Age of Obama
US Press Corps Fails Again on Iran
Learning little from the Iraq debacle, the U.S. press corps is repeating its professional lapses on Iran, says Robert Parry. September 30, 2009
G-20 Protesters Faced New Weapons
While America's Right frets about facing repression, it was on display last week against G-20 protesters, says Mike Ferner. September 29, 2009
Intelligence Vets Back Torture Probe
A dozen U.S. intelligence veterans urge President Obama to reject a call from seven ex-CIA directors to stop a torture probe. September 28, 2009
An Insider's View of ACORN
Writer-activist David Swanson explains why the Right despises ACORN --for its aggressive defense of poor communities. September 26, 2009
The Mystique of 'Free Market' Obama
As the Left debates the "real" Barack Obama, media critic Jeff Cohen is troubled by the President's "free market" paeans. September 26, 2009
The Republican War on ACORN
The stampede trampling the poor people's group ACORN ignores the long GOP campaign of dirty tricks, says Jason Leopold. September 25, 2009
WPost Blasts Obama's Missile Reversal
Washington Post neocons are mad that President Obama scrapped a missile shield near Russia, writes Melvin A. Goodman. September 24, 2009
Why Obama Must Demand Openness
President Obama faces pressure to stop a CIA torture inquiry when he should broaden the probe, says Melvin A. Goodman. September 24, 2009
Neocon Judge's History of Cover-ups
Judge Laurence Silberman stopped a suit on U.S. torture in Iraq, reprising his cover-ups of the Reagan years, says Robert Parry. September 23, 2009
Why Not Look Backwards, with Clarity
The Justice Department may be narrowing its inquiry on torture, but Dennis Loo sees reason for a wider probe. September 21, 2009
CIA Torturers Running Scared
Seven ex-CIA directors are telling President Obama to shut down an investigation into torture, writes Ray McGovern. September 19, 2009
What Did Ahmadinejad Really Say?
Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is accused of calling the Holocaust "a lie," but what was the full quote? asks Robert Parry. September 19, 2009
Industries Battle Obama's Reforms
Energy and financial industries take aim at more of President Obama's reform agenda, writes Michael Winship. September 18, 2009
A Bad Vietnam Lesson for Afghanistan
A New York Times op-ed urges Vietnam-style paramilitaries for Afghanistan without the ugly context, says Douglas Valentine. September 17, 2009
Hate Radio Hollows Out America
Right-wing hate radio, now targeting the first black President, is a cancer on American democracy, says Jay Diamond. September 17, 2009
Monopoly Looms on Electronic Voting
The sale of Diebold's election unit to ES&S could leave one company counting 75% of American votes, notes Lisa Pease. September 16, 2009
Challenging Americans on Torture
Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern says Americans must educate themselves on torture and not be "Good Germans." September 15, 2009
Torture First, Justify Afterwards
CIA's former inspector general admits that harsh interrogations preceded written legal guidance, Jason Leopold reports. September 15, 2009
Protest of War Games Prompts Arrests
A weekend protest of war games for young Americans led to arrests of activists and a reporter, writes Linda Milazzo. September 15, 2009
Was the 'Lockerbie Bomber' Framed?
U.S. outrage over release of a Libyan convicted in the PanAm 103 bombing ignores signs he was railroaded, says Morgan Strong. September 14, 2009
Ray McGovern Warns of 'Two CIAs'
Ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern says President Obama may have reason to fear from CIA hardliners, writes Brad Friedman. September 13, 2009
Obama Faces Hard Afghan Choice
With the Afghan War nearly eight years old, President Obama must make a fateful choice on troop levels, says Michael Winship. September 12, 2009
Gaps in Obama's Health Proposal
President Obama signaled that significant health reform might be delayed for years, reports TheRealNews. September 11, 2009
Old Hands Picked for CIA Oversight
Congressional Republicans and the CIA opt for "trusted old hands" for intelligence oversight jobs, says Melvin A. Goodman. September 11, 2009
US Workers Get Short Shrift on Jobs
Since the 1970s, U.S. workers have seen little gain from surging productivity, reports TheRealNews. September 10, 2009
The Speech that Obama Should Give
President Obama hopes a speech to Congress will revive health reform, but Ray McGovern says some strong medicine is needed. September 8, 2009
Careerists Pull Obama to Afghan Mess
Media and political careerists want President Obama to plunge deeper into the Afghan morass, says Melvin A. Goodman. September 8, 2009
At Glenn Beck's Call
Fox News' Glenn Beck pressured the White House to oust Van Jones over a "9/11 truth" petition, David Swanson notes. September 7, 2009
Obama Must Respect Afghan Humanity
President Obama needs new thinking to reverse the poisonous violence of Afghanistan, argues Sherwood Ross. September 7, 2009
Anti-Hillary Movie Tests Legal Limits
A movie attacking Hillary Clinton may prompt a Supreme Court standard for corporate money in politics, writes Michael Winship. September 6, 2009
Mercenaries Hide Costs of War
Washington's use of mercenaries shields the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from their full political costs, writes Sherwood Ross. September 3, 2009
The War on CIA's Inspector General
Stung by the critical torture report, CIA brass undercuts an independent inspector general, writes Melvin A. Goodman. September 3, 2009
Ignoring the Truth about Lockerbie
The furor over the release of a Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing ignores evidence of his innocence, says William Blum. September 3, 2009
Afghanistan for Dummies
President Obama's envoy on Afghanistan is muddled in explaining how to measure the war's success, says Ray McGovern. September 2, 2009
WPost Misses Real Problem at CIA
Lamenting poor CIA morale, the Washington Post misses the years of mismanagement, writes Melvin A. Goodman. September 1, 2009
Cheney May Balk at Torture Probe by Jason Leopold, noting ex-Vice President Dick Cheney's resistance to an inquiry. August 31, 2009
WPost Helps CIA Defend Torture
The Washington Post is back rationalizing the Bush administration's anything-goes "war on terror," writes Ray McGovern. August 30, 2009
WPost Takes the Pro-Torture Side
Ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman says the Washington Post's distorted article on torture shows need for a truth commission. August 30, 2009
WPost Again Plays Torture Apologist
The Washington Post resumes its long defense of Bush administration abuses, writes ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. August 26, 2009
Closing In on the Torturers by Ray McGovern, showing how the Bush administration's torturers have more reasons to worry. (August 26, 2009)
Why the Right's Propaganda Works
The Right's success in selling lies about President Obama's health reform derives from its media clout, writes Robert Parry. August 19, 2009
A Power Equal to a Thousand Words
Filmmaker David Kasper reflects on President Obama's troubling decision to conceal photographic evidence of war crimes. August 18, 2009
Fromme-Peltier: Inequality of Mercy by Dennis Bernstein and Miguel Gavilan Molina, assessing a double standard that keeps Indian activist Leonard Peltier behind bars. (August 18, 2009)
WTimes' Hypocritical Obama-Nazi Slur
The right-wing Washington Times linked Barack Obama to Hitler, but the Times' founder has the real Nazi ties, says Robert Parry. August 17, 2009
Cheney's New Gambit by Ray McGovern, describing ex-Vice President Cheney's self-interested outrage. (August 14, 2009)
The Truth Will Not Out, on Its Own
The hysterias over the Iraq War and now health-care reform suggest truth is a fragile U.S. commodity, writes Robert Parry. August 13, 2009
Palin's 'Death Panels' and GOP Lying by Robert Parry, examining the Republican reliance on made-up charges. (August 11, 2009)
Holder's Torture-Probe Plan Faulted by Jason Leopold, noting the inquiry's limited focus on lower-level operatives. (August 10, 2009)
Al Jazeera Dissects Health-Care Battle
Arab network Al Jazeera says special-interest money has put President Obama's health-care plan on the defensive. August 8, 2009
Al Jazeera Examines US Health Crisis
Arab network Al Jazeera looks at the human suffering behind the American health-care battle, via TheRealNews. (Part 1) August 7, 2009
Ex-CIA Analyst Criticizes State Secrets by Melvin A. Goodman, rejecting excessive claims of secrecy. (August 7, 2009)
Bashing Obama on Taxes
Washington pundits jump to a conclusion that President Obama is breaking his word on middle-class taxes, says Robert Parry. August 3, 2009
Why Obama's Health Plan Falters, by Jeff Cohen, assessing the weakness of the reform message. (August 2, 2009)
How Pay-to-Play Corrupts Washington, by Michael Winship, plumbing the depths of DC's institutional corruption. (August 2, 2009)
Panetta Pleads for No CIA Punishment
CIA Director Leon Panetta pens an op-ed that urges no "retribution" for Bush-era CIA crimes, notes Melvin A. Goodman. August 2, 2009
US Judge Orders Afghan Youth Freed
A federal judge ordered freedom for a young Afghani at Guantanamo, but his future remains in doubt, reports Jason Leopold. July 31, 2009
Incredible Shrinking Health Reform
Democratic disarray on health reform threatens President Obama's broader agenda, reports TheRealNews. July 30, 2009
Obama Faces Carter/Clinton Parallels
After six months in office, Barack Obama confronts dangers that damaged two previous Democratic presidents, writes Robert Parry. July 29, 2009
Holder Ponders Limited Torture Probe
Attorney General Eric Holder may investigate CIA interrogators who went beyond torture parameters, reports Jason Leopold. July 29, 2009
Wall St. Rally Masks Deeper Problems
Stocks are up, but so too are pressures on workers in higher-wage countries, reports TheRealNews. July 28, 2009
Obama, the Great Wealth Creator?
With stocks down in March, Barack Obama was a "great wealth destroyer," so what now with stocks rising, asks Robert Parry. July 27, 2009
US Has New Plan to Hold Afghan Youth
To avoid releasing a young Afghan 'combatant,' the Obama administration moves the case to criminal court, reports Jason Leopold. July 25, 2009
Obama's Health Care 'Waterloo'
Barack Obama's health-care reform faces a powerful array of enemies and some unreliable allies, say Bill Moyers and Michael Winship. July 25, 2009
The Censored Health-Care Option
To the U.S. news media, the health-care option that dare not speak its name is "single-payer," writes David Swanson. July 23, 2009
Can Taxing the Rich Save Health Care?
Conservative Democrats are fighting the idea of a surtax on the rich to help pay for health-care reform, reports TheRealNews. July 23, 2009
Obama Lawyers Shield Cheney on Leak
To shield Dick Cheney, President Obama's lawyers cite what a judge calls a Jon Stewart "Daily Show exemption," says Jason Leopold. July 22, 2009
Christ's Teachings v. US Health Care
One of Jesus Christ's priorities was healing the sick, not making illness a profit center, Rev. Howard Bess notes in this guest essay. July 21, 2009
To Save the Republic, Tax the Rich?
Taxes are a third rail of American politics, but raising taxes on the rich may be needed for the Republic's future, writes Robert Parry. July 20, 2009
Oysters (or Profits) for Health Care
The Surgeon General nominee took oysters for doctoring, but the medical industry wants profits, say Bill Moyers and Michael Winship. July 17, 2009
Pentagon 'Terrorist' List Questioned
The Pentagon's claim that one in seven released Guantanamo prisoners has returned to terrorism lacks details, reports TheRealNews. July 16, 2009
Bush's Hit Teams
George W. Bush may not have gotten a CIA assassination squad going, but he did create military hit teams, Robert Parry reports. July 15, 2009
Cheney Sweats Out the Summer
Despite mild temperatures in Washington, ex-Vice President Dick Cheney is sweating possible investigations, says Ray McGovern. July 14, 2009
Bush Spying Relied on Faulty Theories
Top U.S. government investigators found serious legal abuses in President Bush's electronic spying program, reports Jason Leopold. July 12, 2009
WPost's 'Select Few' Dine on Health Bill
A Washington Post money-making scheme offered health industry lobbyists special access, write Bill Moyers and Michael Winship. July 11, 2009
CIA's History of Lying to Congress
New allegations of the CIA misleading Congress are met by pundit disbelief, but there's a long historical record, notes Lisa Pease. July 10, 2009
Ancient Israeli Myths Deter Peace
Prime Minister Netanyahu's demand that Palestinians accept Israel as a Jewish state raises historical questions, says Robert Parry. July 9, 2009
Inviting George Bush to Talk Torture
Planning a Texas speech on torture, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern invites ex-President George W. Bush to attend. July 8, 2009
Is Texas Harboring Torture Decider?
