Military Admits ‘Errors’ in Civilian Bombing in Afghanistan, But Still Defends the Attacks and Warns of Greater Casualities

3 Jun 09 | Rebel Reports and LAT

The attack in Farah province killed as many as 140 Afghan civilians. The U.S. military says errors were made, but insists the “targets” “posed legitimate threats to Afghan or American forces.”

Obama Should Visit Gaza

by Medea Benjamin

3 Jun 09 | ei

U.S. President Obama should visit the Gaza Strip to see the death and the destruction caused by Israel’s recent attacks.

Bin Laden Attacks Obama Policies

3 Jun 09 | AJE

Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda leader, has accused Barack Obama, the U.S. president, of following the policy of his predecessor George Bush in “antagonising Muslims”.

Obama to Tell Israel: Form New Peace Policy By July

2 Jun 09 | Ha’aretz and FT

United States President Barack Obama intends to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu four to six weeks to provide an “updated position” regarding construction in West Bank settlements and the two-state principle.

Obama Hints at Iran’s Citizen Nuclear Program Being ‘Legitimate’; Barak Calls for Tougher Sanctions on Iranians

2 Jun 09 | Ha’aretz and PTV

United States President Barack Obama reiterated that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy – provided it takes steps to prove its aspirations are peaceful.

Poll: Most Americans Against Closing Gitmo; Dems Fund Wars, IMF, Not Gitmo Closing

2 Jun 09 | PTV and Raw Story

Two-thirds of Americans are against closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with even more rejecting the idea of relocating its detainees to U.S. prisons.

Study Likens Israel to South African Apartheid; U.S. Pressed to End Gaza Blockade

2 Jun 09 | PTV, FT, Ha’aretz, CSM and LAT

An expert study concludes that Israel is policing Palestinian territories with an apartheid system that resembles the one which almost fragmented South Africa.

U.S. Out of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

by Ivan Eland

30 May 09 | AWC

Hillary Clinton’s blunt public statement that President Obama “wants to see a stop to settlements – not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth exceptions” made for good headlines. The Israelis were shocked and upset that their slavish ally had acted slightly less obsequious and engaged in a public spat with them.

Israel Seeking U.S. F-35 Fighter Jets, Won’t Cooperate With U.N. Probe Into Gaza Admist More Settler Violence in the West Bank

1 Jun 09 | PTV, Raw Story and Ha’aretz

While Israel may be snubbing Washington’s demands to freeze its settlements expansion, the country’s appetite for the latest U.S. arms remains as strong as ever.

Jimmy Carter Against Obama’s Secrecy and Lack of Prosecution for Torture

1 Jun 09 | Raw Story

Former president apparently lends support for “Truth Commission” on prisoner abuse, says torture a crime “against our Constitution”.

Eavesdropping Case Tests Obama Vows on Secrecy

by William Fisher

1 Jun 09 | IPS

Despite President Barack Obama’s formation of a new task force to review government secrecy, and an ongoing investigation into use of the so-called “state secrets doctrine”, lawyers for the new administration refused last week to disclose information on the government’s use of warrantless wiretaps and backed legislation to block the release of photos of prisoner abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Turnaround, Cuba Agrees to Talks With U.S.

31 May 09 | WaPo

Cuba has agreed to open talks with the United States on issues ranging from immigration to anti-narcotics cooperation and direct mail service, a senior State Department official said today, in a sign that the island’s communist government is warming to President Obama’s call for a new relationship after decades of tension.

U.S. Won’t Accept North Korea as a Nuclear State

30-31 May 09 | AWC News and RT

Russia, Japan call for “serious response” to tests.

Israel Bites U.S. Hand That Feeds It

31 May 09 | PTV and Ha’aretz

Israel takes a clear and decisive step against the world displaying its rogue nature in latest shake up over the illegal settlement development.

Hamas: Abbas Mustn’t Relinquish Our Rights for a ‘U.S. Illusion’

29-30 | Ha’aretz, AJE and PTV

Palestinian factions in exile in Damascus on Saturday warned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against giving up on the “rights of the Palestinian people” in exchange for a “U.S. illusion.”

NGO’s Oppose Obama’s ‘Blank Cheque’ to IMF

29 May 09 | IPS

A broad coalition of civil society groups, as well as some U.S. lawmakers, is fighting what they call a “blank cheque” from the U.S. to expand funding for the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

White House to Merge Domestic, International Security Staffs

26 May 09 | AWC News

Obama to create “Global Engagement Directorate”.

U.S. Bans Release of Photos Showing Iraq Abuses, Including the Rape of Detainees

28 May 09 | RT and Raw Story

Photographs have surfaced showing the rape and other sexual assaults carried out by American soldiers on Iraqi detainees which U.S. President Barack Obama had tried to prevent the release of, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Backlash Grows Against Obama’s Preventive Detention Proposal

by Glenn Greenwald

25 May 09 | Salon

The backlash against President Obama’s extraordinary proposal for indefinite “preventive detention” — already widespread in the immediate aftermath of his speech — continues to grow.

Israel Debates ‘Loyalty’ Law, Defies U.S. Call for Total Settlement Freeze

27 May 09 | AJE and Ha’aretz

The Israeli parliament has passed a preliminary reading of a bill that would mandate the imprisonment of anyone who calls for the end of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, according to the Jerusalem Post newspaper.

Israel to Ignite All-Out Regional War?

25 May 09 | PTV, Ha’aretz and Raw Story

The Israeli military holds its most extensive nationwide drill, signaling its intentions for a possible attack on Iran which they admit can ignite an all-out war in the region.

Gilani: U.S. Drones Attacks “Counter-Productive”

23 May 09 | PTV

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says attacks by U.S. drones on Pakistani territory were “counter-productive” because they undermined Islamabad.

President Obama Defends Guantánamo Closure, But Endorses Indefinite Preventive Detention

22 May 09 | AI

In a major speech on national security on 21 May 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama restated his commitment to closing the Guantánamo detention facility and to ending the use of the so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” approved under the previous U.S. administration.

Obama Orders Update to Iran Attack Plan

22 May 09 | AWC News, PTV and IPS

Gates says, “all options are on the table.”

CCR Guantánamo Attorneys Comment After President’s Speech

21 May 09 | CCR

Center for Constitutional Rights President Michael Ratner and Managing Attorney for CCR’s Guantanamo project Shayana Kadidal responded with disappointment to President Obama’s speech this morning. CCR represents the detainees at Guantánamo and is part of the key FOIA lawsuit surrounding the torture photo disclosures.