Abby Martin talks to Jeremy Scahill, investigative journalist and author of the new book and upcoming film Dirty Wars, an exposé on the expansion of American covert wars fought by US intelligence agencies and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). They talk about covert operations happening in countries like Somalia, Yemen, and Pakistan, where drone strikes and targeted assassinations are creating … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS – The Pentagon disseminates propaganda through many different avenues: embedded reporting, press conferences, active cooperation with Hollywood, and through American Forces Press Service. The capstone of AFPS is a daily report known as “Face of Defense,” which glorifies the fighter, omits the horrors of war, and hypes creative accounts of military life. Examples include: “Passion for Cooking Drives … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS – The Pentagon’s budget has grown from $267 billion in 2000 to $708.2 billion in 2011. In addition to budgetary increases, the Pentagon is expanding its arrogation of global jurisdiction. The Unified Combatant Command of USAFRICOM (est. 2007) is of particular concern. The Pentagon spins AFRICOM’s presence as a boon for all parties. According to former AFRICOM commanding General William … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS – The term “military-industrial complex” was originally coined by President Eisenhower in his final address as Commander-In-Chief and has since become a foreshadowing declaration to a country that may have lost its moral compass in pursuit of profits. “God help this country,” the President warned just a few weeks prior to this speech, “when someone sits in this … Read More
MEDIA ROOTS – Over a decade ago, the U.S. Air Force expressed interest in fielding a next-generation, hypersonic missile known as the High Speed Strike Weapon (HSSW). Recognizing the lucrative money available in Department of Defense contracts, war industry officials began conceptualizing suitable prototypes. Understanding the nature of HSSW and the corrupt practices of its primary developer should lead one … Read More