On his way to give a talk in Texas, ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern had this op-ed spurned by two leading Texas newspapers. July 7, 2009
Confronting a Torture Judge
President Obama won't act, but U.S. citizens confront a legal architect of torture, say Cynthia Papermaster and Susan Harman. July 8, 2009
Obama's Iran Peace Talk Dilemma
Before the disputed election, Iran's leaders floated a Middle East peace idea that President Obama is pondering, reports Robert Parry. July 7, 2009
Republicans, a Threat to the Republic?
Last year, the Republican Party thought Sarah Palin was ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, notes Robert Parry. July 5, 2009
Wealth Inequality Destroys US Ideals
On its 233rd birthday, the American Republic and its ideals of equality are threatened by vast income inequality, writes Don Monkerud. July 4, 2009
Declaration of Indictment
For eight years, George W. Bush violated U.S. laws and trampled on the founding principles of the Republic, says David Swanson. July 4, 2009
Bush-Cheney Linked to CIA Leak Case
While shielding George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, Justice Department lawyers let slip CIA leak case clues, reports Jason Leopold. July 3, 2009
A Buy-Democracy Independence Day
The brutal recession is not only tearing about lives and families, it is threatening the fabric of democracy, writes Graham Rankin. July 3, 2009
Coast-to-Coast Political Gridlock
New York and California are facing political crises driven by a GOP dogma regarding taxes on the wealthy, Michael Winship writes. July 2, 2009
The Bible's Odd Idea of Marriage
Critics of gay marriage say it offends God's "sacred institution," but the Bible is an odd source on the topic, says Rev. Howard Bess. July 2, 2009
Obama 'Bottles Up' Torture Probes
President Obama resists demands for transparency and accountability for George W. Bush's torture crimes, reports TheRealNews. July 2, 2009
Iraq: A Bitter Strategic Failure
Iraqi celebrations over the pullback of U.S. forces marks what looks like an end game to a strategic failure, says Robert Parry. July 1, 2009
Who Sits at the Health-Reform Table?
While single-payer advocates are excluded, pricy medical industry execs are welcome in the health-care debate, Tom Klammer notes. July 1, 2009
Key Bush Torture Lawyers Still at Work
Not all the lawyers implicated in George W. Bush's torture scandal are out of government; at least two remain, notes David Swanson. June 30, 2009
Obama's 'Realism' on Iran
The Iranian election dispute was a test of President Obama's commitment to foreign policy "realism," writes Ivan Eland. June 30, 2009
Giving Diplomacy a Chance
President Obama is under fire for advocating diplomacy, but ex-CIA Station Chief Haviland Smith says it deserves a chance. June 29, 2009
Obama's Troubling Caution on Torture
After releasing four torture memos, President Obama has shied away from pressing the fight, say Diana Gibson and Ray McGovern. June 29, 2009
Obama, They Want You to Fail
The Democrats again are reaching out to Republicans on health-care reform, missing the GOP's core agenda, says Robert Parry. June 29, 2009
Obama's Torture Hypocrisy
President Obama vows to "stand against torture wherever it takes place," but apparently not always, reports Jason Leopold. June 29, 2009 (This is a corrected version of an earlier story.)
Waking Up Is Hard to Do
Five months into the Age of Obama, it looks like troubling business as usual in big media and big politics, writes Pablo Ouziel. June 28, 2009
Dissent as 'Low-Level Terrorism'
The U.S. government has begun conflating dissent with terrorism, much like repressive regimes do, writes Emily Spence. June 26, 2009
A Risky Rush to Judgment on Iran
The neocon Iraq War promoters are back, demanding tough action against Iran for its disputed election, notes Michael Winship. June 26, 2009
Who to Trust on a Truth Commission?
A fatal flaw for a George W. Bush truth commission may be the lack of a Washington "wise man" to tell the truth, says Robert Parry. June 26, 2009
Treading Softly with the CIA's Panetta
CIA Director Leon Panetta's defenders excuse his softness with agency hardliners as self-preservation, writes Melvin A. Goodman. June 25, 2009
False Health-Scare Ad on CNN
A right-wing group is twisting the choice argument on health insurance to deny the choice of a public option, says Robert Parry. June 25, 2009
Iran Divided & the 'October Surprise'
Today's divisions in Iran's leadership date back to secret decisions made to influence a U.S. election in 1980, reports Robert Parry. June 24, 2009
Serving the Medical-Industrial Complex
A new U.S. poll shows 72 percent want a public health insurance option, but Republicans and some Dems say no, says Robert Parry. June 22, 2009
Pushing Obama to Confront Iran
The neocons are back, joining the pundit chorus demanding that President Obama get tough with Iran, as Ivan Eland notes. June 22, 2009
Obama Opposes Plame-gate Release
Barack Obama's lawyers are protecting another Bush-era secret, Dick Cheney's Plame-gate interview, writes Jason Leopold. June 20, 2009
The Disappointing Leon Panetta
Instead of reform, CIA Director Leon Panetta has protected the spy agency's turf, says ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. June 19, 2009
Ray McGovern on Illness and Health
A second bout with a serious illness gives ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern an insight on the need for universal health coverage. June 18, 2009
Taking Sides in Iran
The U.S. news media casts aside objectivity in covering Iran's election despite the real question of who won, says Robert Parry. June 18, 2009
CIA Secret File Tests Obama's Pledge
President Obama must decide on releasing an internal CIA report telling how three detainees died, reports Jason Leopold. June 18, 2009
Flawed Elections: US and Iran
It's easy to throw stones at Iran, but the United States has built a glass house when it comes to secure elections, Lisa Pease says. June 17, 2009
What If Ahmadinejad Really Won?
Many Western journalists assume Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole reelection -- but maybe not, Robert Parry notes. June 15, 2009
Taking a Rational Look at Iran
U.S. policymakers often exaggerate foreign threats and demonize foreign leaders, a process that Ivan Eland sees again in Iran. June 15, 2009
Excusing Outrages of the Right
As the angry American Right ramps up its rhetoric, the U.S. news media mostly looks the other way, Robert Parry says. June 15, 2009
Extremism and Suffering Children
The further radicalizing of U.S. rightists and recent outbursts of violence recall other extremist excesses, writes William John Cox. June 15, 2009
The Silence About Guns
Murder at Washington's Holocaust museum and other attacks fail to stir gun control debate, say Bill Moyers and Michael Winship. June 13, 2009
'Emergent Church' v. Fundamentalism
The stirrings of an "emergent church" are challenging the clout of Christian fundamenalism, writes the Rev. Howard Bess. June 13, 2009
Two Key Health-Care Numbers
Insurance lobbyists want Washington to force 50 million Americans to sign up and stop 119 million from defecting, says Robert Parry. June 11, 2009
Obama Aids Bush's Torture Cover-up
By withholding proof of prisoner abuses, President Obama furthers George W. Bush's cover-up of torture, Jason Leopold writes. June 11, 2009
Tying Obama to Bush's Budget Mess
Republicans blame President Obama for an ocean of red ink, but a study shows most came from President Bush, says Robert Parry. June 10, 2009
GOP's Civil Liberties Hypocrisy
In April, Republicans blasted a Homeland Security report that correctly warned of a surge in right-wing violence, Nat Parry wrote. June 10, 2009
America's Toxic 'Innocence'
With corrupt elites and a self-indulgent culture, the big question is: Can the United States change in time? writes Phil Rockstroh. June 10, 2009
CIA Shifts Reasons for Torture Secrets
CIA Director Leon Panetta says torture documents must be concealed to deny al-Qaeda a propaganda boon, reports Jason Leopold. June 10, 2009
Obama's Era of Openness Is Closed
President Obama pledged an "era" of openness but now is shutting the door on proof of "war on terror" crimes, says Robert Parry. June 9, 2009
Bush/Cheney Pushed Torture on DOJ
E-mails show President Bush and Vice President Cheney leaning on the Justice Department to permit torture, reports Jason Leopold. June 8, 2009
Al Qaeda Adjusts to Obama
After eight years of playing George W. Bush, al Qaeda faces a trickier challenge with Barack Obama, says Ivan Eland. June 8, 2009
119 Million Americans Must Be Wrong
A curious argument against a U.S. public health insurance option is that 119 million Americans want to sign up, notes Robert Parry. June 5, 2009
Obama Fuzzed Up Reality in Speech
President Obama's uplifting speech in Cairo benefited from some gauzy depiction of reality, observes David Swanson. June 5, 2009
Privatizing 'Obama's War'
Mercenaries and other security contractors are expanding their role in Afghanistan, "Obama's War," writes Michael Winship. June 5, 2009
Baucus Still Shuns Single-Payer Option
Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus continues to exclude advocates of a single-payer health plan, reports David Swanson. June 4, 2009
Ronald Reagan: Worst President Ever?
Ronald Reagan is an icon of the Right and wins praise from Democrats, but his real record may be the worst ever, writes Robert Parry. June 3, 2009
Ed Schultz on Obama's Health Plan
Talk-show host Ed Schultz says President Obama would be hurt if he bails on a public health insurance option, reports TheRealNews. June 2, 2009
America's Political/Media Kabuki
Despite President Obama's vow of "change," the U.S. political/media system is stuck in a kabuki-style dance, says Robert Parry. June 1, 2009
The Cap-and-Trade Controversy
A Democratic plan to limit greenhouse gas emission with a cap-and-trade plan has some environmental critics, reports TheRealNews. June 1, 2009
Will Obama End 'War on Drugs'?
