Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases

Consortiumnews.com
By Robert Parry
March 18, 2013

As the U.S. observes the tenth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, a key question remains: Why was there almost no accountability for journalists and pundits who went along with George W. Bush’s deceptions. The answer can be found in the cover-ups of the Reagan-Bush-41 era, writes Robert Parry.

In the early 1980s, when it became clear to me that the Reagan administration was determined to lie incessantly about its foreign policy initiatives – that it saw propagandizing the American people as a key part of its success – I pondered this question: What is the proper role of a U.S. journalist when the government lies not just once in a while but nearly all the time?

Should you put yourself into a permanently adversarial posture of intense skepticism, as you might in dealing with a disreputable source who had lost your confidence? That is, assume what you’re hearing is unreliable unless it can be proven otherwise.

To many readers, the answer may seem obvious: of course, you should! Indeed, it might seem wise to many of you that I should have assumed that Ronald Reagan and his Cold War hard-liners were always lying and work back from there to the rare occasions when they weren’t.

But it wasn’t that easy. At the time, I was working as an investigative reporter for The Associated Press in Washington and many of my senior news executives were deeply sympathetic to Reagan’s muscular foreign policy after the perceived humiliations of the lost Vietnam War and the long Iranian hostage crisis.

General manager Keith Fuller, the AP’s most senior executive, saw Reagan’s Inauguration and the simultaneous release of the 52 U.S. hostages in Iran on Jan. 20, 1981, as a national turning point in which Reagan had revived the American spirit. Fuller and other top executives were fully onboard Reagan’s foreign policy bandwagon, so you can understand why they wouldn’t welcome some nagging skepticism from a lowly reporter.

The template at the AP, as with other major news organizations including the New York Times under neocon executive editor Abe Rosenthal, was to treat Reagan and his administration’s pronouncements with great respect and to question them only when the evidence was incontrovertible, which it almost never is in such cases. …

Read on: http://consortiumnews.com/2013/03/18/what-happened-to-the-us-press-corps/

TruthOut
By Dahr Jamail (Al Jazeera)
March 18, 2013

Contamination from Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions and other military-related pollution is suspected of causing a sharp rises in congenital birth defects, cancer cases, and other illnesses throughout much of Iraq.

Many prominent doctors and scientists contend that DU contamination is also connected to the recent emergence of diseases that were not previously seen in Iraq, such as new illnesses in the kidney, lungs, and liver, as well as total immune system collapse. DU contamination may also be connected to the steep rise in leukaemia, renal, and anaemia cases, especially among children, being reported throughout many Iraqi governorates.

There has also been a dramatic jump in miscarriages and premature births among Iraqi women, particularly in areas where heavy US military operations occurred, such as Fallujah.

Official Iraqi government statistics show that, prior to the outbreak of the First Gulf War in 1991, the rate of cancer cases in Iraq was 40 out of 100,000 people. By 1995, it had increased to 800 out of 100,000 people, and, by 2005, it had doubled to at least 1,600 out of 100,000 people. Current estimates show the increasing trend continuing.

As shocking as these statistics are, due to a lack of adequate documentation, research, and reporting of cases, the actual rate of cancer and other diseases is likely to be much higher than even these figures suggest. …

Read on: http://truth-out.org/news/item/15166-iraq-wars-legacy-of-cancer

Military.com
March 18, 2013

In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award. A decision will be made about the medal’s fate after assessing the findings. Opponents of the medal question the hierarchy of technology-driven warfare such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense and cyber capabilities, as the operators may not be anywhere near a combat zone. Production of the medal has stopped, and there are currently no nominations for it.

From: www.military.com/military-report/secretary-to-review-new-drone-medal

NBCNews.com (blog)
By Jim Maceda

Derek Coy hails from Baytown, Texas, and could be a poster child for American veterans of the war in Iraq as they look back and ask: “Was it all worth it?”

A former U.S. Marine sergeant based in the volatile Anbar province at the height of the conflict, Coy is proud of his service and believes the “invaluable tools” he gained as a Marine will ultimately help him succeed in life.

But seven years since he left Iraq, he’s fighting a different battle — against anxiety, depression and emotional numbness — the effects of post-traumatic stress.

“I still struggle, both mentally and physically, with the toll it took on me and countless others do as well,” he said.

Tuesday [March 19, 2013] will mark 10 years since the “shock and awe” invasion and more than a year since the last company of U.S. troops left Iraq. But only about 4 in 10 Americans who fought there — according to a Pew Research Center poll — believe the reasons for going to war justified the loss in blood and treasure.

