America Performs Its Familiar Role of Propping Up a Dictator

Robert Fisk / Truthdig Nov 7, 2009 Could there be a more accurate description of the Barack Obama-Gordon Brown message of congratulations to the fraudulently elected Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan? Now we have the venal, corrupt, sectarian Karzai in power after a poll far more ambitiously rigged than the Iranian version, and – yup, we love him dearly.Could there be a more accurate description of the Barack Obama-Gordon Brown message of congratulations to the fraudulently elected Hamid Karzai? Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Scott Ritter on Afghanistan: Don’t Believe the Hype

Staff / Truthdig Nov 5, 2009 Is the war in Afghanistan worth the sacrifice of even one American life? Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter says, "No! We are allowing the battle in Afghanistan to be defined by a domestic American political imperative There is no urgency in Afghanistan, there is urgency in Washington, DC"The former U weapons inspector says "There is no urgency in Afghanistan, there is urgency in Washington, D. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Keeping Afghanistan Safe From Democracy

Robert Scheer / Truthdig Nov 4, 2009 The most idiotic thing being said about America's involvement in Afghanistan is that the best way to protect the 68,000 U.S. troops there now is by putting an additional 40,000 in harm’s way. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Today’s U.S. Army and Its Ambitions

William Pfaff / Truthdig Nov 4, 2009 It is possible that the creation of an all-professional U.S. Army has been Congress' most dangerous decision. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

McChrystal Doesn’t Get It — Does Obama?

Scott Ritter / Truthdig Oct 30, 2009 President Obama may have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but if he allows himself to be bullied into supporting Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s foray into Afghanistan, he will reveal himself as the worst kind of warmonger.If he falls for Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s ludicrous social engineering, President Obama will reveal himself as the worst kind of warmonger. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

U.N. Calls for Reinforcements in Afghanistan

Staff / Truthdig Oct 9, 2009 While the Obama administration continues to mull over its options regarding America's commitment to the war in Afghanistan, the United Nations Security Council has voted to urge "member states to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources" to the ongoing conflict. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Gen. McChrystal’s Celebrity Weekend

William Pfaff / Truthdig Oct 7, 2009 It is not for McChrystal to leak his staff's strategic plans to The Washington Post, do the celebrity circuit and tell the public in so many words that if he doesn't have his way the United States can expect defeat and humiliation in Asia. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

McChrystal Draws Support, Scorn on Capitol Hill

Staff / Truthdig Oct 6, 2009 What's the right way for a top general to advise the president about wartime strategy? What if his recommended strategy is potentially at odds with the president's preferred course of action? Gen. Stanley McChrystal ran up against these questions in recent days, and not everyone in Washington thinks he handled his part in the matter appropriately. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Put a Sock in it, Stan

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Oct 6, 2009 How to proceed in Afghanistan will be among the most difficult and fateful decisions that President Obama ever makes. But he's the one who has to decide, not his generals.Gen. Stanley McChrystal is entitled to his opinion, but he has no business conducting a public campaign to build support for his war plan. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Team Obama Split on Afghanistan Question

Staff / Truthdig Oct 5, 2009 Last week, Gen. Stanley McChrystal made his case, very directly and publicly, that the window of opportunity for "winning" in Afghanistan won't be open indefinitely and that troop increases are crucial to that strategy. But is he right? Not everyone in or orbiting the White House these days is completely sold. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Obama Meets With NATO Chief on Afghan Strategy

Staff / Truthdig Sep 29, 2009 President Barack Obama is under major pressure to sort out the future U.S. commitment and plan of action in Afghanistan, and thus his work was cut out for him during his huddle Tuesday with NATO leader Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

McChrystal to Send Troop Request by Week’s End

Staff / Truthdig Sep 23, 2009 The Obama administration is reconsidering its Afghanistan strategy in light of Gen. Stanley McChrystal's startling "mission failure" warning. It's unclear whether the White House will go along with McChrystal's call for up to 40,000 more troops -- but the general is apparently going to go ahead with his request over the next few days. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )