Chris Woods of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism discusses the decade-long history of secretive US drone strikes; the UN investigation of civilian casualties from drones; the dangerous precedent the US is setting with targeted assassinations; the CIA's exemption from the so-called drone playbook; classifying all military-age males as "militants;" the secret war in Somalia; and doubts about the long-term effectiveness of "mowing the grass."

Patrick Cockburn, columnist for The Independent, discusses Al-Qaeda's expansion in northern Mali; why having guerrilla fighters "on the run" is nothing to brag about; the Sunni "War Against the Shia;" the barbarous acts of Syrian rebels; and how Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki is building the foundations of a dictatorship.

James Ostrowski, a writer and attorney in Buffalo, NY, discusses his article "The Rise and Fall of Jury Nullification [PDF];" why staunch Second Amendment supporters should be equally protective of the Sixth Amendment (the right to trial by jury); how "judicial repeal" revoked the ability of juries to rule on the law as well as the facts; and why you don't want to be a defendant with a jury composed of government employees.

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi discusses why the campaign to derail Chuck Hagel's nomination to Secretary of Defense is "All About Israel;" Senator Rand Paul's curious visit to Israel - paid for by the Christian fundamentalist American Family Association; and why Israel continues to be the #1 "friendly" spy threat to the US - stealing military and industrial secrets with impunity.

Cora Currier, a journalist with ProPublica, discusses her article "Everything We Know So Far About Drone Strikes," the large percentage of "targeted killings" conducted by drones relying on often-questionable intelligence and dubious legal authority; the "direct action" against supposed Al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen and Somalia; and why drone strikes are likely to continue even though - as Stanley McChrystal recently said - they are creating more problems than they solve.

Matthew Roach, a firearms aficionado in New York state, discusses the politicization of terms like "assault rifle" and "assault weapon;" the 250,000 responsible and law-abiding American owners of fully automatic rifles; specifics on the much-hyped AR-15; why gun-control Leftists are the best salesmen of firearms; and the new gun laws being considered at state and national levels.

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics and international studies at the University of San Francisco, discusses the French military incursion in Mali; the hostage disaster in Algeria; the cascading failure of interventions from Libya to Mali and Algeria; why the US favors the tyrannical government in Morocco instead of the pro-democracy protestors; and how a heavy-handed foreign policy ensures the most radical opposition groups come to the fore.

Foreign Policy in Focus columnist Conn Hallinan discusses the 150+ years of shameful US foreign policy in Latin America since the Monroe Doctrine; how the US is now losing political and economic influence to the BRICS in Central and South America; how Hugo Chavez has reduced demand for IMF predatory loans and the inevitable austerity measures that follow; the laughable "Iran is taking over South America" right-wing talking points; and the Obama administration's tacit approval of military coups...

Justin Elliott, a journalist with ProPublica, discusses his article "Revealed: America's Arms Sales to Bahrain Amid Bloody Crackdown;" the scant media coverage of continuing pro-democracy protests in Bahrain; the FOIA documents that cast doubt on US government claims that weapons sales to Bahrain are only used for external defense, not political repression; and the "questionable claim" that Iran has 30,000 intelligence operatives.

Jeremy Keenan, professor at SOAS University of London, discusses his article "How Washington helped foster the Islamist uprising in Mali;" why the US and Algeria have spent ten years manufacturing terrorism in the Sahara with false-flag operations; the complex background of Mali's Tuareg rebellion; and how the French are inviting blowback at home from their intervention abroad.

Andy Worthington, author of The Guantanamo Files, discusses the campaign to pressure President Obama to finally close Guantanamo and "End 11 Years of Injustice;" how national security is endangered by leaving Guantanamo open; and the dozens of innocent men (cleared by a government task force for release) imprisoned indefinitely because of Obama's political cowardice.

Stephen Zunes, professor of politics and international studies at the University of San Francisco, discusses the threat of Western military intervention in Mali; the next generation of Islamic extremists motivated by Saudi-funded madrassas and the US occupation of Iraq; and the non-governmental militias fighting for the spoils in Libya.

Journalist Joe Lauria discusses the epidemic of rapes in India and the indifference of police and politicians; the popular discontent with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood; why Jordan might host the next Arab Spring revolution; the Gulf monarchies conspiring against democracy in the region; and the logistics of breaking up failing Middle Eastern countries.  

Independent journalist and historian Gareth Porter discusses a possible deal on Iran's nuclear program during Obama's second term; how Congress and the national security state could cramp Obama's negotiating room; the evolution from "smart" sanctions on Iran's elite to "crippling" sanctions on the poor and elderly; and why it's past time to cross Iran off the US "enemy of the state" list.

Kevin Zeese, a lawyer and political activist, discusses Judge Lind's ruling on Bradley Manning's illegal treatment in military custody; how the US justice system debases the rule of law and enables human rights abuses; the upcoming court battle on whether Manning's nearly three-year detention violated his right to a speedy trial; how undue command influence (commander-in-chief Obama said Manning is guilty) is preventing a fair trial; and why David Coombs thinks a judge-only trial is preferable...