Russia warns of new arms race

Russia warns of new arms race


In his third state of the nation address, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of a new nuclear arms race. This coming as US President Barack Obama continues to convince Republican lawmakers to ratify the START treaty, a treaty that would reduce each country's nuclear stockpile by 30%. If the START treaty is not ratified, could the stalemate spark a new nuclear arms race?

Are Americans prepared for a nuclear strike?

Are Americans prepared for a nuclear strike?


At the height of the Cold War, Americans were worried that at any moment the country could become engaged in a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. The federal government built thousands of fallout shelters across the country and bombarded the airwaves with public service announcements about what to do in the event of an attack. Today, only remnants of this era still exist. But has the threat of a nuclear strike really disappeared? And are Americans prepared if it were to happen?

NO NO NATO

NO NO NATO


As leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization met in Lisbon, thousands met in the streets for protest of their policies and very existence. The root of many activists' complaints, from the war in Afghanistan to tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, boil down to US policies

Obama weakening as START ratification looms

Obama weakening as START ratification looms


The START treaty is US President Obama's crown jewel when it comes to his foreign policy objective; however that is in danger due to the GOP holding it up in Congress. If the treaty is not passed before year's end, it will be in major danger of failing once more Republicans join Congress. The Hill columnist Brent Budowsky is optimistic the START treaty will be passed through Congress because many Republicans understand the importance of the treaty

Otto Reich's Legacy of White Propaganda

Otto Reich's Legacy of White Propaganda


In the 1980s, the State Department's Office of Public Diplomacy planted editorials in major newspapers, intimidated reporters and even employed psychological warfare experts from the Pentagon in order to garner public support for its controversial, costly and violent Contra War in Central America. Behind this effort was Otto Reich, a Cuban-American diplomat and anti-communist crusader. Although the Office of Public Diplomacy became the sacrificial lamb of the Iran Contra Scandal following a congressional investigation, Reich moved on unscathed to become US ambassador to Venezuela and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. The legacy of white propaganda in the 1980s paved the way for similar manipulation of the media in the run-up to the Iraq War

Invasion of Grenada blueprint for Iraq

Invasion of Grenada blueprint for Iraq


27 years ago today, 7,000 U.S. troops invaded a tiny island nation of 95,000 under the guise of fighting an imminent communist threat. The reality was a brutal invasion and a high human cost because of the US's use of overwhelming force against largely unarmed civilians. But in many ways, the invasion of Grenada was a litmus test for post-Vietnam War interventions and imperialism—a legacy that lives on today in the Iraq War.

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.

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.