Despite IS expansion to control half of Syria and takeover of Ramadi, Obama maintains “I don’t think we’re losing” as hawks grow more aggressive....
--NY Times maps expansion of Islamic State, with misleading listing of groups in 18 countries that have “pledged allegiance” to IS
--in blistering editorial, NY Times slams Obama and Congress for 9 months of war with no Congressional authorization
--Obama speaks at DC synagogue, seeking to reassure Israel and its supporters
--new Israeli cabinet member gives hardline inaugural speech
--new GOP governor in Illinois plans to sign bill to divest from companies that divest from Israel—a boycott of the right to boycott; Canada considers similar law
--in our in-depth interview with WhoWhatWhy publisher Russ Baker, he notes that Tsarnaev trial was rigged from the start
--Roger Shuler provides great analysis of Siegelman appeal denial
--Senate has not yet voted on TPP and Patriot Act renewal, as Ed Snowden says that’s only the beginning
--Germany’s Angela Merkel wrestles with new controversy over collaboration with NSA in spying on Europeans
--delegation of British MP’s ratchets up pressure on Obama to release Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo
--historic referendum in Ireland could legalize gay marriage
--former CIA and Pentagon boss Bob Gates surfaces as head of Boy Scouts and calls for end to ban on gay scout leaders
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