The Swamp Strikes Back

The Swamp Strikes Back

The tawdry Michael Flynn soap opera boils down to the CIA hemorrhaging leaks to the company town newspaper, leading to the desired endgame: a resounding victory for hardcore neocon/neoliberalcon US Deep State factions in one particular battle. But the war is not over; in fact it’s just beginning. Even before Flynn’s fall, Russian analysts had been…

Flynn’s Head Rolls. Is Trump’s Next?

Flynn’s Head Rolls. Is Trump’s Next?

Just three weeks into the Trump presidency, and his political enemies in the Washington establishment have scored big, with the forced resignation of Trump’s National Security advisor Michael Flynn. The establishment includes state intelligence agencies and aligned corporate news media, who have been gunning for Trump ever since his shock election last November. It’s a…

The Problem with Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index

The Problem with Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index

Transparency International puts out what it calls the “Corruption Perceptions Index.” It is an annual index it claims “has been widely credited with putting the issue of corruption on the international policy agenda.” These carefully selected words, taken at face value appear benign, even progressive. But upon digging deeper into this organisation’s background it becomes…

US Admits Using Toxic Depleted Uranium Against ISIS in Syria

US Admits Using Toxic Depleted Uranium Against ISIS in Syria

More than 5,000 rounds of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition were used in two attacks on Islamic State oil tankers in eastern Syria, the US military has confirmed. The US-led coalition previously pledged it would not use the controversial ordnance. A spokesman for the US Central Command (CENTCOM) told Foreign Policy that 5,265 armor-piercing DU rounds…