Every empire falls and the fantasy of American exceptionalism doesn’t exempt the U.S., writes Wilmer J. Leon, III. Yet the failing hegemon behaves as though it still controls events, but instead creates worldwide danger.
Every Empire Falls
Category: Iran
PATRICK LAWRENCE: The Dialectic of the Draft
Americans will understand themselves less fantastically if they consider the extent to which the end of the Selective Service System a half century ago gave them permission to put their public selves to sleep.
Iran 1953: MI6 Plots with Islamists to Overthrow Democracy
Declassified British files highlight a little-known aspect of the joint MI6/CIA coup in 1953 against Iran’s democratically elected government, Mark Curtis reports.
AS’AD AbuKHALIL: Lebanon, After the Collapse
Lebanon’s economic crisis is being compounded by political stalemate, corruption and Western interference, while Hezbollah’s political position has weakened because of a flailing relationship with its Christian ally, writes As’ad AbuKhalil.
The US Press, Spooks & the Church Committee
Nineteen fifty-three was a peculiar year for The Washington Post to question the C.I.A.’s drift into activist intrigues, writes Patrick Lawrence in this excerpt from his forthcoming book, Journalists and Their Shadows.
BP’s Wars, Coups & Dictators
From Iran to Azerbaijan, Iraq to Nigeria, Russia to Venezuela, British foreign policy is largely captured by the global climate polluter, writes Mark Curtis.
Caitlin Johnstone: Return of a Disgraced Neocon
That U.S. presidents keep hiring someone so tyrannical, corrupt and murderous tells you everything you need to know about the nature of U.S. foreign policy.
Blinken’s Failed Saudi Visit
Developments during Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to Saudi Arabia fit with growing speculations about the Gulf Cooperation Council becoming more autonomous of the U.S., writes Abdul Rahman.
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Law That Would Limit Them, Russians, Cubans, Venezuelans & Others from Buying Property
Plaintiffs say a law set to take effect in July will cast suspicion on any property buyers whose name sounds remotely Asian, Russian, Iranian, Cuban, Venezuelan or Syrian.
China & the Axis of the Sanctioned
The decline in U.S. diplomatic influence in the Middle East reflects not just Chinese initiatives, writes Juan Cole, but Washington’s incompetence, arrogance and double-dealing over three decades in the region.