The Obama administration has jettisoned the phrase "war on drugs," but will the policy follow suit? asks writer Sherwood Ross. May 31, 2009
Taking a Troubling Measure of Torture
Official Washington, including the pundits, have been slow in coming to grips with torture, say Bill Moyers and Michael Winship. May 30, 2009
'Scaredy-Cat Nation' Risks US Security
The panic over bringing some Guantanamo prisoners to the United States is undercutting President Obama's global credibility and undermining U.S. security interests abroad, reports Robert Parry. May 29, 2009
Keeping Single-Payer Off the Table
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus says all health plans are on the table, except single-payer, reports TheRealNews. May 29, 2009
Fear Trumps Reason on Guantanamo
Bipartisan hysteria about moving Guantanamo inmates to U.S. prisons has spurred a retreat by President Obama, says Ivan Eland. May 28, 2009
Top Ten Ideas to Obama's Outreach
President Obama's outreach efforts are drawing less enthusiasm after he ignored previoius grassroots advice, notes David Swanson. May 28, 2009
Obama Caves to 'Scaredy-Cat Nation'
By advocating "prolonged detentions," President Obama panders to the excessive fears of some Americans, writes Robert Parry. May 27, 2009
The Audacity of Hopelessness
Americans have been taken on a wild and destructive ride by a corrupt financial and political elite, says poet Phil Rockstroh. May 27, 2009
America's 'Emerging Church'
The dominant right-wing voice of Evangelicalism is softening with the rise of an "emerging church," writes the Rev. Howard Bess. May 26, 2009
The War on the Public Health Option
Bill Moyers and Michael Winship assess the power and money imbalance in the war against a public health option, May 26, 2009
Obama's Odd Choice for Afghanistan
President Obama surprised some by pickingGen. Stanley McChrystal to command forces in Afghanistan, reports TheRealNews. May 26, 2009
Colin Powell Skates Free on Torture
Though on the panel that oversaw torture, Colin Powell claims he was out of the loop on much of the policy, writes Robert Parry. May 25, 2009
Think Who Might Be 45th President
Even Barack Obama fans should be alarmed that he may pass on powers that a future President may abuse, warns David Swanson. May 24, 2009
Obama/Cheney Oppose Accountability
In dueling speeches, Barack Obama and Dick Cheney clashed over torture but agreed on no accountability, reports TheRealNews. May 24, 2009
After the Parades and the Picnics
Memorial Day can be a moment of mixed reflections on sacrifice and unnecessary warfare, says pastor Johann Christoph Arnold. May 24, 2009
On Death Row: Murder and Innocence
Dennis Bernstein interviews death row inmate Kevin Cooper whose claims of innocence are shared by some federal judges. May 23, 2009
The CIA's History of Deception
The GOP assault on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists on the fiction that the CIA wouldn't deceive, notes Melvin A. Goodman. May 23, 2009
The Cheney Channel
Is Dick Cheney's angry defense of torture a clever attempt to fend off prosecution, David Swanson asks in this guest essay. May 23, 2009
The GOP's 'Era of Apologizing'
Republican chief Michael Steele says the GOP "era of apologizing" is over, but for Dick Cheney, it hasn't begun, says Robert Parry. May 22, 2009
Cheney Goofs on Israel
Ex-Vice President Dick Cheney let slip an inconvenient truth, how U.S. support for Israel fuels Islamic rage, notes Ray McGovern. May 22, 2009
NYT Helps the Bushies, Again
New York Times spreads Bush propaganda with a flawed story about ex-Guantanamo prisoners rejoining the fight, Robert Parry says. May 21, 2009
Organizing for a Public Health Option
Rather than wait for President Obama, some activists are taking the lead in fighting for a public health option, reports TheRealNews. May 21, 2009
Who to Trust -- Pelosi or the CIA?
Republicans are bashing Nancy Pelosi for "scapegoating" the CIA, but it has a dubious record for truth-telling, reports Jason Leopold. May 20, 2009
Obama May Slide High Court to Right
If President Obama taps safe moderates for the U.S. Supreme Court, the court might slip further to the Right, Jeff Cohen notes. May 20, 2009
Obama's Warfare State
Barack Obama is showing no sign of curtailing the American warfare state as the military budget keeps rising, notes Sherwood Ross. May 20, 2009
The Fight for a Public Health Option
The U.S. health insurance industry is determined to eliminate a public health option in a reform package, reports TheRealNews. May 19, 2009
Knowing 'What's Good for the Country'
Hiding facts for "the good of the country" -- as President Obama is doing with abuse photos -- can cause harm, says Robert Parry. May 17, 2009
A 'Psychic Thrill' for US Empire
Former Reagan administration official Bruce Fein warns against the dangerous allure of Empire, reports TheRealNews. May 17, 2009
Giving Some Love to the Inquisition
A new Republican defense of George W. Bush's torture is to cite how well it worked in the Spanish Inquisition, Robert Parry writes. May 16, 2009
Tortured Logic; Tortured Results
The evidence keeps building that the Bush administration used torture to get "proof" for invading Iraq, as William Loren Katz says. May 14, 2009
The Right Bullied Obama on Photos
Bush defenders pummeled President Obama before his reversal on releasing photos of prisoner abuse, writes Jason Leopold. May 14, 2009
Obama, Pakistan and the Rule of Law
President Obama's policy of firing missiles into Pakistan raises doubts about his commitment to the rule of law, writes Peter Dyer. May 13, 2009
Murtha's Caring Corruption
Rep. John Murtha has helped his family and his constituents by helping the military-industrial complex, says Michael Winship. May 13, 2009
Credit-Card Law Has Painful Impact
A credit-card bill, which would address abuses, is causing banks to rush ahead with interest-rate hikes, writes Brent Budowsky. May 12, 2009
Bloated Empire and the Financial Crash
America's overextended empire contributed to the financial crisis in ways not acknowledged by the U.S. press, says Ivan Eland. May 11, 2009
Hypocrisy Hurts Obama Nuke Goal
President Obama's vision of a world without nuclear weapons is undercut by double standards, reports TheRealNews. May 11, 2009
Republicans Play a New Fear Card
A new GOP scare tactic is to panic Americans into thinking U.S. "super-max" prisons can't hold terror suspects, says Sherwood Ross. May 9, 2009
'Central Front' in the Health-Care War
The health-insurance industry is determined to kill a public option in emerging health-care reform, warns Dr. Margaret Flowers. May 9, 2009
Obama, Autos and Health Care
President Obama's bid to save the U.S. auto industry may hinge on his success in reforming health care, reports TheRealNews. May 8, 2009
Torture? Rudman to the Rescue
Ex-Sen. Warren Rudman, a go-to guy for containing past scandals, is wading into the torture case, Ray McGovern writes. May 6, 2009
Demanding Accountability from Condi
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is under pressure at Stanford for her war-crime role, reports Marjorie Cohn. May 6, 2009
The Unions and the Economy
Pressure on auto unions to take wage cuts could have a rippling effect across the economy, reports TheRealNews. May 6, 2009
'One More Bubble!'
President Obama says America's "bubble" economy must end, but there are powerful forces that have profited enormously from speculative bubbles and don't want things to change, writes Robert Parry. May 4, 2009
Can the Neocons Jump to the Dems?
After damaging the Republican Party, the neoconservatives are eyeing the Democrats as a possible new home, observes Ivan Eland. May 4, 2009
The Iraq War's Other Contractors
The future of the Iraq War may rest on whether former Sunni insurgents continue getting paid, reports Carol Burke. May 4, 2009
Autos at a Dangerous Crossroads
The collapsing U.S. auto industry may drag the economy over the cliff without more dramatic action, reports TheRealNews. May 4, 2009
The Great Autoworkers' Gamble
Agreeing to plans for a streamlined U.S. auto industry, GM and Chrysler workers are gambling their futures, reports TheRealNews. May 3, 2009
Mortgaging the White House
Despite Wall Street's responsibility for the financial crisis, President Obama's key economic aides have close ties to the culprits, as Bill Moyers and Michael Winship note in this guest essay. May 1, 2009
Memo to President Obama on Torture
Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity urges President Obama to back a blue-ribbon investigation into the Bush administration's torture policies to ascertain the full truth. April 29, 2009 (Updated May 1)
Obama's Shaky Ground on Torture
President Obama is under growing pressure to act after admitting the Bush administration committed torture, reports TheRealNews. May 1, 2009
Specter's JFK Specter
Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democrats is widely viewed as political opportunism, a trait that has followed Specter's career since his famous role in probing the JFK assassination, notes Lisa Pease. April 29, 2009
Should Dem Voters Accept Specter?
Democratic leaders are happy to have Sen. Arlen Specter in the fold, but some Pennsylvania Democratic voters would prefer a candidate in 2010 who backs more of their positions, says Stephen Crockett. April 29, 2009
House Dems Seek Special Prosecutor
House Judiciary Committee Democrats urge Attorney General Eric Holder to name a special counsel to investigate whether the Bush administration broke anti-torture laws, Jason Leopold reports. April 29, 2009
Grading Obama's First 100 Days
The "first 100 days" is an artificial measure of a President's performance, but gives commentators a chance to measure Barack Obama against their policy preferences, as Ivan Eland does in this guest essay. April 29, 2009
What Should Obama Do?
President Obama would prefer to look past George W. Bush's torture scandal, but sometimes moral and legal imperatives overwhelm political expediency, says ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. April 26, 2009
Torture and American Exceptionalism
By acknowledging torture but opposing punishments, President Obama is sanctioning American exceptionalism, reports TheRealNews. April 26, 2009
Democrats' 'Battered Wife Syndrome'
For four decades, Washington's political dynamic has been the Republicans acting like an abusive husband and the Democrats like a battered wife, a pattern now repeating itself, reports Robert Parry. April 25, 2009
Needed: Another Ferdinand Pecora
Seeking to understand the Wall Street financial crash, the United States needs someone like Ferdinand Pecora, who dug into the Wall Street abuses that caused the Great Depression, says Michael Winship. April 25, 2009
Real World Reasons Against Torture
Professional FBI interrogators were among those most horrified by George W. Bush's torture techniques for moral, legal and practical reasons, as former FBI agent Coleen Rowley writes in this guest essay. April 24, 2009
How Bush's Torture Helped al-Qaeda
Though George W. Bush's defenders say his torture policies worked, al-Qaeda captives told fake stories about Iraq and bought time for al-Qaeda to regroup in nuclear-armed Pakistan, reports Robert Parry. April 23, 2009
Bush Team Ignored Waterboard Cases
George W. Bush's lawyers found waterboarding to be legal, but Ronald Reagan's Justice Department prosectued a Texas sheriff and his deputies for the practice, notes Jason Leopold. April 23, 2009
On Torture, the Pressure Builds
With the flood of disclosures about the Bush administration's torture policies, President Obama and his legal advisers are under growing pressure to authorize a criminal investigation, says Ray McGovern. April 22, 2009
Connecting CIA Torture to Abu Ghraib
Bush administration memos suggest how the CIA's brutal interrogation methods spread to Iraq and contributed to the costly Abu Ghraib scandal, reports Robert Parry. April 21, 2009
Obama's Tortured Stance on Torture
President Obama's tricky middle course on torture -- stopping the policy but letting the Bush administration off the hook -- doesn't seem to be getting him anywhere, notes Ivan Eland. April 21, 2009
Greedy Bankers Fuel Public Outrage
After taking trillion-dollar federal bailouts, major banks are creating a political firestorm by raising credit-card interest rates and taking other anti-consumer actions, writes Brent Budowsky. April 21, 2009
GOP's Civil Liberties Hypocrisy
Republican lawmakers are furious about a Homeland Security report on the threat of right-wing terrorism, but they didn't complain when the Bush administration targeted left-wing groups, notes Nat Parry. April 20, 2009
Plight of the New World Order - Part 2
Economic dislocations from the worldwide financial crisis raise the chances for violent class warfare, reports TheRealNews. April 19, 2009
The Plight of the New World Order
President Obama may see glimmers of economic hope but the storm ahead could still create a "new world order," reports TheRealNews. April 18, 2009
Somali Pirates v Those of High Finance
The young Somali pirates preying on freighters in the Indian Ocean are pikers in the business of plunder, says Michael Winship. April 18, 2009
How Bush's Tortured Legal Logic Won
President George W. Bush cleared the way for torturing "war on terror" detainees by ensuring that compliant lawyers were in the right spots at the Justice Department, reports Robert Parry. April 17, 2009
Ducking America's Torture Disgrace
The release of four Justice Department "torture" memos offers more proof of Bush administration crimes, but President Obama shies away from prosecutions, as ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman says. April 17, 2009
Bush's Hypocrisy on War Crimes
In March 2003, when Iraqi TV videotaped some captured U.S. soldiers, President George W. Bush said those who abuse captives "will be treated as war criminals," but just not him, Jason Leopold notes. April 16, 2009
Exaggerating China's Military Threat
The Obama administration is doing little to reverse the expensive Cold War containment of China, says Ivan Eland in this guest essay. April 15, 2009
Anatomy of Bush's Torture 'Paradigm'
In explaining how America got on the road to torture, ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern traces the start of the sadistic journey to George W. Bush's tough-guy swagger after 9/11. April 14, 2009
US News Media Fails America, Again
The U.S. news media keeps repeating its old patterns, from the crazy right-wing rants of Glenn Beck and Fox News to the lazy conventional wisdom of John King and David Broder, writes Robert Parry. April 13, 2009
Israeli Scholar Disputes Founding Myth
Israeli historian Shlomo Sand says the Romans never expelled the Jews from ancient Israel and argues that Europe's Jewish populations derived from conversions, not the Diaspora, writes Morgan Strong. April 12, 2009
Re-Fueling the Terrorism Scare
With the "terror industry" now a lucrative business for government contractors, they must come up with new arguments to scare the public, as David Swanson notes in this guest essay. April 12, 2009
America, Torture and Hypocrisy
The newly disclosed Red Cross report on George W. Bush's torture policies represents a challenge to American democracy -- to finally face up to the dark side of recent U.S. history, writes Robert Parry. April 9, 2009
'Let the Railsplitter Awake!'
