A new bill in Washington formalises the power of the US military to abuct and imprison anyone, anywhere in the world.
Obama administration
The lesson from S&P: politics DOES matter
The Standard and Poor’s downgrade of the US is a reaction to the political nature of the current economic malaise, write Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane.
No reason or evidence will cure US of its debt fetish
If the United States Congress refuses to raise the government’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2, the Obama administration will be forced to put American finances on a more stable path, writes Adam Creighton.
Maley: will the US doff its debt cap?
Could this be the week when global investors start to get seriously worried about the looming August 2 deadline for raising the US debt ceiling? asks Karen Maley.
War on the internet 2: those who Get It, and those who don’t
A closer look at government attacks on the internet shows some are far more effective and targeted than others. Many are driven by the interests of powerful stakeholders able to influence policy makers in preserving pre-digital sources of revenue or authority.
Cyberspace freedom … except where they upset the copyright industry
The Obama Administration’s Cyberspace strategy places heavy emphasis on freedom, but in practice it’s only as much freedom as the copyright industry wants
Guy Rundle: Birtherism bound for half-remembered dance craze status
Clearly the White House would have liked the birther issue to run on right to the edge of the primary season.
Maley: America’s dance with the default
The US government is embroiled in a vicious fight over budget cuts and investors are becoming increasingly agitated that a truce will not be reached in time to avert a partial shutdown of the government, writes Karen Maley, of Business Spectator.
Mid-East uprising stopped in its tracks by West’s strategic uncertainty
The uprisings in the Middle East have been stopped dead in their tracks by a ferocious reaction from some of the world’s worst dictatorships, emboldened by international apathy.
Switzerland turns down gun control
America will have to confront some of its own demons before its citizens will lessen their devotion to their guns.
Kohler: the cost of our surplus obsession
The Australian Prime Minister is too worried about the fiscal balance and the US President is not worried enough.
Cancun Calling: space oddity
The Obama Administration has made grabbing a leading share of the green economy one of the key planks of its climate change and energy policy. But it is now conceding that it is losing the race to China, writes Giles Parkinson, of Climate Spectator
Crikey Conversations: Obama makes up ground on the Russian front
Improving relations with Russia is a classic win-win proposition; it reduces the pressure on the West and also strengthens the more progressive forces in Russia by drawing the country more closely into the European net.
A ‘safe’ investment turns sour
Financial markets are becoming increasingly anxious about the mauling in the US municipal bond market, which has seen borrowing costs for state and local governments jump sharply in recent weeks, writes Karen Maley, of Business Spectator.
Democrats’ shot at maintaining majority not looking rosy
The Democrats are facing serious losses this November due to a failing US economy and the limited policy success of the Obama Administration.
Forget the Taliban. Obama should be worried about the Democrats
The mid-term election is going to be very bad for the Democrats, with one or both houses lost, writes Michael Wolff of Newser.com.
Obama administration pushes for anti-WikiLeaks alliance
Still reeling from the WikiLeaks Afghan War Diary controversies, the US government are attempting to form an international alliance with several countries - including Australia - against the website and its founder Julian Assange.
How America built its robot army
An excellent investigation by Reuters into how drone fighter planes became the Obama administration’s weapon of choice in AfPak. The US military is now launching several targeted strikes a week in Pakistan, four times as many as under Bush.
Let them tweet! ADF families want soldiers to get connected
The US military has taken a bold step in telling its two million personnel they’re trusted to blog, poke, tweet and upload YouTube clips at work. The Australian military is finally catching up, writes Harley Dennett in Washington DC.
Interest rates on US agenda as job figures improve
Interest rates rises have returned to the American political and business agenda, hurried on by the huge improvement in US unemployment in November.
Stop sucking up to Israel, America
Israel is spoiled, arrogant and condescending country, says Gideon Levy, and it will continue to behave like one until the US stops flattering and fawning all over it. Washington needs to learn to say “no”.
Arianna Huffington: Barack Obama is doing my job
For a President, Barack Obama makes a great pundit, says Arianna Huffington. He’s very good at uring, advocating, recommending and suggesting, but not so good at actually doing.
How Uncle Sam blew the trillion-dollar trade of century
Sure, the White House had no choice but to step in to save banks in the wake of the financial crisis, says Mark Fisher, but it failed to see the opportunity to make the trade of the century for the American taxpayer.
