New report directs attention at directed energy weapons

Given the officially secretive nature of America's sprawling military presence around the world and its domestic support bureaucracy, the U.S. public is often left in the dark as to what kind of new weapons of war its tax dollars are paying to develop. In the case of things like "high powered microwave" weapons, this "makes … Continue reading New report directs attention at directed energy weapons

Trump offers vague Afghan strategy, leaves mercenary option on table

President Donald Trump gave a much-anticipated speech Monday "to lay out our path forward in Afghanistan and South Asia." But while many predicted a definite announcement of a troop increase in the long-running Afghanistan War, Trump was instead vague, seemingly leaving the door open to a privatized, mercenary contractor option that has been floated. "I’ve … Continue reading Trump offers vague Afghan strategy, leaves mercenary option on table

Trump promises more for less military spending, experts expect budget hikes

The U.S. reached some new military milestones last year. America dropped at least 26,171 bombs in 2016, for example -- over 3,000 more than the year before, averaging about one bomb every 20 minutes. And that number includes only bombs dropped in some of the better known conflict areas where the U.S. is involved -- … Continue reading Trump promises more for less military spending, experts expect budget hikes

Obama, CIA express disappointment, disbelief following veto override

Despite opposition from Saudi Arabia and the European Union, despite opinion pieces published by major outlets like CNN and the Atlantic urging President Obama to veto a bill allowing 9/11 victims' families to sue the Saudi government, which he did last week, Congress voted overwhelmingly today to override the president's veto for the first time … Continue reading Obama, CIA express disappointment, disbelief following veto override

Fuzzy math, the ISIS brand, and America’s foreign military presence

Earlier this month, NBC News published a "heat map" leaked from the National Counterterrorism Center that purported to show that the Islamic State extremist group has expanded to "fully operational" status in 18 countries and is spreading to several others. Writing in The Hill this week, however, counterterrorism researcher Anhvinh Doanvo argues that it is … Continue reading Fuzzy math, the ISIS brand, and America’s foreign military presence

A billion more in arms for Saudi intervention in Yemen civil war

Less than a month after the release of the infamous "28 pages" of a congressional 9/11 investigation that had been withheld for over a decade, which dealt with alleged ties between the government of Saudi Arabia and some of the hijackers, the Pentagon and State Department announced a new arms sale totaling more than $1 … Continue reading A billion more in arms for Saudi intervention in Yemen civil war

Pentagon withholds aid over Pakistan failure to stop formerly US-backed insurgents

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon has decided to withhold $300 million in military aid to Pakistan for failing to take "sufficient action against the Haqqani network, a Taliban affiliate blamed for attacks on U.S. and allied personnel in Afghanistan." The article goes on to give some background on the organization, which … Continue reading Pentagon withholds aid over Pakistan failure to stop formerly US-backed insurgents