Analysis & Commentary
“A Systematic Refusal To View Our Enemies Plain”
I know Cliff has already mentioned this, but what a wonderful, compelling piece by Michael Ledeen in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. Required reading.
“Conflicts-of-Interest-R-Us”
Over at the United Nations "Conflicts-of-Interest-R-Us" world headquarters, there's a new twist on the former Oil-for-Food program for Iraq. Secretary General Kofi Annan has now decided that the U.N.-authorized investigation into Oil-for-Food, the "independent inquiry" headed by former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, will be funded with money left over in the administrative account of...Oil-for-Food.
“Don’t Feed the Animals”
I spent part of my Independence Day enjoying New York's Central Park. I mention this in passing because there is a connection between my outing and the news I returned to my Upper West Side apartment to learn.
“Guilty ... as ORDERED”?
Naturally, I would never suggest that the New York Times stoops to a predetermined editorial narrative with which it proceeds, and toward which it slants news coverage, without a care in the world about what facts actually happen. But today's 'Guilty as Ordered' rant about the Hamdan military commission trial has to take the cake.
“He Ventured Forth to Bring Light to the World”
In the Times of London, Gerard Baker on the Messiah's roadtrip.
“Hell, No”—He’s Not Exonerated
In the epic United Nations Oil-for-Food scandal, we now have a moment of high farce, with what will surely be remembered as Kofi Annan's "Hell, no" press conference--named for the secretary general's belligerent answer on March 29 to a reporter who, quite appropriately, wondered if Annan shouldn't think about resigning sometime soon. The U.N.-authorized inquiry into Oil-for-Food wrongdoing, led by former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, clocked in last Tuesday with its second interim report on a program now infamous as the biggest fraud in the history of humanitarian aid. That same afternoon, Annan summoned the media to the blue-curtained U.N. briefing room to announce his great relief at "this exoneration."
“Hitler Tamed by Prison. Released on Parole…”
No joke. In a terrific column on the seductive delusions of appeasement, Barry Rubin of Israel’s Gloria Center highlights the headline above, from an article published Dec. 21, 1924, in the New York Times. As Rubin notes, it sounds like satire. In fact, it sounds so much like satire that I double-checked in the Times archives. (Subscription only, but here it is). The Times described the paroled Hitler as “a much sadder and wiser man” expected to “retire to private life and return to Austria, the country of his birth.”
“Iran’s CIVILIAN nuclear program”
Secretary of State Rice said the usual things about U.S. determination to defend our interests and allies as Iran continued test-firing missiles. The New York Times report comments (italics mine):
“Islamophobia”
If you haven’t discovered him yet, you should start paying attention to Pascal Bruckner, a French philosopher deeply involved in our current struggles. His recent book, The Tyranny of Guilt; an Essay on Western masochism, is a first-class analysis of how Western guilt over presumed past crimes has paralyzed us in the present, preventing us from doing the good works our instincts would normally produce. He’s quite right, and although much of his subject matter is European, his insights are as important for us as for his fellow Europeans.
“Lebanonization” and “Global Reach”
Quick, someone call Augustus Richard Norton to urge him to contest the following reports. For Norton has assured us over the years that Hezbollah has been "Lebanonized" and did not have "global reach." Or, as it has been put often, Hezbollah has "evolved" from what it used to be in the 80s. Right.
“More than 100 terror camps” in operation in northwestern Pakistan
Al Qaeda continues to grow its network and expand its capabilities in northwestern Pakistan, US military and intelligence officials told The Long War Journal. The peace agreements have given the Taliban and al Qaeda time and space to re-establish their networks, which pose a threat not only to Pakistan, but the West as well.
“Mosquito-infested Bog”?
But Rich, he says it’s just like the Grand Canyon!
“Target: America” The September 2009 New York/Denver Terror Plot Arrests
The investigation into a plot to detonate explosive devices in the United States led by Afghan immigrant Najibullah Zazi and three yet-to-be-named accomplices is ongoing.
“Total Force” for AFRICOM
Early last month, President George W. Bush named Army General William E. "Kip" Ward to be the first commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). If confirmed by the Senate – hearings on the nomination are expected in early September after Congress returns from its August recess – he will be responsible for bringing AFRICOM to its initial operational capacity as a subordinate command of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM), of which the thirty-six-year veteran is currently deputy commander, in October of this year and then to its definitive status as an independent unified combatant command by September 30, 2008.
$150 Million for Yemeni ‘Encouragement’
''Yemen's willingness... to confront the serious threat al Qaeda poses to the nation's stability has been inconsistent in the past, but our recent intensive engagement appears to have had positive results."
‘Die Welt’: Iran building rocket bases in Venezuela
German paper says Iranians paid cash to build mid-range missile launch pads on Paraguana Peninsula; Iranian engineers visited site in Feb.
‘Divide’ and Conquer?
If Paul Revere were alive today, he'd have his midnight work cut out for him. Most likely he'd be spreading the alarm not on horseback, but by Internet: The U.N. is coming! The U.N. is coming!
‘Foreign Fighter’ Cell Leader Captured in Central Afghanistan
Afghan and Coalition forces captured the leader of "a cell of approximately 50 foreign fighters" during a raid in central Afghanistan yesterday.
‘Here’s to al-Qaeda’
Nearly 20 years ago, I asked the late William Kunstler about his philosophy of lawyering. A flamboyant leftist who proudly represented jihadists just as he proudly represented many other anti-American radicals, Bill succinctly replied, “Everybody’s entitled to a lawyer, but nobody’s entitled to me!”
‘Missiles From the Sea’ Kill 16 AQAP Fighters in Zinjibar
Reports from Yemen indicate that "missiles fired from the sea" killed 16 AQAP fighters on the outskirts of Zinjibar. From Sky News: Missiles fired from the sea have slammed into al-Qaeda positions in the southern Yemeni city of Zinjibar, killing at least 16 suspected militants, a local official says.