On Good Friday evening in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth. Now 144 years later, Lincoln's legacy reaches back to the White House, Michael Winship notes. April 9, 2009
Gates's Budget Sleight of Hand
Pentagon chief Robert Gates succeeded in selling his military budget increase as a budget cut, reports TheRealNews. April 9, 2009
Easter Hope: Justice Against Torture
At Easter -- celebrating Jesus's triumph over torture and death -- Ray McGovern hopes Americans will demand that George W. Bush be brought to justice for disgracing the nation with torture and death. April 8, 2009
Bush's CIA Suspected of More Torture
The International Committee of the Red Cross complained that the Bush administration withheld information about what happened to many detainees at CIA secret prisons, Jason Leopold reports. April 8, 2009
Gates's Up-Is-Down Military Budget
The U.S. news media is pushing the notion that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is cutting the military budget, when he's actually seeking another increase in Pentagon spending, says David Swanson. April 8, 2009
The Gates Doctrine for More Wars
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is winning praise for slashing Cold War weapons, but his emphasis on guerrilla warfare may lead to unnecessary bloodshed, notes ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. April 8, 2009
Fixing the Real Wall Street Blame
Despite the grave financial crisis, the U.S. government has ducked a serious inquiry, as Bill Moyers and Michael Winship note. April 7, 2009
Obama's Challenge in Afghanistan
President Obama must convince the Afghans that the US intends to help rebuild the nation, not just wage war, reports TheRealNews. April 7, 2009
Saving Mexico by Legalizing US Drugs
The "drug war" crisis in Mexico might be best resolved by letting American adults buy drugs legally, says Ivan Eland in this guest essay. April 7, 2009
Cowardice in the Time of Torture
By ignoring Vice President Dick Cheney's waterboarding admission, Attorney General Eric Holder is joining a "nation of cowards" who dare not confront torture, writes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. April 5, 2009
Conyers Again Seeks Bush Prosecutor
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers says a criminal probe of alleged Bush administration crimes is needed despite political concerns about upsetting Republicans, writes Jason Leopold. April 5, 2009
WPost Sees Neocon Hope in Obama
The Washington Post's neocon editors chide Barack Obama for dropping George W. Bush's phrase "global war on terror," while supposedly keeping the substance of Bush's policies, notes Robert Parry. April 4, 2009
Miss Universe's Excellent Adventure
The cheery world of Miss Universe collided with the dark planet called Gitmo, as Michael Winship notes in this guest essay. April 3, 2009
'Torture Memo' May Finally Go Public
Despite protests from George W. Bush's last CIA director, the Justice Department appears headed toward releasing the infamous August 2002 "torture memo," reports Jason Leopold. April 3, 2009
Leahy Faults GOP Partisanship on Bush
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy says the insistence of Republican partisans to defend George W. Bush torpedoed plans for a nonpartisan "truth commission," reports Jason Leopold. April 2, 2009
Truth, Crimes, Commissions and Hope
The possible demise of a "truth commission" to examine George W. Bush's war crimes may not be all bad, says David Swanson. April 2, 2009
Leahy Bails on 'Truth Commission' Plan
In a meeting with Vermonters, Sen. Patrick Leahy admitted that his plan for a "truth commission" to examine Bush administration abuses was a non-starter, says Charlotte Dennett in this guest report. April 1, 2009
Bush Aides Changed Watchdog Report
Before leaving office, Attorney General Michael Mukasey and other Bush administration lawyers engineered changes in a watchdog report slamming legal opinions that allowed torture, reports Jason Leopold. April 1, 2009
To Bush's GWOT, RIP
In killing off the phrase "global war on terror," the Obama administration had put one more nail in the coffin of George W. Bush's grandiose imperial presidency, writes Robert Parry. March 31, 2009
Obama Faces Challenges at the G-20
Amid dire warnings, President Obama meets in London with the leaders of the biggest economies, reports TheRealNews. March 31, 2009
The President's Troublesome 'Friends'
In grappling with the worsening Afghan-Pakistani crisis, President Obama must confront Pakistan's shadowy intelligence service, ISI, which has a history of aiding Islamic militants, writes Ivan Eland. March 31, 2009
Democrats Duck Bush Torture Probe
As evidence of George W. Bush's torture crimes grows, national Democrats are shrinking from their demands last year for a special prosecutor to build a war-crimes case, notes Jason Leopold. March 30, 2009
Explaining Bernie Madoff
Was Bernie Madoff an evil world-class swindler, or was he just an extreme example of a greed-obsessed culture that had lost its way, as the Rev. Howard Bess argues in this guest essay? March 30, 2009
Welcome to Vietnam, Mr. President
Barack Obama agreed to a military escalation in Afghanistan, accepting advice of military advisers in a move reminscent of earlier presidents being lured into Vietnam, says ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. March 28, 2009
No Angry Mob, But a Movement
Finally, the American people are challenging the elites who misled the nation into a string of disasters, notes Michael Winship. March 27, 2009
Lost History Hurts Obama's Iran Bid
The message exchange between President Barack Obama and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was undercut by the lost -- or secret -- history between the two countries, writes Robert Parry. March 26, 2009
Laissez Unfair
For decades, Americans were sold on laissez-faire capitalism with few government regulations, but now they're discovering that it was laissez unfair, as Brent Budowsky notes in this guest essay. March 24, 2009
The Iraq War's Six Years of Mayhem
The Iraq War passes its sixth anniversary with too little attention paid to the real lessons learned, writes David Swanson. March 22, 2009
How to Really Hit Back at Wall Street
Brent Budowsky urges banning political donations from bailed-out banks and bringing back Eliot Spitzer. March 21, 2009
Framing Obama -- by the WPost
The neocon tilt of the Washington Post's opinion section has spread into the news columns where issues facing President Obama are often "framed" in the most negative way, writes Robert Parry. March 19, 2009
Torture Revealed Yet Again
The proof of George W. Bush's crimes continues to build, including new revelations about his administration's use of torture, but the will to act on the evidence is lacking, as David Swanson notes. March 19, 2009
Indentured Servants, Circa 2009
As the United States struggles through a severe recession, anger is building toward "illegal aliens" -- making a bad situation for immigrant workers even worse, writes Barbara Koeppel. March 18, 2009
CIA's Panetta Is Falling Short
Rather than challenging the CIA's culture of corruption, new director Leon Panetta appears to be joining the club and looking the other way, writes ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman in this guest essay. March 18, 2009
Gates Carries Over Iraq-WMD Lie
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a holdover from the Bush administration, is continuing the old canard that faulty intelligence on Iraq's WMD caused the war, notes ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. March 14, 2009
War Crimes & American Rejectionism
As the law of war evolved, U.S. leaders played key roles -- until recent years when American rejectionism became the rule, repudiating efforts to hold Washington accountable, writes Peter Dyer. March 13, 2009
Israel Lobby Knocks Out Freeman
The Israel Lobby laid down a marker on the limits of Washington's Middle East debate by forcing out Chas Freeman, a top U.S. intel appointee, notes ex-CIA analyst Melvin A. Goodman. March 12, 2009
Who's Pro-Life?
For decades, many Americans have considered Democrats "pro-abortion" and Republicans "pro-life," but in this guest essay, Lynne Gillooly argues that the truth is quite different. March 12, 2009
Can Obama's Change Find El Salvador?
A quarter century after Ronald Reagan made El Salvador a bloody frontline in the Cold War, Salvadoran leftist rebels-turned-politicians hope to finally gain the presidency, Don North reports. March 11, 2009
Oh, What a Lovely Class War!
Despite evidence that America's rich are winning the class war against everyone else, the Right trots out the "class warfare" lament when there's talk of rolling back tax cuts, Michael Winship says. March 11, 2009
Timidity Derails Obama Intel Choice
Faced with staunch opposition from the Israel Lobby, the Obama administration pulls Chas Freeman's appointment to a senior intelligence position, ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern writes. March 11, 2009
The Neocons Strike Back
The neoconservatives have flexed their continuing muscle in Washington by beating back the appointment of a veteran diplomat who criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinians, Robert Parry reports. March 11, 2009
Finally, Putting Country First
Despite America's grave financial crisis, many key players in Washington and on Wall Street remain stuck in their self-interests, unwilling to do what's best for the country, writes Brent Budowsky. March 10, 2009
Obama's DNI Urged to Back Freeman
A group of intelligence professionals urge Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair to resist the neocon war on Chas Freeman. March 10, 2009
The Threat to Obama's Presidency
The U.S. news media -- with its continued tilt to the Right -- has become the most dangerous threat to Barack Obama's presidency and its reformist goals, writes Robert Parry. March 9, 2009
Ray McGovern on Gov't Accountability
A video of former CIA analyst Ray McGovern explaining why there must be accountability for Bush-era crimes. March 9, 2009
Bush Boasted about Tortured Captive
In late 2002, as President George W. Bush boasted of capturing a Saudi national named al-Nashiri, the alleged USS Cole plotter was being waterboarded, a document reveals, reports Jason Leopold. March 8, 2009
Obama Avoids Foreign Base Cuts
President Barack Obama is showing no sign that he will take a budget knife to America's foreign military bases, reports TheRealNews. March 8, 2009
Neocons Wage War on a 'Realist'
President Obama's choice of former Ambassador Chas Freeman to oversee U.S. intelligence estimates has touched off a jihad by neocons against a person they decry as a "realist," writes Robert Parry. March 6, 2009
The Strategic Loss in Iraq
Despite an extension of the U.S. military occupation, the Iraq War is likely to end in an Iranian victory, reports TheRealNews. March 6, 2009
Iran in the Crosshairs
President Barack Obama's first major international crisis may be provoked by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu's determination to strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, say Gareth Porter and Ray McGovern. March 4, 2009
Obama's Iraq War Commitment
President Obama's plan to end the Iraq War has troubling indications of a longer commitment, reports TheRealNews. March 3, 2009
CIA Destroyed More Torture Videos
The CIA admits to a much higher number of destroyed videotapes -- 92 -- that recorded waterboarding and other harsh interrogation of "war on terror" detainees, reports Jason Leopold. March 2, 2009
America's 'House of Credit Cards'
The decline in the American labor movement and other pressures led to a U.S. economy over-reliant on credit, reports TheRealNews. March 1, 2009
Obama's War with the Right (& Media)
U.S. news outlets twisted the 6.2 percent drop in GDP for the fourth quarter as a negative for Barack Obama, while forgetting to mention that George W. Bush was still President, notes Robert Parry. February 28, 2009
Good Lives in Bad Times
Michael Winship looks at the remarkable lives of three people who died in the crash of a commuter plane near Buffalo. February 28, 2009
What's Behind the Economic Mess
Economist Richard Wolff says the reason for the economic crisis is more than mistakes made, reports TheRealNews. February 28, 2009
Can You Trust the Republicans?
