In Iraq and Syria, the United States deployed many of the same justifications that Israel does today.
by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies, The Progressive
We have both been reporting on and protesting against U.S. war crimes for many years, including those committed by U.S. allies and proxies like Israel and Saudi Arabia: illegal uses of military force to try to remove enemy governments or “regimes”; hostile military occupations; disproportionate military violence justified by claims of “terrorism”; the bombing and killing of civilians; and the mass destruction of whole cities.
Most Americans share a general aversion to war but tend to accept a militarized foreign policy because we are tragically susceptible to propaganda, the machinery of public manipulation that works hand in hand with the machinery of killing to justify otherwise unthinkable horrors.

This process of “manufacturing consent” works in a number of ways. One of the most effective forms of propaganda is silence—simply not telling us, and certainly not showing us, what war is really doing to the people whose homes and communities have been turned into America’s latest battlefield.
During the most devastating campaign waged in recent years, the U.S. military dropped more than 100,000 bombs and missiles on Mosul in Iraq, Raqqa in Syria, and other areas occupied by ISIS (or Da’esh). An Iraqi Kurdish intelligence report estimated that more than 40,000 civilians were killed in Mosul, while Raqqa experienced even more destruction.
Recent Posts
War Is Still A Racket
April 23, 2026
Take Action Now Smedley Butler’s classic texts with new commentary by David SwansonBy David Swanson | Let’s Try Democracy Major General…
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Announced By Department Of Justice, Months After Trump Executive Order
April 23, 2026
Take Action Now Under an order signed by Blanche, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license will move to Schedule III, as will…
Trump’s Vision for the Homeless Is Already Here
April 22, 2026
Take Action Now Forcing the most vulnerable among us into institutions only perpetuates their trauma. I know, because I’ve lived it.By Rachel…
U.S. Expands “Economic Fury” Sanctions on Iran as Trump Declares Ceasefire
April 22, 2026
Take Action Now Relief from devastating sanctions is a key provision for Iran in the ceasefire negotiations.By Sharon Zhang, TruthOut The U.S.…




