The Obama Agenda: How Much Change – If Any?

June 30, 2008

Op-Ed Columnist

The Obama Agenda

By PAUL KRUGMAN

It’s feeling a lot like 1992 right now. It’s also feeling a lot like 1980. But which parallel is closer? Is Barack Obama going to be a Ronald Reagan of the left, a president who fundamentally changes the country’s direction? Or will he be just another Bill Clinton?

ARMY CRITICIZES IRAQ INVASION; WORLD SAYS, “Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.”

Army criticizes itself in Iraq invasion report

• Story Highlights
• Army history of Iraq war’s first two years says U.S. was unprepared for chaos
• U.S.-led coalition didn’t have enough troops after Saddam Hussein’s fall, report says
• “This is a recipe for disaster,” one general recalls saying of one decision

SY HERSH ON IRAN: PREPARING THE BATTLEFIELD

Annals of National Security

Preparing the Battlefield

The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran.

by Seymour M. Hersh July 7, 2008

ILLUSTRATION BY GUY BILLOUT

Operations outside the knowledge and control of commanders have eroded “the coherence of military strategy,” one general says.

L ate last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources. These operations, for which the President sought up to four hundred million dollars, were described in a Presidential Finding signed by Bush, and are designed to destabilize the country’s religious leadership. The covert activities involve support of the minority Ahwazi Arab and Baluchi groups and other dissident organizations. They also include gathering intelligence about Iran’s suspected nuclear-weapons program.

WANTED – MOVIE REVIEW

*** [A highly enjoyable, violent, cotton candy, Summer action movie.]

WANTED is a relentless, kick ass summer action movie that succeeds where most summer entries have failed: it actually entertains. To truly enjoy the graphic novel adaptation, one must suspend logic, desire for a meaningful plot, emotional depth and aversions to violence and CGI blood. It’s pure cotton candy – eye popping, visceral, action packed entertainment thoroughly well delivered by successful Russian director, Timur Bekmambetov [Director of Russia’s most lucrative movie franchise Night Watch and Day Watch, two ludicrous, off the wall, yet very enjoyable and well made fantasy-action oddities.]

Welcome, Taliban. Say Hello to Pakistan.

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June 28, 2008

Taliban Imperil Pakistani City, a Major Hub

By JANE PERLEZ and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — In the last two months, Taliban militants have suddenly tightened the noose on this city of three million people, one of Pakistan’s biggest, establishing bases in surrounding towns and, in daylight, abducting residents for high ransoms.