Republicans insist their opposition to Barack Obama's program is motivated by principle, not politics, but they have amassed a long record of lying to the American people, reports Robert Parry. February 27, 2009
Leahy, Pelosi Differ on Bush Probe
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agree on investigating Bush administration abuses but differ on granting immunity, reports Jason Leopold. February 26, 2009
Calls to Shut School of the Americas
Former Latin American political prisoners are urging President Obama to shut the School of the Americas, reports TheRealNews. February 26, 2009
The Two-Sided Afghan Trap
Ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern looks at the Afghan trap that now draws in President Obama. From TheRealNews. February 26, 2009
The GOP's Anti-Obama Propaganda
Facing broad public support for Barack Obama and his agenda, Republicans have turned to Newt Gingrich's old strategies of destruction to find a route back to power, writes Robert Parry. February 25, 2009
JFK, FDR and 'Seven Days in May'
Two of Barack Obama's presidential idols -- John Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt -- faced challenges from powerful interests that inspired the novel, Seven Days in May, notes Lisa Pease. February 24, 2009
Obama Ponders Pakistani Puzzle
President Obama faces a complex challenge in addressing unrest and instability in Pakistan, reports TheRealNews. February 24, 2009
Obama Signals 'Bush-Lite' on Liberties
After a promising start rolling back George W. Bush's imperial presidency, Barack Obama gives mixed signals, says Ivan Eland. February 24, 2009
Yoo's Memos Gave Retroactive Cover
A draft Justice Department report criticizes former Bush lawyer John Yoo for taking legal shortcuts in coming up with memos that justified harsh interrogation of detainees, reports Jason Leopold. February 23, 2009
Russia Plays Iran Card with Obama
Russia delays a defensive missile sale to Iran in a diplomatic dance with the new Obama administration, reports TheRealNews. February 23, 2009
Anti-Gay Bias Should Anger Christians
Denunciation of gays has become a Christian Right core value, but Baptist minister Howard Bess says the bigotry must end. February 23, 2009
Capital Hypocrisy Rooted in Money
The U.S. financial meltdown is exposing some friends of the powerful in scams, notes Michael Winship in this guest essay. February 23, 2009
Obama's 'Seven Days in May' Moment
Just one month into his presidency, Barack Obama faces a growing array of very powerful enemies, much like the fictional President in "Seven Days in May," writes Robert Parry. February 20, 2009
Prosecution for Bush War Crimes
The collapse of George W. Bush's torture defense -- that the lawyers okayed it -- is confronting the Obama administration with a stark choice on the rule of law, writes Marjorie Cohn. February 20, 2009
Gunplay, a Chimp & the Presidency
A New York Post cartoon showing police who had just killed a chimp that had written the economic stimulus bill raises some historic worries about race and violence, writes William Loren Katz. February 19, 2009
The US Media & Democracy in Crisis
While some see the decline of U.S. newspapers as largely their own fault, the danger to American democracy is that this trend will increase the influence of the right-wing media, says Robert Parry. February 19, 2009
US Generals Oppose Obama on Iraq
President Obama is encountering resistance for top U.S. military commanders about leaving Iraq, reports TheRealNews. February 19, 2009
'Bitter' Gore; 'Principled' McCain
In another double standard, the U.S. news media treats John McCain's attacks on Barack Obama as principled, but Al Gore's criticism of George Bush was driven by bitterness, writes Robert Parry. February 18, 2009
Needed NBC Series: 'Catch a Cheney'
Instead of ambushing sex perverts and accused foreign leaders, NBC might want to use those surprise tactics against American war criminals like Cheney and Kissinger, says Jeff Cohen. February 17, 2009
Obama Seeks Deal on Bush Privilege
Barack Obama's Justice Department wants Congress and ex-Bush administration aides to work out a deal on the former President's broad executive privilege claims, reports Jason Leopold. February 17, 2009
The Price of America's Prison Gulags
For three decades, the United States has followed a path of tough criminal sentences leading to a brutal, costly and inefficient prison system, says the Independent Institute's Anthony Gregory. February 17, 2009
Obama & the Media Dilemma
Amid George W. Bush's power, the U.S. news media favored Republicans because they were in charge; now, GOP guests are favored because the Democrats are in charge, notes Robert Parry. February 16, 2009
Can Obama Make the Tough Choices?
Leading progressives worry that Barack Obama is too much the captive of his centrist economic advisers, reports TheRealNews. February 16, 2009
Republicans Bet on America's Failure
With their near-solid opposition to Barack Obama's stimulus bill, the Republicans are betting on the plan's failure to pull the U.S. out of a deep recession, writes Brent Budowsky. February 16, 2009
Torture Report Erodes Bush's Defense
A critical report by a Justice Department watchdog undercuts George W. Bush's claim that he is innocent of war crimes because he was relying on honest legal advice, writes Jason Leopold. February 15, 2009
Obscene Wealth Can Be a Deadly Sin
Disgusted by Wall Street excesses, Americans are beginning to readjust their concept of immorality to elevate greed over other deadly sins, writes Baptist minister Howard Bess. February 14, 2009
The Oligarchy's Bailout Ball
One of the obstacles to straightening out America's financial mess is the resistance among Wall Street oligarchs to any big dent in their extravagant lifestyles, notes Michael Winship. February 14, 2009
What About Military Spending?
The taboo topic on reining in federal spending often is the Pentagon's bloated budget, reports TheRealNews. February 14, 2009
The Ultra-Radical Republicans
TV talking heads treat the Republican over-use of the filibuster as the natural way of things, but it is really a radical deviation from the way American democracy has worked, writes Robert Parry. February 13, 2009
Conyers Subpoenas Rove, Again
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has set a deadline of Feb. 23 for ex-White House aide Karl Rove to testify about the firing of nine federal prosecutors, Jason Leopold reports. February 13, 2009
New Details on Torture Deaths
The Pentagon released documents on how several prisoners in Afghanistan died under brutal interrogation as the Bush administration was toughening its methods in 2002, reports Jason Leopold. February 12, 2009
The Case for a G.W. Bush Memorial
David Swanson takes a satirical look at die-hard George W. Bush fans making the case for a monument to honor their hero. February 12, 2009
The Fallacies of a 'Truth Commission'
Democratic leaders favor a factfinding panel over a prosecutor to avoid a confrontation with Republicans over former President Bush's crimes -- a bad deal, argues David Swanson in this guest essay. February 11, 2009
The GOP's Jihad on Obama
With self-described Taliban tactics -- and a hand-me-down playbook from 1993 -- the Republicans are determined to crush the Obama presidency in its infancy, reports Robert Parry. February 10, 2009
A Government of Laws, Not of Men
Official Washington is shying away from holding George W. Bush accountable for his crimes, but Peter Dyer says this challenge must be embraced as a chance to restore the Republic. February 10, 2009
Leahy Calls for Truth Commission
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy urged a fact-finding commission to examine the Bush administration's abuses, as a substitute for prosecutions, reports Jason Leopold. February 9, 2009
The GOP's Filibuster Hypocrisy
Just three years ago, the Republicans decried filibusters as an unjust tool to frustrate President Bush's agenda; now in the minority, they find it a treasured American tradition, notes Robert Parry. February 9, 2009
Gambling at Revolving-Door Roulette
The revolving-door case of Tom Daschle shows how seductive the lure of K Street can be, says Michael Winship. February 7, 2009
How Grim the Economic Downturn
The U.S. financial crisis is dragging down Great Britain and other nations of Europe, reports TheRealNews. February 7, 2009
Panetta Is Deferential to Republicans
CIA director-nominee Leon Panetta tried not to ruffle any Republican feathers at his confirmation hearings, even nodding to some longtime GOP canards, writes Ray McGovern. February 6, 2009
Why Not Cut Military Spending?
The neocons are gearing up for a new fight to stop even modest cuts in U.S. military spending, but in this guest essay, David Swanson argues for major reductions in the bloated Pentagon budget. February 5, 2009
Is Peace No Longer an Option?
