Best Thing I’ve Read Today
Before the CIA torture report was released by Dianne Feinstein and the House Intelligence Committee, Republicans like Rep. Mike Rogers and Democrats like White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest warned that the report could pose a great risk, causing violence towards...
The Torture Report
The release of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on CIA torture reminded me of a fascinating guest from six years ago. When I posted the audio of that conversation, I wrote: In the debate over using torture in interrogating detainees in Iraq and at...
Best Thing I’ve Read Today
Some blunt words about the wars the US has spent the last 13 years fighting, from a guy who should know. He's retired Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolger, who oversaw our efforts in Afghanistan, and says that, after the countless lives lost and blood spilled, all we have to show...
Robert Baer’s Tips For Assassins
For over 20 years, Robert Baer was a CIA case officer -- or, more accurately, an assassin. In his new book, "The Perfect Kill," he recounts some of his adventures (including going after Saddam Hussein in 1995) and offers tips for other assassins on how to do the job...
Josh Fattal, Iran Hiker Hostage
Iran is in the news a lot this week because of several stories from the past about prisoners held there: This week marks the 35th anniversary of 52 Americans taken hostage and held for 444 days during the Iranian Revolution; Jon Stewart's movie "Rosewater" is about to...
James Risen on the Homeland Security Complex
James Risen is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist who has uncovered many things our government has done in the name of Homeland Security that stretched (ok, broke) the limits of the law, including his revelations about warrantless wire-tapping...
There’s Always A New Chapter
A friend asked a couple of days ago, "What is going on Israel and the Palestinians? I haven't watched the news all week." I answered, "Have you seen any news from that part of the world in the last 5,000 years?" He said, "Of course," to which I replied, "It's the same...
War Words
This morning, I heard a reporter say, over video of Israel launching missiles, "Israel is on the brink of war." Correction: anytime a nation launches missiles at another, it is already at war.