Almost 4,500 U.S. troops were killed and more than 32,000 wounded, including thousands with critical brain and spinal injuries. Estimates of the number of Iraqi civilian fatalities are staggering, ranging from 100,000 to 600,000. …

Read on: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/18/17326297-ten-years-after-iraq-invasion-us-troops-ask-was-it-worth-it

The Telegraph
Rob Crilly
December 1, 2013

US special forces fought side by side with Pakistani soldiers and the government in Islamabad privately approved drone strikes while publicly condemning the CIA’s covert raids, according to the Wikileaks diplomatic cables

The revelations of America’s secret war in Pakistan will deeply embarrass President Asif Ali Zardari who has long denied such deep co-operation with Washington for fear it would embolden Islamist opposition to his feeble government.

In public, both sides have described putting American boots on the ground as a red line issue.

However, a cable sent by the then US Ambassador to Islamabad, Anne Patterson, states that Pakistan has twice requested American soldiers to embed with its Frontier Corps in North Waziristan and South Waziristan, areas dotted with Taliban and al-Qaeda bases.

On both occasions Pakistan asked for the help of US special forces to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – including video footage from drones – to its troops. On one mission they helped the Pakistani soldiers target an enemy base with artillery.

“These deployments are highly politically sensitive because of widely-held concerns among the public about Pakistani sovereignty and opposition to allowing foreign military forces to operate in any fashion on Pakistani soil,” she wrote. …

A second cable describes a 2008 meeting with Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pakistani prime minister, in which he brushes aside concerns about the use of Predator drones against targets in the tribal areas and gives an insight into how he would deny any co-operation.

“I don’t care if they do it as long as they get the right people. We’ll protest in the National Assembly and then ignore it” …

Read in full: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/wikileaks/8172922/Wikileaks-Pakistan-privately-approved-drone-strikes.html

Japan Press Weekly
March 7, 2013

It has been revealed that crimes in Okinawa committed by U.S. military personnel are concentrated in areas around U.S. bases.

At the request of Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member Toguchi Osamu, the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters on March 6 released the findings of U.S. crimes. This is the first time for the prefectural police to publish the data of each district police station.

According to the released materials, U.S. military personnel have committed a total of 1,805 criminal offenses in the prefecture from 1989 to 2013. Of them, the largest number is 1,045 handled by the Okinawa police department, which has the U.S. Kadena Air Base in its jurisdiction. It is followed by 287 of the Ginowan police department with jurisdiction over the U.S. Futenma base and 167 of the Ishikawa police department with Camp Courtney in its district.

Tellingly, no crimes by U.S. soldiers occurred in the areas of the police departments of Itoman and Miyako, which have no U.S. bases. …

Read on: www.japan-press.co.jp/modules/news/index.php?id=5340

NPR
By Tom Bowman
March 13, 2013

Several weeks ago, Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said the U.S. is planning what to do about Syria’s vast chemical weapons program once Bashar Assad’s regime falls. The Syrians are believed to have hundreds of tons of chemical agents, including sarin, one of the deadliest chemical agents. A few drops can be lethal.

So the central question is this: How can those sites be secured so they don’t fall into the wrong hands?

NPR has learned that the 82nd Airborne Division just wrapped up a nine-day training exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., working with Army chemical experts from the 20th Support Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, to get ready for a possible mission to deal with those deadly chemicals in Syria.

Thousands of paratroopers jumped in and practiced fighting a foe and surrounding buildings. They wore chemical protective gear, practiced using chemical detectors and corralled mock chemical munitions for containment.

“In support of our roles to the Global Response Force mission, we are taking prudent measures to ensure we are trained and ready for any mission we are called to execute based on volatile regions across the world,” says Lt. Col. Virginia McCabe, a spokeswoman for the 82nd.

As part of that global response, the 82nd always has a brigade on a “short string,” ready to deploy in 18 hours. …

Read on: www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/13/174235963/u-s-troops-train-for-possible-mission-to-secure-syrian-chemical-agents

Ars Technica
by Dan Goodin
March 13 2013

The military is assembling 13 teams of programmers dedicated to offensive attacks

For the first time ever, the Obama administration has publicly admitted to developing offensive cyberweapons that could be aimed at foreign nations during wartime.

According to an article published Tuesday night by The New York Times, that admission came from General Keith Alexander, the chief of the military’s newly created Cyber Command. He said officials are establishing 13 teams of programmers and computer experts who would focus on offensive capabilities. Previously, Alexander publicly emphasized defensive strategies in electronic warfare to the almost complete exclusion of offense.

“I would like to be clear that this team, this defend-the-nation team, is not a defensive team,” Alexander, who runs both the National Security Agency and the new Cyber Command, told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. “This is an offensive team that the Defense Department would use to defend the nation if it were attacked in cyberspace. Thirteen of the teams that we’re creating are for that mission alone.” …

Read on: http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/03/for-first-time-us-military-says-it-would-use-offensive-cyberweapons/

501st Combat Support Wing
by Staff Sgt. Brian Stives, 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
February 14, 2013

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom — Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Craig A. Adams, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief, received an in-depth tour of the Air Force’s only combat support wing and its mission during a visit here Feb. 5- 6.