Given the momentum behind endless war, it is now an open question whether peace can ever be an option -- whatever President Barack Obama wants, Norman Solomon says in this guest essay. February 4, 2009
Gen. Keane's Iraq War Conflicts
Retired Gen. Jack Keane has conflicts in his work for arms contractors and his fight to extend the Iraq War, says TheRealNews. For the print story by Gareth Porter, click here. February 4, 2009
The Petraeus Plot Against Obama
Gen. David Petraeus and other military leaders are reportedly scheming to block President Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan, says TheRealNews. For the print story by Gareth Porter, click here. February 3, 2009
First, Jail All Bush's Lawyers
Attorney General Eric Holder might start fulfilling his pledge to "support and defend the Constitution" by squeezing George W. Bush's lawyers who justified torture and other crimes, writes Robert Parry. February 3, 2009
Accepting the End of the US Empire
The American imperial elite remains in denial about the reality of its declining power, but this group still has the influence to take the nation over the cliff, as Ivan Eland notes in this guest essay. February 3, 2009
Obama's Afghanistan Dilemma
Barack Obama faces some hard choices in handling the worsening conflict in Afghanistan, reports TheRealNews. February 3, 2009
More Pressure for Bush Torture Probe
The Obama administration is facing mounting demands from the public and Congress to conduct a serious investigation of torture and other abuses by the Bush administration, Jason Leopold reports. February 2, 2009
Internal Threats to Obama's Iran Policy
Barack Obama has promised a less threatening approach to Iran, but some top advisers don't agree, says TheRealNews analysis. February 2, 2009
'Superman' Obama on MS Mag's Cover
Feminist MS magazine took the unusual step of putting Barack Obama, in a "Superman" pose, on its cover, TheRealNews notes. February 2, 2009
How Unions Tried to Save US Autos
Years ago, labor unions urged the U.S. auto industry to go for smaller cars and national health insurance, TheRealNews reports. February 1, 2009
The Bad Bank v. Good Bank Option
A new scheme for bailing out U.S. banks is for taxpayers to accept all the bad mortgages in a "bad bank," but there is another option for the U.S. government to start a "good bank," says Brian Barger. January 30, 2009
GOP Schools Obama on Partisanship
Barack Obama's post-partisanship ran head-long into united Republican opposition to his $819 billion stimulus bill, the latest indication that the GOP wants the new President to fail. January 29, 2009
New Bush/Rove Privilege Fight Looms
George W. Bush is signaling that he intends to extend his broad claims of executive privilege into his post-presidency by keeping political guru Karl Rove from testifying to Congress, writes Jason Leopold. January 27, 2009
The Republic Needs Bush's Prosecution
Despite Official Washington's eagerness to move on, the future of the American Republic requires that George W. Bush and others face the rule of law, argues Ivan Eland in this guest essay. January 27, 2009
Europe Hopes Obama Shifts on 'Terror'
European officials see a good chance for shrinking the Islamic terrorist threat if Barack Obama abandons George W. Bush's alarmist rhetoric and unrealistic strategy, reports Don Ediger. January 26, 2009
With Bush Gone, Time to Exhale
Barack Obama's Inauguration has lifted the spirits of many who have been gritting their teeth during George W. Bush's eight years, as Vincent Guarisco notes in this guest essay. January 26, 2009
Bush's Faith-Based Gravy Train
George W. Bush's legacy includes institutionalized subsidies for Christian Right groups working under the Faith-Based Initiative that Barack Obama has vowed to continue, notes Rev. Howard Bess. January 25, 2009
Civil Libertarians Praise Obama Moves
Barack Obama got generally high marks for his initial steps on Guanatanamo and torture, TheRealNews reports. January 25, 2009
George W. Bush's Sci-Fi Disaster
George W. Bush's presidency could be viewed as a science-fiction disaster movie -- aliens seizing control, plundering the planet and then forced out by celebrating humans, writes Robert Parry. January 24, 2009
A Different March on Washington
The millions who converged on Washington for Barack Obama's Inaugural marked a different kind of march on Washington than had been common since the Vietnam War, writes Michael Winship. January 24, 2009
Democrats Inch Toward Torture Probe
To the surprise of progressives and consternation of Republicans, top Democrats are backing the idea of investigating torture and other crimes under George W. Bush, reports Jason Leopold. January 23, 2009
Mitchell's Appointment Marks Change
Barack Obama's choice of former Sen. George Mitchell to spearhead a new Middle East peace initiative indicates a new seriousness about that goal, writes Brent Budowsky in this guest essay. January 23, 2009
US-Afghan Strategy Still Muddled
The Obama administration plans to bolster U.S. forces in Afghanistan but the strategy remains murky, TheRealNews reports. January 23, 2009
Obama Unwinds the 'War on Terror'
In his first days, President Obama is rolling back George W. Bush's "war on terror" policies, TheRealNews reports. January 23, 2009
Obama Frees Bush Historical Records
On his first full day in office, President Barack Obama revoked the Bush Family's authority to control documents relating to 20 years of American history, writes Robert Parry. January 22, 2009
Jimmy Carter's Wise Counsel
The odd man out among living ex-Presidents is Jimmy Carter, but he may be the one with the best foreign and domestic advice for President Barack Obama, says Ivan Eland in this guest essay. January 21, 2009
Historical Mystery of Bush's Presidency
As Americans rejoice at the arrival of Barack Obama -- and the departure of George W. Bush -- there remains the troubling question of how Bush's presidency happened at all, Robert Parry notes. January 20, 2009
Dangerous Words: 'War on Terror'
A simple phrase, "War on Terror," was at the heart of George W. Bush's wrongdoing, Christiane Brown says in a guest essay. January 19, 2009
Bush's Only Gift to America
George W. Bush leaves behind a much weaker America than he inherited, but that painful reality contains an important lesson on the need for truth and accountability, writes Robert Parry. January 17, 2009
Bush's Deficit May Doom America
The fiscal mess that George W. Bush is leaving behind may complete America's transformation from a great republic to a banana republic, as Robert Higgs notes in this guest essay. January 15, 2009
An Empire That America Can't Afford
Though the unipolar moment has passed for the American Empire, Barack Obama is having trouble coming to grips with this new reality, Ivan Eland observes in this guest essay. January 13, 2009
Obama Waffles on Torture Prosecution
Barack Obama indicates he will repudiate many of George W. Bush's "war on terror" policies but probably will not pursue prosecutions for torture and other crimes, Jason Leopold writes. January 12, 2009
WPost Again Flacks for Bush's Crimes
In a remarkably one-sided "news" article, the Washington Post warns Barack Obama to tread softly in seeking any accountability for the Bush administration's torture policies, Robert Parry writes. January 10, 2009
How the CIA Handles the WPost
CIA insiders have demonstrated again how they can manipulate the Washington Post to push an agenda, like opposing Leon Panetta to run the spy agency, Melvin A. Goodman writes. January 9, 2009
Obama Picks a Conscience for the CIA
Barack Obama put traits of personal integrity and political courage over hands-on intelligence experience in picking Leon Panetta to head the CIA, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern writes. January 8, 2009
Making 'Duck Soup' Out of Today
The Marx Brothers classic "Duck Soup" expressed the madness of an earlier time that has striking parallels to today, says Bill Moyers and Michael Winship in this guest essay. January 2, 2009
Two Dangerous Bush-Cheney Myths
George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are trying to keep some shine on their eight-year reign by pushing two key myths: that torture saved lives and the "surge" saved Iraq, writes Robert Parry. December 26, 2008
Washington Needs a Makeover
Despite Barack Obama's election and a broad Democratic victory, there is slim chance for real change unless Washington gets a much bigger makeover, says Robert Parry. December 24, 2008
Democrats Need Their Own Cheney
Vice President Dick Cheney stands proudly behind his role in prisoner abuse and warrantless wiretaps, but top Democrats don't seem to stand up for much of anything, notes Brent Budowsky. December 23, 2008
Deterring Torture Through the Law
Bush administration defenders say no one should be held to account for torture because criminal intent was lacking, but former FBI agent Coleen Rowley and ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern disagree. December 20, 2008
Obama Triangulates His 'Base'
Washington pundits are hailing Barack Obama's outreach to the center and right as clever politics, but Brent Budowsky sees troubling signs of Clinton-style "triangulation." December 20, 2008
Bush's Blind Eye to Afghan Corruption
George W. Bush has assured the Afghan government that Barack Obama will continue strong U.S. support, but the guarantee misses the point of Afghan's crippling corruption, Michael Winship notes. December 20, 2008
Ray McGovern on US-Russia Relations
Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern discusses how Barack Obama should approach Russia. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 19, 2008
Obama v. Washington Mythmaking
Barack Obama is facing an early challenge whether to confront Washington's culture of deception or succumb to it, with a first test over Iraq troop levels, writes Robert Parry. December 18, 2008
Secrecy Worsens Wall Street Mess
While throwing trillions of dollars at the Wall Street crisis, the Fed and the White House are providing few details, continuing the secrecy that has caused so much trouble, Brent Budowsky writes. December 17, 2008
Iraqi Elites Fight for Power
Provincial elections in late January 2009 may be the next big test for Iraq. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 17, 2008
Obama and US-Russia Tensions
President-elect Barack Obama's choices of Robert Gates at Defense and Hillary Clinton at State suggest continuation of policies that have strained U.S.-Russian relations. December 14, 2008
Ray McGovern on Obama's Risky Path
Ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern warns of dangers ahead for Barack Obama's War Cabinet. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 14, 2008
The Bigger Pay-to-Play Picture
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich may have been crass, but his pay-to-play corruption is nothing new to Washington or Wall Street, observes Brent Budowsky in this guest essay. December 13, 2008
Will Obama Buy Torture-Lite?
Barack Obama is getting advice from a senior Democrat to retain George W. Bush's intelligence chiefs and to accept some alternative interrogation methods, notes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. December 11, 2008
Ray McGovern Discusses Gates
Ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern reflects on his ambitious former colleague Robert Gates. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 6, 2008
Obama's Familiar Orbit of Advisers
Though millions of American voters cast ballots for "change" one month ago, the c-word that they now are facing is "continuity," as Michael Winship observes in the guest essay. December 4, 2008
Saving US Autos the American Way
Is there a way to save the U.S. auto industry, protect the environment and make money for the taxpayers? In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky argues that there is. December 4, 2008
Obama v. King, on War and Peace
Barack Obama often cites Martin Luther King's line about "the fierce urgency of now," but ignores the context -- King's warning that the United States must turn away from war, notes Peter Dyer. December 3, 2008
Obama's Empire Lite
Barack Obama's foreign policy team indicates more continuity than change. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 3, 2008
Thinking Bigger on US Autos
As U.S. auto executives return to Washington with their hands out, this guest essay by William John Cox suggests that more drastic steps be considered to save the industry. December 2, 2008
Obama's 'Centrist' Security Team
Barack Obama has named a national security team that suggests only modest changes. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. December 2, 2008
Holder Must Balance Security, Rights
Attorney General-designate Eric Holder must readjust the balance between security and rights -- and restore confidence in the Justice Department, says Jason Leopold. December 2, 2008
Obama's Risky 'Team of Rivals'
Barack Obama reportedly seeks to emulate Abraham Lincoln in appointing "a team of rivals" to key positions, but Lisa Pease notes that the same strategy caused John F. Kennedy major trouble. December 1, 2008
Obama's Fateful Choice of Gates
Showing little gratitude, Defense Secretary Robert Gates acted as if he was the one doing a favor for Barack Obama by agreeing to stay on in the top Pentagon job, writes Robert Parry. December 1, 2008
The Establishment's Thanksgiving
In Barack Obama's transition, the Washington Establishment has found a lot to be thankful for, expecting to get Robert Gates and other favorites into key foreign policy jobs, writes Robert Parry. November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving Check on America's Food
America's food supply was not a big part of this year's political debate, but perhaps it should have been, according to writer Michael Pollan as cited in this guest essay by Michael Winship. November 27, 2008
Obama Can End Iraq War 'Responsibly'
If Barack Obama meant what he said about ending the Iraq War "responsibly," he would demand that George W. Bush and other war architects take responsibility, writes Peter Dyer. November 26, 2008
Washington Old Guard Wins on Gates
In the campaign, Barack Obama vowed to "end the mindset" behind the Iraq War, but now having that mindset -- as with Robert Gates -- seems a prerequisite for a job, notes Brent Budowsky. November 26, 2008
Seeking Integrity at the CIA
Underlying many of the national security crises facing the United States has been the loss of integrity in the intelligence community, where politics has trumped sound analysis, writes Ray McGovern. November 26, 2008
Obama, Ask the Kremlin about Gates
Before retaining Robert Gates at the Pentagon, Barack Obama might want to ask the Kremlin exactly what it claims to have in its intelligence files about Gates and a 1980 scandal, notes Robert Parry. November 25, 2008
Does Obamanomics Equal Change?
Barack Obama is turning to Clinton-era experts to fix a banking mess they helped create. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 25, 2008
Iraq War Foes Get Short Shrift
In the three weeks since Barack Obama's election, hawkish Democrats and some pro-war Republicans have fared better in the job hunt than people who opposed the Iraq War early, says Robert Parry. November 24, 2008
Gates and the Urge to Surge
Maneuvering to keep his job, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is applying the politically popular word "surge" to Barack Obama's position on Afghanistan, notes ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern. November 23, 2008
Obama's Threat to al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda's lashing out at Barack Obama as a "house slave" suggests a real concern. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 21, 2008
What Must Be Done Now!
America's media asymmetry -- tilted from vacuous mainstream to ideological right -- contributed to today's crises and must be addressed for real change to be possible, writes Robert Parry. November 20, 2008
Obama Team Tilts Toward Gates
Despite protests from rank-and-file Democrats, Washington insiders surrounding Barack Obama are pushing him to keep pro-Iraq War Robert Gates on at Defense, reports Jason Leopold. November 20, 2008
Robert Gates: As Bad as Rumsfeld?
