Baghdad’s Other Power Struggle

May 11, 2008
As one U.S. soldier tells Truthdig foreign correspondent Anna Badkhen, it's not entirely a bad sign that residents of Baghdad's Saidiyah neighborhood are complaining about their meager daily power allotment: A year earlier they were concerned about just staying alive.

Hillary Clinton Does Not Endorse This ‘SNL’ Sketch

May 11, 2008
You just can't catch a break as a politician these days. Right when you think you look all "hip" and "endearingly self-deprecating" by allowing yourself to be skewered by certain late-night comedians (bonus points if you're actually on the show while this gentle, aide-approved ribbing is happening), those same wise asses up and turn on you.

Business Stirs in a Walled Neighborhood

May 9, 2008
In this first installment in her series of stories from Iraq for Truthdig, veteran foreign correspondent Anna Badkhen reports about the civilian costs of war, life under occupation and the precarious state of a Baghdad burger joint.
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Bloated in Baghdad

Apr 29, 2008
Truthdig foreign correspondent Sarah Stillman reports from Iraq, where she finds parallels between America's fast food fortresses and the general engorgement of the war.

The High Price of Diplomacy With China

Apr 24, 2008
Two investigative reports uncover the Bush administration's efforts to suppress legal proceedings against high-ranking Chinese officials -- former Trade Minister Bo Xilai and Beijing's Olympic Organizing Committee President Liu Qi -- accused of torturing religious group members.

Scott Ritter: Calling Out Idiot America

Mar 24, 2007
The former weapons inspector and military intelligence officer plumbs the depths of American ignorance and offers this history of Iraq, the Mideast and Islam. When so few of our politicians, and even fewer of the citizens who elect them, understand the forces at work in Baghdad and beyond, is it any wonder the occupation has been a disaster?The former weapons inspector and military intelligence officer plumbs the depths of American ignorance and offers this history of Iraq, the Mideast and Islam. When so few of our politicians, and even fewer of the citizens who elect them, understand the forces at work in Baghdad and beyond, is it any wonder the occupation has been a disaster?

Afghan Autopsy

Nov 29, 2006
America began its so-called war on terror with the intention of driving the Taliban from power in Afghanistan Five years later, the Taliban is back, Osama bin Laden is still alive, and insurgent fighters cite the US presence in the country as their main wellspring of rage How did it come to this? Truthdig contributor Christian Parenti, just back from Afghanistan, reportsThe Taliban is back in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden is still alive, and insurgent fighters cite U How did it come to this? .

Israel’s Barrier to Peace

Jul 26, 2006
Chris Hedges, the former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times, argues that there can be no hope for peace in the Middle East as long as America continues to aid Israel in its dehumanizing practices.The former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times and author of the bestseller "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" examines the way Israel's security wall has ripped a mortal gash in the lives of Palestinians residing in its shadow, and argues that there can be no hope for peace in the Middle East as long as America continues to aid Israel in its dehumanizing practices.

Open Mike Catches Bush Blaming Syria for Hezbollah Escalation

Jul 17, 2006
At the G8 summit for world leaders, President Bush was caught on a live microphone telling Tony Blair that he held Syria accountable for Hezbollah's actions against Israel "What they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over," Bush told Blair while chewing on a buttered roll Important: This is not a hypocrisy alert Bush's unguarded statements were for the most part consistent with his public ones But it's still a fascinating glimpse into his manner of interaction with America's closest ally Article Best video/audio/transcript combo: CNNcom (The video link "The sh_t hear 'round the world" in the center of the page--not linkable)Blogger reaction: The Carpetbagger Report: "The president often comes across as an unsophisticated simpleton in publicbut incidents like thissuggest Bush is even less impressive in private Juan Cole: Bush's comments "astonishingly simple-minded" .