Oh my: David Miliband gave MI6 the green light to proceed with intelligence-gathering operations in countries where there was a possible risk of terrorism suspects being tortured, the Guardian has learned. During the three years Miliband served as foreign secretary, MI6 always consulted him personally before embarking on what a source described as “any particularly…
Showing all posts in June 2019
Hearing the calls from Hoder deep inside Iran
Years ago, in Budapest, I briefly spent time with Iranian blogger Hoder, currently held in Iran and facing the death penalty. It’s a tragic case and highlights the immorality of large sections of the Islamic Republic elite. I was sent the following information via Facebook yesterday and it adds some details to a story that…
Petraeus believes in forever conflict
Just in case it wasn’t clear, America’s “war on terror” in Afghanistan may last, well, for decades. Here’s Gen. David H. Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, quoted in Bob Woodward’s new book: You have to recognize also that I don’t think you win this war. I think you keep fighting. It’s a little bit…
International SOS just here to help refugees
Villawood detention centre in Sydney, run by Serco, remains deeply on edge. Much is outsourced, including the provision of health services, by International SOS. And here’s a job description from the company: Mental Health Nurse – Villawood Location: Sydney Job Code: JRMHNV # of openings: 1 Description THE COMPANY International Health & Medical Services is…
Thanks for clarifying, Tel Aviv
Take that Jew-haters, anti-Semitics and dead Palestinians: “Israel is a democratic and law abiding country that carefully observes international law and, when need be, knows how to investigate itself,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ygal Palmor said in a statement.
Here’s your future Palestinian state
Nora Barrows-Friedman writes from occupied Palestine that the US and Israeli backed Palestinian Authority is behaving exactly as directed, brutes establishing a police state: “The Palestinian Authority (PA) forces came late at night and started shooting inside the camp,” Shihab said. “They came in, shooting, acting like the Israeli military. They wanted to make the…
Serco love and respect everybody, says Australian government
Here’s Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O’Connor, defending the reputation of the firm running Australia’s detention centres: Serco has a long-standing interest in this area. It manages other centres and indeed it employs dedicated staff that have the skills to deal with these situations.
Murdoch loves bigotry and paranoia that makes cash
Laugh or cry, your call. Here’s Fox News’ Glenn Beck explaining why Murdoch loves and trusts him. Murdoch “keeps me on the air because I have the proof” that progressives want to “control every aspect of your life”:
Revisiting an op-ed that raised the prospect of US crimes
What an interesting idea. The New York Times interviews Joseph Wilson, seven years after writing his incendiary column on Bush lies over Iraq.
Obama’s covert killing squads in Afghanistan
The book, Obama’s Wars, by Court Reporter Bob Woodward, is about to be released, examining American’s deepening involvement in Afghanistan. Expect mountains of coverage in the coming weeks, but here’s a preview: Beyond the internal battles, the book offers fresh disclosures on the nation’s continuing battle with terrorists. It reports that the C.I.A. has a…