The War Abroad

A collection of 137 posts

The War Abroad

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.

Newsletter

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.

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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

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The Future of Warfare Is Happening In Gaza

Gaza is not just a (war-) crime scene, it's an AI laboratory. And it's clarifying that the point of AI-enabled war isn't precision—it's scale.

Newsletter

My Kissinger Obit for ‘Rolling Stone’

A few notes on "Henry Kissinger, War Criminal Beloved by America’s Ruling Class, Finally Dies." If you like this piece, you'll love WALLER VS. WILDSTORM

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Meanwhile, in The West Bank

The quasi-ceasefire in Gaza will thankfully last into Wednesday. But the West Bank continues to be riven by Israeli violence and displacement

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Peace Is Built, Not Handed Out

A pause in the bombing and a hostage release is the first sign of hope since Oct. 7. But the U.S. is bombing Iraq now, and the deal doesn't constrain Israel in the West Bank

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Usama bin Laden Was Bad, In Case I Really Have To Explain That

Sure, it's social-media manipulation pushing us to the Edgelord Singularity. But just because you were lied to about UBL doesn't make him redeemable.

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A Ceasefire/Hostage Release Might Have Saved These Elite U.S. Soldiers

It's been a simply horrific past 72 hours in Gaza, as Israel besieges hospitals and the latest round of U.S.-Iranian escalation unfolds.

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Pentagon Confirms U.S. Drone Presence Over Gaza

They're not armed, DOD says. But drone footage, especially cumulatively, provides Biden a substantial look at the realities Israel is creating on the ground.

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U.S. Hostage Rescue Is A 'Contingency' for U.S. Special Ops in Israel

It isn't the mission for elite U.S. forces, according to a senior Pentagon official. But it's an option—and one that the Biden team has to be very careful about.