Stephen Lendman's blog

  Arab League Arrogance

by Stephen Lendman

On December 26, Arab League observers began monitoring Syrian cities. They'll remain another month, despite calls to remove them. 

  Violence Rages in Libya 

by Stephen Lendman

Occupied Libya isn't pretty. Libya SOS said its government "recognize(d) the presence of the forces belonging to 14 different nationalities in the country under the umbrella of the training, assistance and advice."

  America's Great Divide Between Rich and Poor

by Stephen Lendman

In 1962, Michael Harrington's "The Other America" exposed the nation's dark side, saying:

  NPR and PBS Anti-Iranian Propaganda 

by Stephen Lendman

Both National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting serve corporate and imperial interests. They're called public to conceal their agenda.

  UK Government Suppresses Truth

by Stephen Lendman

Press TV broke the news headlining, "Ofcom revokes Press TV's UK license," saying:

  Handbook on Israeli Apartheid

by Stephen Lendman

In July 2005, a coalition of 171 Palestinian Civil Society organizations created the global BDS movement - for "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel Until it Complies with International Law and Universal Principles of Human Rights" for Occupied Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, and Palestinian diaspora refugees.

  Anti-Syrian Pack Journalism - by Stephen Lendman

When America wages war or plans it, major media scoundrels cheerlead in lockstep. Incendiary managed news follows. Truth and full disclosure lose out.

As a result, readers and viewers are uninformed. Imperial Washington gets free reign to keep ravaging the world one country at a time, threatening humanity in the process.

  Israel Claims Syria/Hamas-Connected Terror Cells Uncovered - by Stephen Lendman

Here we go again. We've seen it before strategically timed. Weigh all Israeli claims skeptically. On its face, this one lacks credibility.

Cui bono? Not Syria embroiled for months battling an externally generated insurgency and threats of foreign intervention. 

  Beating Up on Chavez - by Stephen Lendman

Since inaugurated in February 1999, he's faced open US hostility, including by go-along major media scoundrels.

  Wisconsinites v. Governor Scott Walker - by Stephen Lendman

Last winter's epic battle between Wisconsin public workers and Republican Governor Walker ended badly for social justice. Nonetheless, struggling for it continues.

As issue was old-fashioned union busting. It included eroding collective bargain rights before ending them altogether. In addition, draconian wage and benefit cuts were imposed. 

  Protesting Internet Censorship - by Stephen Lendman

On May 12, Senator Patrick Leahy (D. VT) introduced "S. 968: Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PROTECT IP)." Referred to the Judiciary Committee, May 26 hearings were held. Debate's scheduled for next week. 

  Postponing Joint US/Israeli Exercises - by Stephen Lendman

Last November, Haaretz said Washington and Israel planned holding their "largest" and "most significant" ever joint military exercise, involving over 5,000 US and Israeli troops. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro for Political-Military Affairs confirmed it.

  The New Normal: Economic Weakness and Decline - by Stephen Lendman

On Friday, S & P cut credit ratings for nine EU countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia and Cyprus. It was old news but not good. 

France was downgraded from AAA to AA+.

So was Austria.

  Israel Plans Major Gaza War - by Stephen Lendman

Israel already threatens war on Iran. It's also involved with Washington, Turkey, Jordan, and other rogue Arab states behind Syria's externally generated insurgency.

  Mitt Romney's Hard-Right Agenda - by Stephen Lendman

Currently, five Republican presidential aspirants remain. Weak support caused others to suspend campaigns or drop out. 

In November, voters have unpalatable options between a lawless/crime boss/militarist/pro-war/anti-populist/morally corrupt president, and a rogue's gallery of alternatives looking more like a police lineup than legitimate candidates.

  Abusing East Jerusalem Children - by Stephen Lendman

Last July, B'Tselem published a report titled, "No Minor Matter: Violation of the Rights of Palestinian Minors by Israel on Suspicion of Stone-Throwing." It discussed their abusive treatment.

