his speech on the National Security Agency domestic surveillance program on Friday, Obama offered an explanation of its origins: “The program grew out of a desire to address a gap identified after 9/11. One of the 9/11 hijackers – Khalid al-Mihdhar – made a phone call from San Diego to a known al Qaeda […]

Afghanistan

Colbert: Christie Bridgegate a diversion from Obama’s Afghanistan War

Juan Cole

Stephen Colbert reports on Robert Gates’s criticisms of President Obama, noting that Gates said he though Obama made the right decisions, but was beset by second thoughts. He contrasted him to President George W. Bush in this regard. Colbert: Yes, Bush had no second thoughts. He had no first thoughts, either.

media

“Fox was Romney’s War Room”; GOP being run by Fox News: Zucker & Gabriel Sherman Agree

Juan Cole

The new head of CNN, Jeff Zucker, replied to Fox News’ Roger Ailes obituary for CNN by alleging that the Republican Party is being run out of Fox. Then Gabriel Sherman, author of a new biography of Ailes, weighed in, saying that Fox was the “War Room” of the 2012 Romeney campaign. Ailes decided, he […]

Barack Obama

Iran: Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Allies in US Senate Seek Vote to Scuttle President Obama’s Talks

contributors

(By AFP) White House won’t predict Iran sanctions vote (via AFP) The White House declined Friday to renew its previous prediction that a Senate bill slapping new sanctions on Iran, which it fears could scupper nuclear talks, would not pass the Senate. President Barack Obama’s spokesman Jay Carney did deliver a new… —– Related […]

Barack Obama

Fox News: Christie Scandal Coverage pretext to Ignore Gates Revelations

contributors

(By David Edwards) Fox host on Christie: ‘Bridge thing’ ruining coverage of Bob Gates’ Obama-bashing (via Raw Story ) Fox News host Steve Doocy on Thursday lamented the fact that the media was covering leaked emails that proved New Jersey Chris Christie’s (R) administration closed part of the busiest bridge in the world as political […]

Iran

Top Ten Ways the US and Iran could avoid a Catastrophic War

Juan Cole

On Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, presented his government’s proposals for ending the international stand-off over Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Iran maintains that the program is for the production of fuel for the country’s nuclear reactors. The US, Western Europe, Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council oil monarchies are convinced that Iran is […]

Barack Obama

Syria: Will Killing of Hundreds with Sarin Gas force Obama’s Hand?

Juan Cole

Syrian sources on the ground and expatriate human rights organizations are alleging Wednesday morning that Syrian aircraft have killed hundreds of people in rebel-held East and West Ghouta and some other areas outside the capital with bombings and poison gas. The attack comes as international observers are in the country to investigate past alleged use […]

Africa

Obama at Soweto University: New Generation of Africans taking its Place on World Stage

Juan Cole

President Obama’s address at Soweto University, via Channel 4 News:

Iraq

Can the Boston Bombings increase our Sympathy for Iraq and Syria, for all such Victims?

Juan Cole

The horrific bombings of the Boston Marathon produced inspiring images of a spirited, brave Boston refusing to be cowed. Some spectators surged forward toward the danger to apply tourniquets, offer first aid, share blankets, and later to give blood, for the victims. President Obama followed the crisis from its first moments and came out promptly […]