Paul Loses, But Some Groups Are Optimistic About Progress by Elias J. Atienza The Senate today voted 71-27 to approve $1.15 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia. This is because of Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would have disapproved of the arms sales. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the legislation with a bipartisan coalition….
by Rachel Stoltzfoos An Egyptian state media columnist claims the United States invented the Islamic State, and the West similarly orchestrated 9/11 in order to justify invading the Middle East. “I don’t know who [the Americans] are fooling, us or themselves,” journalist Noha Al-Sharnoubi wrote in Al-Ahram, according to an English translation by the Middle East Research Institute….
by Jacob Nestle I’m 18 years old. I don’t know where I was on 9/11. It feels like I’m missing some central American experience, but it’s normal for someone my age. There’s still a piece of American history that I lived through I simply don’t remember. I’m present for the consequences of something that is,…
Bipartisan Coalition Seeks to Usher Debate on Arm Sales by Elias Atienza Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a joint resolution with Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Al Franken (D-MN), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to block the $1.15 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The arms sales include Abrams tanks and associated major defense equipment. “Selling $1.15…
A bipartisan bill, entitled the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), has been approved by the US House of Representatives. If allowed to make it all the way across the president’s desk, this bill would make it legal for families of the 9/11 victims to sue parties in Saudi Arabia that have been recently revealed…
Why is the World Silent Over Saudi Arabia’s War Crimes? By: Elias J. Atienza Saudi Arabia is perhaps one of the most totalitarian governments still in existence today. And yet the United States continues to sell arms to them, with the State Department recently approving a $1.15 billion arms sale. Where is the outrage over…
By Wayne Pac A man in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to 10 years and 2,000 lashes for expressing distaste for the Koran on the basis that many Koranic verses fuel hostility. He also accused the prophets of lies, as well as denying the existence of God. In Saudi Arabia, there are laws that partly define terrorism as…
Coalition Seeks to Delay Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia By: Elias J. Atienza Representative Justin Amash (R-MI) is part of a bipartisan coalition that is seeking to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Recently this coalition sent a letter to President Obama on postponing the $1.15 billion arms sales recently approved by the State Department. The…
By Elena Weissmann The United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, made a shocking admission when he told reporters he had yielded to Saudi Arabia’s demands in response to big money. The confession came several days after Mr. Ban removed a Saudi-led coalition from a blacklist of armies that kill and maim children. In March 2016, the same…
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released a statement on the Obama Administration’s decision to declassify at least part of the redacted 28 pages of the Congressional 9/11 Inquiry. “Nearly a year ago, I called on the Obama administration to release the redacted 28 pages of the 9/11 congressional inquiry. I firmly believe the family members of…