Chris Woods

Pakistani Objection To US Drones Puts ‘Nations At War,’ Says Democrat

President Obama’s continued bombing of Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s repeated calls for the CIA to halt its attacks, means the two nations may technically be at war, says a US Congressman. Dennis Kucinich, who has represented Ohio since 1996, described the US covert drone programme as ‘vigilantism conducted by robots’. In an interview with the Bureau, Democrat […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
Pakistani daily workers have their breakfast at a roadside food vendor, in the Pakistani border town of Chaman along the Afghanistan border, early Monday, May 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Shah Khalid)

President Obama’s continued bombing of Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s repeated calls for the CIA to halt its attacks, means the two nations may technically be at war, says a US Congressman. Dennis Kucinich, who has represented Ohio since 1996, described the US covert drone programme as ‘vigilantism conducted by robots’. In an interview with

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‘A Journey Into Moral Depravity’ – US Congressman Dennis Kucinich On Covert Wars

When 26 members of the US Congress wrote to President Obama recently urging him to get a grip on his use of drones as ‘faceless ambassadors that cause civilian deaths,’ one man in particular was responsible. Congressman for Ohio Dennis Kucinich has been a career politician for more than 40 years – but he’s no Washington insider. […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
Congressman for Ohio Dennis Kucinich. (Photo by House Committee on Education & Workforce via Flikr)

When 26 members of the US Congress wrote to President Obama recently urging him to get a grip on his use of drones as ‘faceless ambassadors that cause civilian deaths,’ one man in particular was responsible. Congressman for Ohio Dennis Kucinich has been a career politician for more than 40 years – but he’s no Washington insider. Described at

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Analysis: Oversight Failures Help Oil Obama’s Killing Machine

Revelations that President Barack Obama presides over key aspects of secret kill-list machinery that has sentenced thousands to death by drone have disturbed many. Torture and extraordinary rendition under Bush, it turns out, have been replaced with industrial-scale extrajudicial execution by his successor. Today, CIA and Pentagon armed drones range at will over Pakistan, Yemen […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
Revelations show that President Obama gives personal oversight to drone strikes which have killed thousands. (Photo by l'ennui d'ennui via Flikr)

Revelations that President Barack Obama presides over key aspects of secret kill-list machinery that has sentenced thousands to death by drone have disturbed many. Torture and extraordinary rendition under Bush, it turns out, have been replaced with industrial-scale extrajudicial execution by his successor. Today, CIA and Pentagon armed drones

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Is The Secret War In Yemen And Somalia Secret No Longer?

In what is being viewed by some as a significant move towards greater transparency, President Obama has officially acknowledged for the first time previously secret US military combat operations in Yemen and Somalia. The US military has been mounting aggressive combat operations in both countries for some years. Attacks began in Somalia in January 2007, […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
In this April 30, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

In what is being viewed by some as a significant move towards greater transparency, President Obama has officially acknowledged for the first time previously secret US military combat operations in Yemen and Somalia. The US military has been mounting aggressive combat operations in both countries for some years. Attacks began in Somalia in

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CIA ‘Revives Attacks On Rescuers’ In Pakistan

CIA drones are reportedly reviving the use of highly-controversial tactics that target rescuers and funeral-goers. On Monday US drones attacked rescuers in Waziristan in western Pakistan minutes after an initial strike, killing 16 people in total according to the BBC. On May 28, drones were also reported to have returned to the attack in Khassokhel near Mir Ali. […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
Drones belonging to the CIA have reportedly attacked rescuers and funeral-goers in Pakistan. (Photo by Marion Doss)

CIA drones are reportedly reviving the use of highly-controversial tactics that target rescuers and funeral-goers. On Monday US drones attacked rescuers in Waziristan in western Pakistan minutes after an initial strike, killing 16 people in total according to the BBC. On May 28, drones were also reported to have returned to the attack in

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May Update – US Clandestine Actions In Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen

Story by Chris Woods and Jack Serle The Bureau’s Covert War project tracks drone strikes and other US military and paramilitary actions in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. Here we summarise our key work and findings for May.   Yemen May 2012 actions Confirmed US drone strikes: 5 Further reported/ possible US strike events: 18 Alleged militants reported […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
This photo shows a young child allegedly killed by U.S. drone missile strikes in Pakistan's tribal region. (Photo by Noor Behram)

Story by Chris Woods and Jack Serle The Bureau’s Covert War project tracks drone strikes and other US military and paramilitary actions in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. Here we summarise our key work and findings for May.   Yemen May 2012 actions Confirmed US drone strikes: 5 Further reported/ possible US strike

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Analysis: How Obama Changed Definition Of ‘Civilian’ In Secret Drone Wars

Two US reports published today provide significant insights into President Obama’s personal and controversial role in the escalating covert US drone war in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. In a major extract from Daniel Klaidman’s forthcoming book Kill Or Capture, the author reveals extensive details of how secret US drone strikes have evolved under Obama – and how the […]

Chris Woods
By Chris Woods
President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. Listening in back are Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner, right. (AP Photo/Saul Loeb, Pool)

Two US reports published today provide significant insights into President Obama’s personal and controversial role in the escalating covert US drone war in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. In a major extract from Daniel Klaidman’s forthcoming book Kill Or Capture, the author reveals extensive details of how secret US drone strikes have evolved under

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