Remember Donald Trump’s magical toturn $200 billion in federal money… hey, presto!… into $1.5 trillion ininvestment in America’s aging, underfunded infrastructure (to which the AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers gave a in 2017)? Why should you, especially since that plan is now in the water in Congress and Americans know it? A recent MonmouthUniversity poll that55% of Americans think the president is not giving this country’s crumblinginfrastructure appropriate attention, while only 26% think he is.There is, however, a seldom-noted exception to this growing American reality.You already know...…Remember Donald Trump’s magical toturn $200 billion in federal money… hey, presto!… into $1.5 trillion ininvestment in America’s aging, underfunded infrastructure (to which the AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers gave a in 2017)? Why should you, especially since that plan is now in the water in Congress and Americans know it? A recent MonmouthUniversity poll that55% of Americans think the president is not giving this country’s crumblinginfrastructure appropriate attention, while only 26% think he is.There is, however, a seldom-noted exception to this growing American reality.You already know...WW…

The FBI has rolled out a new strategy to deal with cyberattacks, which includes . Last week, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee about the agency’s new strategy.“An important part of fighting back against our foreign adversaries in the cyber realm is offense as well as defense,” Wrath said. “That’s a big part of this new FBI strategy that I rolled out.”The strategy is meant to punish foreign actors who regularly target US cyberinfrastructure. The FBI director explained that the agency shares intelligence it obtains with its...…The FBI has rolled out a new strategy to deal with cyberattacks, which includes . Last week, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee about the agency’s new strategy.“An important part of fighting back against our foreign adversaries in the cyber realm is offense as well as defense,” Wrath said. “That’s a big part of this new FBI strategy that I rolled out.”The strategy is meant to punish foreign actors who regularly target US cyberinfrastructure. The FBI director explained that the agency shares intelligence it obtains with its...WW…

On Friday, 18 September, professor Steve Cohen passed away in New York Cityand we, the "dissident" community of Americans standing for peacewith Russia – and for peace with the world at large – lost a towering intellectualand skillful defender of our cause who enjoyed an audience of millions by hisweekly broadcasts on the John Batchelor Show, WABC Radio.A year ago, I reviewed his latest book, War With Russia? which drewupon the material of those programs and took this scholar turned journalistinto a new and highly accessible genre of oral readings in print.  Thenarrative style may have...…On Friday, 18 September, professor Steve Cohen passed away in New York Cityand we, the "dissident" community of Americans standing for peacewith Russia – and for peace with the world at large – lost a towering intellectualand skillful defender of our cause who enjoyed an audience of millions by hisweekly broadcasts on the John Batchelor Show, WABC Radio.A year ago, I reviewed his latest book, War With Russia? which drewupon the material of those programs and took this scholar turned journalistinto a new and highly accessible genre of oral readings in print.  Thenarrative style may have...WW…

For the first time in nearly two and a half years,. The strikes were carried out on September 23rd by two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the USS Nimitz, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet told Stars and Stripes on Monday.“The last such strike was by USS Theodore Roosevelt in [March] 2018,” Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich said. Rebarich only said the attacks were carried out in Iraq and did not elaborate on targets.Operation Inherent Resolve, the anti-ISIS coalition fighting in Iraq and Syria, reported airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in Kirkuk, Iraq, on that same day. It is likely that these...…For the first time in nearly two and a half years,. The strikes were carried out on September 23rd by two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the USS Nimitz, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet told Stars and Stripes on Monday.“The last such strike was by USS Theodore Roosevelt in [March] 2018,” Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich said. Rebarich only said the attacks were carried out in Iraq and did not elaborate on targets.Operation Inherent Resolve, the anti-ISIS coalition fighting in Iraq and Syria, reported airstrikes on ISIS hideouts in Kirkuk, Iraq, on that same day. It is likely that these...WW…

The New Yorker staff writer Adam Entous revealed on June 18 that foursitting U.S. presidents beginning with Bill Clinton signed secret letters agreeingAccording to Entous,President Trump’s aides felt "blindsided" by Israeli ambassador RonDermer’s urgent demand to sign a fourth letter. Only a small number of "seniorAmerican officials" in the previous three administrations even knew aboutthe existence of such letters. Though said not to specifically mention Israel’sarsenal, Israeli leaders interpret the letters as binding American pledges notto publicly mention Israel’s nuclear weapons or...…The New Yorker staff writer Adam Entous revealed on June 18 that foursitting U.S. presidents beginning with Bill Clinton signed secret letters agreeingAccording to Entous,President Trump’s aides felt "blindsided" by Israeli ambassador RonDermer’s urgent demand to sign a fourth letter. Only a small number of "seniorAmerican officials" in the previous three administrations even knew aboutthe existence of such letters. Though said not to specifically mention Israel’sarsenal, Israeli leaders interpret the letters as binding American pledges notto publicly mention Israel’s nuclear weapons or...WW…

