Monthly Archives: March 2016

“I don’t want to be Iraq’s air force…”

"b" pointed out to me that in this WH interview Obama told Friedman (paraphrasing) that during the process of IS overrunning much of northern Iraq he deliberately withheld massive air attacks on IS so that he could maintain political pressure … Continue reading

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Iraq, Media, Middle East | 112 Comments

We need new uniforms…”

" …  it proved to be a slog because of heavy rains, tougher-than-expected resistance from the militants and reports of the low morale that has dogged the Iraqi military ever since the Islamic State swept into Iraq in 2014.  The stalled operation … Continue reading

Posted in Current Affairs, Iraq, Middle East, Syria | 44 Comments

Another nail…?

  "Citing indications of wrongdoing and bad faith, a federal judge has overruled government objections by declaring that a conservative group is entitled to more details about how Hillary Clinton's private email account was integrated into the State Department recordkeeping … Continue reading

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Justice, Politics | 24 Comments

On to …?

  "On a tactical level, the liberation of Palmyra and the expected advance on Sukhanah  greatly reduced ISIS’ ability to threaten key government supply lines, especially along the M5 highway and the road to Aleppo. The pro-government forces have also … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 55 Comments

Fidel does not love us!

  "Fidel Castro responded Monday to President Barack Obama's historic trip to Cuba with a long, bristling letter recounting the history of U.S. aggression against Cuba, writing that "we don't need the empire to give us any presents." The 1,500-word … Continue reading

Posted in Policy | 93 Comments

An East Ghouta pocket is being encircled.

  "Four days ago, government troops also captured Farzat hill, in an area near the site where the former leader of Jaish al-Islam, Zahran al-Alloush, was killed by a Syrian airstrike in December. Additionally, these advances help government soldiers to … Continue reading

Posted in Syria, The Military Art | 62 Comments

Happy Easter!

pl

Posted in Religion, Ukraine Crisis | 49 Comments

What about Bob?

  We have too many Bobs and Joe Bobs commenting.  Sort yourselves out somehow please.   I still want to know what he whispered to her on the street in Tokyo.  I know what I would have.  pl

Posted in Ukraine Crisis | 14 Comments

The US has become a “muffled zone.”

"Syrian government forces recaptured a Mamluk-era citadel in Palmyra from the extremist Islamic State group on Friday, Syrian state media and monitoring groups said, as the fierce battle for control of the historic town entered its third day. Syrian and … Continue reading

Posted in As The Borg Turns, Current Affairs, Media, Middle East, Policy, Politics, Syria | 117 Comments

“Back to Jackson” by Richard Sale

  I promised Pat I would do another ramble on Andrew Jackson. I think that the best book on Jackson was written by Arthur Schlesinger. “The Age of Jackson.” I recommend it to anyone as the most thorough analysis of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 39 Comments