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Russ Wellen is the nuclear deproliferation editor for OpEdNews. He's also on the staffs of Freezerbox and Scholars & Rogues.
"It's hard to tell people not to smoke when you have a cigarette dangling from your mouth." -- Mohamed El Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Monday, March 24, 2008 We Can't Take Iraq Neat, We Need a Chaser
Not only aren't most of us following Iraq in the news, we turn our backs on books and movies that dramatize it. But folding a veteran's story within a thriller works wells, at least in author Mark Biskeborn's case.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 "Lethal Pinatas": Keeping Cluster Bombs from Kids
It seems like just yesterday, thanks in part to America's only woman Nobel Peace laureate, that the elimination of land mines was the feel-good story of the decade. Yet, nature abhors a vacuum and it wasn't long before they were replaced by cluster munitions as the world's most barbaric weapon this side of nuclear bombs.
Friday, January 4, 2008 Un-becoming a Citizen (2 comments)
It takes more -- or less -- than passing your citizenship test to become a true American.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Hillary's Telling the Truth -- That's the Problem (15 comments)
Are we being too hard on Hillary? In the spirit of the holiday season, shouldn't we let bygones be bygones? No, not when force has always been the option of first resort for her.
Monday, December 24, 2007 Mitchell Report Fails to Step Up to Plate with a Plan (3 comments)
Why name names in the first place? It's hard to tell which paragon of good government he resembles more: J. Edgar Hoover or Joe McCarthy. Which sets a worse example for young T-ball players? Drug use or a witch hunt?
Sunday, December 9, 2007 Is the Iran NIE a Trojan Horse? (8 comments)
We may have breathed a sigh of release over its release, but Iranian-American commentators smell a rat.
Monday, October 22, 2007 Homeland Security: The Lethal Illusion (4 comments)
If you go through life without making any enemies you're doing something wrong. If you go through life making a lot of enemies you're doing something worse.
Friday, October 12, 2007 Medals of Honor, Wars of No Honor (10 comments)
Neglecting decorated members of the military who served in Iraq might strike a progressive or pacifist as a sign of opposition to our presence there. But the national indifference with which we treat Congressional Medal of Honor winners in general is actually a sign of a deep-seated malaise that, on the contrary, only serves to perpetuate war.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 A Child's Guide to US-Iran Relations (15 comments)
The US and Iran's mutual history can be broken down to three basic grievances: He hit me first, it's not fair, and you're a bully.
Friday, September 14, 2007 9/11's Non-Legacy (4 comments)
Americans are still as inattentive as ever.
Thursday, September 6, 2007 Michael Vick: Adding Insult to Black People's Injury (1 comments)
Vick encouraged bigots not only by planting a connection between blacks and dog fighting in their minds. He also resurrected the old canard that blacks aren't smart enough to play quarterback.
Friday, August 17, 2007 Bush's First Crime: A Cold Case Warms Up (4 comments)
Hard evidence has been found that Bush engaged in insider trading while CEO of Harken Energy.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 The Bush Quartet (2 comments)
Completion of the war maestro's magnum opus requires not one more war -- Iran -- but two.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 The Plame Affair: A Quartet of Betrayals (3 comments)
Getting her cover blown and her case thrown out of court was only the half of it.
Monday, July 9, 2007 Is the American Public's Apathy About Iraq Actually an Encouraging Sign? (6 comments)
Some think this war was staged in part to let Rumsfeld act out his Rommel fantasy and send his specialized army racing around the desert. Maybe it was also intended as a test-run for state-of-the-art medical equipment and procedures.
Thursday, July 5, 2007 Gates of Hell (2 comments)
As in Lawrence of Arabia. While with the CIA, the current SecDef was the lord of blowback.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Boris Bush (4 comments)
Pas de deux with Putin aside, Bush stomps around like another Russian president.
Thursday, May 24, 2007 Remember Jesus Freaks? (9 comments)
Maybe it's time to bring back that term.
Monday, May 21, 2007 Shhh. Maybe It Will Go Away (17 comments)
Americans don't talk about Iraq in polite company.
Thursday, April 19, 2007 Giuliani's Other Paradox
Giuliani's popularity with Republicans is ironic in light of his weakness on "family values." But his campaign is saddled with another paradox.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 What's It Like Waiting Around to Be Bombed? (2 comments)
Americans haven't faced an imminent attack, like the Iranians do, since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Thursday, March 1, 2007 Greatest Expectations (2 comments)
Holding Iran to not one, but three, double standards is "bonkers."
Monday, January 22, 2007 Who Will Save Us from War with Iran? (19 comments)
Leading Democratic members of Congress? Don't hold your breath. They're "uncertain."
Friday, September 1, 2006 Nuclear Virgins (2 comments)
Countries new to nuclear weapons live in blissful ignorance of their effects.
Monday, August 21, 2006 Iranian Death Trip (3 comments)
Do all Muslims want to die?
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 Is Peace of Mind PC? (5 comments)
With the world in turmoil, the quest for serenity can't help but come off as narcissistic.
Saturday, August 5, 2006 Death by Nuance
Believe it or not, when killing civilians, Israel may have international law on its side.
Thursday, August 3, 2006 Chain of Deceit: From the Pentagon to the 9/11 Commission to the Public (9 comments)
9/ll theories have been stewing in their juices for five years. A confluence of events this past week suggests that the garbage can lid that's been tamping them down is ready to blow.
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 Painting a Target on Ourselves (5 comments)
The startling transformation that killing civilians made from butchery to a recognized strategy.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006 War and Harmony (2 comments)
Revenge is a dish best served in multiple servings.
Monday, July 17, 2006 Iraq? What a Buzzkill (1 comments)
How do we manage to get through our day without thinking about or discussing Iraq?
Friday, June 23, 2006 Is a Preemptive Strike Ever Justified? (1 comments)
Clinton's secretary of defense takes heat for advocating attack on North Korea missile site.