Some Democrats are urging President-elect Obama to retain Defense Secretary Robert Gates, but ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern asks whether Gates is really better than his reviled predecessor. November 19, 2008
Detroit-Washington Shotgun Wedding
If GM and other struggling U.S. automakers are to get a federal bailout, they finally may have to accept limits on their irresponsible behavior, notes Brian Barger. November 18, 2008
A View of Obama from Middle Earth
All over the world -- including exotic New Zealand -- there's excitement about Barack Obama's election, says Michael Winship. November 18, 2008
An FDR War Cabinet
Facing unprecedented crises, Barack Obama needs an extraordinarily talented war Cabinet like the one Franklin Delano Roosevelt assembled, writes Brent Budowsky in this guest essay. November 18, 2008
Obama Risks Clinton-Era Mistakes
The rumored appointments of Hillary Clinton at State and Robert Gates at Defense suggest Barack Obama is making the same missteps that tripped up Bill Clinton in his first year, writes Robert Parry. November 17, 2008
Winners and Losers at the G-20
Amid the U.S.-provoked financial crisis, new world economic leaders are emerging. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 18, 2008
World Leaders Punt on Economic Crisis
The G-20 debated the economic crisis, but left action to next year and President Obama. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 17, 2008
A Lame-Duck Economic Summit
World leaders head to Washington for an economic summit with lame-duck George W. Bush. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 14, 2008
Lieberman's Weak Record on Oversight
Sen. Joe Lieberman is under fire for disloyalty to Democrats, but another problem is his committee's failure to provide strong oversight of the Bush administration, reports Jason Leopold. November 13, 2008
The Danger of Keeping Robert Gates
According to press reports, President-elect Obama is considering keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates, but Obama first might want to examine Gates's record, writes Robert Parry. November 13, 2008
Obama: Beware the Lessons of '93
President-elect Obama is being told to forego investigations of George W. Bush's war crimes, but he should recall how the last Democratic President got burned with similar advice, writes Robert Parry. November 11, 2008
Obama's Hard Part: Real Change
Barack Obama must decide how much change he will seek -- safe centrist or more dramatic. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 10, 2008
Can the Republicans Change?
Despite hope for more bipartisanship after Barack Obama's victory, the hard truth may be that Republicans are so wedded to slash-and-burn politics that they can't change, writes Robert Parry. November 9, 2008
President-elect's Queries to Briefers
Normally, U.S. intelligence briefers alert top officials to what's most pressing in the world. But former CIA briefer Ray McGovern suggests that President-elect Obama ask a few questions of his own. November 7, 2008
Obama Shows the Future, the Past
Barack Obama's election shed light on a hopeful future but also on a dark past, writes Michael Winship in this guest essay. November 7, 2008
Obama Demands Iraq War Changes
In one of his first acts as President-elect, Barack Obama is demanding input into the proposed "status-of-forces agreement" that will govern future U.S. troop levels in Iraq, reports Jason Leopold. November 7, 2008
Who Is Rahm Emanuel?
Barack Obama has named Rahm Emanuel the White House chief of staff. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 7, 2008
Party Chairmen Differ on Election
The heads of the Democratic and Republican parties have different takes on Election 2008. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. November 6, 2008
At the White House, an Obama Party
Young Americans poured into the streets near the White House, celebrating both the victory of Barack Obama and the repudiation of George W. Bush, reports Robert Parry. November 5, 2008
Fear and Racism on the Campaign Trail
A top aide to John McCain called southern Virginia the "real Virginia," but it has become a target of Barack Obama's campaign, confronting generations of racism and distrust, reports Brian Barger. November 3, 2008
The American Republic in the Balance
Beyond the silliness of Campaign 2008, there rests a momentous issue: whether George W. Bush's neocon vision for world conflict and for an imperial presidency will be ratified or rejected. November 3, 2008
Health Care and the Candidates
America's health care is wildly cost-ineffective. But would the candidates' plans make it better? Watch TheRealNews.com's video. October 31, 2008
Two Troubling Election Arguments
Eight years ago, many on the American Left rejected the idea of voting for "lesser-evil" Al Gore and contributed to the "election" of George W. Bush. Some of the same arguments are back today. October 29, 2008
The A-Word Intrudes on Campaign '08
The angry rhetoric of the McCain-Palin campaign and the arrest of two "white power" advocates have injected concerns about assassination into Campaign 2008, writes William Loren Katz. October 28, 2008
Military Voices Like Colin Powell's
Like Gen. Colin Powell, other Republican military voters are breaking with John McCain over his rashness to commit U.S. troops to dubious conflicts, as film producer Julie Bergman Sender recounts. October 25, 2008
Why Listen to Colin Powell, or Brokaw?
A danger of this era is that many American opinion leaders are implicated in some of the nation's worst mistakes, yet still are listened to, like Colin Powell and Tom Brokaw, observes Robert Parry. October 20, 2008
Is John McCain Losing It?
John McCain's flailing debate performances often have raised more doubts about his own fitness to be President than about Barack Obama's, observes Robert Parry. October 16, 2008
Last Debate Turns to Theatre
John McCain got angry, but neither candidate confronted the financial crisis. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. October 16, 2008
Are You Palling Around with Terrorists?
The McCain-Palin campaign's linking of Barack Obama to Vietnam War-era radical Bill Ayers is a warning to all Americans -- watch out who you associate with, writes Nat Parry. October 15, 2008
Why Are McCain Backers So Angry?
As Americans grapple with the disasters of the Bush years, one might think they have more reason to be angry about Republicans than Republicans do to be angry about Barack Obama, writes Robert Parry. October 12, 2008
McCain/Obama on a New Cold War
John McCain and Barack Obama are taking similar hard lines toward Russia. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. October 10, 2008
Should Palin Forgive Bill Ayers?
Sarah Palin is attacking Barack Obama over guilt by association with ex-radical Bill Ayers, but Sherwood Ross asks in this guest essay why Ayers doesn't deserve some Christian forgiveness? October 10, 2008
McCain-Palin Put 'Country Last'
With their ugly rhetoric about Barack Obama, John McCain and Sarah Palin are stirring up the angry Right in a way that creates new dangers and puts "country last," writes Robert Parry. October 9, 2008
McCain Detours to the Low Road
John McCain and his top advisers decided that their only hope to win was to divert attention from the desperate economy onto questions about Barack Obama's associates, Michael Winship says. October 9, 2008
McCain Shows Disdain for Obama
Falling behind in the polls, John McCain gets nastier toward Barack Obama. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. October 8, 2008
Election '08: Here Comes the Sludge
Sarah Palin's new guilt-by-association attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism mark Campaign 2008's long-expected descent into the sewers, reports Robert Parry. October 6, 2008
Debate Evades Dark Realities
Barack Obama and John McCain weren't even asked possibly the biggest foreign policy question, whether they would continue the Bush Doctrine of preemptive war, notes Robert Parry. September 27, 2008
Obama-McCain Debate Disappointment
The first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain left a lot on the sidelines. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. September 27, 2008
Obama, McCain Spar over Bailout
The proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout could shape the next administration. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. September 23, 2008
Mocking Constitutional Rights
Sarah Palin's derision toward Barack Obama for wanting to read terrorism suspects "their rights" underscored the growing contempt in the GOP for the U.S. Constitution, notes Nat Parry. September 10, 2008
The Anti-Obama Hate-Fest
The overwhelmingly white Republican National Convention is letting loose on Barack Obama with ridicule and contempt, but many of the GOP claims aren't true, Robert Parry reports. September 4, 2008
Obama v McCain on Iran
Barack Obama and John McCain offer different approaches toward confronting Iran. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. September 1, 2008
What to Expect from Obama-Biden
Could an Obama-Biden administration really change the course of U.S. foreign policy?Watch TheRealNews.com's video. August 31, 2008
How the Republicans Win
Barack Obama emerged victorious from the Democratic convention, but he now enters the phase of the campaign when Republicans show their mastery of the dark political arts, reports Robert Parry. August 29, 2008
The Obama-Biden View of the World
Would Barack Obama and Joe Biden really make substantive changes in U.S. foreign policy? Watch TheRealNews.com's video. August 28, 2008
The Obama Challenge to the Left
The American Left is faced with a quandary over Barack Obama's ground-breaking candidacy. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. August 26, 2008
Obama, McCain on Global Warming
Barack Obama and John McCain favor action on global warming, but will it be enough? Watch TheRealNews.com's video. August 25, 2008
Obama Joins in Criticism of Russia
Facing attacks on his patriotism, Barack Obama slams Russia over the Georgian conflict. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. August 20, 2008
A Book Written to Defeat Obama
Soaring to the top of the New York Times bestseller list is a new book by right-wing author Jerome Corsi, whose stated goal is to deny Barack Obama the presidency, reports Beverly Bandler. August 19, 2008
The Lies About Obama
John McCain has settled on a campaign strategy of sustained personal attack on Barack Obama. In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky asks the press for some fact-checking on the lies. August 12, 2008
WPost Admits Bungling Obama Quote
The Washington Post's ombudsman admits that two reporters failed to check out the context of a quote from Barack Obama before using it to portray him as a megalomaniac, reports Robert Parry. August 10, 2008
Tax-Factless Wall Street Journal-omics
A long op-ed in Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal trashes Barack Obama's tax plan -- and does so in a highly misleading way, observes Baltimore Chronicle managing editor Alice Cherbonnier. August 2, 2008
WPost Calls Out 'Uppity' Obama
The Washington Post distorted a quote by Barack Obama to promote a theme that he is -- in the words of one Post editorial writer -- an "uppity" black man, who has gotten too big for his britches. July 31, 2008
McCain Lies about Obama on Troops
John McCain is lying about Barack Obama's canceled visit to see wounded troops, writes Brent Budowsky in this guest essay. July 30, 2008
Europeans Mixed on Obama's Message
Barack Obama, in his Berlin speech, hit some off-key chords for many Europeans. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 29, 2008
Big Media Hectors Obama on 'Surge'
Star journalists, some of whom cheered on the Iraq War in 2003, now are demanding that Barack Obama admit he was wrong about the troop "surge," Robert Parry reports. July 28, 2008
Obama's Palestine Visit Was Brief
Some Arabs are miffed that Barack Obama spent less than an hour in Palestine. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 27, 2008
Protecting McCain; Pounding Obama
Accused of favoring Barack Obama, U.S. news personalities are bending over backwards to bash Obama and protect their longtime favorite, John McCain, as Brent Budowsky notes in this guest essay. July 23, 2008
Obama's National Security Challenge
Is there hope that Barack Obama might shake the grip of the military-industrial complex? Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 20, 2008
Obama & the Foreign Policy Elite
Can Barack Obama escape the clutches of a foreign policy establishment that did the Iraq War? Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 18, 2008
Obama's Brave New World
Barack Obama offered an ambitious vision of how his presidency could change the world. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 16, 2008
Obama Helps Give Bush a Victory
Barack Obama backtracked on fighting amnesty for telecoms that helped wiretap Americans. Watch TheRealNews.com's video. July 12, 2008
Will the Democrats Ever Learn?
Democratic leaders -- and Barack Obama -- appear poised to let George W. Bush off the hook on his warrantless wiretaps without even letting the American people know what abuses were committed. July 8, 2008
What Patriotism Is, and Is Not
Barack Obama addressed the touchy issue of patriotism in a major speech even as scurrilous attacks against him continue to proliferate. In this guest essay, Michael Winship ponders true patriotism. July 3, 2008
Moon Shot, Obama
Countering John McCain's $300 million better-car-battery bounty, Barack Obama called for a JFK-man-to-the-Moon commitment on energy, an idea that Brent Budowsky fleshes out in this guest essay. June 25, 2008
Campaign Finance Reform Has Failed
Barack Obama's opting out of the federal campaign finance system has a little-understood backdrop, an unhappy reality that the three-decade-old reform movement often has made matters worse. June 23, 2008
Alarm over 'Unfair' Campaign Money
TV news stars, who traditionally tout candidates with fat warchests from wealthy donors, are alarmed at Barack Obama's success in raising money from the net-roots, media critic Jeff Cohen notes. June 22, 2008
Does Obama Truly Stand for 'Change'?
Barack Obama faces tough choices on where and when to break with Bush's policies. Watch TheRealNews.com's video report. June 12, 2008
Has Obama Moved Right on Israel?