  Cruel and Unusual Punishment - by Stephen Lendman

The Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibits "cruel and unusual punishment." The legal dictionary defines it as:

"any cruel and degrading punishment not known to the Common Law, or any fine, penalty, confinement, or treatment that is so disproportionate to the offense as to shock the moral sense of the community."

  Sinai Torture Camps - by Stephen Lendman

A November 30 Physicians for Human Rights/Israel  (PHR-I) report explains "chilling evidence" of atrocities committed against sub-Saharan African refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.

  Criminalizing Dissent in America - by Stephen Lendman

America has a sordid repressive history. Among others, First Amendment rights are violated. 

It guarantees freedom of religion, expression, to petition government for redress of grievances, and right to peacefully assemble.

  Planned Regime Change in Iran and Syria - by Stephen Lendman

Plans are longstanding. Timing alone isn’t known. Signs suggest 2012. If sanctions, subversion, cyberwar, and targeted assassinations fail, expect hot conflict to follow.

  Heading for More Middle East War - by Stephen Lendman

Washington, Israel and rogue NATO allies seem headed for ruinous wars with Iran and Syria, besides others ongoing interminably.

Former State Department official/now AIPAC-linked Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) fellow Dennis Ross said:

  Racist Israeli Supreme Court Decisions - Stephen Lendman

Two recent Israeli High Court rulings follow a disturbing trend. On January 11, divided justices ruled 6 - 5 for Israel's Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.

It denies citizenship rights to Palestinians with Israeli spouses. Enacted in 2003 as temporary legislation, it was extended twice after its initial expiration date. 

  Waging Covert War on Iran - by Stephen Lendman

Washington and Israel plan regime change in Iran and Syria. Israel wants regional supremacy. Washington wants global hegemony and control of the world's strategic resources. 

America tolerates no independent states. Making them client ones is prioritized. 

  Ongoing Global Economic Crisis - by Stephen Lendman

Rosy scenario optimists ignore clear-eyed analysis. Economist Paul Craig Roberts sees hard times getting harder.

His "Dismal Economic Outlook For The New Year" article highlights what media scoundrels and mainstream analysts miss or suppress.

  Haiti: Two Years Later - by Stephen Lendman

On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced a calamitous earthquake. Port-au-Prince was devastated. Property destruction and damage were extensive. 

As many as 300,000 or more died. Many others were injured. Impoverished Haitians enduring crushing hardships lost everything, including loved ones.

  Israel's Draconian Infiltration Law - by Stephen Lendman

On January 10, Haaretz writer Jonathan Lis headlined, "Knesset passes (Law to Prevent Infiltration) that could put asylum seekers in jail without trial," saying:

  Unaccountable: Private Military Contractor Abuses - by Stephen Lendman

Wherever they're deployed, they're menacing and feared for good reason. Known historically by various names, they include mercenaries, soldiers of fortune, dogs of war, and Condottieri for wealthy city state leaders and the Papacy in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance Italy.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used them. So did Alexander the Great, feudal lords, Napoleon and George Washington against the British.

  Palestinian Liberation Requires Unity - by Stephen Lendman

PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi wants EU help to end Israel's occupation. She said America's preoccupied with elections and grossly biased for Israel.

Calling the current situation "dangerous" she said Israel's "dragging the region into the abyss." As a result, urgent EU help is needed "to end the occupation."

  Israel Plans More Walls - by Stephen Lendman

Instead of peace, reconciliation, equity and justice, Israel plans settlement expansions and more Walls. More on them below.

At the same time, Abbas broke his pledge about no peace talks unless settlement expansions stop. Chief negotiators Saeb Erekat and Yitzhak Molcho are meeting in Amman, Jordan. They're joined by Quartet representatives.

  Racist Discrimination Against Israeli Arabs - by Stephen Lendman

According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Arab citizens (below called Israeli Arabs) "are discriminated (against) in almost every aspect of their lives," including:

•  
• employment;