If This Samantha Power Video Is The Next “Big Controversy”, Will It Be The Right Controversy?

Some thoughts on a decade old video in which Samantha Power speculates on actions to take against an unfolding genocide.

Yemen’s al Qaeda No. 2 Still Dead

Abu Sufyan al-Azdi, al Qaeda’s number two man in Yemen, is still dead. Or dead again. Or finally dead.

Obama Handing Out Ambassadorships To Top Donors And Friends, Just Like His Predecessors

President Obama has appointed a lot of donor’s and supporters to plumb Ambassadorial slots. That’s not at all unusual.

Obama Words on Military Sexual Assault Backfire

President Obama is rightly outraged by a wave of sexual assaults in the military. He unwittingly made them harder to prosecute.

Miramar Air Show Canceled. Just Because, That’s Why.

The Pentagon has canceled a popular air show even though it operates at a profit and takes place next fiscal year.

North Korea Nukes Here To Stay

North Korea’s nuclear weapons aren’t going anywhere.

US Navy Ships Deployed Near Egypt

The US Navy is moving transport ships near Egypt. Just in case.

Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons as they take up positions prior to an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Deir al-Zor July 11, 2013. Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons as they take up positions prior to an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Deir al-Zor July 11, 2013.

Syrian Opposition Fractures Further; FSA at War With al Qaeda

Ostensible allies in the fight against the Assad regime, al Qaeda and the Free Syrian Army are killing each other.

Obama Job Approval On Foreign Policy Hits Low In New Poll

President Obama is losing public support in the one area where he’s generally had broad support from the public in the past.

Special Ops Troops’ Marriages Shaky, Survey Shows

A state of perpetual war is incompatible with good mental health and stable family relationships.

Monuments to Wasteful Spending in Afghanistan

The US military’s lavish new headquarters in Afghanistan has been completed just in time for our exit.

Frustration With Karzai Pushing Obama Toward “Zero Option” In Afghanistan

Frustrations with the mercurial leader of Afghanistan may increase the pace of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Privacy Group Petitions Supreme Court Over FISA Court

A privacy rights group has filed a Petition with the Supreme Court regarding recent actions by the FISA Court.

We Don’t Have a Secretary of the Air Force

Michael Donley announced he was stepping down as Secretary of the Air force in April and did so in June. No replacement has been named.

Dempsey: Snowden Harmed Relations with Allies

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says revealing that the United States is spying on its allies has undermined their trust.

When Is A Coup Not A Coup?

Words don’t always mean what you think they mean.

Who’s In Charge Of The FISA Court? John Roberts, And Apparently Just John Roberts

Chief Justice Roberts is the only person who gets to say who sits on the FISA Court.

FISA Court Does Job Congress Assigned It

Don’t blame “secret courts” for the government’s expanded spying on American citizens and allies.

Joyner Unfair to Krugman

A decade ago. a certain New York Times columnist was more right than your humble host.

On The Coup In Egypt And The Future Of Democracy

The events of the last week in Egypt raise a whole host of questions.

French Decry U.S. Surveillance Programs, Are Discovered To Have Their Own Surveillance Program

The French were indignant about reports of the NSA’s surveillance programs. Now we know they have own of their own.

The Fourth Of July And The Fourth Amendment

Contemporary Americans accept actions by the state that were once the cause for revolt.

The Day After In Egypt

Egyptians celebrated last night, but the future is far from clear.

U.S. Postal Service Is Logging All Mail For Law Enforcement

Every piece of mail you send and receive is being logged by the Postal Service.

New NSA Leaks Reveal Spying On European Union, European Allies

The latest NSA leaks are likely to prove to be diplomatically embarrassing.

GOP Hawks Getting Worried About Rand Paul?

There seem to be some signs that defense hawks in the GOP are concerned about Rand Paul’s growing popularity in the party.

Hutchins War Crimes Conviction Overturned; Implications for Manning

The conviction of Marine Sergeant Lawrence Hutchins III for war crimes in 2006 has been overturned.

SECDEF Hagel on DOMA Ruling

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has wasted no time issuing a full-throated statement endorsing today’s DOMA ruling

Navy Building Carrier Drone

The Navy is building a ridiculously expensive robot spy plane.

Edward Snowden Is Not The Story, And You Don’t Have To Like Him

Focusing on Edward Snowden is largely a waste of time.