The War Abroad

A collection of 120 posts

The War Abroad

Ex-State Dept. Official on Paused U.S. Weapons Shipment: 'Significant But Not Cause for Celebration'

For the first time, the Biden administration has withheld delivery of bombs to Israel. Josh Paul, who resigned over Gaza, explains the bigger picture

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It's Either A Ceasefire Or Iran's Next Response Will Be Worse

Two things are true at the same time: Iran's attack on Israel was unprecedented, and Iran showed restraint. We won't like the sequel. PLUS! Introducing Mehdi Hasan's Zeteo, where I'll be contributing!

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Time To Seize An Iranian Ceasefire Opportunity

Iran seems to be floating a plausible way to stop both the genocide in Gaza and the slow-burning regional war. This week could be a Moment—or it could slip away

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Kill Lists In The Age of Artificial Intelligence

Israel's "Lavender" AI, the lethal end result of mass surveillance, debuted in Gaza six months ago. It threatens to be the future of war.

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That Ceasefire Resolution Is Absolutely Binding on Israel

After declining to veto it at the Security Council, Biden's officials insist the resolution is "nonbinding." That's "hopelessly thin," says a leading international-law expert

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An Iraqi 'Terrorist' Leader on The Future of 'Resistance' To U.S. Forces

Longtime U.S. enemy Qais Khazali gave a speech about the future of the U.S. presence in Iraq. Could it contain a diplomatic message?

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All Kamala Harris Has To Tell Benny Gantz Is No

But Gantz is in Washington to give Team Biden an Israeli to say yes to who isn't Netanyahu. PLUS: Evan and I sign on Friday!

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American Delusions at The International Court of Justice

The U.S. "Rules-Based International Order" continues to eat international law alive. PLUS: Come get your comics signed by me and Evan Narcisse!

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The U.S. And Israel Actually Did Retaliate Against Iran

They just did it through cyberattacks and pipeline bombings. That'll make Iran surrender, right? PLUS: Can we get a congratulations going for Sam in the chat?

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The Children of Gaza Were Not Killed For Democracy

Absolutely nothing about Israel's U.S.-sponsored genocide has to do with democracy. Biden needs to stop staining democracy with the blood of children

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So How Much of The Yemen War Is Jim Mattis’ Fault?

The legendary Marine turned Pentagon chief was secretly working for the UAE as far back as 2015, the dawn of the devastating Yemen war. Wish I’d known that when I wrote my Rolling Stone profile!

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Two Varieties of Media Dehumanization

Conservative and liberal Islamophobias, and what they say about the persistence of the War on Terror. PLUS: Biden invokes the 2001 AUMF against…Iran's coalition

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The Eighteenth Brumaire of The War on Terror

A lethal drone attack on U.S. troops in Jordan has created massive pressure to attack Iran. Biden is running out of time to avert all-out war—and learn from very recent history.

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That International Court of Justice Ruling Might Still Have Consequences

The court didn't order a ceasefire in Gaza. But it could still have material impacts on Israel's European allies. PLUS! An Iraqi framework for (slow) U.S. military "disengagement."

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Emirates' U.S. Assassins in Yemen Tell All

The Spear Operations Group killed "terrorists" in Yemen, AKA the Emiratis' political enemies. It's big trouble in "Little Sparta" as the mercs talk to the BBC

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Two Navy SEALs Die in New Forever War Biden Chose Instead of Stopping Israel’s Genocide

Bombing Yemen isn't working. Netanyahu isn't stopping. And Joe Biden is Lyndon Johnsoning.

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VIDEO: The Most Dangerous Moment in The Middle East in The 21st Century So Far (f/Democracy Now!)

I've been covering the War on Terror since nearly its inception. But as you'll see in this video, the war spinning out from Gaza is the most frightening I've seen yet.

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Iran's Opening Shots And The Logic of Escalation

Forget "not wanting" to escalate. War, especially this one, needs to be actively deescalated before we reach the abyss. PLUS: The White House smears a good reporter.

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The Escalation To Yemen Is Here. Now What? (Ft./American Prestige)

You did it, Joe! You escalated the war you spent the week saying shouldn't escalate. And you have a plan now, right? Right?

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South Africa's Genocide Case Against Israel Is Serious

Israel denounces it. The U.S. dismisses it. The International Court of Justice is hearing it. The rest of us can't flinch from reading it.

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U.S. Officials: The Iraqis Aren't Gonna Kick Us Out

PM Sudani isn't rushing the U.S. out the door, so people I spoke with aren't sweating it. But he says he's serious about the troops leaving. PLUS: Lloyd Austin, WTAF?

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U.S. Military Presence in Iraq Could Be Unexpected Casualty of Israel's War on Gaza

Oh, what, we can't launch a drone strike on Baghdad anymore??? Didn't anyone tell you people we're here to help you???

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The One Surefire Thing Biden Can Do To Stop Houthi Attacks on Shipping

Hint: Biden doesn't seem like he's going to do it. But it'll both work and pay the biggest of dividends. PLUS: RIP to a Guantanamo attorney.

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"We Have To Strike Back At The Houthis"

Our last edition of 2023 asks: who's ready to Americanize the war in Yemen? PLUS: A Palestinian case before the European Court of Human Rights.

Newsletter

Somalis Whose Relatives Were Killed by U.S. Strikes 'Have Yet To Receive Acknowledgement'

A letter human rights groups sent to the Pentagon indicates that the U.S. has reverted its typical callousness. PLUS: 'From The River To The Sea,' a free eBook I contributed to