Although Yemen has been on the United States terrorism watch list for years, it is only since the Christmas Day underwear bomber that the fiefdom on the Arabian Peninsula became a household word to Americans, courtesy of our media's flavor of the month and gotcha journalism. In examining the stronghold al-Qaeda has grasped in Yemen, it makes the threat of that terrorist … [Read more...] about Our Yemeni Enemy
Blackwater ‘No Better Than al-Qaeda’: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Here's a story that has gone under the radar screens of most Americans, but which almost uniformly angers and confuses Muslims around the world. Days ago, a U.S. federal court judge threw out charges against five former Blackwater security guards implicated in the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad's Nisour Square in 2007. This article by K. Selim of … [Read more...] about Blackwater ‘No Better Than al-Qaeda’: Le Quotidien d’Oran of Algeria
Nigeria Upset Over New U.S. Security Measures
According to the AFP, Nigeria has "branded new security measures for passengers flying to the United States unfair and said they amounted to discrimination against its 150 million people." Nigeria, home of failed underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, is one of 14 countries from which all air travellers to the U.S. will be "subjected to extra checks including body … [Read more...] about Nigeria Upset Over New U.S. Security Measures
Tiger, Tiger Still Burning Bright
The immortal hand and eye that frame his symmetry are those of Annie Liebovitz for a naked-to-the-waist Vanity Fair cover as Tiger Woods enters the new decade, not as the unflappable figure addressing a golf ball on Sunday afternoon TV but as a subject of sermonizing for the morning political pundits. On Fox News, Brit Hume suggests that Buddhism may be below par for Woods' … [Read more...] about Tiger, Tiger Still Burning Bright
Between Iran and a Hard Place
Guest post by Ali Ezzatyar and Bryan A. Tollin Ali Ezzatyar is a U.S.-trained corporate lawyer currently practising in Paris. He has taught courses in Political Economy in the International and Area Studies Department of the University of California at Berkeley and has previously published articles about Iran in the L.A. Times. Bryan A. Tollin is a corporate lawyer … [Read more...] about Between Iran and a Hard Place
On Refusing to be a “Good Jew”
The "good Jew" is a common trope in Jewish history. A statement attributed to a variety of Nazi officials was that every German "knows one good Jew" -- the exceptions that belie the general rule of Jewish mendacity, parochialism, ruthlessness, avarice, and evil. We should not be distracted. Meanwhile, within the Jewish community, there are those who assume they can escape … [Read more...] about On Refusing to be a “Good Jew”
A Conference Committee is not Required
The New Republic has reported (along with other sources) that the Democrats may bypass the conference committee as the means by which to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the health care reform bill (EXCLUSIVE: Dems 'Almost Certain' to Bypass Conference): According to a pair of senior Capitol Hill staffers, one from each chamber, House and Senate Democrats are … [Read more...] about A Conference Committee is not Required
Breaking: Michael Yon Detained at Seattle Airport?
Picked this up via Twitter from several people (H/T Ed Morrissey) but it seems that Michael Yon, independent photojournalist who has done a ton of work in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained and handcuffed at Seattle airport for not answering pressing national security questions such as... how much money he earns? When they handcuffed me, I said that no country has ever … [Read more...] about Breaking: Michael Yon Detained at Seattle Airport?
Massachusetts Senate Race Down To Nine Points
A new poll shows the race to succeed the late Ted Kennedy is down to 50-41. I still expect the Democrat Coakley to win and with this poll out there will probably be more of a get out the vote effort, so she'll probably win by 10-15 points. But it is interesting to see the race this close given that the state has only about 20% Republican voters. … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Senate Race Down To Nine Points
Michael Pollan’s Food Rules
Michael Pollan's latest, Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, aims to distill all the food activist and author has learned into 64 simple rules: The idea for this book came from a doctor--a couple of them, as a matter of fact. They had read my last book, "In Defense of Food", which ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate the treacherous landscape of … [Read more...] about Michael Pollan’s Food Rules
Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and Fútbol Americano
Just as English is an acquired language, “American football” is an acquired sport for me. However, unlike English (in which I have become somewhat proficient), after many years of trying, I still don’t fully understand this “fútbol Americano.” Don’t get me wrong; just as I have come to love my adopted country, I have come to love American football, albeit it has been a … [Read more...] about Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and Fútbol Americano
Airport Security (Non) Profiling (Guest Cartoonist)
Cartoon by Sarjex, who describes herself as "a lonely little wingnut in the crazy liberal mecca of San Francisco." … [Read more...] about Airport Security (Non) Profiling (Guest Cartoonist)
Sign of the Times
Others have probably written about this topic already, and I missed it because I was (until this morning) suffering from a severe case of holiday fog. In case you have also been a victim of said fog, David Brooks tosses a spotlight on the following in his column today. The tea party movement is ... now more popular than either major party. According to the NBC News/Wall … [Read more...] about Sign of the Times
Defining the Line Between Criminal and Combatant
Writing in the NYT, Michael Kinsley begs the question and suggests "the nation’s border is as good a line as any" ... ... the national border is a “bright line,” and if people captured within the United States are going to be treated as if they were somewhere else — provided that they are certified terrorists — things are going to get complicated quickly. What about … [Read more...] about Defining the Line Between Criminal and Combatant
Officials Feared Attack At Obama Inaugural
Reports of a possible Somali attack on the inauguration of President Obama led to a great deal of concern with Bush and Obama officials. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was kept at a secure location just in case something happened. As it turns out the rumors were probably false but it does give a new image to the events of a year ago. … [Read more...] about Officials Feared Attack At Obama Inaugural
The Sky Is Falling…Sort Of…
For being the world’s only Superpower and global empire, we certainly are a pathetic, fearful, demented, wimpy, and easily frightened group. Our shores are filled with Chicken Little’s screaming about Al Qaida and airport security at the drop of a terrorist’s underwear. Now let’s get a grip on our emotions running amok and start thinking as rational human beings. I’m … [Read more...] about The Sky Is Falling…Sort Of…
Why Use Torture Only on Terrorists?
That is the question Matthew Yglesias poses, now that advocates for torture are promoting its use for routine intelligence-gathering as opposed to the original rationale that torture should be limited to the mythical "ticking time bomb" scenario (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Why Use Torture Only on Terrorists?
Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Dick World – Terrorism and Republicans
Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Dealing with climate change may be the most important issue for human progress but 2010 is likely to see it move to the backburner because creating jobs is better politics in the US, Europe and elsewhere. President Barack Obama’s presence surrounded by 5 cabinet members, many senators and tens of top journalists at the recent Copenhagen conference failed to persuade major … [Read more...] about Climate change is drowning in populist politics
Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones
NBC News reports that the suicide bomber responsible for killing seven C.I.A. agents in Afghanistan was a double agent working for Al Qaeda: … [Read more...] about Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Comfort Zones