“Chief and I couldn’t be more proud of the mission you do every day,” Breedlove told the members of the 501st Combat Support Wing during all-calls held at RAF Alconbury and RAF Croughton. “Your mission is not going to diminish over time.”

“Thanks for what you have done and thank you for what you will be doing,” said Adams. “Thank you for being focused on today’s mission.”

During the first day of their whirlwind tour, the general and chief visited the dormitories and clinic at RAF Alconbury before heading off to RAF Molesworth to see the 423rd Security Forces Squadron firing range and 423rd Communications Squadron’s Building 400.

“I thought it was a real honor, it’s not every day you get a coin from a four-star general or the chance to meet the USAFE commander,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Epperson, 423rd Communications Squadron NCOIC of registry at the RAF Alconbury post office, who was coined by Breedlove and asked about himself and his job. “The fact that he wanted to know about me, made me feel like he really cares about the people.”

After an all-call at RAF Alconbury the morning of Feb. 6, the USAFE leadership team went to RAF Croughton to see how the 422nd Air Base Group provides world-class combat support enabling communications and global strike operations at RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford and RAF Welford before holding an all-call at RAF Croughton.

“I thought it was exciting to get up and give General Breedlove a briefing,” said Senior Airman Monte Cook, 422nd Communications Squadron HF radio technician. “It is always interesting to see people’s reactions to what we do. Some people may understand it, coming from similar backgrounds and ask a lot of in-depth questions. Others, like General Breedlove, tend to appreciate something that they may not have taken a part in when they were coming up, but can see what other people do to enable them to do their jobs.”

During both all-calls, the general and chief focused on three priorities: Mission, Airmen and Families.

“We are going to face incredible challenges in the next five years and I want you to learn about them, but don’t let it distract you from the mission,” said the general. “With all of the cuts coming in the future, we will be the smallest Air Force in history. We will be even smaller than the day we were formed. Even with all of this, we are more lethal than ever before and it is all because of you.”

During the all-call at RAF Croughton, Adams asked four Airmen to stand up; they were the presenters during the RAF Croughton tour.

“I know you guys represent the big organization. But let me tell you, this is the future of our Air Force and it makes me excited,” said Adams. “Thank you for what you do!”

Breedlove talked about changing the culture to a more proactive posture by making “Every Airman a Sensor” and taking the offensive on attacking two of the Air Force’s most troublesome problems – suicide and sexual assault.

“Our Air Force is getting smaller and when it comes to Airmen preying on other Airmen, I have no sympathy for the predators. The predators are my candidates to help make our Air Force smaller,” said Breedlove. “But we can’t do it alone; we need your help to take care of our Airmen.”

Adams echoed the general’s comments and said Airmen must treat each other as family and with respect. He said it’s an Airman’s duty to take care of themselves, each other and their family.

“If you are not pushing yourself away from your desk and getting home at a reasonable time in the evenings to spend some time with your families or taking the time to spend with your families on the weekends, then shame on you,” said the chief. “We need to do that. Your family is there before you come into the Air Force, your family is what gets you through the Air Force and they are going to be the ones on the other side when we hang up our uniforms. So, we need to make sure we don’t forget them along the way. When you go home tonight, tell them thank you for everything they do – from us.”

From: www.501csw.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336328

The Guardian
By Murtaza Hussain
March 8, 2013

Using Latin American covert operations as a template for its Iraqi paramilitary proxies, the US once again lost the moral war

In one of the fiery oratories for which he was well-known, the late Hugo Chávez once stated his belief that “the American empire is the greatest menace to our planet.” While his detractors have often sought to paint his rhetorical flourishes as a manifestation of unprovoked and unpopular extremism, to his death Chávez remained extremely popular with the majority of the Venezuelan people.

Indeed, far from being an outlier, Chávez fit well within the spectrum of both Central and Latin American popular opinion. While his style may have been his own, his beliefs and worldview regarding US interventionism were reflected in other leaders throughout the region. Looking at the history of US engagement in Latin America, it becomes evident why such a situation exists. From overthrowing democratically elected leaders, operating death squads, and torturing civilians, the history of US involvement in the region has understandably helped create a widespread popular backlash that persists to this day.

The primary theatre of war has since switched from Latin America to the Middle East, but many of the same tactics of that period – which caused so much devastation and engendered so much visceral anger – seem to have been redeployed on the other side of the world. …

Most chillingly, a veteran of the United States’ “dirty war” in El Salvador was reported to have been brought in to personally oversee the interrogation facilities. As described by Iraqi officials this program was condoned at the highest levels of the US military and utilized “all means of torture to make the detainee confess … using electricity, hanging him upside down, pulling out their nails”. The alleged involvement of a senior participant of the American intervention in El Salvador is, indeed, particularly odious given the legacy of institutionalized torture and murder which characterized US military involvement in that country. …

Read in full: www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/08/us-export-dirty-war-iraq