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Long attempting to balance his views on abortion and project himself as a moderate on the issue, President Barack Obama is now being forced to face the issue head on.
Due to an invitation to give the commencement at the University of Notre Dame this weekend, the abortion debate has re-erupted in the U.S. and caught [...]
Pelosi Battles C.I.A. over Interrogation Briefings
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 15, 2009
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is embroiled in a battle with the C.I.A. over just how much information was divulged to her by the agency regarding the use of waterboarding.
Pelosi has maintained for 18 months she was deliberately kept ignorant of many of the C.I.A.’s practices, though senior intelligence officials claim she was fully [...]
Obama Detains Campaign Promises at Gitmo
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 15, 2009
Despite never actually promising to do away with the military tribunals put in place by President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama did call them a massive failure and promised to find a new way to try terrorism suspects.
The change Obama just unveiled is a continuation of the old tribunal system with a few cosmetic [...]
Obama Reneges on Promise to Release Torture Pictures
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 14, 2009
A month after reaching and agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union, President Barack Obama has decided not to release photographs of torture conducted by the C.I.A. in Guantanamo and rendition prisons across the globe, reports the New York Times:
To explain his position, which was sharply criticized by the A.C.L.U., Mr. Obama spoke at the [...]
U.S. Prepares for Fundamental Shift in Transportation
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 14, 2009
A new Senate bill is trying to shape the future of American transportation. The plan would attempt to curb vehicular traffic and emissions and invest in mass transit and freight rail, reports the Washington Post:
Among other goals, the Senate legislation decrees that the plan must reduce per capita motor vehicle miles traveled on an annual [...]
Congress Tries to Bar Guantanamo Detainees from U.S.
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 14, 2009
Lawmakers are intent on setting up another road block to President Barack Obama’s efforts to close down the prison at Guantanamo Bay. The bill currently under debate would give Obama the money needed to close the prison, but would prevent any detainees from being brought the U.S., either as freed prisoners or as transfers to [...]
U.S. Rejoins U.N. Rights Panel
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 13, 2009
George W. Bush shunned the U.N. Human Rights Council during his administration, claiming it focused too much on Israel instead of the violations of its own members.
President Obama, however, decided to work with the body instead of shunning it in order to improve situations around the globe, reports the New York Times:
The controversy surrounding the [...]
Former Special Ops Commander Tapped for Afghanistan
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 13, 2009
The fact that much of his work remains classified makes pegging Lt. General Stanley A. McChrystal difficult, but one attribute is clearly recognized by his pear, competence. McChrystal worked hard as commander of the Joint Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2008 and is expected to bring hard hitting tactics to the battle field in [...]
Congress Voices Concern on Afghanistan Strategy
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 13, 2009
Congress is set to vote on another multi-billion dollar appropriations bill for the wars in Afghanistan an Pakistan in the next few weeks and many lawmakers are beginning to wonder if they are funding operations with no clear goals.
Richard C. Holbrooke, the U.S. Special Envoy to the region, reiterated the need to protect American interests [...]
Struggling Economy Could Fuel Instability in Iraq
By Nathan Barten
Published: May 11, 2009
Declining oil prices on the global market are beginning to impact Iraq’s economy as other industries powered by oil money grind to a halt, leaving many unemployed.
Nearly 28% of young males are currently unemployed and the government has been forced to halt hiring new recruits for security forces, as well as other sectors. Many are [...]