This individual was clearly a terrorist. And yes, he was a citizen, but if you’re a terrorist, you’re a terrorist. And that means that we have the ability to go after those who would threaten to attack the United States and kill Americans. There’s no question that the authority and the ability to go after a terrorist is there.

Usage guru Bryan A. Garner writes of the word “clearly,”

Exaggerators like this word, along with its cousins (obviously, undeniably, undoubtedly, and the like). Often a statement prefaced with one of these words is exceedingly dubious. (The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style, Oxford University Press, 2000.)

Indeed, take a look at “Anwar al-Awlaki’s Suspected Ties to Terror Plots.” Notice that in only one of the eight plots is there any mention of al-Awlaki’s participation; all the others involve “inspiration” or religious instruction, often of people al-Awlaki never met. But let’s not dwell too much on details. Leon Panetta doesn’t. He follows his “clearly” statement with a tautology (“if you’re a terrorist, you’re a terrorist”). Then comes an equivocation about the administration’s “ability” to do what it did. If Panetta means the physical or mental power to perform the act, then this is self-evidently correct and irrelevant. If he means the legal authority, then he has, in the words of The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, “assum[ed] what is at issue in an argument,” or begged the question (yes, that phrase actually means something). He wraps up with a wordier version of undeniably (“there’s no question”), makes the preceding equivocation plain by distinguishing “authority” from “ability,” and again begs the question.

Panetta was once a practicing lawyer. I see now why he prefers extrajudicial methods.

Vlahos is a contributing editor for The American Conservative magazine, a Washington correspondent for the DC-based homeland security magazine, Homeland Security Today, a long-time political writer for FOXNews.com, and weekly columnist for Antiwar.com.

These two words sum up well the op-ed I co-wrote with Bogdan Dzakovic before the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks last year, a shortened version of which was published later in the Los Angeles Times under the title: “WikiLeaks and 9-11: What If?” There are so many reasons why and examples how secrecy hurts public safety; why it should be considered at best a necessary evil; why both civil rights advocates and security experts recognize that secrecy must be limited in both time and extent.

The truth about governmental secrecy is precisely contrary to the propaganda message of the last few years, especially since the advent of WikiLeaks and the Bush and Obama administrations’ renewed vigor in prosecuting government whistleblowers as a threat to security. We are constantly fed the Orwellian myth that governmental secrecy protects us. But the opposite is true: effective governance and public safety are simply not possible unless secrecy is kept to a bare minimum.

Underlying Fundamental: Secrecy Enables Wrongdoing and more at Secrecykills.com.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Mission accomplished in Iraq?
• Libyan civil war is far from over
• The expensive deterioration of Afghanistan
• Ten years since 9/11
• Israel’s struggles with Turkey and Palestine
• Assorted news from the empire
• What’s new at the blog?
• Columns
• Antiwar Radio
• Events

Iraq: From war zone to client state

Reports surfaced this week of the Obama administration’s plan to leave 3,000-4,000 American troops in Iraq past the December deadline for a complete withdrawal. The plan was articulated without the permission or agreement of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki or the Iraqi parliament. Many within the Obama administration and the military pushed for tens of thousands of troops to remain, and congressional hawks dismissed the plan outright, arguing for a minimum of 10,000.

But despite hawkish concerns that Obama is drawing down prematurely, signs are that U.S. imperial objectives have been achieved, and national security planners are ready for Iraq to take its place as just another Middle Eastern client state and retire from being a war zone. While the U.S. military contingent may only be 4,000, a mercenary army of perhaps 6,000 will remain in addition to a State Department and civilian contractor outfit of 17,000 strong. The political, military, and economic elements of U.S. influence are set in place for the long term.

In other news, the cables released by WikiLeaks have continued to provide revelations about U.S. policy toward Iraq. A set of cables described how the mercenary army Blackwater Inc. remained in Iraq after being banned from the country over a 2007 massacre of civilians. Another cable details a 2002 meeting of U.S. diplomats and Vatican representatives, which warned that the Vatican would publicly condemn any U.S. military action in Iraq, revealing how certain the diplomatic community viewed a U.S. attack even back in 2002.

