Comments on Informed Comment: US: Raid Targetted al-Qaeda Facilitator; May Comp...

ref : “...the idea of the US using Iraq as a launc...

2008-10-28T13:44:00.000-04:00

ref : “...the idea of the US using Iraq as a launching pad for attacking neighboring countries”

11-SEP-2001, George W. Bush : “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”

ref : Later, Secretary of State Colin Powell elaborated on just how broadly "those who harbor them" was intended: “Countries that harbor terrorists are no different than terrorists.”

These transgressions, apparent into Syria and Pakistan are not inconsistent with the The Bush Doctrine. That this is the policy, post-9/11 of the United States, to no longer recognize sovereign borders or, for that matter other legal boundaries or otherwise binding Agreements ~ has been clearly stated; And (here again) established by action precedent. insofar as the United States is concerned, this is "new law" realized as mode d'emploi policy as well as modus operandi history. There is no reason, thus for the American military to act undercover, or under the covering figleaf of diplomatic euphemism, or media newspeak explanations.

That this Doctrine is dangerous, or endangering to US as well as others... is obvious; That it is illegal, is "moot" Over Here, though quite shocking Over There. otoh, That the Bush Doctrine is fatally flawed is now known, because "terrorist" is left undefined, by any legal or common sense. Indeed, to our horror we have all learned that, e.g., in the case of IRAQ: the evidence of "terrorist" presence need not even be "real" for the Doctrine to be realilzed as default military action.

Dear Professor Cole, Nice news round-up, but there...

2008-10-28T13:11:00.000-04:00

Dear Professor Cole,

Nice news round-up, but there is something lacking, isn't there? Why no discussion of the current situation with the Iraqi oil law, the back and forth between the U.S.-appointed Cabinet and the publicly elected Parliament?

The U.S. appointed Cabinet is pushing for the oil law, but the Parliament is refusing. Similarly, it is Parliamentary pressure that is holding up the SOFA, right?

I would guess that the two issues are closely linked.

I suspect that the US has a tacit agreement with S...

2008-10-28T10:07:00.000-04:00

I suspect that the US has a tacit agreement with Syria, much like the one it seems to have with Pakistan - you give us free rein to attack targets we select on your territory, we give you free rein to complain about it.

Was the target a legitimate target? Who can know? I'll feel a lot more trusting when there is an administration that doesn't have a history of lying.

Dear Professor ColeThere is more to this than may ...

2008-10-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Professor Cole

There is more to this than may meet the eye.

What is unusual is that the helicopters were seen on the way in flying down a valley. British practice in Northern Ireland was to drop troops from Helicopters after dark so the insertion was unseen.

The natural response of a country whose territory has been violated like happened on Sunday Evening would be to deploy some SAM in the area to prevent a recurrence.

Let us think to ourselves what the consequences of a second incursion would be if one or more of the helicopters were brought down.

President McCain??

Is there anything that the U.S. has had built in I...

2008-10-28T03:58:00.000-04:00

Is there anything that the U.S. has had built in Iraq that isnt a boondoggle or a mess? I am serious. We seem to be spending millions for buildings and facilities that are so badly constructed they cannot be used. Is there any oversight on construction? It sounds like all the taxpayer pays for are piles of crap. Who is getting the kickback for these failures?

It does sound like the White House was fully brief...

2008-10-28T02:22:00.000-04:00

It does sound like the White House was fully briefed and involved in this operation from the beginning. If they intended this to keep Iraq off the front page, however, it backfired.