Karzai does not take democracy seriously

Karzai does not take democracy seriously

most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. Ann Marlowe, a fellow at the Hudson Institute argued that the high number of candidates and disorganization is leading to much conspiracy. Many of the candidates and observes fear Afghan President Hamid Karzai will again use tactics to pack the Parliament with supporters to try and amend the national constitution to give himself unlimited terms in office.

Afghan elections highlight failure, not progress

Afghan elections highlight failure, not progress

In most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. So far a number of election workers and a candidate have already been kidnapped. Journalist Kelley Vlahos said the US has used the elections, both in Iraq and Afghanistan as symbols of freedom and progress; however it is unlikely this election will highlight progress. She said these elections will more likely show the failures of international efforts in Afghanistan and illustrate the corruption in the Afghan government.

19 kidnapped amid Afghan elections

19 kidnapped amid Afghan elections


Afghanistan's parliamentary elections on Saturday will be another key test for the embattled central government and observers are expressing concern about irregularities before the polls even open. Eighteen election worker and one candidate have already been kidnapped and taken for ransom by the Taliban. So who will come out and vote tomorrow? Jerome Starkey says that there has been a huge effort to drum up support for their respective party but people understand the risks of coming out to vote.

Afghan elections free and credible?

Afghan elections free and credible?


most elections, the question is about who might win. In the case of Afghanistan, which will elect the lower house of its parliament on September 18, the focus is on whether they can be held in a credible manner across the country. Malou Innocent, a foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute said it's hard to even call these elections free and credible given the bribery, voter intimidation, closure of polling places and other problems.

Gerald Celente: US Economy = Depression

Gerald Celente: US Economy = Depression


Famous investor and billionaire George Soros referred to the US economy as "blah," saying he expects a further slowdown. US President Barack Obama has insisted however that the US economy is heading in the right direction. Gerald Celente, the director of the Trends Research Institute said the economy is not just blah, it's in a depression. It's the summer of the greatest recession," he said.

US is in an economic/ moral crisis

US is in an economic/ moral crisis


The Values Voters Summit, the annual conference of the Family Research Council and other religious right groups, has drawn over 2,000 activists this year, who seem warmly receptive to uniting their culture war issues with the tea party movement. JP Freire says that this is a convenient alliance and that this is a response against 'big budget busting Republicans' of yesteryear.





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US poverty: From bad to worse?

US poverty: From bad to worse?

US President Obama is pushing forward plans to double the country's exports in the next five years. The move, that could generate two million jobs, comes amid hopes that the country is finally pulling out of the depths of recession. But with the number of Americans facing poverty at a 50-year high, millions are still fighting for survival. RT's Lauren Lyster reports from New Jersey about the everyday hardship that Americans must face.

The 3 Minute Download: Ivan Eland, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Jacob G Hornberger

The 3 Minute Download: Ivan Eland, Rev. Graylan Hagler and Jacob G Hornberger

Tonight on The 3 Minute Download, there is some good foreign policy news for President Obama today; perhaps a victory? The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of the proposed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia.Plus, one in seven Americans now live on or below the poverty line, according to figures published by the US Census Bureau. It is the sharpest annual rise for three decades, and analysts predicted next year's figures will be even worse. Finally, Okinawa, Japan is home to one of the US bases and has been protested by locals for years, will the United States ever remove these "colonies"?




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US Empire fueled by military industrial complex

US Empire fueled by military industrial complex

The United States has set up military bases all over the world as a way to insert their power and influence inside the regions they inhabit. Okinawa, Japan is home to one of the US bases and has been protested by locals for years, will the United States ever remove these "colonies"? Jacob G Hornberger says this is all a part of the US Empire, the US is using military bases all over the world like the British did setting up colonies to expand their empire.

The poor and impoverished turn to the forest

The poor and impoverished turn to the forest


RT's Anastasia Churkina re-visits Tent City - a homeless camp tucked away in the woods of New Jersey, where over 40 people have been forced to live, with nowhere else to go.

Nuclear treaty: START-ing now?

Nuclear treaty: START-ing now?

US President Barack Obama on Thursday applauded the endorsement by a Senate panel of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia. So, who would be against reducing nuclear weapons as the START treaty moves forward? Charles Kupchan says that beneath the surface of the START treaty being held up in the Senate were partisan politics and the Republican Party being hesitant to give the Obama administration a win.

Poverty: The American nightmare

Poverty: The American nightmare


One in seven Americans now live on or below the poverty line, according to figures published by the US Census Bureau. It is the sharpest annual rise for three decades, and analysts predicted next year's figures will be even worse. Rev. Graylan Hagler says that as a Pastor he sees people who have been gainfully employed their whole life and are now suffering due to the slumping economy.

START treaty: Victory for Obama?

START treaty: Victory for Obama?


There is some good foreign policy news for President Obama today; perhaps a victory? The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of the proposed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with Russia. So, who would be against reducing nuclear weapons as the START treaty moves forward? Some in Congress are saying that the START treaty would force the US to ask Russia for permission to develop their nuclear program.

Afghan success: 'Reach out to postunes'

Afghan success: 'Reach out to postunes'


As the Afghanistan war continues to wage on, there has been a major question hanging over the campaign. How will the United States measure success in Afghanistan? Matthew Hoh says that when the US turned the corner in Iraq there was a sense of stability after reaching out to the Sunni leadership, the same must be done with the royal postunes in Afghanistan.

The 3 Minute Download: Jake Diliberto, Max Fraad Wolff and Eric Montalvo

The 3 Minute Download: Jake Diliberto, Max Fraad Wolff and Eric Montalvo


Tonight on The 3 Minute Download, as the Afghanistan war continues to wage on, there has been a major question hanging over the campaign. How will the United States measure success in Afghanistan? Plus, it was exactly 2 years ago today that Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy when it could not find a buyer and the US Government would not bail out the company. So, what has changed to ensure that this will never happen again? US soldiers 'killed Afghan civilians for sport and collected fingers as trophies' according to a report that accuses twelve soldiers of participating in this act.

2 years of economic doom, is the future clearer?

2 years of economic doom, is the future clearer?


As the US marks the second anniversary of Lehman Brothers bankruptcy - the biggest in US history, the economic outlook continues to look grim. RT's Anastasia Churkina looks at what America has been through since the collapse and what could follow next.

9/11 first responders demand health care and compensation

9/11 first responders demand health care and compensation


Although nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, hundreds more have died from injuries and illnesses they got while running into the building and working on the site in the days and weeks following the attacks. Nine years later, they are demanding the passage of a bill that failed in July, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010

Afghanistan: 'No way we're out by 2011'

Afghanistan: 'No way we're out by 2011'


As the Afghanistan war continues to wage on, there has been a major question hanging over the campaign. How will the United States measure success in Afghanistan? Especially as the death toll continues to rise on both sides of the conflict. US President Barack Obama pledged to withdraw troops next September, will he be able to stick to his goal and is that even a good goal to have?

US economic outlook 'clouded'

US economic outlook 'clouded'


was exactly 2 years ago today that Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy when it could not find a buyer and the US Government would not bail out the company. So, what has changed to ensure that this will never happen again? Unfortunately, the United States financial forecast is still cloudy two years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

US ignores mental health of its soldiers

US ignores mental health of its soldiers

US soldiers 'killed Afghan civilians for sport and collected fingers as trophies' according to a report that accuses twelve soldiers of participating in this act. The soldiers now face serious charges from a military tribunal over a secret 'kill team' which allegedly murdered at random. Defense attorney Eric Montalvo who is defending one of the soldiers says that the US needs to look at the bigger picture and focus on the mental health of US soldiers.