Tom Hayden's Blog, page 58

Obama Orders End to "Long War" Doctrine

With this week's issuance of the Pentagon's new defense strategy, President Obama is ending the "Long War" envisioned by many neo-conservatives, counterinsurgency advocates and Pentagon hawks.

Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan

The Obama administration is withdrawing the first 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan, with another 23,000 scheduled to withdraw by September 2012 during the height of the national political campaigns. It is understood by many that the Obama administration would like to accelerate the pullout, and transfer the lead combat role to Afghan troops, before the coming election.

Appeals Court Removes Judge Real from Sanchez Conspiracy Case, But Trial Not Over

Judge Manuel Real was removed as presiding judge in the gang conspiracy case involving Alex Sanchez and 17 others by an order of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday.

CIA Chutzpah: "No Surprise" We Spy At Home

That the CIA works with local American police departments "should not be a surprise to anyone," says Marie Hart, a public relations staffer with the Agency.

Preventing the Coming War with Iran

During the past decade, this writer has remained skeptical about prospects of a US-supported war against Iran. The potential costs outweighed the benefits. Now, as the 2012 election year unfolds, I am not certain. The political and geo-political dynamics underscore the growing threat of war.

Progressives Pushing Obama to Order Disclosures of Campaign Contributions by Federal Contractors

President Obama may order the disclosure of $541 billion in campaign contributions by corporations with federal contracts, as a response to secret Super-Pacs and the Citizens United ruling. Such a move would infuriate defense contractors and big corporations and draw a sharp line for the 2012 elections debate.

Ruling in Alex Sanchez Case Expected Soon

The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is close to ruling on key portions of the Alex Sanchez case involving prosecution conflicts-of-interest and double jeopardy issues. Meanwhile, two-and-one-half years after the initial arrests, the top lawyers for both sides are leaving the case.

Adam Jung: Occupying London, "Building Relationships"

Things are progressing here amazingly. We have had a much larger impact on British society and policy then I think we fully realize. In reality it has been nearly as much luck as organizing.

Occupy This: War and Jobs

Statistics from the Historical Statistics of the United States clearly show that the New Deal dramatically lessened joblessness from Roosevelt's election in 1932 until his second term; then began to climb when FDR retreated to a more conservative path; then finally ended because of war spending in World War 2.

In Response to Doyle McManus

This war never should have occurred. Now that it has, our government is stuck with an ineffectual, corrupt, unbalanced president in Kabul. There is no evidence that the Afghan armed forces, heavily dominated by the old Northern Alliance elements, will be able to secure the place against the insurgencies symbolized by the Taliban. Like Iraq, we have invested in a simmering, continuing civil war.