As tens of thousands gather at our southern border, roiling US politics, thequestion arises: why are so many of the asylum-seekers and migrants crossingthe border illegally from three Central American countries in particular: ElSalvador, Honduras, and Guatemala?To begin with, it’s no coincidence that these are the three “most invaded”countries south of the Rio Grande – that is, invaded by the United States andits proxies.The Reagan years saw the apex of US intervention in the region, with fear ofCommunist “infiltration” motivating massive US aid to local despots and right-wingdeath squads...…As tens of thousands gather at our southern border, roiling US politics, thequestion arises: why are so many of the asylum-seekers and migrants crossingthe border illegally from three Central American countries in particular: ElSalvador, Honduras, and Guatemala?To begin with, it’s no coincidence that these are the three “most invaded”countries south of the Rio Grande – that is, invaded by the United States andits proxies.The Reagan years saw the apex of US intervention in the region, with fear ofCommunist “infiltration” motivating massive US aid to local despots and right-wingdeath squads...WW…

The US military announced on Wednesday that it was investigating an air strike on a home near the northern city of Kunduz last week that reportedly killed 14 members of a single family, including eight women and three young children.Reuters Afghan officials confirmed the deaths, which resulted from July 19 combat operations conducted by Afghan forces backed by American air strikes. However, the officials said it was still unclear how the 14 relatives died. US military officials last week confirmed American warplanes bombed the area in support of Afghan forces but, as is usually the case,...…The US military announced on Wednesday that it was investigating an air strike on a home near the northern city of Kunduz last week that reportedly killed 14 members of a single family, including eight women and three young children.Reuters Afghan officials confirmed the deaths, which resulted from July 19 combat operations conducted by Afghan forces backed by American air strikes. However, the officials said it was still unclear how the 14 relatives died. US military officials last week confirmed American warplanes bombed the area in support of Afghan forces but, as is usually the case,...WW…

The job and services protest entered its second week onSunday. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadito have saboteurs among the demonstrators shot, as hemore forces to the southern provinces.Overall, at least 14 people were killed and 366 wereinjured across Iraq:Security forces clashed with protesters attempting toa courthouse in Samawa, where they . At least ,90 of them security personnel.In Basra, a clash erupted between security forces andcivilians who were trying to enter a government building while demonstrating ata nearby oil field. was reported. The fighting alsoin clashes in...…The job and services protest entered its second week onSunday. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadito have saboteurs among the demonstrators shot, as hemore forces to the southern provinces.Overall, at least 14 people were killed and 366 wereinjured across Iraq:Security forces clashed with protesters attempting toa courthouse in Samawa, where they . At least ,90 of them security personnel.In Basra, a clash erupted between security forces andcivilians who were trying to enter a government building while demonstrating ata nearby oil field. was reported. The fighting alsoin clashes in...WW…

The Trump administration’s for the Palestine-Israel has, predictably, gone overlike a lead balloon. So it’s shifting gears. The Washington Post ,“With President Trump’s promised Middle East peace plan stalled, administrationofficials are focusing on improving conditions in the impoverished Gaza Strip– a move that could put political pressure on Palestinian leaders to come tothe negotiating table.”Don’t hold your breath.The “Deal of the Century” was dead on arrival because it was basedon the idea that Saudi Arabia and Egypt would “deliver the Palestinians”on the cheap in return for a more...…The Trump administration’s for the Palestine-Israel has, predictably, gone overlike a lead balloon. So it’s shifting gears. The Washington Post ,“With President Trump’s promised Middle East peace plan stalled, administrationofficials are focusing on improving conditions in the impoverished Gaza Strip– a move that could put political pressure on Palestinian leaders to come tothe negotiating table.”Don’t hold your breath.The “Deal of the Century” was dead on arrival because it was basedon the idea that Saudi Arabia and Egypt would “deliver the Palestinians”on the cheap in return for a more...WW…

Protestsfor a fifth day at the West Qurna oilfields near Basra, where as many as, including two , atmultiple .Demonstrators had been demanding jobs and better services at first, but theprotests ,and at least one person was killed on Monday. Now they are alsothat the police chief be fired, and the person who killed the demonstrator tocome forward.The protests have not greatly impacted oil production atthis or nearby oil fields, but demonstratorsa road leading to the Shalamja border crossing with Iran. Passage to theairport was also .Employees from Lukoil, ExxonMobil, and PetroChina were ,and...…Protestsfor a fifth day at the West Qurna oilfields near Basra, where as many as, including two , atmultiple .Demonstrators had been demanding jobs and better services at first, but theprotests ,and at least one person was killed on Monday. Now they are alsothat the police chief be fired, and the person who killed the demonstrator tocome forward.The protests have not greatly impacted oil production atthis or nearby oil fields, but demonstratorsa road leading to the Shalamja border crossing with Iran. Passage to theairport was also .Employees from Lukoil, ExxonMobil, and PetroChina were ,and...WW…