Sun Tzu

Articles by Sun Tzu

Obama Cedes Terror Cases to Civilian Law Enforcement

From the Wall Street Journal:President Barack Obama issued an order Tuesday giving civilian investigators broad power to handle the cases of U.S. terrorism suspects despite a law passed late last year favoring military custody. The decision is likely to raise

Obama Cedes Terror Cases to Civilian Law Enforcement

Greece Approves Salary, Pension Cuts Required for New Bailout

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greece’s Parliament late on Tuesday approved new cuts in public sector pensions and government spending required to secure a second package of international rescue loans. Lawmakers voted 202-80 in favor of cutbacks worth a total euro3.2

Greece Approves Salary, Pension Cuts Required for New Bailout

German Lawmakers Approve New Greek Bailout Bill

BERLIN (AP) – The German parliament approved a second, euro130 billion ($173 billion) loan package for Greece on Monday after Chancellor Angela Merkel warned lawmakers that it would be irresponsible to abandon the country to bankruptcy. Although the motion was

Sascha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' Finds Resonance in Arab Spring

Banned from the Oscars for fear of an in-character red carpet stunt, British comedian Sascha Baron Cohen has taken to Youtube to slam the Academy with an in-character viral video stunt: [youtube QIrYdivBRss nolink] Though this is certainly a topic

European Central Bank: 'No Escape from Tough Austerity Measures'

From the Wall Street Journal: FRANKFURT–European Central Bank President Mario Draghi warned beleaguered euro-zone countries that there is no escape from tough austerity measures and that the Continent’s traditional social contract is obsolete, as he waded into an increasingly divisive debate

European Central Bank: 'No Escape from Tough Austerity Measures'

Israeli Police Clash with Palestinians at 'Dome of the Rock'

JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli police clashed with hundreds of Palestinians throwing rocks after Muslim prayers at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site on Friday. It was not immediately clear what set off the confrontation at the shrine sacred to both Jews

Israeli Police Clash with Palestinians at 'Dome of the Rock'

Obama Gives Diplomat Job to Fundraiser, Disaster Ensues

From Foreign Policy Magazine: Candidate Barack Obama promised to end the time-honored American practice of appointing ambassadors who have no experience in foreign policy, but President Obama has completely ignored that promise, appointing fundraisers to dozens of ambassadorships all over

Obama Gives Diplomat Job to Fundraiser, Disaster Ensues

Former Defense Minister: Only Israel and America Can Attack Iran

An opinion piece by Moshe Arens, the former Defense Minister of Israel. From Haaretz: For the past 12 years the world has been watching the progress of Iran’s nuclear program. Its ultimate aim is to attain nuclear weaponry and is

Former Defense Minister: Only Israel and America Can Attack Iran

IAEA Admits Iran Visit a Failure

VIENNA (AP)–The U.N. nuclear agency acknowledged renewed failure Wednesday after a trip to probe suspicions of covert Iranian nuclear weapons work, in a statement issued just hours after an Iranian general warned of a pre-emptive strike against any foe threatening

IAEA Admits Iran Visit a Failure

American War Journalist Killed by Syrian Army

LONDON (AP) – Respected American journalist Marie Colvin, who spent decades reporting on conflicts from Sri Lanka to Syria, focusing on the suffering of women and children in wartime, died in a fierce shelling attack Wednesday in Syria.    

Obama Admin Considers Arming Syrian Rebels

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration opened the door slightly Tuesday to international military assistance for Syria’s rebels, with officials saying new tactics may have to be explored if President Bashar Assad continues to defy pressure to halt a brutal

Obama Admin Considers Arming Syrian Rebels

Iran: IAEA Won't Inspect Nuclear Sites During Visit

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – A U.N. team visiting Iran has no plans to inspect the country’s nuclear facilities and will only hold talks with officials in Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. The remarks by Ramin Mehmanparast cast doubt

Iran: IAEA Won't Inspect Nuclear Sites During Visit

Oil Jumps to Nine-Month High After Iran Cuts Supply

(AP) Oil prices jumped to a nine-month high above $105 a barrel on Monday afterIran said it halted crude exports to Britain and France in an escalation of a dispute over the Middle Eastern country’s nuclear program. By Monday afternoon, benchmark March

Oil Jumps to Nine-Month High After Iran Cuts Supply

Iran Cuts Off Oil to France, UK; Rebuked by… China?

From Reuters: China rebuked Iran on Monday for stopping oil sales to British and French companies at the weekend, calling for renewed efforts at dialogue over an escalating stand-off over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program. China has repeatedly called for talks

Iran Cuts Off Oil to France, UK; Rebuked by… China?

Top General: Israeli Iran Strike Would Be 'Destabilizing'

Moreso than, say, a nuclear attack by Iran on Israel or the United States? From Bloomberg: An Israeli attack on Iran would be “destabilizing,” Army General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. “It’s not

Top General: Israeli Iran Strike Would Be 'Destabilizing'

Hostage Crisis in Egypt: Will Obama Fare Better than Carter?

