Watching the Shadows

Obama administration drops GWOT nomenclature

The Obama administration has formally abandoned the phrase “Global War on Terrorism” for the more clinical and antiseptic “Overseas Contingency Operation.”

Afghanistan
RAWA

RAWA

Special ForcesThe White House announced that the US will consider imposing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) judges and prosecutors if the ICC opens an investigation into the actions of United States service members and intelligence personnel in Afghanistan. The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC requested an investigation in November 2017 into alleged war crimes committed by the US in Afghanistan since May 2003, in addition to actions taken by the Afghan National Security Forces, the Taliban and the Haqqani network. In addition to sanctions, the US will also consider seeking to have the ICC's powers restricted by the UN Security Council. The US will also seek to strengthen agreements that would prevent other nations from surrendering US nationals to the ICC. (Photo: AiirSource Military)

Greater Middle East
IFClogo

IFC

Idlib protestAs the Assad regime and its Russian backers prepare an offensive to take Idlib, the last area of opposition control in Syria, the people of the northern province have been holding demonstrations, organized by the civil resistance, waving the Free Syria flag and calling on the world to act to prevent the impending massacre there. But dozens of Kurdish fighters who had fought in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the US-backed campaign against ISIS, are now reported to have joined the regime offensive on Idlib. The SDF's civilian wing, the Syrian Democratic Council, has sent a delegation to Damascus to open talks on coming to accommodations with the Assad regime. Despite these overtures, the regime continues to reject any recognition of the Kurdish autonomous zone of Rojava. The Rojava Kurds have had to make very hard decisions. Despite their leftist politics, they allied with US imperialism against ISIS. They now appear to be closing ranks with the Assad regime—because Turkey, which wants to crush them, is backing the Free Syrian Army. Kurds and Arabs have been pitted against each other by the Great Powers. But just as the Kurds are likely to be betrayed by the US in a carve-up deal with Turkey now that ISIS is effectively defeated, they may similarly be betrayed by Assad once the FSA is defeated. (Photo: EA Worldview)

Mexico

Agent Orange strategy for Mexican border?

The US Border Patrol intends to employ a chemical herbicide to eradicate Carrizo cane, an invasive plant that provides convenient cover for undocumented border crossers and smugglers.

Mexico

Mexico: indigenous protests in Oaxaca

About 25,000 members of the indigenous Movement of Triqui Unification and Struggle (MULT) marched in Oaxaca City to demand that the government open talks on rights violations in the state.

Mexico

Mexico: does the US own Banamex?

Mexico’s Finance Secretariat ruled that due to the crisis, exceptions can be made to a law banning foreign governments from owning Mexican banks—a reference to Citibank-owned Banamex.

Central America

Guatemala: US knew about 1980s abuses

The National Security Archive has released declassified documents showing the US government knew US-backed Guatemalan officials were behind the disappearance of thousands in the civil war.