Libyan civil war is far from over

The Libyan civil war is far from over, explained rebel Prime Minister Mahmoud Jabril after encouraging discordant rebel factions to join together to defeat Gadhafi remnants and secure the Transitional National Council’s power in Libya. As fighting in multiple cities and towns rages on, speculation continues over fallen leader Muammar Gadhafi’s whereabouts, although U.S. leaders admit they don’t know at this point.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch demanded this week that rebels stop the mass arrests of black migrant workers in Libya. Libya’s massive stockpile of weapons is now the country’s biggest export industry, as weapons pour out across the region.

The U.S. and Britain faced further embarrassment as more details of their cooperation with Gadhafi’s torture regime surfaced and the Libyan rebel commander demanded an apology to the Libyan people. Subsequently, another Libyan publicly detailed his rendition by British spies into Gadhafi’s custody, where he was tortured.

Guns, butter, and torture

A new audit detailing the cost of the Afghan War has put the price tag on the "civilian surge" that began in 2009 at $1.7 billion so far, with warnings that the cost will rise precipitously going forward. This is in addition to the billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment the U.S. is sending to Afghan security forces in an attempt to hide their military dependence on the U.S. NATO expenditures on Afghanistan’s security infrastructure and military hardware are expected to be $21 billion by 2014. It takes approximately $6 billion a year — more than three times the Kabul government’s annual income — to sustain these assets. And the U.S. is unprepared to cover that cost.

Meanwhile, conditions in Afghanistan fail to improve. NATO agreed this week, following recommendations from the United Nations, to end detainee transfers to Afghan prisons because of evidence of torture. Afghan officials vehemently rejected the U.N. findings — which detailed beatings with rubber hoses, electric shock treatment, and sexual assault — and alleged political sabotage. NATO also admitted to killing an Afghan journalist, a serious crime for which no one is expected to be held accountable.

A decade of error

Authorities have been warning of new terrorist attacks to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, despite their downplaying of the strength of al-Qaeda and related groups. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has referred to al-Qaeda as nearly defeated, but this week he warned that the potential for another 9/11 attack is "very real." Anonymous government sources went to the press to warn of a "specific, credible, but unconfirmed" attack on New York or Washington, but they gave no specifics or evidence.

The anniversary has many people looking back at America’s decade of folly in response to the attacks. The vast majority of the 9/11 Commission Report remains sealed in the National Archives, despite recommendations from the commissioners that it be released entirely. Reports surfaced about the New York Police Department secretly gathering intelligence on more than 250 mosques and student groups in one of the nation’s most aggressive domestic surveillance programs, which included deeply disturbing violations of the First Amendment. And the folly goes on, with word getting out that a provision in a bill to be voted upon by Congress later this month would shift responsibility for suspected terrorism cases from civilian authorities to the military.

Standing up to Israel

After some congressional pressure on the Obama administration to be more explicit in its objection to Palestinian statehood, the Obama administration vowed that the U.S. would veto any attempt by the Palestinian Authority to gain recognition at the U.N. In a sign that Palestinians are using the U.N. more to their advantage, they have strategies of getting around a U.S. veto, and some activists have also more explicitly turned to the U.N. to prevent forced relocation by the Israeli state.

Tensions with Turkey are still high after Israel refused to recognize any wrongdoing in the raid on the Gaza aid ship last summer. The Turkish government has expelled the Israeli ambassador, suspended military ties with Israel, threatened further sanctions, and promised to escort future ships to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates publicly criticized Israel as an "ungrateful ally," arguing that the U.S. has received nothing in return for massive amounts of U.S. aid and commitments.