Speaking to AIPAC, Sen. Barack Obama tilted toward a pro-Israel hard line. Watch TheRealNews.com's video report. June 6, 2008
RFK's Death & the Hope of the Young
The 40th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination recalls another time when young Americans wanted change and many parents had other interests. Today, the generation gap is between youth for Barack Obama and some of their mothers favoring Hillary Clinton. June 5, 2008
Politics of Murder and the 'A' Word
Nearing the 40th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination, the 'A' word has surfaced ghoulishly in Campaign 2008. In this guest essay, historian William Loren Katz recalls the damage inflicted on the United States by the politics of murder. June 3, 2008
End of the Bush-Clinton Era?
Hillary Clinton's reference to Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968 -- while explaining why she's continuing her campaign against Barack Obama -- may mark a troubling end point to a failed period of American history, which could be called the Bush-Clinton era. May 25, 2008
Hillary's Shark-Jumping Moment
A "shark-jumping moment" -- when believability is stretched beyond the breaking point -- can afflict TV shows, movies and even political campaigns. In this guest essay, historian Lisa Pease spotted such a moment when Hillary Clinton cited RFK's 1968 assassination. May 24, 2008
Rove Protégé to Dig for Dirt on Obama
The Republicans reportedly have recruited Timothy Griffin, a central figure in the U.S. Attorney scandal and a Karl Rove disciple, to help dig up dirt on likely Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Griffin held similar jobs for the Bush-Cheney campaigns. May 23, 2008
The Night the Old Politics Died
Often it's hard to spot true turning points. What looks important one day can fade into obscurity the next, and other times we overlook the event that really changes history. In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky argues that May 6 marked the end of the old negative politics. May 7, 2008
The Clintons and the 'War on Obama'
Even before the first votes were cast, Hillary Clinton's campaign had prepared guilt-by-association attack themes that would raise doubts about Barack Obama's patriotism. After a halting beginning, this "War on Obama" has finally begun to click. May 4, 2008
'Beware the Terrible Simplifiers'
Why have Jeremiah Wright's outbursts gotten so much more attention than objectionable comments by other politicaly connected preachers? In this guest essay, Bill Moyers considers some answers. May 3, 2008
Hillary's 'Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy'
As the "War on Obama" grinds on, Hillary Clinton has struck a tactical alliance with what she once called the "vast right-wing conspiracy." In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky ponders this strange turn. May 3, 2008
The Right's America-Hating Preacher
America's Right is having a field day blasting Barack Obama's ex-pastor Jeremiah Wright as anti-American. But many of the same conservatives look the other way when their benefactor, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, denounces the United States. A Special Report. May 2, 2008
Fastened to a Dying Animal
Campaign 2008 is taking on the distractive qualities of so many previous campaigns, like those that gave George W. Bush two terms. Someday, historians may shake their heads at this sad decline of the American Republic, but for now, poet Phil Rockstroh is shaking a fist. April 29, 2008
Campaign 1988 Lives!
Some Americans hoped the days of smear-and-slime politics were over, that the severity of the nation's crises would negate the kind of attack politics unveiled by George H.W. Bush in 1988. But Hillary Clinton's 10-point win in Pennsylvania has dashed those hopes. April 24, 2008
Unhappy Republicans Weigh Switch
Even in some Red States, traditional Republicans are leery about signing on for another four years of George W. Bush's policies on the Iraq War and the economy. That attitude has created an opening for Democrats, if they don't splinter their own party. April 19, 2008
Are the Clintons Playing Joe McCarthy?
In the 1950s, Joe McCarthy used guilt by association to impugn the patriotism of decent Americans. Now, Hillary Clinton's campaign is employing similar tactics in a desperate bid to derail Barack Obama's drive for the Democratic nomination. April 18, 2008
The Weather Underground 'Theme'
Behind the scenes, Hillary Clinton's campaign has been pushing the Weather Underground "theme," a tenuous connection between Barack Obama and a Vietnam-era radical. The work paid off in Wednesday's debate with Sen. Clinton even adding a false link to 9/11. April 17, 2008
Would Obama Hold Bush Accountable?
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have shied away from grassroots demands for holding George W. Bush and his top aides accountable for torture, war crimes and other offenses. But Obama told one reporter that if elected, he would order a Justice Department probe. April 16, 2008
Hillary Sinks with the 'Kitchen Sink'
The Bush family wrote the book on how to neutralize your own high negatives by driving up those of your opponent. But Hillary Clinton has found that her similar approach, throwing the "kitchen sink" at Barack Obama, may have only dragged her down more. March 27, 2008
Obama's 'Michael Douglas Moment'
Barack Obama's speech on race recalled the climactic scene from "The American President" when Michael Douglas decries the politics of division and urges "serious people" to address "serious problems." But the unanswered question from both the movie and Obama's speech is whether today's media/political circus will give way. March 22, 2008
Obama's Passportgate: Historical Echo
The State Department's disclosure that three contractors penetrated Barack Obama's passport files on three occasions this year recalls a similar case in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush's operatives searched through Bill Clinton's files in a bid to challenge his patriotism. Bush's tracks were then covered by a GOP prosecutor. March 21, 2008
Obama's Greater Challenge
By addressing America's divisions about race, Barack Obama gambled that a U.S. political system dominated by angry talk-show hosts and "gotcha" campaign consultants can rise to a higher level. In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky challenges Obama to go even further. March 19, 2008
Guess What? Obama Is Winning Texas
Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama by a 51-48 margin in the Texas primary and claimed a net gain of four delegates. But Obama appears to be more than erasing Clinton's advantage by winning the Texas caucus phase, as historian Lisa Pease reports. March 6, 2008
Hillary Plays the 'Gender Card,' Again
Hillary Clinton's campaign achieved two key goals in its March 4 victories: portraying Sen. Clinton as the victim of gender bias to solidify her support among older white women, and giving whites and Hispanics new reason to see Barack Obama as an unqualified "black candidate." March 6, 2008
Hillary Clinton's 'Celestial Choir'
Though many political observers shook their heads at Hillary Clinton's imitation of Barack Obama calling down a "celestial choir," the question she raised may be the last one for Democrats to answer: which candidate has the best chance to achieve meaningful change? February 28, 2008
Obama's Sub-Prime Conflict
Barack Obama has slammed the banking industry for its predatory use of sub-prime mortgages, which are pushing millions of American homeowners toward foreclosure. But his campaign's Finance Chair, Penny Pritzker, owned a failed Chicago thrift that helped pioneer sub-prime financial instruments and faced accusations of abuse. February 28, 2008
Why the War on Obama
The intensifying personal attacks on Barack Obama reflect a growing realization among entrenched Washington insiders that his campaign -- funded largely by small donations -- could dilute their influence. Neocons, in particular, are joining with Clinton supporters in spreading rumors about his patriotism and his past. February 26, 2008
Obama's One Million Donors
Barack Obama's supporters are mocked as naive, even cult-like. But that may be the sound of the Democratic Establishment worried that the Obama campaign's one million small donors are striking at the heart of the old order's power -- control of campaign cash. In this guest essay, Brent Budowsky looks at this revolutionary potential. February 26, 2008
Clintons Plumb Absurd Depths
Like the Bushes, the Clintons appear to believe that they have such an entitlement to the White House that whatever they do to get there is justified. In going negative, Hillary Clinton's campaign is accusing Barack Obama of "plagiarism" for using a rhetorical argument recommended by his friend, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. February 19, 2008
An Odyssey to See Barack Obama
Barack Obama's oratory not only has touched the idealism of young people but has jogged the memories of the less-young, who recall the Kennedys and Martin Luther King. In this guest essay, historian Lisa Pease recounts her odyssey from Los Angeles to Madison, Wisconsin, to get a glimpse of Obama -- and this new chapter of history. February 17, 2008
Explaining Our View on Clinton-Obama
Some Democratic readers have criticized some of our critical reporting on Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama; they want us to focus more on John McCain and the Republicans. We feel we owe it to our readers to offer an explanation of our views. February 16, 2008
Stomping on Their Children's Dreams
The Obama-Clinton showdown has set up a painful generational conflict between many mothers (who want Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president) and their children (who are inspired by Barack Obama). The battle offers a poignant echo of how an earlier generation of idealistic young people saw their dreams stomped on, in 1968. February 11, 2008
Where Would Obama Take the Nation?
The endorsements of Barack Obama by members of the Eisenhower and Kennedy families suggest that they see in him a hope for returning to the peaceful ideals of an earlier era. Or as Obama says, his goal is not just to end the Iraq War but "the mindset" behind the war. February 4, 2008
Obama, Clinton & GOP Attack Machine
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination, one thing seems certain: either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will be the target of the powerful Republican attack machine. One question the Democrats must ponder is which candidate would be more vulnerable. February 2, 2008
Were Republicans 'the Party of Ideas'?
Hillary Clinton twisted Barack Obama's words when she suggested that he favored right-wing policies. But there is a legitimate question about what Obama meant when he called the Republicans of recent years "the party of ideas" -- and whether he was right. January 24, 2008
The Democrats-Praise-Reagan Game
Over the past two decades, national Democrats often have judged it safer to join the Ronald Reagan fan club than to fight it. But Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have learned the hard way that there's a risk in playing the praise-Reagan card. Many in the Democratic "base" view Reagan's legacy as disastrous for the nation. January 23, 2008
Obama's Dubious Praise for Reagan
Barack Obama raised some eyebrows when he cited Ronald Reagan as an example of a political leader who "changed the trajectory of America." Though Obama now says he wasn't endorsing Reagan's policies -- only recognizing Reagan's historic importance -- the comment begs the question of what change Reagan actually wrought. January 19, 2008
Saving Hillary, at Least for Now
The Clinton political machine has shown once again that it knows how to play hardball, using a full complement of tactics to gain Hillary Clinton a reprieve from Barack Obama's early momentum. From appealing for sympathy to sliming a rival, Clinton and her supporters did what was necessary to save her campaign, at least for now. January 18, 2008
Hillary Plays a Risky 'Gender Card'
Hillary Clinton played the "gender card" in her comeback victory in New Hampshire, craftily portraying herself as the victim of sexism. But Clinton's strategy -- especially as the campaign turns into a two-person race with Barack Obama -- runs the risk of setting up a competition over who's been treated worse, blacks or women. January 10, 2008
'Iron My Shirt' Taunt Helps Hillary
An apparent publicity stunt by two shock jock employees -- taunting Hillary Clinton to "iron my shirts" -- may have helped swing the New Hampshire primary in her direction. Clinton cited the heckling as a case study of male oppression -- and one insider says the incident energized the women's vote for Hillary. January 9, 2008
The Logic of Obama-mania
Hillary Clinton argues that Democrats would be foolish to take a chance on the lightly experienced Barack Obama. But Obama might offer the Democrats their best chance for a transcendant victory; he also could help them break with their recent, uninspiring history of endless "triangulation" and troubling sell-outs. January 8, 2008
Bush-Clinton Duopoly Loses in Iowa
The vision of the Bush and Clinton families again swapping power was dealt a severe blow as Barack Obama trounced Hillary Clinton in Iowa's Democratic caucuses. And on the Republican side, upstart Mike Huckabee bested Mitt Romney, a Bush family favorite. All told, it was a bad night for the Bush-Clinton duopoly. January 4, 2008
Is Hillary or Barack More Vulnerable?
Hillary Clinton's campaign operatives have dropped hints that Barack Obama can expect Republican attacks aimed at his youthful drug use. But some people close to the Clintons fear that Republican access to seven years of Secret Service records on the Clintons could make them even more vulnerable to GOP smears. December 19, 2007
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