From Front Page Magazine: Nineteen American citizens working for well-known and well-established nonprofit groups are being held on trumped-up charges that they tried to destabilize Egypt. Their offices were raided in late December, some are holed up in the U.S.

Hostage Crisis in Egypt: Will Obama Fare Better than Carter?

Terror Suspect Arrested Near U.S. Capitol

From the Wall Street Journal:   WASHINGTON–Federal agents on Friday arrested a man who they allege planned carry out a suicide bombing at the U.S. Capitol, part of a sting operation in which undercover agents posing as al Qaeda operatives

UN General Assembly Condemns Syria

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Thursday for a resolution backing an Arab League plan calling for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down and strongly condemning human rights violations by his regime. The vote in

UN General Assembly Condemns Syria

Thailand: Captured Iranians Planned to Assassinate Israelis

BANGKOK (AP) – The Iranians arrested after accidentally setting off an explosives cache in Bangkok were planning to attack Israeli diplomats, Thailand’s police chief said Thursday, the first confirmation by local officials that the group was plotting terror attacks in

Thailand: Captured Iranians Planned to Assassinate Israelis

GOP Pushes Back Against Further Nuke Cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional Republicans on Wednesday vowed to block the Obama administration from sharply cutting the U.S. nuclear force, calling potential reductions of as much as 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons “reckless lunacy.” Pointing to the

GOP Pushes Back Against Further Nuke Cuts

Panetta: $32 Billion Defense Cuts Vital to Reducing $1.3 Trillion Deficit

WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the nation’s top military leader on Tuesday defended the Pentagon’s slimmed-down, $614 billion budget, telling lawmakers it’s time to show Congress is serious about reducing the deficit. Testifying before the Senate Armed

Panetta: $32 Billion Defense Cuts Vital to Reducing $1.3 Trillion Deficit

US Admiral Says Navy Prepared to Confront Iran

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) – The top U.S. Navy official in the Gulf said Sunday he takes Iran’s military capabilities seriously but insists his forces are prepared to confront any Iranian aggression in the region. Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of

US Admiral Says Navy Prepared to Confront Iran

Whither Keynes? Buildings Set Ablaze in Greece Before Debt Vote

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Riots engulfed central Athens and at least 10 buildings went up in flames in mass protests late Sunday as lawmakers prepared for a historic parliamentary vote on harsh austerity measures demanded to keep the country solvent

Hamas 'Will Never Recognise Israel,' Gaza Premier Says

Hamas “will never recognise Israel,” Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniya said Saturday in a speech in Iran that is likely to complicate Palestinian efforts to form a unity government in the teeth of opposition from the Jewish state. “They want

Hamas 'Will Never Recognise Israel,' Gaza Premier Says

Spain's Scott Walker Moment: Crucial Labor Market Reforms Pass

At last, some good news out of Europe. MADRID (AP) – Spain’s new conservative government approved sweeping labor market reforms on Friday as part of a drive to revive a sick economy and solve Europe’s worst unemployment nightmare. With the

Spain's Scott Walker Moment: Crucial Labor Market Reforms Pass

Greek Pitch for Second Bailout Bombs

From Reuters: Greek political leaders said they had clinched a deal on economic reforms needed to secure a second EU bailout, but euro zone finance ministers demanded more steps and a parliamentary seal of approval before providing the aid. The

Greek Pitch for Second Bailout Bombs

New Predator Drone Being Tested

There’s a new Predator in the skies. The Predator-C Avenger has been flight tested over Southern California by General Atomics, and it looks impressive. The Avenger can fly at more than 400 knots and has an endurance of 16 hours.

India Building Up Military To Deal With China

From the Associated Press: NEW DELHI — In recent weeks, India has decided to buy 126 fighter jets from France, taken delivery of a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia and prepared for its first aircraft carrier — modernizing its military to

India Building Up Military To Deal With China

Report – Iran Sends Military Official to Aid Syria's Assad

From Haaretz : A top Iranian military official is actively aiding the regime of  Syrian President Bashar Assad in suppressing popular unrest throughout  the country, a top member of the National Syrian Council said on Monday. According to the Syrian

Report – Iran Sends Military Official to Aid Syria's Assad

Last Known WWI Veteran Florence Green Dies at 110

LONDON (AP) – Florence Green never saw the front line. Her war was spent serving food, not dodging bullets. But Green, who has died aged 110, was the last known surviving veteran  of World War I. She was serving with

Last Known WWI Veteran Florence Green Dies at 110

New Craze in Germany: Animal Brothels

From The Local: Animal sex abuse is on the rise in Germany, with bestiality brothels being set up across the country, according to a state animal protection officer demanding stronger laws to protect mankind’s furry and feathered friends. Madeleine Martin,

Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The U.N. Security Council failed again Saturday to take decisive action to stop the escalating violence in Syria as Russia and China vetoed a resolution backing an Arab League plan that calls for President Bashar Assad

Army Orders Court-Martial for Alleged Wikileaks Source Bradley Manning

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — An Army officer ordered a court-martial Friday for a low-ranking intelligence analyst charged in the biggest leak of classified information in U.S. history. Military District of Washington commander Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington referred all charges against