Jason Ditz | The Libertarian Institute

Russia Takes Over for US as Buffer Between Turkey, Syria

by Jason Ditz | Oct 16, 2019 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy

The US forces in northern Syria long served as a de facto buffer force, positioned in between Turkey and both the Syrian government and Syrian Kurds. With US forces withdrawing, Russia is taking over that role, moving into that space the US formerly filled. For Russia, it’s a bit more pro-active than what the US was doing. Russia describes its forces as patrolling along the “line of contact” between Turkey and Syria, and that’s a key aspect of why they are there. In addition to patrols, Russia has also taken over at least one former US base in the area, one hastily abandoned by US forces....

Syrian Kurds, Damascus Reach Deal in Russia-Backed Talks

by Jason Ditz | Oct 13, 2019 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy, Libertarianism

Syrian ground troops moving north to confront invading Turkish forces is related to a deal that was reached by the Kurdish SDF and the Assad government, in talks brokered by Russia and held on a Russian air base. The deal sees the Kurds unilaterally handing over two important cities, Kobane and Manbij, both in the Aleppo Province, to the central government to rule. This means Turkey’s invasion of those cities would be a direct invasion of Syrian cities under government control. Those two cities are also where Syria’s Army is heading first. This would make Turkey attacking those cities more...

Gunfights Rage as Iraq Protests Grow Nationwide

by Jason Ditz | Oct 3, 2019 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy

Public protests were launched nationwide over the past two days in Iraq, growing in intensity as demonstrators slam the lack of a post-war recovery from the ISIS conflict, and continued corruption woes. While Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi confirmed the right of protesters to assemble, Iraq wasn’t just going to have public shows of dissent, so troops were out in force quickly, opening fire with live ammunition on the people, wounding hundreds. At least 28 have been killed so far. Protesters and their supporters were armed in places as well, where security situations quickly worsened, and battles...

Joint US-Afghan Strike Kills 40 Civilians at Wedding

by Jason Ditz | Sep 24, 2019 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy

For the second time in a week, a US military operation in Afghanistan has ended with a large number of civilians dead, and US officials offering very dubious arguments as to why it wasn’t their fault. The Sunday night attack saw US and Afghan commandos raid a house in Helmand Province, and ultimately launch airstrikes. The attack killed at least 40 civilians, including a number of children. Instead of the Taliban building they thought they were raiding, it turns out the airstrike pounded an ongoing wedding reception. The Afghan government has already admitted to what happened, saying they...

Saudis ‘Unaware’ Bombed Yemen Prison Held Prisoners

by Jason Ditz | Sep 9, 2019 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy

By Jason Ditz On Sunday, Saudi warplanes attacked and destroyed a prison in the Yemeni city of Dhamar, killing an estimated 130 prisoners. Saudi officials are now saying they had no idea that the prison held any prisoners, nor had they added the prison to the “no strike list.“ The Houthis reported that the prison was well known, and that the Red Cross had visited several times. The Red Cross has concurred, and was critical of the Saudis for attacking the site. The Houthis reported that the prison was used in large measure to hold fighters loyal to the pro-Saudi government. The Red Cross said...

Trump Afghan ‘Withdrawal’ To Leave 8,600 Troops

by Jason Ditz | Aug 29, 2019 | Featured Articles, Politics

Says US will 'always' have a presence in Afghanistan Attempts by US negotiators to finalize a peace deal to get US troops out of Afghanistan continue to struggle in the face of President Trump’s comments, which continue to focus on all the troops he’s not going to get out of Afghanistan. Trump said there would be “a determination” about Afghanistan at some point, but that the US will withdraw some troops, and leave 8,600 in Afghanistan, saying it would be “very well controlled.” This is less than half of the US presence. Less than half falls dramatically short of the number of troops the...

US to Send $250 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine

by Jason Ditz | Jun 20, 2019 | Featured Articles, Politics

Saying that the new package was intended to enhance democratic civilian control of the military, the Pentagon has unveiled a package of around $250 million in military aid to the Ukraine. They emphasized the US commitment to supporting Ukraine. In contrast to the aid packages a few years ago, which were emphasized as purely non-lethal aid not intended to exacerbate tensions, this new aid package seems to be chock full of lethal options for the military. Sniper rifles, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and a host of other weapons were included in the new package. It’s not clear what any...

Senate Votes to Block Trump’s ‘Emergency’ Saudi Arms Sales

by Jason Ditz | Jun 20, 2019 | Blog

Resolutions blocked $8.1 billion in sales In a 53-45 vote, Senators approved the first of multiple resolutions of disapproval aimed at blocking US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, sales which President Trump had been trying to push through circumventing Congress with an emergency declaration. A second resolution passed with the exact same numbers. A final resolution encompassing the other 20 objections passed 51-45. Trump declared the emergency in late May, intended to bypass a 30-day review period by Congress. There was no sign that any of the arms would actually be shipped within 30 days, but...