Secrecy News: GAO Oversight of Intelligence, Costs of Secrecy

GAO OVERSIGHT OF INTEL AGENCIES IN DISPUTE One of the simplest and most effective ways to strengthen congressional oversight of intelligence agencies would be to task cleared staffers from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which is the investigative arm of Congress, to undertake specific audits or investigations of intelligence programs.  Perhaps the clearest indication of …

Review: Grand Theft Pentagon–Tales of Corruption and Profiteering in the War on Terror

Chapter and Verse But No Footnotes–a Cornerstone Read   June 17, 2010 Jeffrey St. Clair I come late to this book, published in 2005 and consisting of well-organized Op-Eds published in CounterPunch from 2000-2005. My review is primarily for my own benefit (my notes) and those who follow my reviews of non-fiction at Phi Beta …

The Mexico + American Narcosphere (Calling Carlos “Slim” Helu)

Excellent May 31, 2010 New Yorker article by William Finnegan called Letter from Mexico, Silver or Lead which is unfortunately only available by subscription only (click here for link to abstract also pasted below) The most telling two words of the article = “state capture.” ABSTRACT: LETTER FROM MEXICO about La Familia Michoacana and the …

NIGHTWATCH Extract: Anti-Piracy Without A Clue…

Somalia anti-piracy patrol: Reuters Africa published a report that European Union foreign ministers are expected to extend the bloc’s anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia for another year next week. Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Commander of the European Union Naval Force Somalia, said he expected a new extension of its mandate which expires in …