Assorted news from the empire

Pakistan – A U.S. drone strike killed at least seven people in the 50th reported drone strike of the year. Though virtually each of the 451 killed is listed as a "suspect," only a handful have ever been confirmed as known militants. Pakistani Taliban-related violence continues in western Pakistan, even as authorities this week captured three al-Qaeda leaders.

Yemen – A U.S. drone strike killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens of others in southern Yemen this week, just days after Yemeni warplanes "accidentally" bombed a mosque, killing at least seven civilians. Experts are saying that U.S. policy in Yemen is laying the groundwork for blowback and empowering al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Somalia – Western efforts to give power and legitimacy to a desultory central government are failing. New details from investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill reveal the U.S. policy of supporting and equipping dangerous warlords with ties to terrorism and the potential there for blowback.

What’s new at the blog?

Jason Ditz blogged about another media attempt to tie Iran to al-Qaeda. Jeremy Sapienza explained how the war on terror is not a uniquely American response and how much worse the battered country of Iraq is as a result of the U.S. war. Matt Barganier posted on the left’s commitment to American exceptionalism, the pro-war response to 9/11 at the New York Times, and the questionable judgment of those who supported the Iraq War. Brian Beyer wrote about the strange U.S. policy of allying with al-Qaeda. John Glaser blogged about the U.S. crimes against Libya the first time around, escalating violence in the drug war, the myth that America is drawing down the empire, the escape from the rule of law in occupied Palestine, and how ideological propaganda is turning 9/11 into state-worship.

Columns

Justin Raimondo wrote about the ironies of the Israeli attempt to influence America toward a war with Iran and the potential for blowback in our pro-Islamist Libyan war. Philip Giraldi ran through the errors of America’s martial response to 9/11. Ivan Eland compared Bush and Obama policies on civil liberties. Kelley B. Vlahos lamented the security and surveillance establishment 9/11 brought us.

Antiwar Radio

Scott Horton had on the other Scott Horton to discuss the ominous Cheney Doctrine still influencing U.S. policy. Gareth Porter traced the evolution of the CIA to its current, post-9/11 incarnation. Jason Ditz explained the latest in the Libyan War. Kelley B. Vlahos discussed the surveillance state. John Glaser helped analyze U.S. policy toward Iraq, Bahrain, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Michael Scheuer talked about the origins of al-Qaeda’s war on America and how nothing has changed.

Events

Antiwar Radio’s Scott Horton speak at Liberty Fest II in New York City on Saturday, Sept. 10. He will also speak at an October event in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., which is expected to be the biggest antiwar protest demonstration since Obama’s election.

Antiwar.com Development Director Angela Keaton will speak at L.A. vs. War: Art for Peace in the Hope Era, Sept. 9-11. Other participating organizations include Code Pink and Iraq Veterans Against the War. She will have a booth at the 2011 Liberty Political Action Conference in Reno, Nev., Sept. 15-18 and will speak about Come Home America from 3:40-4:05 p.m. on the 16th. Antiwar.com Columnist Philip Giraldi will speak on foreign policy from 1:00-1:45 p.m.

Keaton will also discuss ComeHomeAmerica.us and the new peace movement in a breakout event at this year’s Libertopia in San Diego, Oct. 21-23. Libertopia is an annual festival of peace, freedom, music, community, and ideas that will change the world. Keaton will give a 30-minute speech and a 15-minute Q&A at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21.

Ralph Nader and Busboys & Poets will host a thought-provoking roundtable discussion on Monday, September 12, 2011. Looking at the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in a forthright way that promotes forward thinking.

Roundtable participants will include:

Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Mike German, policy counsel on National Security, Immigration and Privacy at the ACLU and former FBI agent.

Bruce Fein, adjunct scholar with the American Enterprise Institute and former executive editor of World Intelligence Review.

Ralph Nader, consumer advocate and people’s lawyer.

