A Decade Later: An Assessment of US Policy Since 9/11

JURIST Guest Columnist Leonard Cutler of Siena College says that President Obama did not keep his promise to make the country’s counterterrorism policy more consistent with constitutional principles and international law, and that it remains to be seen whether his approach to counterterrorism can avoid the serious political damage manifested by his predecessor…

After al-Qaeda’s unprecedented acts against the US on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush indicated that the country was facing a different type of enemy in the twenty-first century. The nameless, faceless and borderless enemy was terrorism and for the first time the front was in America. The attack on the World Trade Center, the symbol of global finance and capitalism, and the Pentagon, the heart of the US national security command, caused a catastrophic loss of life and an unprecedented threat to the national sense of well being. President Bush’s objective was to eradicate the evils of terrorism, which meant that the conflict did not end with al-Qaeda or the Taliban. It also included other terrorist militant organizations in Iraq, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran and North Korea.

The Bush administration’s record in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, included the overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the disruption of al-Qaeda’s power infrastructure and the capture or killing of some of the terrorist organization’s worst Islamist militants. It also included a violation of international human rights standards. Due to this, the Bush administration failed to reduce anti-American sentiment across the globe. With the historic election of Barack Obama in 2008, came the perception that Americans would witness a significant departure from the Bush administration’s national security and counterterrorism policies. During the campaign, Obama pledged to make the country’s counterterrorism policy more consistent with constitutional principles and international law.

For all of the Obama administration’s rhetoric claiming that it has chartered an entirely new approach to counterterrorism policy, the record to date clearly indicates the contrary. It may be a case of message over substance as it relates to the following:

– The Guantanamo Bay prison facility remains open as a symbol of torture and repression, and some detainees will continue to be held there indefinitely without trial;

– Water boarding and enhanced interrogation techniques have stopped, but they had already ceased under Bush in 2006;

– An expanded program for detaining alleged terrorists is underway in Bagram, Afghanistan;

– Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) renditions continue to help provide alleged foreign terrorists to friendly foreign governments, who may have their own interrogation standards;

– Obama’s expanded program of targeted killings via drone aircraft is clearly evidenced in Afghanistan;

– Broad electronic surveillance of terrorist suspects continues under Obama with legislative authorization; and

-The longstanding practice of invoking the state secrets doctrine continues to be utilized to quash litigation against the government’s actions.

There is far more consistency with respect to Bush administration policies than was anticipated, particularly in the war against al-Qaeda. Under Obama, Afghanistan has become the military’s top priority in the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. More than 100,000 troops and support personnel have been committed in the past two years. Obama initially maintained that the US is not in Afghanistan to control that country. However, his war strategies are strikingly similar to those employed by Bush in Iraq. The number of troops has surged and counterinsurgency and nation-building have become the core strategies. Obama’s principal goal is to promote good governance and legitimacy in the eyes of the local population.
[Read more →]

LA vs WAR – Project Exhibit HERE

Saudi Arabia leverages its influence on the United States and European countries in order to stop the spread of democracy in the Middle East, particularly in neighboring Bahrain.

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahraini Center for Human Rights, tells us that Bahraini citizens deserve to have a country where people live in equality, and a system exists with fair distribution of wealth and power.

Press TV: About 12 doctors out of 47 who were detained, that includes some nurses, have gone on hunger strikes, some in a coma because of it, with more detainees joining it – about 200 based on the latest reports, including opposition movement member like Abduljalil al-Singace, and prominent human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Give us your reaction to this, please, and anymore explanations to this you can give.

Rajab: As you know, it started by the doctors and joined by the politicians and human rights defenders who are in prison. Now, almost all the prisoners in the dry dock prisons are on hunger strike. Many of these soldiers and policemen who are in detention, along with their families including their kids, are joining the hunger strike.

At least 120 people tonight among those people who are on a hunger strike have protested in front of the Bahrain mall, one of the biggest Bahraini shopping malls. The moment they started their hunger strike, they were attacked by tear gas, rubber bullets and sound bombs.

The situation is deteriorating as some of those doctors are being transferred to the hospital. Efforts are deteriorating due to this hunger strike.

The children members of the doctors’ families are joining this hunger strike. It is a few days now.

It is worrying, the health condition of those people, but, unfortunately, there is not a civilized government which considers the lives of its own citizens. The Bahraini government is ignoring the courts, the recommendation of all human rights organizations that it’s said for weeks and months.

I don’t think the Bahraini government will transfer the cases from the military court to the civilian court. As you know, the reason of this protest, this hunger strike is because they’ve been tried before the military courts.

Human rights organizations, all international human rights communities think that civilian people should be tried before a civilian court and not a military court. But the Bahrain government, and because of the Saudi support by military and political means, think they could do anything they want to do.

They think they can violate and commit crimes against humanity, and nobody is going to talk to them as far the Saudis are behind them. This is what we are witnessing at this moment.

