Antiwar.com\u2019s Week in Review <\/i>| December 16, 2011<\/b><\/p>\n
IN THIS ISSUE<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Worth the Blood & Money in Iraq?<\/b><\/p>\n Marking the official end of the U.S. war in Iraq, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told a military audience in Baghdad that it was worth the price in blood and money<\/a> because it set Iraq on a path to democracy. The war killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people and about 4,500 Americans, and it cost at least $800 billion. This is all for a democracy that Iraqis don\u2019t have, as an Iraqi deputy prime minister said this week that the U.S.-supported Maliki regime is becoming a dictatorship<\/a>. <\/p>\n Iraqis burned the American flag<\/a> upon the departure of the last occupation forces. But signs are still cropping up that the occupation of Iraq is in some ways carrying on, as the Obama administration continues its effort<\/a> to get Iraq to grant legal immunity for U.S. defense contractors remaining there beyond 2012. The mercenary company formerly known as Blackwater Inc. is also vying for new contracts to march back into Iraq<\/a>. <\/p>\n U.S.-Pakistan Ties Growing Cold<\/b><\/p>\n With a long trail of grievances, including the November U.S. attack that killed 24 soldiers at a Pakistani outpost, Pakistan is rethinking its cooperation with the U.S<\/a>. On key policies like providing supply routes to NATO troops in Afghanistan, providing logistics support for U.S. counterterrorism, and allowing a CIA presence in the country, Pakistan is looking to alter its approach. The blockade on NATO supply routes may last several weeks<\/a>, and there have been hints that the U.S. drone war in Pakistan will cease to be condoned<\/a> by the Pakistani government. <\/p>\n Making matters worse, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter told Pakistan to "get beyond<\/a>" complaints about the latest U.S. attack. And the U.S. has frozen about $700 million in Pakistani aid<\/a> as punishment for a lack of cooperation in the war in Afghanistan. <\/p>\n "Winning" in Afghanistan, and Never Leaving<\/b><\/p>\n Secretary of State Leon Panetta said this week that "we\u2019re winning" in Afghanistan<\/a>. What this means is anyone\u2019s guess, given that no measurable progress has been presented. Winning apparently doesn\u2019t involve pulling out of the country, as yet another NATO military official made clear occupying forces were not leaving in 2014<\/a>. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, the U.S. is expanding its program of building up and supporting an Afghan local police<\/a> force, which in March 2011 Gen. David Petraeus said was "arguably the most critical element in our effort to help Afghanistan develop the capacity to secure itself." But the Afghan police have committed widespread human rights abuses, including murder, torture, theft, arbitrary detention, and rape. The brutal policy of night raids is also still in force<\/a>. <\/p>\n Lost Spy Drones and "Unfriendly Acts"<\/b><\/p>\n Even as President Obama politely asked Iran to return<\/a> the recovered U.S. surveillance drone, U.S. officials publicly admitted<\/a> that the drone was part of a spy operation against Iran. Iran\u2019s foreign minister this week demanded that Afghanistan not let the U.S. launch drone operations from Afghan bases, saying if they continued they would be seen as "an unfriendly act<\/a>."<\/p>\n Meanwhile, even as the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reiterated that there is no evidence<\/a> of an Iranian nuclear weapons program, the House of Representatives passed yet more economic sanctions against Iran<\/a>. <\/p>\n Assorted News From the Empire<\/b><\/p>\n What\u2019s New at the Blog?<\/b><\/p>\n Matt Barganier blogged about the very un-libertarian<\/a> views of a self-professed libertarian, Frank Gaffney\u2019s confusion<\/a> about "isolationism," and Dave Weigel\u2019s apparent affirmation<\/a> of Newt Gingrich\u2019s lousy history lesson. James Bovard pointed out his efforts on Fox News to expose the failure of foreign aid<\/a>. Saifedean Ammous posted a critique of Christopher Hitchens<\/a>, who died on Thursday. Coleen Rowley explained the danger of politicizing "terror<\/a>." John Glaser blogged about Obama\u2019s breach of the War Powers Act<\/a> in Uganda, what NDAA means for Guantanamo<\/a>, why Iraqis might not be so grateful<\/a> to America, the continuing tyranny of Obama\u2019s pet Uzbek dictator<\/a>, the U.S. role in the El Mozote massacre<\/a> in El Salvador, the push for peaceful market alternatives<\/a> for the U.S. approach to the drug war, and how nonintervention is labeled "extreme"<\/a> when it comes to Israel. <\/p>\n Opinion<\/b><\/p>\n Justin Raimondo posted classic essays from past years, notably one on the rise of empire in America<\/a> and another on the myth that "exporting democracy<\/a>" is a legitimate foreign policy. Philip Giraldi discussed the seemingly inevitable war with Iran<\/a>. Ivan Eland explained why America should not be preaching democracy and human rights<\/a> to other nations. Kelley B. Vlahos examined the legacy of the Iraq war<\/a>, noting that there\u2019s no comfort in being right about that terrible misadventure. <\/p>\n Antiwar Radio<\/b><\/p>\n Scott Horton had Kate Gould<\/a> on to talk about the total lack of diplomacy attempted with Iran. Jason Ditz<\/a> discussed Egypt\u2019s junta subverting democracy, Iran\u2019s recovery of the U.S. drone, and the potential for a new Libyan civil war. Philip Giraldi<\/a> expanded on his article, revealing secret presidential findings that authorize covert war in Iran and Syria. Eric Margolis<\/a> talked about what\u2019s not being talked about regarding the troubles in Syria. Lew Rockwell<\/a> discussed how the militant nationalism and belligerent foreign policy in America smacks of fascism. Sheldon Richman<\/a> told the truth about Gingrich\u2019s poke at Palestinians. John Glaser<\/a> explained that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are not improving or ending. Will Grigg<\/a> warned of the rise of domestic drones and the police state. Glenn Greenwald<\/a> talked about the defense authorization bill and indefinite detention of Americans.<\/p>\n Support Antiwar.com!<\/b><\/p>\n Apply for the Antiwar.com Visa Card<\/a> and support us with every purchase you make.<\/p>\n Antiwar.com now earns between 6 and 15 percent of all Amazon.com purchases if you click on the Amazon button<\/a> on any Antiwar.com page before you go shopping.<\/p>\n Shop at Antiwar.com<\/a> and buy Liberty Stickers<\/a> and other merch<\/a>.<\/p>\n Antiwar.com<\/a> is a 15-year-old, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the cause of anti-interventionism. Accepting no government money, we rely solely on the generous support of readers just like you. How can you help us spread a policy of peace?<\/p>\n Lots of ways.<\/i> Forward this newsletter to your friends and encourage them to subscribe<\/a>. (We don\u2019t spam!) 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