Nation Topics - US Military | The Nation

Despite Bush's feel-good rhetoric, the United States has done little to help Afghanistan, leaving the impression of abandonment. Meanwhile, European troops work hard to build bridges to the locals.

The Corvallis City Council approved a resolution calling for American
troops to come home from Iraq.

If the war in Iraq is winding down, why does the Pentagon need so
much money? Because the Bush Administration has visions of a permanent
war economy.

The overlooked players in the torture scandal are the medical personnel
who supervise--and often participate in--acts of torture. Military
medical professionals have reportedly tailored torture sessions to the
personalities of detainees, at a time when their professional
conscience should have told them to take an ethical stand. Though
they're not the usual suspects, they should be investigated as
well.

"Do what has to be done" is the motto of the investigative arm of the
US military. But when the understaffed institution regularly loses
evidence and delays autopsies, it does too little. When it attempts to
protect evidence by detaining witnesses, it does too much. A look at
the inherently flawed investigations of detainees.

With 457 blunt-spoken words, John Murtha broke the spell that had held
the country captive to the misguided adventure in Iraq. It suddenly
became respectable to talk of a pullout. It was his finest moment: For
the first time, there is hope this war may end.

As demonstrators gather at Fort Benning, Georgia, this weekend for an
annual protest against the School of the Americas, the spotlight will
be on increasing dismay in Congress and among the American public
over the Bush Administration's policies on torture.

The Bush Administration's stance on China has gone from worry about
their economic strength and oil consumption to full-on preparation for
a new cold war.

The US military is keeping the ongoing hunger strike
and forced feedings of Guantanamo Bay under wraps. And an apathetic
American media is showing no interest in exposing the situation.

Tim Burton enlivens the dark and gloomy life of corpses
and aristocrats in Corpse Bride; Occupation: Dreamland
offers an unsentimental view of Iraqi soldiers.