Press TV: Pointblank, you have Saudi Arabia, on the one hand, as part of the [P]GCC, Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. Then you have the UK and the US, the US with its Fifth Fleet, on the other hand. By some accounts, a change in Bahrain many are saying is doomed not to happen because these countries. My question is how far will these countries go to stop and crush the revolution in Bahrain?

Rajab: Well, you have to take something into consideration. Any democracy in Bahrain will have an impact in Saudi Arabia. And democracy in Saudi Arabia is something that they don’t want to see.

Iraq becoming a democracy is a threat, which is not as close as Bahrain. Now, in Bahrain, which is walking distance from Saudi Arabia, democracy is reaching a close distance and is very dangerous to the Saudis. This is how they view it.

From the other side, you have to take something else into consideration, that we have realized those revolutions in the Arab Spring, that the Saudis influence in some European countries and the United States is more than the influence of those European countries and the United States on Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

That’s why we have seen how much Saudi Arabia could silence, and the Americans could silence some of the European countries into saying anything or taking any strong decision on the Bahraini situation.

We have seen how much crime is being committed by specific countries and ignored by other countries. Unfortunately, we have realized that democracy in the United States and some European countries are important only to those countries they have a problem with, but not to those dictators whom they have a good relationship with, like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
[Read more →]

The Process for Complaints after 9th September

The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) would like to sincerely thank all those who came forward since the establishment of the Commission to record their complaints. As of Friday, 9th September, the BICI is no longer accepting phone calls to set up appointments with its investigators. The BICI is expecting to meet with over 2000 people, amongst whom are victims and witnesses of the February/March 2011 unrest and their consequences in the ensuing period until 30th September 2011 – the final date for such interviews.

However, the BICI is looking forward to receiving further written complaints submitted by email at: outreach@bici.org.bh, in continuation of the BICI mandate and interest in hearing all parties. Complaints will only be accepted if the following documents are included:

1. The relevant complaints form is used to record the violation, which is available from the Commission website: www.bici.org.bh;
2. A scan of the complainant’s identification card and the accurate inclusion of their CPR number;
3. Scanned copies of all supportive documents to the complaint;
4. If possible, more than one contact number in order to allow the investigator to contact the complainant, should further information be required.

The BICI team has exerted their utmost efforts in the collection of the maximum amount of complaints possible and in the record of human rights violations. As a result, the BICI would like to remind respondents to cooperate with the Commission and fulfill the requirements outlined for complaints to be accepted in order to allow the BICI to complete its work in the best manner possible. …source

Bahrain unrest ‘big blow to businesses’
Manama: Sun, 11 Sep 2011

Bahrain’s businessmen have suffered heavily due to the recent unrest, with 21 per cent of them saying they will not be in a position to overcome the repercussions, said a report.

While 36 per cent confirmed the possibility of overcoming the difficulties faced by them, 43 per cent were unable to predict future economic conditions and 28.4 per cent said average losses exceeded their capital by 76 per cent to 100 per cent, according to a survey conducted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

The study also found that 87 per cent of institutions and companies incurred losses and only 5 per cent made profits.

New investments dropped by 70.4 per cent, profits by 86.4 per cent, Bahraini companies’ reserves by 43.8 per cent and 55.5 per cent of businessmen found financing difficult, BCCI chairman Dr Essam Fakhro told our sister publication Akhbar Al Khaleej.

The commercial sector suffered the most followed by services, contracting and industrial sector, Dr Fakhro said. – TradeArabia News Service …source

‘Bahrain regime enjoys Western silence’
shiapost – September 9, 2011
by Ali al-Ahmed, Director of IGA

The Saudi-backed Bahraini regime continues its brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters as it feels at ease with the silence of the West, a political activist had told Press TV.

“There hasn’t been a single statement coming out of Washington, regarding the doctors, regarding those people who are in jail, regarding the victims who are falling every day,” said Ali al-Ahmed, the director of the Institution for [Persian] Gulf Affairs, on Thursday in an interview with Press TV.

He also mentioned that the Western silence makes the Al Khalifa regime feel secure and confident in committing these atrocities.

Ahmed further added that the US continues to support the Bahraini regime as it seeks to undermine the revolution in the country.

“The US and the West feel that freedom in the Middle East or people power in the Middle East will undermine the interest of the West and will create independent, vibrant countries that will compete with the dominant interest of the US and [the] Western countries,” he said.

His comments come as recent video footage aired earlier in the week by the Arabic language Al-Alam news channel showed regime forces had used poisonous tear gas grenades against the protesters.

The poisonous tear gas grenades have allegedly been supplied to the Al Khalifa regime by the US. …source

US supplying toxic tear-gas to Bahrain
shiapost – September 11, 2011

Bahraini protesters say regime forces are now using toxic and stronger ammunition against peaceful anti-government demonstrators. They say the tear gas used by the Saudi-backed Bahraini troops to disperse protesters are now supplied by United State.

However, it was also reported that United Kingdom have also supplied arms to Bahraini regime.

