Greater Middle East

Yemen: US warplanes strike Qaeda targets

US warplanes and drones struck supposed al-Qaeda targets across three provinces in Yemen, killing at least 12 suspected militants and wounding multiple civilians.

Watching the Shadows

Obama’s final year: a CounterVortex scorecard

With a Trump despotism looming, CounterVortex offers its final assessment of Barack Obama's record in addressing the oppressive legacy of the Global War on Terrorism.

North America

Trump: drug war general to Homeland Security

Gen. John Kelly, Trump's choice for Homeland Security secretary, is ex-chief of the Pentagon's Southern Command who clashed with Obama over his hardline views.

Watching the Shadows

Ex-Gitmo detainee in Uruguay ends hunger strike

A Syrian ex-Guantánamo detainee in Uruguay ended his hunger strike following an agreement allowing him to resettle in an undisclosed third country and reunite with family.

Watching the Shadows

Conviction of bin Laden assistant upheld

A US appeals court upheld the conviction of Ali Hamza Bahlul, former personal assistant to Osama bin Laden, finding that conspiracy cases can be tried by military tribunals.

Watching the Shadows

Ex-Gitmo detainee maintains Uruguay hunger strike

Uruguay's foreign minister urged ex-Guantánamo prisoner Jihad Diyab to call off his hunger strike, stating that Montevideo is attempting to transfer him to another country.

Watching the Shadows

US transfers 15 Guantánamo detainees to UAE

The US Defense Department announced the transfer of 15 Guantánamo detainees to the United Arab Emirates—the largest transfer so far, sparking Republican criticism.

The Caribbean

Is Obama really helping Cuban dissidents?

Obama's embrace of Cuban dissidents allows the Castro regime to to more easily paint any push for greater democracy on the island as part of an imperial agenda.