Watching the Shadows

Conviction of al-Qaeda media director vacated

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit vacated the conspiracy conviction of Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, former media secretary of Osama bin Laden.

Watching the Shadows

Judge: Gitmo detainee has no right to secret info

A judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that lawyers for a detainee at Guantánamo Bay may not review “top secret” materials related to the case. 

Watching the Shadows

Chuck Hagel: revenge of the paleocons?

Leftists are ironically rallying around Chuck Hagel as Obama's apparent pick for Secretary of Defense—a conservative Republican who is wary of the neocons but close to Big Oil.

Watching the Shadows

Europe rights court rules for rendition victim

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Macedonia is responsible for the torture and degrading maltreatment of Khaled el-Masri, found to be a victim of CIA “rendition.”

Watching the Shadows

2013 NDAA: Feinstein amendment hurts, not helps

Civil and human rights groups are protesting Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s proposed amendment to the 2013 NDAA, saying it paradoxically loans legal cover to indefinite detention.

Watching the Shadows

Military coup d’Ă©tat against Obama?

Was Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette sacked from his command of a Pacific carrier battle group last month because he was plotting a putsch against Obama? 

Watching the Shadows

ACLU urges Obama to close Gitmo in second term

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called on US President Barack Obama early on the morning after his re-election to shut down the Guantánamo Bay military prison.