The manufacture of these toxic wide range smoke grenades is NonLethal Technologies Inc. situated at 9419 Rt 286 Hwy West Homer City, PA 15748 USA.

http://www.nonlethaltechnologies.com

This Chemical Irritant is a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; “shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man” and it is cause of many dangerous diseases.

The Arabic language Al-Alam news channel reported on Tuesday that it has obtained a video footage showing that the poisonous teargas grenades used by Bahraini security forces against demonstrators were supplied by the Americans.

Two weeks ago, 14-year-old Ali Jawad was killed following Eid al-Fitr prayers when Saudi-backed Bahraini forces shot him directly in the face by a tear gas canister at close range in the southern city of Sitra.

Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging demonstrations in Bahrain since mid-February, demanding political reforms and a constitutional monarchy — a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

Scores of people have also been killed and many others have been injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.

“We have offered so many sacrifices and cannot back down and end up empty handed. The reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful,” Sheikh Isa Qassim said in June. …source

Anti-govt. protests continue in Bahrain
shiapost – September 11, 2011

People in Bahrain continue to stage anti-government protest rallies, calling for the downfall of the repressive Al Khalifa regime, Press TV reports.

Bahraini protesters took to the streets in several villages across the country on Saturday night.

Chanting slogans against the ruling family, the protesters also demanded the release of demonstrators held by the regime.

On Friday, thousands of people poured to the streets in a demonstration organized by Bahrain’s largest opposition bloc, al-Wefaq.

According to organizers, the Friday protest was to show that the people of Bahrain would not back down from their demands.

Protesters have been calling on the ruling Al Khalifa family to release its decades-long grip on power.

The Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have killed scores of people and arrested hundreds more during crackdowns on the peaceful anti-government protesters. …source

If King Hamad won’t listen then he must leave
(AP) –Sep.9,2011

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The harsh crackdown on anti-government protests in Bahrain has failed to silence people’s demands for greater rights, a senior Shiite cleric in the Gulf kingdom said Friday as thousands of opposition supporters rallied on the outskirts of the capital.

The latest demonstration was staged by people who say they were unfairly fired from their jobs simply for being members of the island nation’s Shiite community, which led the months of protests. Thousands of Shiite professionals accused of having a role in the protests have been fired from their jobs.

Shiites make up a majority of Bahrain’s people, but they have long complained of discrimination at the hands of the country’s ruling Sunni dynasty and a lack of economic opportunities.

A police helicopter flew over the large demonstration, which was backed by Bahrain’s biggest opposition party, Al Wefaq. The crowd chanted slogans against Bahrain’s 200-year-old Sunni monarchy. Some protesters demanded their jobs back and others urged opposition leaders not to compromise with the monarchy.

“Our revolution will continue,” the protesters chanted. They warned the rulers: “If you don’t want to listen then you have to leave.”

Bahrain is a strategically important nation in the Persian Gulf and is the home of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

The U.S. has appealed to its ally to listen to protesters’ demands for more political freedoms, but a government-led national dialogue produced no compromise with the Shiite opposition, which only had token representation at the talks.

Bahrain’s senior Shiite cleric, Sheik Isa Qassim, said the “politics of fear” and the Sunni rulers’ refusal to reform has strengthened the resolve of Shiites.

“Those who refuse to reform and continue to ignore the people’s demands for rights should know that the masses will not submit to despots,” the cleric said during Friday’s sermon in the opposition stronghold of Diraz, northwest of the capital, Manama.

More than 30 people have died since February when protests inspired by other Arab uprisings began in Bahrain.

Hundreds of activists have been detained and brought to trial on anti-state charges in a special security court.

Bahrain lifted emergency rule in June. Since then, government opponents have clashed with police almost every night.

Friday’s protest dispersed peacefully, although groups of opposition supporters marched to Manama’s Pearl Square, the heavily guarded former epicenter of Bahrain’s uprising.
…source

Bahrain security authorities to take legal action against demonstrators
English.news.cn – 2011-09-10 08:30:57

MANAMA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) — A top Bahraini security official said Friday that the government will carry out “zero tolerance” policy against the country’s biggest opposition group, Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, for flouting rules in a gathering.

Al Wefaq held its weekly gathering on Friday in the capital that was attended by thousands of its supporters, who according to Public Security chief Major-General Taraq Mubarak bin Daina failed to abide by the law and committed irresponsible acts.

He pointed out that the protestors taking part in the march organized by Al-Wefaq chanted slogans and wrote incitement slogans on walls.

“Legal action would be taken against participants in a rally. All legal procedures would be taken against violators who are responsible for these acts, in line with the law,” he said.

“The provisions of the law stress the need to maintain discipline and public order, avoid any legal violations, prevent speeches and discussions contravening public order and inciting criminal acts,” bin Daina said in a statement.

The majority of the participants were Shi’ites who chanted slogans against the government.

Bahrain is a close U.S. ally that has been struggling to contain popular protests demanding political and economic reforms since February this year. The protests have affected thousands of citizens who were sacked from their jobs for taking part in illegal gatherings. …source