In the cocoon of our public debate Obama gets high marks on foreign policy. That is because his policies’ principal aim is not to make strategic decisions but to satisfy public opinion— he has done more of the things that people want and fewer of the things we have to do that may be unpopular. [...]
Tag Archives | CIA
CNN: Benghazi Leak to ABC Wrong
So whoever leaked the inaccurate information earlier this month did so in a way that made it appear that the White House – specifically Rhodes – was more interested in the State Department’s concerns, and more focused on the talking points, than the e-mail actually stated. – Jake Tapper WHOEVER leaked the summary of the [...]
Unprecedented Justice Dragnet on the Associated Press
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy The government would not say why it sought the records. Officials have previously said in public testimony that the U.S. attorney in Washington is conducting a criminal investigation into who may have provided information contained in a May 7, 2012, AP story about [...]
CIA Agent Intercepted in Moscow [Video]
JUST when you thought President Obama’s situation couldn’t get any worse, from Moscow comes news of FSB, Federal Security Service, detaining an alleged American spy trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer. The scandal erupts just before the upcoming international conference on Syria. “It clearly will have an effect on the talks. I don’t think [...]
Greg Hicks Gets Scrutiny, as Diplomats Evacuated from Libya
Growing concerns over protests roiling Libya prompted the State Department to begin evacuating some diplomats from Tripoli, as the Pentagon put troops stationed at nearby European bases on high alert. [Washington Post] YOU READ that correctly, amid the furor over the testimony of Greg Hicks, the Washington Post is reporting we’re evacuating some diplomats from [...]
The Furor Over the Benghazi Talking Points Rewrite
**UPDATED** IT’S the obsessions of the week, the rewrites of the Benghazi talking points. It won’t keep another Benghazi style attack from happening again or keep our embassy personnel safer. It’s politics, just like when George W. Bush marketed his Iraq war campaign prior to the 2002 election. In a development that happened this afternoon, [...]
Bush Legacy and Library in Torture’s Shadow
But there is another building, far from Dallas on land leased from Cuba, that symbolizes Mr. Bush’s legacy in a darker, truer way: the military penal complex at Guantánamo Bay where Mr. Bush imprisoned hundreds of men after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, a vast majority guilty of no crime. [New York Times] A LIBRARY [...]
Hagel: U.S. Believes Bashar Assad Used Sarin Gas
The United States now believes “with varying degrees of confidence” that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against its people, according to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the White House. Hagel, speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, also said the U.S. government believes “any use of chemical weapons in Syria very likely originated” with [...]
Gallup: 65% of Americans Approve of Drone Attacks, but Half Not Following Subject Closely
ANYONE SURPRISED that most people aren’t following the drone issue closely at all? Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) think the U.S. government should use drones to launch airstrikes in other countries against suspected terrorists. Americans are, however, much less likely to say the U.S. should use drones to launch airstrikes in other countries against U.S. [...]
News Desk: CIA Drone Program to Shift to Pentagon? Exclusive Report at Daily Beast
The Daily Beast reports, in an exclusive report, that there may soon be some phased-in changes in the Obama administration’s use of drones. At a time when controversy over the Obama administration’s drone program seems to be cresting, the CIA is close to taking a major step toward getting out of the targeted killing business. [...]
Rand Paul Earns Spot as Serious Political Player
Steve Schmidt, the Republican strategist who ran John McCain’s 2008 effort, said Paul could be a formidable 2016 opponent because he is a “conviction” candidate. “I can’t tell you how many hours and meetings are devoted to discussing the candidates vision in a campaign,” said Schmidt. “Well, you wouldn’t have to do that with him. [...]
The Sheer Ineptitude of Eric Holder
“I’m quite happy with the answer and I’m disappointed it took a month and a half and a root canal to get it.” – Senator Rand Paul on CNN WHY DIDN’T Attorney General Eric Holder just send this letter out earlier? I guess the White House wasn’t expecting Senator Rand Paul to pitch a filibuster [...]
Top Story — Rand Paul Makes Democrats Look Feckless on Civil Liberties, Should Worry GOP 2016 Hopefuls
1:27 a.m. | Updated WASHINGTON — A small group of Republicans, led by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, stalled the Senate on Wednesday by waging a nearly 13-hour old-school, speak-until-you-can-speak-no-more filibuster over the government’s use of lethal drone strikes — forcing the Senate to delay the expected confirmation of John O. Brennan to lead the [...]
Sen. Rand Paul Filibusters John Brennan the Old Fashioned Way *Updated*
“I will speak until I can no longer speak.” – Senator Rand Paul IT BEGAN at 11:45 a.m. today. Love his politics or detest him for his literalism, Senator Rand Paul is doing it his way and at least stands for something. After the Senate Intelligence Committee forwarded President Obama’s CIA nominee John Brennan to [...]
Celebrating Movies with Oscar, and Seth McFarlane
THE HOSTING gig for the 85th Oscars, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science [yes, they take themselves very seriously], this year jumped around until Seth McFarlane showed up on SNL and rocked the house. Tonight’s as big as it gets for someone who’s either going to lodge into everyone’s mind as [...]
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