I don't have any grand point here, but have you noticed a trend developing lately? The Pentagon has started embedding US troops with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa and northern Syria and with Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq, and it's providing air support for the Iraqi assault on Fallujah. And now, this: After months … Continue reading We’ve always been at war with Eastasia Eurasia everybody

I don't have any grand point here, but have you noticed a trend developing lately? The Pentagon has started embedding US troops with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa and northern Syria and with Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq, and it's providing air support for the Iraqi assault on Fallujah. And now, this: After months … Continue reading We’ve always been at war with Eastasia Eurasia everybody

So there's also some good news today in Libya (I know, it's a weird day): Forces aligned with Libya's unity government battled Islamic State (IS) on Thursday in the militant group's stronghold of Sirte, but faced resistance from snipers as they edged towards the city center. Brigades mainly composed of fighters from the western city … Continue reading Another “but,” this time in Libya

So here's good news from Syria, of all places: Syria has given approval for humanitarian convoys to reach all of the country's besieged areas by the end of this month, the United Nations has said, but warned that "approval ... does not mean delivery". Nearly 600,000 people are besieged in 19 areas in Syria, with … Continue reading Wonderful news in Syria, but…

I had a much fuller day of blogging planned for today, but the sunny, 70 degree weather we had here today was apparently too much for the local power grid, because we lost electricity early this afternoon and didn't get it back until it was too late for me to do anything productive with it. … Continue reading Good read on Muhammad Ali and the Middle East

The operation to liberate Fallujah has reportedly hit a wall, and control over it appears to have slipped entirely from Baghdad's grasp. The Iraqi special forces that have been tasked with leading the advance into the city say that they're being stymied not by ISIS's resistance but by an inability to coordinate their operation with … Continue reading The Fallujah operation is reportedly going sideways

Say hello to Florida Attorney General Pan Bondi! General Bondi has a complex system for determining when to bring the power of the Florida AG's office to bear on an important case, like the one about Trump University bilking all those rubes alleged victims. Has the potential defendant caused material harm to Florida citizens? Is … Continue reading Today in “how can this person possibly still have a job”

The United Nations is a good, some would argue necessary, institution. But man, there are days when you have to question what real impact it's having on the world. Days like, say, yesterday. The UN has been working, to its credit, to open regular access for humanitarian aid to reach Syrians living under siege and … Continue reading A banner day at the UN