(HT: Matthew Zawisky)

W.A.R: Wasted American Resources

The Des Moines news reporter who noted our anti-war message at the entrance of yesterday’s Republican Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, was not present with us long enough to see the real story. Our banners actually got an amazingly good reception! Our group of sign holders were all surprised how many of the thousands of straw poll attendees, even Pawlenty and Santorum t-shirted fans, were responding positively to the “Come Home America” message and banners warning that “Endless War = Endless Debt” and “War IS Taxing”: The anti-war enthusiasm also manifested itself as people from all political (conservative, libertarian, and socially progressive) backgrounds stopped to talk, with many even giving up an hour or two to help us hold the banners.

Endless War: Endless Death

Attendees seemed genuinely interested when we encouraged them to sign our recent “Dear Obama” letter and told them we were part of a non-partisan effort to focus on the most important ISSUES of the day, instead of the promises, slogans, cute winks and other crazy antics of any particular political candidate.

Remember the Constitution

The truth is that progressives who support social safety nets, funding of public education, and who are opposed to the widening disparity between the wealthiest and the poor in the United States cannot possibly see their goals realized without the US government making a clean break from the last decade of destructive and costly wars.

Libertarians will not see a return to adherence to the Constitution, civil liberties and away from national security policing and “War Presidency” empowerment. “Greens” will not see more funding and research diverted to sustainable and environmentally clean energy technologies. And fiscal conservatives cannot possibly get the small, decentralized government they long for while the United States seeks costly world empire and military superpower status.

All the people’s worthwhile goals are connected by money and are antithetical to the US’ spending on runaway militarism. If the American government continues to be controlled by the military-industrial-congressional-media complex, in defiance of this popular consensus, throwing trillions of hard-earned and increasingly scarce taxpayer dollars on bombs, drone technology, armoring tanks, and outright corporate contractor fraud, none of these other popular group objectives are possible.

While the hundreds of national media in Iowa covered the actual, close straw poll finish (near tie) of Michele Bachmann only beating Ron Paul by 152 votes, they did not seem to care or cover the enormous outpouring we witnessed from people of different political backgrounds and loyalties—confirmed by numerous national polls–showing consensus for ending the wars and runaway militarism. Perhaps the “Come Home America” kick-off bannering at the early Iowa Straw Poll event revealed the unique moment we’re in, watching a perfect storm of various rationales coming together.

In any event, look for our Come Home America initiative to represent this convergence and strengthening consensus outside many of Obama’s upcoming speeches as well as other major political events throughout the nation. We hope to mount banners as in the photos of yesterday’s event in Iowa. While politicos and horse race bettors constantly talk of making their selections using the “lesser of two evils”, one thing is clear: It is the issues more than the political personalities that matter and WAR is not the lesser of two evils! It is THE EVIL that poisons and contaminates everything else.

Endless War and Endless Debt

Sun 31 Dec 2006 : The non linear effects of leaks on unjust systems of governance

…different structures of power are differentially affected by leaks (the defection of the inner to the outer) [and] its motivations may become clearer.

The more secretive or unjust an organization is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. This must result in minimization of efficient internal communications mechanisms (an increase in cognitive "secrecy tax") and consequent system-wide cognitive decline resulting in decreased ability to hold onto power as the environment demands adaption. Hence in a world where leaking is easy, secretive or unjust systems are nonlinearly hit relative to open, just systems. Since unjust systems, by their nature induce opponents, and in many places barely have the upper hand, mass leaking leaves them exquisitely vulnerable to those who seek to replace them with more open forms of governance. ja-conspiracies.pdf

Scott discussed the latest Wikileaks release. Judge Napolitano’s earlier interviews with Justin Raimondo can be found here and here.

Watch the clip:

Antiwar.com’s Editorial Director Justin Raimondo will be appearing this weekend on Fox Business Channel’s Freedom Watch, hosted by Judge Andrew Napolitano. The show airs Saturday, July 31 at 10am and 8pm and again on Sunday, August 1 at 7pm and 11pm. All times Eastern. Please note this is Fox Business Channel, not Fox News.

A preview of the show can be seen below.