Carol Giacomo

It's smart to scale back nuclear weapons spending

thebulletin.org — As part of his effort to win Republican support for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) in 2010, President Obama submitted to lawmakers a 10-year plan to maintain and modernize US nuclear warheads, strategic delivery systems, and their supporting infrastructure.

Obama Vows to End of the Perpetual War

nytimes.com — President Obama's speech today was the most important statement on counterterrorism policy since the 2001 attacks, a momentous turning point in post-9/11 America. For the first time, a president stated clearly and unequivocally that the state of perpetual warfare that began nearly 12 years ago is unsustainable for a democracy and must come to an end in the not-too-distant future.

Cliff Notes on the May 2013 IAEA Report on Iran

armscontrolnow.org — The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) May 2013 quarterly report on Iran's nuclear program indicates that Tehran is continuing to move forward on its nuclear program, installing more advanced centrifuges and building-up its stockpiles of uranium enriched to 3.5 percent and 20 percent, and moving forward on construction of its heavy water reactor at Arak.

Justice Interrupted in Guatemala

nytimes.com — Securing justice for victims of the brutal civil war in Guatemala that lasted from 1960 to 1996 was always going to be tough. But the ruling by the country's highest court on Monday to overturn the genocide conviction of the former dictator, Gen.

The C.I.A.’s Part in Benghazi

nytimes.com — Throughout months of Republican "investigation" into the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 last year, the Central Intelligence Agency has escaped the scrutiny and partisan bashing aimed at the State Department and the White House.

Q&A with US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson

english.ahram.org.eg — Following a long established rapport, Egypt-US relations have increasingly come under the spotlight in the post-revolution period. Ahram Online gains further insight in an exclusive interview with US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson. Hidden behind high concrete walls in Cairo's upscale Garden City district, individuals - after getting security clearance - are met with patriotic symbols and historic memorabilia which fill the embassy corridors.

Obama, the Media and National Security

nytimes.com — Jon Elswick/Associated Press It's recently been revealed that the Obama administration seized phone records of The Associated Press over a story based on leaks and, in another case, accused a Fox News reporter of violating the law for asking a State Department official for confidential information.

Angelos Tzortzinis's Photos of Growing Desperation in Greece

lens.blogs.nytimes.com — ATHENS - "Five euros only, just 5 euros," whispered Maria, a young prostitute with sunken cheeks and bedraggled hair, as she pitched herself forward from the shadows of a graffiti-riddled alley in central Athens on a recent weeknight.

Debate Aside, Drone Strikes Drop Sharply

nytimes.com — WASHINGTON - President Obama embraced drone strikes in his first term, and the targeted killing of suspected terrorists has come to define his presidency. But lost in the contentious debate over the legality, morality and effectiveness of a novel weapon is the fact that the number of strikes has actually been in decline.