Jason Ditz

Despite Pentagon Claims, Syrian Locals Insist US Strike In Syria Killed Civilians

Incidents of US warplanes in Syria and Iraq killing large numbers of civilians are not so unusual. On January 11, US planes destroyed a prison, killing 50 civilian prisoners. Then too, the Pentagon said the allegation was “not credible.”

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

Smoke from a US airstrike in Kobani, Syria. On December 28, US warplanes leveled the government center in the Syrian town of al-Bab, which is under ISIS control. Locals reported that a number of civilians were killed in the strike. The Pentagon, as usual, is issuing a blanket denial of responsibility, confirming that they did in fact blow

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White House: ISIS War Authorization ‘Intentionally’ Vague

The bill would allow Obama to expand at powers at will in the fight against ISIS.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

With people expressing concern about the large number of wiggle words in the draft authorization for the ISIS war, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest today confirmed that the language was made “intentionally” vague. While officials tried to present the authorization as not including a ground war, the language actually only limits “enduring

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Ex-Rebels Form Pro-Assad Militia, Battle Islamists Around Damascus

Former rebel militiamen who have switched sides and joined Syria’s regime forces are engaged in a fierce battle against Islamist insurgents near Damascus.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

A Free Syrian Army fighter holds his weapon as he prepares himself for advance, close to a military base, near Azaz, Syria.  Photo: Manu Brabo/AP The Islamist rebel factions that still hold key districts on the outskirts of Damascus are facing a new enemy from an unlikely source: former rebels who have formed a pro-Assad militia. Dubbed

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Yemen’s Houthis Seize Power, Dissolve Parliament

A televised statement read by an unidentified Houthi member called the takeover “a new era that will take Yemen to safe shores.”

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

A Houthi Shiite rebel holds a weapon while on patrol following dawn prayers attended by supporters of the rebels on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice, in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Photo: Hani Mohammed/AP Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced today that they are dissolving parliament and

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Obama To Seek ISIS War Request Next Week

President Barack Obama will ask Congress for new authority to use force against Islamic State fighters next week, congressional aides said on Thursday.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

Congressional aides familiar with the situation are reporting on Thursday that they’ve been informed President Obama will finally submit a proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS next week. By law, a president is obliged to seek an AUMF within 90 days of the launch of hostilities. That deadline passed months ago,

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Poll: Netanyahu Should be Investigated For Nuclear Weapons Tech Smuggling Before US Visit

Most Americans, around 55 percent, believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be investigated by the FBI before an upcoming U.S. visit.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz
Netanyahu Iran bomb cartoon

In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses a red marker on a diagram of a bomb as he describes his concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions during his address to the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters.  Photo: Seth Wenig/AP A majority of Americans believe

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Blowback: Paris Killings Likely Revenge For French Military Interventionism

Analysts warn that interventionist foreign policy is inciting such attacks.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz

French troops take position in the Miskine neighbourhood of Bangui, Central African Republic, Friday Dec. 13, 2013.  (AP/Jerome Delay) The whole world stood aghast as a pair of gunmen, angered by free speech itself, stormed into a satirical magazine, mowing down cartoonists and writers who they saw as “insulting Islam.” 12 were killed,

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