A Wider World of War: Under Donald Trump, U.S. Special Forces Deployed to 149 Countries in 2017

Dear Friend,

The U.S. Empire is extending its long arm. Now 75 % of the world is under its armpit. In 2017, U.S. Special Operations forces, including Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, deployed to 149 countries around the world, according to figures provided to TomDispatch by U.S. Special Operations Command.  That’s about 75% of the nations on the planet and represents a jump from the 138 countries that saw such deployments in 2016 under the Obama administration

Ralph Nader asks "What Does Trump Mean by “Make America Great Again”?"

Ramzy Baroud writes "now that the American mask has completely fallen, Palestinians require an urgent rethink in their own political priorities, alliances and national liberation strategy."

Also more stories from around the world. 

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Binu Mathew

Editor

A Wider World of War: Under Donald Trump, U.S. Special Forces Deployed to 149 Countries in 2017

by Nick Turse 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/a-wider-world-of-war-under-donald-trump-u-s-special-forces-deployed-to-149-countries-in-2017/

In 2017, U.S. Special Operations forces, including Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets, deployed to 149 countries around the world, according to figures provided to TomDispatch by U.S. Special Operations Command.  That’s about 75% of the nations on the planet and represents a jump from the 138 countries that saw such deployments in 2016 under the Obama administration

What Does Trump Mean by “Make America Great Again”?

by Ralph Nader 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/what-does-trump-mean-by-make-america-great-again/

Donald Trump’s now ubiquitous slogan, “Make America Great Again!”, is often chanted at rallies, but rarely scrutinized in public discourse.  What era in America’s past is Mr. Trump referring to when he says “Again”?

The “Me Too Movement”, Sexual Politics And Unnatural Justice

by Dr Binoy Kampmark 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/the-me-too-movement-sexual-politics-and-unnatural-justice/

Those being placed on the pyre for burning are now so numerous as to warrant a multitude of scrapbooks and scribbles.  From across the political spectrum, the casualties are accumulating in the media, political and publicity circuit. Figures considered creature of good repute have been cast to the wolves.  A total inversion seems to be taking place, from the newspaper cycle to the White House.

Need for More Public Interest Litigation and Charging of Politicians for Hate Crimes

by Anandi Sharan 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/need-for-more-public-interest-litigation-and-charging-of-politicians-for-hate-crimes/

Why is there a gag order on Yogi Adityanath’s hate speech trial in Allahabad? What is the public interest in covering up these crimes? The hate speeches by Yogi Adityanath were the precursor to extra judicial killings by the Uttar Pradesh Government once he became Chief Minister. 

Towards A New Palestinian Beginning

by Dr Ramzy Baroud

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/towards-a-new-palestinian-beginning/

Now that the American mask has completely fallen, Palestinians require an urgent rethink in their own political priorities, alliances and national liberation strategy.

What Humans, Bees And Koala Bears Have In Common Is Due To Climate Change

by Dr Arshad M Khan  

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/what-humans-bees-and-koala-bears-have-in-common-is-due-to-climate-change/

The stresses have left the koalas dying from kidney failure. How long before they are added to the ever-increasing endangered list?  Unless the world really sits up and takes notice, we will be soon adding our pollinator bee friends and, eventually, ourselves to that list.  It is what we have in common.

HUMAN RIGHTS And Human Rights And U.S. Rights

by Richard Oxman

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/human-rights-and-human-rights-and-u-s-rights/

The U.S. has no “right” to violate international law. And the prerogatives it demands are enabled by our present HUMAN RIGHTS dynamic.

NOTA …A Potential ‘ Tool’ To Express Dissent

by Sheshu Babu 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/nota-a-potential-tool-to-express-dissent/

Introduction of NOTA in the voting system is a welcome development as it provides the voter with alternative choice. It is a form of expressing dissent on the present political system as well as candidates in the fray. In rural areas, people are forced to vote and this choice can serve a part of the purpose of expressing dislike. It has immense potential to curb tainted politicians and those candidates with criminal record to enter the fray as NOTA.

Kashmir’s Own Air Service

by Mohammad Ashraf 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/kashmirs-own-air-service/

The operation of a private helicopter service is welcome but it needs full government backing from the State and the Centre to succeed

Inside The World Of Indian Bureaucracy

by Moin Qazi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/inside-the-world-of-indian-bureaucracy/

An anecdote on how the 'famed' Indian Bureaucracy works

NREGA Workers of Jharkhand Demand Their Rights

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/12/14/nrega-workers-of-jharkhand-demand-their-rights/

Close to 1,000 NREGA workers and other rural labourers converged to Birsa Chowk from 12 districts of Jharkhand today and sat on dharna to protest against repeated attacks on their right to food and right to work. The event was jointly organised by Right to Food Campaign Jharkhand and NREGA Watch.