Ali A. Olomi: The history of the Taliban is crucial in understanding their success now – and also what might happen next
The rapid takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban left many surprised. A key to understanding what is happening now – and what might take place next – is looking at the past and how the Taliban came to prominence.
George Lakey: As the US empire declines, what openings exist for progressive movements?
Hard as it may be to see beyond the chaos and suffering in Afghanistan, the larger picture reveals real opportunities for social change.
Karen J. Greenberg: The Endless Shadow of the War on Terror
Will the Forever Wars Become Forever Policy?
W.D. Ehrhart: Afghanistan | Vietnam Redux
The real tragedy in all this is that the United States of America invaded yet another foreign country, imagining that we could bend it to our will and create a “Mini-Me” version of ourselves, and then spent twenty years, trillions of dollars, and thousands of lives ignoring what was obvious from the very outset.
Medea Benjamin, Nicolas J S Davies: U.S. Joins Past Empires In Afghan Graveyard
An Afghan taxi-driver in Vancouver told one of us a decade ago that this day would come. “We defeated the Persian Empire in the eighteenth century, the British in the … Continue reading
Christine Fair: The Revenge of Farkhunda
The mullah falsely accused Farkhunda of burning a Quran. Those who overheard the allegation immediately decided that she must be killed. She was beaten with bats, stomped upon, and driven over by a car after which her body was dragged by a car and then immolated. Her real crime? She had the temerity as a woman to challenge superstitious practices propounded by ignorant male clerics.
Doug Anderson: Landays
Now I have given away all my rage.
Watch the young stride ahead of me into their own mistakes.
W.J. Astore: Happy 4th of July! And a Global War on Something
I live in a fairly posh area of America. A place where people have vacation “cottages” with pools, a “destination” place for some, especially in July and August. July 4th … Continue reading
Jeremy Corbyn: We Must Be Brave Enough to Admit the War on Terror is Simply Not Working
Our whole nation has been united in shock and grief this week as a night out at a concert ended in horrific terror and the brutal slaughter of innocent people … Continue reading
Robert Koehler: Why Bombing a Hospital is a War Crime
U.S bombs hospital in Afghanistan, kills 22 people including three children, apologizes, promises to investigate itself. “We tried to take a look into one of the burning buildings. I cannot … Continue reading
Peter Van Buren: Sustaining Perpetual War — The Bloodless Narrative
The Bloodless Narrative of America’s Wars Ensures their Perpetuation Sustaining America’s state of post-9/11 perpetual war requires skillful manipulation of the public at home. The key tool used for this … Continue reading
W. J. Astore: The United States of Militarism
A century ago, the USA was a dynamic, forward-looking, freedom-espousing country that was focused on science and technology and its practical applications, as represented by Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. … Continue reading
Video: An Apology to Every Single American
. First published by VICE News on Jul 8, 2015: When al Qaeda terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Michael Morell was with … Continue reading
W.J. Astore: America’s Military Strategy? Persistent Overreach
Reports that President Obama is considering even more troops and bases to fight ISIS in Iraq put me to mind of Roman general Publius Quinctilius Varus. Two millennia ago, Varus … Continue reading
