On AlterNet: national security

Stories, blog posts, and videos tagged as "national security"

The Mindboggling Sum We Actually Spend on National Security

Chris Hellman, Mattea Kramer, TomDispatch.com. May 22, 2012.

If you've heard a number for how much the U.S. spends on the military, it's probably in the neighborhood of $530 billion. But that's merely the beginning of it.

Why Obama and Romney Will Compete to be Cheerleaders for U.S. Imperial Dominance

William Astore, TomDispatch.com. May 15, 2012.

Clearly, come November, whoever wins or loses, the national security state will be the true victor in the presidential sweepstakes.

The Fetish of National Security: How America's Worst Crimes Are Perpetrated and Excused

Corey Robin, Oxford University Press. April 24, 2012.

The creed of national security lets governments justify all sorts of crimes against humanity.

Murder is Legal, According to Eric Holder

David Swanson, Smirking Chimp. March 7, 2012.

Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday explained why he thinks it is legal to murder people, even without trial, arrest, or charges filed.

Are We Living in Post-Legal America?

Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch.com. May 30, 2011.

At least in terms of what used to be called "foreign policy," and more recently "national security," the United States is now a post-legal society.

6 Ways the "War on Terror" Has Been Turned on Us -- And What to Do About It

Coleen Rowley, Consortium News. January 18, 2011.

The pressure to "pre-empt" all possible acts of terrorism has led to repeated examples of opportunistic targeting and entrapment of people.

Bob Woodward's Dark Side -- Famed Reporter Carries Water for the Pentagon

Russ Baker, WhoWhatWhy.com. October 2, 2010.

A crucial aspect of Bob Woodward's career that has been ignored by most of the media: Woodward is the military's man, and always has been.

Our Only Existing Jobs Program Is the Military -- an Insane Way to Keep Americans Employed

Robert B. Reich, Robert Reich's Blog. August 12, 2010.

"National security is a cover for job security. This is nuts."

Glenn Greenwald: Why Elena Kagan Would Be a Dangerous Pick For the Supreme Court

Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!. April 14, 2010.

While we know relatively little about the frontrunner in the nomination race, she is a darling of conservatives, aligns with Sen. Lindsey Graham, and loves executive power.

Feeling Nervous? 3,000 Behavior Detection Officers Will Be Watching You at the Airport This Thanksgiving

Liliana Segura, AlterNet. November 24, 2009.

Nearly 100,000 passengers were pulled aside by TSA behavior watchers last year, and it remains to be proven whether you can spot terrorists by the looks on their faces.

Mitt Romney's Latest Ploy to Stay Relevant: Giving Bad Advice

Steve Benen, Washington Monthly. June 1, 2009.

"Mitt Romney, eyeing a run at the presidency in 2012, is taking another step in fleshing out his foreign policy portfolio."

Obama Makes His Case on Bringing Detainees Home, Cheney Sounds Like a Right-Wing Culture Warrior

Jacob Heilbrun, Huffington Post. May 22, 2009.

Cheney made clear in his speech that his war isn't against terrorism. It's against Obama.

Armed Forces Community Takes Up Global Warming Cause: It's an Ugrent Matter of National Security

Bill Becker, Climate Progress. May 18, 2009.

Delaying the transition to a sustainable energy economy or to launching an aggressive response to global climate change is a national security threat.

Why Robert Gates is a Terrible Pick

Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation. December 1, 2008.

The appointment of Robert Gates -- a vocal critic of Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan who will undoubtedly shape policy-- is alarming.

Lieberman 'Really, Really Good' at Being a Neocon

ZP Heller, Brave New Films. November 12, 2008.

With friends like McCain, who needs Democrats!

McCain Finds Americans No Longer Buying Into the Politics of Dread

Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post. October 23, 2008.

But that won't stop him from trying; his latest Hail Mary bomb comes equipped with a nuclear warhead.

John McCain's Rage Is a National Security Issue

Robert Greenwald, Brave New PAC. October 8, 2008.

Help everyone get to know the real Senator Hothead.

Debunked: Ten Conservative Myths About National Security

Sara Robinson, Campaign for America's Future. September 15, 2008.

Going after the most dangerous myths spun by conservatives after 9/11.

Desperate McCain Tries to Play Terror Card One More Time

Ira Chernus, TomDispatch.com. July 31, 2008.

War and terrorism have replaced social issues in the conservative culture wars.

U.S. Bridges? F#cked. The Money to Fix Them? In Iraq

Jill C., July 29, 2008.

"I often wonder why so much lip service is given to 'national defense' and almost none given to having something to defend."

Bush Wants Your Eyeballs

Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive. June 16, 2008.

George Bush just issued a directive to expand the acquisition of biometric information from citizens, and may share it with foreign governments.

Immigrant Crackdowns Are Building the National Security State

Roberto Lovato, Public Eye. April 14, 2008.

A new kind of protracted domestic war against a new kind of domestic enemy is underway -- undocumented immigrants.

Punishing Thought Crime: Would New Bill Make YOU a Terrorist?

Scott Thill, AlterNet. January 17, 2008.

Meet the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.

Giuliani’s Most Absurd Gaffe

Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report. November 23, 2007.

Steve Benen: What possible motivation could Giuliani have to make himself sound like a raving idiot?

Days After Claiming U.S. Less Safe Due To Iraq War, Counterterrorism Chief Suddenly Resigns

Faiz Shakir, October 18, 2007.

Faiz Shakir: Retired Vice Admiral Scott Redd also acknowledged that the Iraq War is a "giant recruiting tool" for terrorists.