Gaza Cease-Fire: Unlike Iraq, Iran, Libya and N. Korea, Israel Has Impunity From Defying UNSC

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jul 29, 2014 The United Nations Security Council is theoretically a sort of sovereign in international law. One major exception to UNSC authority is Israel. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Did a Karzai No-Show Spoil Obama’s Announcement of End of Afghanistan War?

Juan Cole / Truthdig May 27, 2014 President Obama made a surprise trip to Afghanistan on Monday for Memorial Day. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama Tramples Laws He Demands Others Uphold

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Sep 12, 2013 For seven decades, successive U.S. governments have used an exclusive and dated U.N. veto power to "pursue their own corrupt interests at the expense of peace and justice," George Monbiot writes in The Guardian. Obama's response to the mess in Syria is no exception. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Syria Agrees to Chemical Weapons Deal, but There’s a Catch or Two

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Sep 11, 2013 "We want to join the convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons," and with those words, attributed to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, an American entry into Syria's civil war may be averted -- but there remain serious obstacles to peace. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Putin Scoffs at Chemical Attack Claims

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 31, 2013 The Russian president and backer of Syria's leadership is among those rejecting U.S. intelligence claims that Bashar al-Assad's government used chemical weapons against civilians, saying it would be "utter nonsense" for the government to deploy them in a war it was already winning. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S. Promises ‘Consequences’ in Syria, Whatever U.N. Inspectors Find

Peter Z. Scheer / Truthdig Aug 27, 2013 Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday promised action against Syria while a U.N. team scrambled to gather evidence amid sniper fire. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

North Korea Tests Its Nuclear Might

Staff / Truthdig May 25, 2009 North Korea carried out its second nuclear test on Monday and said it was “on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology," according to the official Korean Central News Agency. The test sparked international condemnation and protests in South Korea, while the U.N. Security Council called an emergency session to discuss the incident. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Killing As Many As Possible Before the Cease-Fire

Staff / Truthdig Aug 6, 2006 The brutal logic that Israel and Hezbollah are following goes like this: Inflict as many deaths on the enemy as possible in the next few days -- in order to strengthen your hand before sitting down at the bargaining table. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. and France Agree on Mideast Cease-Fire Plan

Staff / Truthdig Aug 6, 2006 The draft Security Council resolution seeks an immediate halt to fighting in Lebanon, and calls for the mobilization of international peacekeepers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )