http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Summary execution) en-us Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:15:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/egypt-army-blamed-for-forced-disappearances-torture-killings-during-revolution?start=0 New revelations have emerged in Egypt that members of the Army participated in the forced disappearance, torture and killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Despite the allegations, President Mohamed Morsi has declined to prosecute any officers since he assumed power from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces after his election in June. The disclosures come amid growing sectarian violence in Egypt between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Democracy Now! discusses the latest with Democracy Now! correspondent and Nation Institute fellow Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Lina Attalah, chief editor of Egypt Independent, a Cairo-based English-language newspaper and website.&nbsp; Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:15:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/egypt-army-blamed-for-forced-disappearances-torture-killings-during-revolution Egyptian Revolution, Egyptian Army, Egypt, Religious Violence in Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, Summary execution, Forced disappearance, Torture, Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Human rights in Egypt New revelations have emerged in Egypt that members of the Army participated in the forced disappearance, torture and killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Despite the allegations, President Mohamed Morsi has declined to prosecute any officers since he assumed power from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces after his election in June. The disclosures come amid growing sectarian violence in Egypt between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Democracy Now! discusses the latest with Democracy Now! correspondent and Nation Institute fellow Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Lina Attalah, chief editor of Egypt Independent, a Cairo-based English-language newspaper and website. http://news.linktv.org/videos/dark-assassins-cias-post-911-move-from-spying-to-killing?start=0 In his new book, "The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth," Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti tracks the transformation of the CIA and US special operations forces into man-hunting and killing machines in the world's dark spaces: the new American way of war. The book's revelations include disclosing that the Pakistani government agreed to allow the drone attacks in return for the CIA's assassination of Pakistani militant Nek Muhammad, who was not even a target of the United States. Mazzetti's reporting on the violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- and Washington's response -- won him a Pulitzer Prize in 2009. The year before, he was a Pulitzer finalist for his reporting on the CIA's detention and interrogation program.&nbsp; Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:06:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/dark-assassins-cias-post-911-move-from-spying-to-killing CIA, Drone attacks in Pakistan, United States special operations forces, US-Pakistan relations, Assassination, Predator drone, Yemen, Somalia, Drone, Mark Mazzetti In his new book, "The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth," Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti tracks the transformation of the CIA and US special operations forces into man-hunting and killing machines in the world's dark spaces: the new American way of war. The book's revelations include disclosing that the Pakistani government agreed to allow the drone attacks in return for the CIA's assassination of Pakistani militant Nek Muhammad, who was not even a target of the United States. Mazzetti's reporting on the violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- and Washington's response -- won him a Pulitzer Prize in 2009. The year before, he was a Pulitzer finalist for his reporting on the CIA's detention and interrogation program. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-march-23-2013?start=681 A shocking new report by The Guardian and BBC Arabic details how the United States armed and trained Iraqi death squads that ran torture centers. It is a story that stretches from the US-backed death squads in Central America during the 1980s to the imprisoned Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. We play extended excerpts of "James Steele: America's Mystery Man in Iraq," which exposes the role the retired US colonel James Steele, a veteran of American proxy wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua, played in training Iraqi police commando units. "We spent maybe six months trying to track down young American soldiers who served in Samarra," says the film's executive producer, Maggie O'Kane, who notes the investigation was sparked by memos found in the Iraq War Logs released by WikiLeaks. "But many were too frightened because of what happened to Bradley Manning." A Pentagon spokesman told The Guardian it had seen the reports and is looking into the situation. "As you know, the issue surrounding accusation of abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees is a complex one that is full of history and emotion," said Col. Jack Miller. "It will take time to work a thorough response." <br /> Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:43:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-march-23-2013 Maggie O'Kane, WikiLeaks, 2003 invasion of Iraq, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Iraq War documents leak, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Bradley Manning, Israeli settlement A shocking new report by The Guardian and BBC Arabic details how the United States armed and trained Iraqi death squads that ran torture centers. It is a story that stretches from the US-backed death squads in Central America during the 1980s to the imprisoned Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. We play extended excerpts of "James Steele: America's Mystery Man in Iraq," which exposes the role the retired US colonel James Steele, a veteran of American proxy wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua, played in training Iraqi police commando units. "We spent maybe six months trying to track down young American soldiers who served in Samarra," says the film's executive producer, Maggie O'Kane, who notes the investigation was sparked by memos found in the Iraq War Logs released by WikiLeaks. "But many were too frightened because of what happened to Bradley Manning." A Pentagon spokesman told The Guardian it had seen the reports and is looking into the situation. "As you know, the issue surrounding accusation of abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees is a complex one that is full of history and emotion," said Col. Jack Miller. "It will take time to work a thorough response." This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. As we continue to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, we turn today to a shocking new report by The Guardian newspaper and BBC Arabic detailing how the United States armed and trained Iraqi police commando units that ran torture centers and death squads. It's a story that stretches from the U.S.-backed involvement in Latin America to the imprisoned Army whistleblower Bradley Manning. In a moment, we'll be joined by one of the chief reporters behind the investigation, but first I want to play an excerpt of the documentary that accompanies their report. First to fight for the right and to build the nation's might, and the Army goes rolling along. This is one of the great untold stories of the Iraq War, how just over a year after the invasion, the United States funded a sectarian police commando force that set up a network of torture centers to fight the insurgency. It was a decision that helped fuel a sectarian civil war between Shia and Sunni that ripped the country apart. At its height, it was claiming 3,000 victims a month. This is also the story of James Steele, the veteran of America's dirty war in El Salvador. He was in charge of the U.S. advisers who trained notorious Salvadoran paramilitary units to fight left-wing guerrillas. In the course of that civil war, 75,000 people died, and over a million people became refugees. Steele was chosen by the Bush administration to work with General David Petraeus to organize these paramilitary police commandos. This is the only known Iraqi video footage of Steele, a shadowy figure, always in the background, observing, evaluating. The man on his left is his collaborator, Colonel James Coffman. He reported directly to General David Petraeus, who funded this police commando force from a multibillion-dollar fund. The thousands of commandos that Steele let loose came to be mostly made up of Shia militias, like the Badr Brigades, hungry to take revenge on the Sunni supporters of Saddam Hussein. Steele oversaw the commandos, mostly made up of militias. They were torturing detainees for information on the insurgency. He hears the scream of the other guy who's being tortured, you know, as we speak. There's the blood stains on the corner of the desk in front of him. The things that went on there: drilling, murder, torture—the ugliest sorts of torture I've ever seen. The U.S. was desperate for information on the insurgency. And Steele's expertise was turning that information obtained from thousands of detainees into actionable intelligence. Colonel Steele is one of the few people who understands how to conduct intelligence-driven operations against operational cells of an insurgency or terrorist organization. The Iraqi leader of these feared commandos was Adnan Thabit. In the city of Samarra, his commandos and their American advisers turned the main library into a detention center, where torture was routine occurrence. An excerpt from the Guardian/BBC Arabic documentary Searching for Steele. The investigation into the U.S.-backed commando units was sparked by memos found in the Iraq War logs leaked by Bradley Manning to WikiLeaks. Joining us now in London from BBC headquarters is Maggie O'Kane. She's multimedia editor and director of investigations at The Guardian newspaper and executive producer of the new documentary, longtime reporter who's been named British journalist of the year and foreign correspondent of the year. Maggie, welcome to Democracy Now! Talk about why you undertook this documentary, this investigation. Well, I think when the WikiLeaks documents came out in November 2011, I had a sense, and the team that I work with who have spent a lot of time covering the war in Iraq, that there was a deeper story here. And one of the things that made us very interested was there was a reference to a thing called "Frago 242," which was Fragmentary Order 242, which was a U.S. military order instructing U.S. soldiers to ignore Iraq-on-Iraqi torture. Now, this incidence, this Frago 242, came up over a thousand times in the documents as we looked at it, and we wondered why was this order issued and what was the story behind it. And there was also references in the WikiLeaks to a General Adnan Thabit, who was visiting the American embassy. So, it was a sense that there was a deeper story to tell here and that the WikiLeaks documents, because they were the actual documents and what the State Department was sending back to Washington about what was going on, that this was a real treasure trove that we should explore, rather than just become excited about the means of these documents being delivered. Let's talk about Jim Steele's time in Latin America, specifically El Salvador, and go back to a clip of Searching for Steele. Vietnam, the conflict in which over 58,000 U.S. soldiers died, is where James Steele was first introduced to counterinsurgency as an alternative way of combating a guerrilla uprising. Steele served in the Vietnam War in the Blackhorse Regiment from 1968 to 1969. He was described by General George Patton Jr. as the best troop commander in his regiment. But if Vietnam shaped his formative military career, it was in the war against left-wing insurgents in El Salvador that James Steele secured his reputation as the counterinsurgency specialist. Steele arrived in El Salvador in 1984 as the leader of the U.S. MilGroup, a group of U.S. military advisers to the El Salvadoran army. Todd Greentree got to know James Steele when he was working in the U.S. embassy in El Salvador at the time. Colonel Steele, as the MilGroup commander, was in charge of all of the special forces teams, the training teams that were out at the head—the brigade headquarters. The U.S. was trying to defeat a guerrilla insurgency, and American experts trained the Salvadoran security forces in the dark arts of counterinsurgency. Some of these Salvadoran paramilitary units were effectively death squads. Celerino Castillo was a U.S. drug enforcement agent who was involved in training these paramilitaries. He was widely acknowledged for his efforts. Castillo met James Steele in Salvador. A very military type, very disciplined. His decorations, medals and stuff that was given to him by the U.S. military and the Salvadoran military, were surrounding his office. So, I was very impressed with Colonel Steele. Dr. George Vickers got to know and like James Steele when he visited Salvador to write a Ph.D. thesis on U.S. military strategy in Central America. DR. GEORGE VICKERS: He was totally committed to defeating the guerrilla insurgency in El Salvador. He used to discuss how he traveled around to the military bases where U.S. trainers were based. He talked about the importance of building human intelligence information as opposed to just technical information. I don't think he had any hesitations about obtaining information by very rough forms that were being carried out by the Salvadoran armed forces under the eyes of U.S. military trainers. Steele was the chief American counterinsurgency expert on the ground in El Salvador, a figure of enormous authority to the El Salvadoran military. He was the MilGroup commander in El Salvador. Nothing moves without his authority. And their objective was to eradicate the guerrilla movement. It's very well written, through history, that there were major massacres being conducted. We put these allegations to retired Colonel Steele and have received no reply. By the end of the civil war, at least 75,000 Salvadoran civilians had died, and one million refugees had fled the country. The Salvadoran military halted the advance of the guerrillas, leading some in Washington to believe the U.S. advisory role was a success, so much so that even David Petraeus, then an ambitious 33-year-old major, visited El Salvador to study this counterinsurgency campaign. The young Petraeus even reportedly stayed in Steele's house while there. The BBC Arabic/Guardian investigation called Searching for Steele. I wanted to turn right now, in January 2005, Newsweek magazine reporting the Pentagon considering using what it described as the "Salvador Option" in Iraq. Shortly after the article's publication, investigative journalist Allan Nairn appeared on Democracy Now! His 1984 article in The Progressive magazine, titled "Behind the Death Squads," exposed the CIA's backing of El Salvador death squads and led to an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. ALLAN NAIRN: In El Salvador, and not just Salvador, but about three dozen other countries, the U.S. government, in an integrated effort involving the CIA, the Pentagon and the State Department, backed the creation of military units that targeted civilian activists. In Salvador, I interviewed many of the officers involved in running these squads. For example, General "Chele" Medrano, who was on the CIA payroll, described how they picked their targets. He said they targeted people who speak—and these are his words—"against Yankee imperialism, against the oligarchy, against military men. These people are traitors to the country. What can the troops do? When they find them, they kill them." Actually, they didn't always kill them. Often they brought them to the headquarters of the treasury police, the national guard, the army, and they tortured them for days. One former member of the Salvadoran treasury police, René Hurtado, described a course that was given at army general staff headquarters, where American officers gave instruction in techniques including electroshock torture. Hurtado himself said he conducted such torture. He said—these are his words: "You put wires on the prisoner's vital parts. You place the wires between the prisoner's teeth, on the penis, in the vagina. The prisoners feel it more if their feet are in the water, and they're seated on iron, so the blow is stronger. … When it's over, you just throw him in the alleys with a sign saying, Mano Blanco, ESA (Secret Anticommunist Army), or Maximiliano Hernandez Brigade." These are the names of the Salvadoran death squads. I was given a chance to see the archives of the Salvadoran national police, the intelligence archives, and you could see they had files marked "union," "student," "religious." They showed me a card file, which included surveillance reports on activists who had traveled to other countries. These surveillance reports were given to them, according to the captain who was giving me this tour, by the CIA. The whole filing system was set up for them by the U.S. Agency for International Development. ... Something on the order of 75,000 Salvadoran civilians were killed by the Salvadoran military, most of them during the '70s. And the majority of these were targeted by these death-squad-type forces. So, one point is, these were not combatants who were being killed. These were not armed guerrillas. They were sometimes engaged by the Salvadoran military in combat, but the death squad operations, which the Pentagon, according to Newsweek, is now talking about using for Iraq, these went after civilians. That was investigative journalist Allan Nairn. His 1984 article in The Progressive magazine was called "Behind the Death Squads." It exposed the CIA's backing of El Salvador death squads and led to an investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Maggie O'Kane, before we go to break and then move into the Iraq part of this story, flesh out more for us Colonel James Steele, the bridge between Salvador and Iraq. Well, one of the things that just strikes me, listening to that, is the sort of extraordinary parallels that exist between Salvador and Iraq. One of the interesting things in the WikiLeaks documents is that General Adnan Thabit, who ran the special police commandos that were carrying out the torture, used the phrase "to fight terror with terror," which is exactly the same phrase that was used by General Montana phon. in El Salvador when they were operating what was called the "platforms," which were basically the torture and interrogation centers where the American advisers were present. And what you have seen is an almost exact parallel between the platforms in El Salvador, which were the regional torture centers, and the platforms in Iraq, which operated in the same way, which was bringing in hundreds of mostly Sunni men and boys and torturing them for information. Now, in between the Salvador operation, we find that James Steele was involved in Iran-Contra, was one of six key people, along with Oliver North, that was funneling arms to the Ilopango air base to Nicaragua, to the Contras there. He then went on and was appointed by Dick Cheney to go to Panama to set up the police force there after the overthrow of Noriega. And between that, he goes in and out of the energy business. He's employed by Enron. He works for various private military companies. And then he seems to be called back in at periods of crisis or at periods where they need his experience. So, in 2004, when the insurgency was gaining strength in Iraq, there is a call from Steele—to Steele directly from Donald Rumsfeld that he is to go to Iraq and to get involved in the training of the special police commandos. And this, we now understand, was to go to Iraq and set up a similar platform operation, which would involve regional torture centers, to get information on the insurgents. We're speaking with Maggie O'Kane, multimedia investigations editor at The Guardian. She's speaking to us from London, voted best foreign correspondent of the year, as well as British journalist of the year. When we come back, we go to the excerpt of Searching for Steele in Iraq. Stay with us. [break] As we turn back to the documentary Searching for Steele, we turn to the city of Samarra, where the U.S.-backed Iraqi special commandos took over the city's library and turned it into an interrogation center. This is another excerpt of the film. Samarra was the first place that the connection between James Steele and the activities of the police commandos was made known to the outside world. New York Times journalist Peter Maass convinced General Petraeus to allow him and photographer Gilles Peress to visit the commandos in Samarra. Their host was James Steele. What I heard is prisoners screaming all night long, you know, at which point you have the young U.S. captain telling his soldiers, "Don't come near this thing." Gilles Peress' stark black-and-white photographs capture how the commandos worked in Samarra. James Steele crops up in these photographs repeatedly. I was staying at the base in Samarra, an American base, and I overheard soldiers, American soldiers at this base, talking about having watched prisoners be kind of strung up like animals after a hunt over a bar, having watched prisoners be actually tortured. Adnan Thabit and the American military made the joint decision to set up the commando headquarters and interrogation center in the city's main library. We spoke to two men from Samarra who were imprisoned in the library. Still fearful, they asked us to conceal their identities. TORTURE SURVIVOR 1: [translated] We would be blindfolded and handcuffed behind our backs. Then they would beat us with shovels and pipes. We'd be tied to a spit, or we'd be hung from the ceiling by our hands, and our shoulders would be dislocated. TORTURE SURVIVOR 2: [translated] They electrocuted me. They hung me from the ceiling. They were pulling at my ears with pliers, stamping on my head, asking me about my wife, saying they would bring her here. The interrogation center was the only place in the kind of mini Green Zone in Samarra that I was not allowed to visit. However, one day, Jim Steele said to me, "Hey, they just captured a Saudi jihadi. Would you like to interview him?" Was Steele completely together to bring us into the library? Maybe not. Maass and Peress were about to get an unprecedented glimpse into this clandestine world. We kind of walk into the entrance area, and the first thing that I see is one of the Iraqi guards beating up one of the Iraqi prisoners. And then I'm taken not into the main area, kind of the main hall, although out the corner of my eye I could see there were a lot of prisoners in there with their hands tied behind their backs. I was taken to a side office where the Saudi was brought in, and there was actually blood dripping down the side of a desk in this office. We were in a room in the library interviewing Steele, and I'm looking around. I see blood everywhere, you know. And while this interview was going on, me and the Saudi, with Jim Steele also in the room, there were these terrible screams. There was somebody shouting, "Allah! Allah! Allah!" But it wasn't, you know, kind of religious ecstasy or something like that; these were screams of pain and terror. We asked General Adnan why he thought the prisoners were screaming. Maybe sometimes when officers visit prisons, the prisoners do start shouting. They're a bit like whirling dervishes. They love to scream, "Allah! Allah!" They were so loud, and they were so disturbing, that Steele left the room to go find out, you know, what was going on, because it was breaking up our interview. And while he was gone, the screaming stopped, and then he came back into the room, and the interview continued. Although James Steele did not respond to our request for an interview about his activities in Samarra, he did tell The New York Times that he opposes human rights abuses. One American soldier in Samarra was deeply affected by what he saw. At the time, I just felt like everybody knew and nobody cared that there was torture going on. Army medic Neil Smith remembers just how frightened Iraqi civilians in Samarra were of the special police commandos. What was pretty widely known in our battalion, definitely in our platoon, was that they were pretty violent with their interrogations, that they would beat people, shock them with, you know, electrical shock, stab them. I don't know what all else—you know, sounds like pretty awful things. If you sent a guy there, he was going to get tortured and perhaps raped, or whatever, humiliated and brutalized by the special commandos in order whatever information they wanted. I remember a 14-year-old who was tied to one of the library's columns. And he was tied up with his legs above his head, tied up. His whole body was blue because of the impact of the cables with which he had been beaten. Petraeus defended his record with the police commandos to PBS Frontline's Martin Smith. He says he was aware of individual militia members in the commandos, but not militia groups. I did not see militia groups in the special police during the time that I was there. Did you think about what you could have done differently, might have done differently, to have prevented the development of these militias that were effectively developing under your watch? Well, I, again, don't—I have not seen—you know, we kept hearing this all the time, Martin, that this or that. To find the absolute evidence of this has actually been quite difficult. But Jerry Burke, who was a senior adviser in police affairs to the Iraqi Interior Ministry says that Petraeus must have known that organized Shia militia were dominant in the police commandos. He had to have known. These things were discussed openly, whether it was at staff meetings or, you know, before or after various staff meetings in general conversation. Pretty much the whole world in Iraq knew that the police commandos were Badr Brigade. And he must have known about the death squad activities, and, again, it was common knowledge across Baghdad. Even Petraeus's own special adviser in the military chain of command, Colonel James Coffman, was, according to many witnesses, working side by side with James Steele in the detention centers where torture was taking place. Colonel Coffman declined to be interviewed by us. About General Petraeus's relationship with James Steele, the official speaking for the general said: "Steele was one of thousands of advisers to Iraqi units working in the area of the Iraqi police." Journalist Peter Maass, who interviewed Petraeus at the time, remembers the relationship being a lot closer than the Petraeus statement would indicate. It was very clear that they were very close to each other in terms of their command relationship and also in terms of their ideas and ideology about what needed to be done. Petraeus explicitly told me that he believed very, very strongly in the commandos, thought the commandos were successful, and wanted them to become bigger, stronger and even more prevalent in the fight against the insurgency. International humanitarian law imposes obligations on those engaged in armed conflict regarding the treatment of prisoners. Not only must prisoners not be abused, but those detaining prisoners also have an obligation to ensure respect, as well. It is not acceptable to turn a blind eye. It is absolutely the responsibility of every U.S. servicemember, if they see inhumane treatment being conducted, to intervene, to stop it. But I don't think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it; it's to report it. If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it. The publication by WikiLeaks of thousands of diplomatic cables show that by July 2005 the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was telling Washington about the abuse being committed by the commandos. We also learned that Adnan Thabit was a guest at the American embassy in Baghdad. He met the U.S. ambassador for counterterrorism and talked about his approach to policing. This is an extract from what he's reported to have said. CABLE EXTRACT: "Summary: Fight Terror with Terror. ... Major General Thabit, who created and commands the Special Police Forces, is a Sunni officer who served time in prison for attempting to overthrow the Saddam Regime. ... They expressed the view that it's necessary to fight terror with terror and that it is critical that their forces be respected and feared as this was what was required in Iraqi Society to command authority." We asked Ambassador Crumpton if he had been aware that Adnan Thabit's commandos were engaged in torturing detainees. AMB. HENRY CRUMPTON: Well, I assure you, if I knew there was torture going on at that time with the people I was talking to, I would have raised it and discussed it. You're implying that I didn't know that, and I resent that question, the way you phrased it, frankly. But there are indications that the U.S. government knew what the commandos were doing. CABLE EXTRACT: "...we remain troubled by the indications that at times units commanded by Thabit cross the line." Despite these concerns, Adnan Thabit remained officially in charge until the middle of 2006. He told us that the American officials he dealt with were aware of what his men were doing. Until I left, the Americans knew about everything I did. They knew what was going on in the interrogations, and they knew the detainees. And even some of the intelligence about the detainees came to us from them. They are lying. An excerpt from James Steele: America's Mystery Man in Iraq , the BBC Arabic/Guardian investigation. We'll link to the complete film online. Our guest is the executive producer of the film, Maggie O'Kane, multimedia editor and director of investigations at The Guardian newspaper. We'll come back to her in a minute. [break] "Peace Train," by the British singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens. In 2004, he was denied entry into the United States after mistakenly being placed on the Department of Homeland security watchlist. This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I'm Amy Goodman. Our guest is Maggie O'Kane, multimedia investigations editor at The Guardian, former foreign correspondent. Her past awards include British journalist of the year and foreign correspondent of the year. She is joining us from London. Maggie, I wanted to get your response to the Pentagon response. While the former Army Colonel Jim Steele and the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld refused to talk to your newspaper, The Guardian, the Pentagon did issue a response after your report was published. Colonel Jack Miller, a Pentagon spokesman, told The Guardian, quote, "Obviously we have seen the reports and we are currently looking into the situation. As you know the issue surrounding accusation of abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees is a complex one that is full of history and emotion. It will take time to work a thorough response." Maggie O'Kane, your response to the Pentagon? Well, I mean, we're still waiting. And we know, unofficially, from sources within the Pentagon, that they're—to quote one high-ranking military officer, he said to us, "The difficulty is that those guys were wearing the same uniform that we're wearing now." So I think the Pentagon is in a very difficult position. And we await to hear what they've got to say. We have heard nothing from James Steele. We've heard nothing from Donald Rumsfeld. We also know that CENTCOM, immediately after the film was broadcast on BBC Arabic, set up a monitoring unit within CENTCOM to see what the response has been among the Arab population. We know also that there were public screenings of the film in Samarra, in which people came out onto a square to watch the film, which, in a sense, is a sort of acknowledgment of what happened to the male population of that time. But so far, the Pentagon has said nothing. I mean, one of the interesting things I find is that the interest in this in Europe, for example, is huge. I mean, 14 countries have—are showing the film over the next 10 days and have bought it. But actually, within the America mainstream television networks, there's been very little response, and also very little response from the American mainstream media. So I presume they're just going to try and ignore it. And except for what your program has done, and also Real TV, it seems to have been played down. So, you're saying that U.S. Central Command, they're monitoring reaction to this all over the world. And in the United States, the commercial networks, they did not option this film, this documentary, play it, especially at this time, on this 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Yeah, I mean, we have had very little response in the American mainstream media. It went out last night on ZDF in Germany, which is the German state channel. It went out on the Swedish state channel two nights ago. And it's going out in France tomorrow. So, one wonders, since this is about, you know, America's war in Iraq and the American special advisers, why is America not interested? A very important question. I wanted— Or why, indeed, does the Pentagon feel that they don't actually have to respond to these—to this investigation? Let me ask you about WikiLeaks, Maggie O'Kane. You spoke about this at the beginning of the broadcast, but the significance of the information, of the documents they released, as the foundation of this report and so many others? Well, Amy, it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the WikiLeaks document, because so many things are about deniability and distancing and not taking responsibility. And El Salvador is a classic example. You can push away with a distance, and you can put a layer of, you know, the local police forces in between your actions, and there's always been plausible deniability. What WikiLeaks gave us was a clear indication from the U.S. State Department that they knew what was—they knew what was going on. And it was that bedrock, and also the information from Frago 242 that officially there was an order to ignore torture, that, you know, give journalists like me and other investigative journalists the basis of something to work on, something that actually can't be denied, because it's there in black and white. And that is an extraordinarily valuable tool for an investigative journalism. And you wouldn't be seeing this film, we wouldn't be looking back at El Salvador, if it hadn't been for WikiLeaks. Maggie, I wanted to turn to another clip. The U.S.-backed police commandos are also accused of evolving into a Shia death squad targeting Sunnis. I want to return to your film. One man who survived Samarra and Nisoor Square says that the police commandos lied about the fate of some of his fellow detainees. TORTURE SURVIVOR 3: [translated] They started releasing some of the detainees. They were claiming that these detainees would return to their families. They were killing them and dumping their bodies on the streets of Baghdad. It became very obvious that this was criminal activity by the special commandos. They were eliminating their own opposition and terrorizing citizens from the Sunni community. We lost the support of a lot of Iraqi citizens who became very cynical and very anti-American. Even the ones who were friendly with us couldn't understand why we were allowing this to happen. Good afternoon, folks. Are you concerned over—and, in fact, is the United States looking into growing reports of uniformed deaths squads in Iraq perhaps assassinating and torturing hundreds of Sunnis? And if that's true, what would that say about stability in Iraq? I'm not going to comment on hypothetical questions. I have not seen reports that hundreds are being killed by roving death squads at all. I'm not going to get into speculation like that. Well, sir, that's not a hypothetical, I don't believe. The Sunnis themselves are charging that hundreds have been assassinated, people shot in the head, found in alleys. What you're talking about are unverified, to my knowledge at least, unverified comments. I just don't have any data from the field that I could comment on in a specific way. But Donald Rumsfeld should have known about the death squad activities. James Steele had written to Rumsfeld six weeks earlier warning him that the police commandos, armed and financed by the U.S., were effectively a Shia militia engaged in death squad activities. MEMO TO DON RUMSFELD: "MEMO TO DON RUMSFELD “FROM JIM STEELE "...thugs like the commander of the Wolf Brigade who has been involved in death squad activities, extortion of detainees and a general pattern of corruption. ... Nearly all of the new recruits within the commandos are Shia. Many of them are Badr members." Maggie O'Kane, talk more about what you have found here. Well, I think what's very important to understand here is that there was a creation of the special police commandos, which began in 2004, and over the period of the next year, they developed into a force that was nearly 12,000 strong, which had been armed by the Americans, had been—was being advised by them, and included this network of torture platforms. Then you had another step, which was, in June 2005, you had a highly sectarian Shia minister taking over in the Ministry of the Interior. And basically this force now was handed over also to his control, and it began a full-scale war on the Sunni community, which involved large-scale death squad activity. Now, before this was—this was building up, Steele left in September 2004. Some of the other advisers stayed. And then, despite the warnings of many within the Iraqi political establishment, who said, "Do not hand this force over to the control of Jabr," it was allowed to happen. So, again, this brought the killing onto a new scale. Our information is that while Steele was organizing the platform of torture centers, there was not wide-scale death squad activity. That took place after 2005, when, effectively, the special police commandos were handed over to Jabr Solagh. And then hell broke out in Iraq. Through 2005 and 2006, there was a civil war, a sectarian civil war, in which as many as 3,000 bodies a month were turning up in the streets of Iraq. That's what—and that was precipitated and certainly aided by the formation of the special police commandos. A central figure in your investigation is a former Iraqi general who spoke out for the first time in your film about Army Colonel Jim Steele and the U.S.-backed torture program. General Muntadher al-Samari is a former general in the Iraqi army. After the invasion, he worked with the Americans to rebuild the police force. But Muntadher was very disturbed by the abuse and torture he witnessed being committed by the police commandos. He tried, on a number of occasions, to stop it. He has never spoken before about the part the U.S. played in running the special police commandos. The Ministry of Interior had 14 to 15 prisons. They were secret, never declared. But the American top brass and the Iraqi leadership knew all about these prisons, the things that went on there—drilling, murder, torture—the ugliest sorts of torture I've ever seen. General Muntadher alleges that James Steele had access to all of these prisons and that he visited one in Baghdad with him. Yes, that's James Steele. That's what he always used to wear: jeans and a leather jacket. I remember he always wore his gun here, on the right-hand side. An excerpt of the documentary Searching for Steele. Maggie O'Kane, multimedia investigations editor at The Guardian, talk more about the significance of what he said and also Steele's relationship with Petraeus, Maggie. Well, in terms of the relationship with Petraeus, the main link between Colonel Steele and General Petraeus was Colonel James Coffman, who was the direct link in the chain of command between Petraeus and special police commandos. Colonel Coffman was appointed as the special adviser to the special—to the police commandos, reporting directly to General Petraeus. He described himself in the Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper, when he was interviewed, as General Petraeus's eyes and ears on the ground in Iraq. So, from our interviews with people who worked within the special police commandos who observed Steele and Coffman, one said to me, "Steele and Coffman were never apart. In the 40 or 50 times I saw them inside the detention centers, I never saw them separated. They came in separate cars every morning and left separately, but worked hand in hand." So there was clearly a close working relationship between Steele and Coffman, who was reporting to General Petraeus. But we understand that Steele was sent to Iraq by Donald Rumsfeld, and we understand that because Donald Rumsfeld actually writes to George Bush in September 2004 and tells him about sending James Steele to Iraq. What most surprised you by this investigation, Maggie, by what you found? I think the most surprising thing was the scale and the organization of the—of the torture, that it was sort of so well organized, that there were these platforms, that there were hundreds of people being lifted all of the time. And the other thing that surprised me about it is that somehow in the kind of fog of war, that we never, as journalists, never really seem to reach the—to report it in a way that people could really understand what was happening there. There were reports. It was called "The Way of the Commandos." There were reports that torture was going on, but somehow it never penetrated, or it was never sort of acknowledged that that's the way the war was being conducted. And I think one of the things, the great things, that I have learned from this is that we're very—we're very easy with words like "human intelligence," "counterinsurgency," and that we don't really understand that this is about systematic and brutal torture that has repercussions among the civilian population. And also that there was one man whose history goes back through so many of America's wars. And I think it's indicative of a very dysfunctional, brutal time, that I hope this film will be a legacy that actually says, if you want to go to war, this is what war means. It means 14-year-old boys being hung up and tortured. It means men being turned on spits. And that's called "counterinsurgency." So I just feel it's important that this information comes out, and I'm shocked, in a way, that we want to forget it. And as we wrap up, I wanted to turn to Bradley Manning, the U.S. Army private who has admitted to leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the whistleblowing website WikiLeaks. I want to ask about the chilling effect his case has had among soldiers who may otherwise speak out against abuses. Let's go to just an excerpt of a leaked audio recording of Bradley Manning, first time we hear him speaking in his own words in custody. This is from his hearing last month. Listen very carefully. I believed that if the general public, especially the American public, had access to the information contained within the CIDNE-I and CIDNE-A tables, this could spark a domestic debate on the role of the military and our foreign policy in general, as well as it related to Iraq and Afghanistan. Bradley Manning says he released these documents to open up a debate. Very interesting, as he remains behind bars facing decades in prison. Maggie O'Kane, you were talking about the information that was released, on which you built your report, having so much difficulty getting into the United States corporate media, though you're getting it everywhere else all over the world. Yes, indeed. There hasn't been the response we expected in America. But I do want to go back to the point which I made before. Really, this would not be coming out, if it hadn't been for Bradley Manning. This information, the basic information, has been very key. And I'll tell you something else that's very, very chilling. We spent maybe six months trying to track down young American soldiers who served in Samarra. Many of them knew what was going on there. In the end, we found one guy, called Neil Smith, in Detroit, who was 21 when he was there, who spoke out. We have five seconds. He spoke out because, he said, "I'm a born-again—I'm born-again Christian." But many were too frightened because of what happened to Bradley Manning. http://news.linktv.org/videos/cia-hearing-largely-ignores-assassinations-of-us-citizens?start=0 US President Barack Obama's nominee to run the CIA, John Brennan, forcefully defended Obama's counterterrorism policies, including the increase use of armed drones and the targeted killings of American citizens during his confirmation hearing Thursday. "None of the central questions that should have been asked of John Brennan were asked in an effective way," says Jeremy Scahill, author of the forthcoming book "Dirty Wars." "In the cases where people like Sen. Angus King or Sen. Ron Wyden would ask a real question, for instance, about whether or not the CIA has the right to kill US citizens on US soil. The questions were very good -- Brennan would then offer up a non-answer. Then there would be almost a no follow-up." Scahill went on to say, "[Brennan has] served for more than four years as the assassination czar, and it basically looked like they're discussing purchasing a used car on Capitol hill. And it was total kabuki oversight. And that's a devastating commentary on where things stand. <br /> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:47:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/cia-hearing-largely-ignores-assassinations-of-us-citizens John Brennan, CIA, Targeted killing, Drone, Torture, Politics of the United States, Jeremy Scahill, Summary execution, Waterboarding, Dianne Feinstein US President Barack Obama's nominee to run the CIA, John Brennan, forcefully defended Obama's counterterrorism policies, including the increase use of armed drones and the targeted killings of American citizens during his confirmation hearing Thursday. "None of the central questions that should have been asked of John Brennan were asked in an effective way," says Jeremy Scahill, author of the forthcoming book "Dirty Wars." "In the cases where people like Sen. Angus King or Sen. Ron Wyden would ask a real question, for instance, about whether or not the CIA has the right to kill US citizens on US soil. The questions were very good -- Brennan would then offer up a non-answer. Then there would be almost a no follow-up." Scahill went on to say, "[Brennan has] served for more than four years as the assassination czar, and it basically looked like they're discussing purchasing a used car on Capitol hill. And it was total kabuki oversight. And that's a devastating commentary on where things stand. ---- During his confirmation hearing Thursday, President Obama's nominee to run the CIA, John Brennan, forcefully defended the president's counterterrorism policies, including the increased use of armed drones and the targeted killings of American citizens. He also refused to say that waterboarding was a form of torture, and he admitted that he did not try to stop waterboarding while he was a top CIA official under President George W. Bush. Four years ago, Brennan was a rumored pick for the CIA job when Obama was first elected, but he was forced to withdraw from consideration amid protests over his public support for the CIA's policies of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" and extraordinary rendition program. The start of Brennan's confirmation hearing had to be temporarily halted following repeated interruptions by protesters. Members of the group CODEPINK began standing up one by one to condemn Brennan's role in the drone war, much to the chagrin of Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein. Chairman Feinstein, Vice Chairman Chambliss, members of the committee, I am honored to appear— [inaudible] —before you today as the— All right. —president's nominee to— Would you halt please? We'll ask the police to please remove this woman. ...no children, no women. We cannot— Thank you very much. [inaudible] the sort of thing going on [inaudible]. But we cannot [inaudible]— Please remove— —torture. It's jeopardizing U.S. soldiers. It's not defending them. That CODEPINK protester interrupting John Brennan was retired Army colonel and former diplomat Ann Wright, who oversaw the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Afghanistan in 2001 as deputy chief of mission. When she interrupted Brennan, she was wearing a sign around her neck with the name of Tariq Aziz, a 16-year-old Pakistani boy who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2011. The sign she held up read, "Brennan equals drone killing." Ann Wright and seven others were arrested. John Brennan later addressed the protesters as he defended the drone program. I think there is a misimpression on the part of some American people, who believe that we take strikes to punish terrorists for past transgressions. Nothing could be further from the truth. We only take such actions as a last resort to save lives when there's no other alternative to taking an action that's going to mitigate that threat. So, we need to make sure that there is understanding, and the people that were standing up here today, I think they really have a misunderstanding of what we do as a government and the care that we take and the agony that we go through to make sure that we do not have any collateral injuries or deaths. And as the chairman said earlier, the need to be able to go out and say that publicly and openly, I think, is critically important, because people are reacting to a lot of falsehoods that are out there. Well, for more, we're joined via Democracy Now! videostream by Jeremy Scahill, producer and writer of the documentary, Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, which premiered last month at the Sundance Film Festival. His book, Dirty Wars, goes on sale in April. He's national security correspondent for The Nation, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army and Democracy Now! correspondent. Jeremy, welcome to Democracy Now! Your assessment of what it is that John Brennan said yesterday and the questions he was asked? Well, you know, if you—if you look at what happened yesterday at the Senate Intelligence Committee, I mean, this is kabuki oversight. This was basically a show that was produced by the White House in conjunction with Senator Feinstein's office. I mean, the reality was—is that none of the central questions that should have been asked of John Brennan were asked in an effective way. In the cases where people like Senator Angus King or Senator Ron Wyden would ask a real question, for instance, about whether or not the CIA asserts the right to kill U.S. citizens on U.S. soil, the questions were very good. Brennan would then offer up a non-answer. Well, let's— And then there'd be almost no follow-up. Jeremy, let's go to Democratic Senator Ron Wyden's questioning of John Brennan Thursday. He has led the push for the White House to explain its rationale—Senator Wyden has—for targeting U.S. citizens. Let me ask you several other questions with respect to the president's authority to kill Americans. I've asked you how much evidence the president needs to decide that a particular American can be lawfully killed and whether the administration believes that the president can use this authority inside the United States. In my judgment, both the Congress and the public need to understand the answers to these kind of fundamental questions. What do you think needs to be done to ensure that members of the public understand more about when the government thinks it's allowed to kill them, particularly with respect to those two issues, the question of evidence and the authority to use this power within the United States? I have been a strong proponent of trying to be as open as possible with these programs, as far as our explaining what we're doing. What we need to do is optimize transparency on these issues, but at the same time optimize secrecy and the protection of our national security. I don't think that it's one or the other. It's trying to optimize both of them. And so, what we need to do is make sure we explain to the American people what are the thresholds for action, what are the procedures, the practices, the processes, the approvals, the reviews. The Office of Legal Counsel advice establishes the legal boundaries within which we can operate. It doesn't mean that we operate at those out of boundaries. And, in fact, I think the American people will be quite pleased to know that we've been very disciplined, very judicious, and we only use these authorities and these capabilities as a last resort. That was John Brennan answering Senator Wyden's question. He's been the chief critic. President Obama, two days ago, called Senator Wyden, because a group of them had said they would stop the hearing if information wasn't provided about the legal basis for drone strikes. When Wyden yesterday attempted to get that information, he raised in the hearing that he wasn't able to. Jeremy Scahill? Well, you know, if you listen to John Brennan, I mean, it's like he's talking about buying a used car and what, you know, sort of little gadgets and whistles it has on it. He used "optimize"? Ron Wyden was asking him about whether—about the extent of the CIA's lethal authority against U.S. citizens, on U.S. soil and abroad. And, see, the problem is that while some questions were asked that are central questions, there was almost no follow-up. People wouldn't push—senators wouldn't push Brennan back when he would float things that were nonsensical or just gibberish, you know, or using terms like "we need to optimize this, we need to optimize that." There was no sense that—I mean, remember, this is a guy who is, for all practical purposes, President Obama's hit man or assassination czar. This guy has been at the center of a secret process where the White House is deciding who lives and who dies around the world every day, and yet the conversation that took place was as though they were, you know, sort of talking about whether or not they're going to add a wing onto a school in Idaho or something, when they were talking about life-and-death issues for people, not only U.S. citizens, but around the world. There was no discussion at all of the so-called signature strikes—the idea that the U.S. is targeting people whose identities it doesn't know, whose actual involvement in terror plots is actually unknown. There was no discussion of the fact that the Obama administration authorized operations that killed three U.S. citizens in a two-week period in 2011, one of whom was a 16-year-old boy who was sitting and having dinner with his cousins in Yemen. No discussion of the case of Samir Khan, a Pakistani American who was killed alongside Anwar Awlaki. His family had met with the FBI prior to his death. The FBI told his family that Samir Khan was not indicted, that Samir Khan was not accused of a crime, and yet you have three U.S. citizens being killed. When Anwar Awlaki's name was raised during the course of the hearing, it was one of the most disgusting displays of a show trial or a faux trial that I've ever seen. Dianne Feinstein and John Brennan set out to put Anwar Awlaki on trial, posthumously, without presenting any evidence and to issue a guilty verdict. The whole thing was a show. And I believe that— Jeremy, let's go to Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein asking Brennan to talk about Anwar Awlaki, what you're describing, the American citizen who was assassinated in Yemen in a drone strike in 2011. Could I ask you some questions about him? You're the chairman. You don't have to answer. Did he have a connection to Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who would attempt to explode a device on one of our planes over Detroit? Yes, he did. Can you tell us what that connection was? I would prefer not to at this time, Senator. I'm not prepared to. OK. Did he have a connection to the Fort Hood attack? That is a—al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has a variety of means of communicating and inciting individuals, whether that be websites or emails or other types of things. And so, there are a number of occasions where individuals, including Mr. Awlaki, has been in touch with individuals. And so, Senator, again, I'm not prepared to address the specifics of these, but suffice it to say— Well, I'll just ask you a couple of questions. You don't—did Faisal Shahzad, who pled guilty to the 2010 Times Square car bombing attempt, tell interrogators in 2010 that he was inspired by al-Awlaki? I believe that's correct, yes. Last October, Awlaki, did he have a direct role in supervising and directing AQAP's failed attempt, well, to bring down two United States cargo aircraft by detonating explosives concealed inside two packages, as a matter of fact, inside a computer printer cartridge? Mm-hmm. Mr. Awlaki— Dubai? —was involved in overseeing a number of these activities, yes. That's John Brennan answering Senator Feinstein's questions. Jeremy Scahill, continue. All right. I mean, see, what you're seeing there—first of all, let's remember, the Obama administration never sought an indictment against Anwar Awlaki, that we know of. He was never charged with a crime, that we know of. And he was executed on orders from the president of the United States in September of 2011. The issue here is not who Anwar Awlaki was or what we think of Anwar Awlaki. The issue here is the Constitution. The issue here is due process. And what we saw, I believe—I believe that Senator Feinstein's office coordinated this moment with the White House to put on this show trial because of the deadly serious questions surrounding the killing of a U.S. citizen without due process. And what we saw play out there was absolute theater, where you had Anwar Awlaki being posthumously tried, with no evidence. And what came after the clip you just played is Feinstein and Brennan agreeing, quite happily, that Anwar Awlaki was a bad man and that it was justified to take him out and kill him. There was no question about the fact that two weeks later they killed Anwar Awlaki's 16-year-old son, who no one has ever alleged had any ties whatsoever to terrorism or any militant organization. His only connection was his lineage, who his father was. So, you know, there was something really insidious that happened there, and I think it really is patronizing of the sensibility of the American people to engage in something like that, with one of the most powerful lawmakers on Capitol Hill essentially conspiring with the White House and its nominee to be the CIA to retroactively justify the killing of a U.S. citizen who was never charged with a crime. Jeremy— I'm not—go ahead. Jeremy, I'd like to move to another aspect of the hearing, because in a few cases, some of the Republican members asked somewhat tougher questions of Brennan, and especially Saxby Chambliss, questioned him about the whole—the whole issue of high-value targets and how effective this program had been. Here's a clip from that exchange. How many high-value targets have been captured during your service with the administration? There have been a number of individuals who have been captured, arrested, detained, interrogated, debriefed and put away by our partners overseas, which is, we have given them the capacity now, we have provided them the intelligence. And unlike in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when a lot of these countries were both unwilling and unable to do it, we have given them that opportunity. And so, that's where we're working with our partners. How many high-value targets have been arrested and detained, interrogated by the United States during your four years with the administration? I'll be happy to get that information to you, Senator, in terms of those high-value targets that have been captured with U.S. intelligence support. I submit to you the answer to that is one. And it's Warsame, who was put on a ship for 60 days and interrogated. That was Saxby Chambliss. However, Dianne Feinstein had a little different take in terms of what had happened in terms of the high-value targets. This is what she said at a certain point in the hearing. Having the executive being the prosecutor, the judge, the jury and the executioner, all in one, is very contrary to the traditions and the laws of this country, and particularly in a situation where there is time. If—a soldier on a battlefield doesn't have time to go to court. But if you're planning a strike over a matter of days, weeks or months, there is an opportunity to at least go to some outside-of-the-executive-branch body, like the FISA court, in a confidential and top-secret way, make the case that this American citizen is an enemy combatant. Senator, I think it's certainly worthy of discussion. Our tradition, our judicial tradition, is that a court of law is used to determine one's guilt or innocence for past actions, which is very different from the decisions that are made on the battlefield as well as actions that are taken against terrorists, because none of those actions are to determine past guilt for those actions that they took. The decisions that are made are to take action so that we prevent a future action, so we protect American lives. That is an inherently executive branch function. That was Angus King, Senator Angus King, questioning Brennan, not Dianne Feinstein. But, Jeremy, your response to those two clips? Yeah, I mean, first of all, Senator Angus King did a very good job of raising some of these issues. I mean, he's new to the Senate and didn't get the memo that you don't talk to—to White House officials that way, so it was actually kind of a relief within the hearing when King started to ask these questions. You know, Juan, though, you brought up the issue of the Republicans asking tougher questions. I mean, in general, what we saw the Republicans doing was engaging in a partisan theater of their own, where, you know, they made the whole issue about White House leaks, for the most part. They were talking about, you know, Benghazi, which is sort of the second coming of 9/11 to the—to a lot of the Republicans on Capitol Hill and this sort of Watergate-type scandal. But I think there's something—while the Republicans did ask some good questions, there's something that's just fundamentally dishonest and full of hypocrisy with the GOP line on this. You know, they've been hammering, since the Department Justice white paper came out a couple of days ago, that sort of outlines some of the legal basis for—or, purported to outline the legal basis for targeting U.S. citizens—they've been hammering away on the Obama administration and saying, you know, "How is it that Obama is able to essentially conduct these killing operations around the world with very little protest?" The reality is that, you know, when George Bush was president, he was doing these very same actions and engaged in a widespread targeted killing operation, and he was running secret prisons around the world, and they were torturing people, and they were using waterboarding and other techniques, and the Republicans are sort of portraying it as though: "Well, in the good old days of the Bush administration, we would actually arrest people, and we would ask them questions, and now Obama is just running around the world bumping them off." Well, there's some nugget of truth to the idea that the Obama administration seems to prefer to just kill people rather than take them into custody. But the idea that the Republicans have a moral ground to stand on with this is absolutely laughable. I mean, these guys were Murder Inc. for two straight administrations, where members of Congress just participated in rubber stamping these operations, particularly the Republican members of Congress. So, you know, I take what they say with a grain of salt. But at the end of the day, I mean, I can't say I was surprised at what happened on Capitol Hill, but it really was more or less a love fest between the most powerful senators, when it comes to intelligence operations in the U.S., and John Brennan, a man who could not get confirmed last time Obama tried to make him CIA director, because of very serious questions about his views on and role in the torture program under the Bush administration—has served for more than four years as the assassination czar, and it basically looked like they were discussing purchasing a used car on Capitol Hill. I mean, it was total kabuki oversight. And that's a devastating commentary on where things stand right now. Finally, Jeremy, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein, in her opening statement, asserting few civilians have died in U.S. drone strikes. I would invite all— We're going to—we're going to play a clip. [I've ... been attempting to speak publicly] about the very low number of civilian casualties that result from such strikes; I have been limited in my ability to do so. But for the past several years, this committee has done significant oversight of the government's conduct of targeted strikes, and the figures we have obtained from the executive branch, which we have done our utmost to verify, confirm that the number of civilian casualties that have resulted from such strikes each year has typically been in the single digits. Jeremy Scahill, your final comment? Yeah. I would invite Senator Feinstein and other members of the Intelligence Committee to travel to Abyan province in Yemen, where I was a few months ago, and meet with the Bedouin villagers of al-Majalah, where more than 40 people were killed, several dozen of them women and children, their bodies shredded into meat with U.S. cluster bombs, and then come back and go on national television and talk about single digits. There were over 40 people killed in one strike alone. And you know what? That wasn't even a drone strike. That was a cruise missile strike. Everyone is talking about drones these days and obsessed with drones. The U.S. uses AC-130 gunships, night raids, Tomahawk cruise missile strikes. Some of the most devastating strikes were not even drone attacks. So, you know, this Congress is totally asleep at the wheel when it comes to actually having any effective oversight. You know, they allowed John Brennan to say repeatedly, "Well, I'm not a lawyer," while simultaneously saying, "Everything we've done is perfectly legal." And then they say, "Well, what about torture?" And he goes, "Well, I'm not a lawyer, and that has legal implications." I mean, what kind of a show is this? I mean, what does this say about our society when this is the extent of the debate we can have when an administration in power has asserted the right to kill U.S. citizens and foreigners alike around the world without trial? I mean, it's devastating. It should be a very sobering moment for all of us. Jeremy, the last bit of news that we read in headlines today about the U.S. news outlets—you complained about the Democratic senators working with the White House. What about U.S. news outlets facing criticism for revealing they complied with an Obama administration request to hide the location of a U.S. drone base in Saudi Arabia that had already been publicly reported? Yeah, what's new? What's new? I mean, this has been going on—this has been going on forever in this country. I mean, look at how many times we had major powerful media outlets colluding with the Bush administration to either—you know, either facilitating administration propaganda, or as you've called it, sort of this conveyor belt of lies, or, on the other hand, concealing potentially illegal programs or actions that were being conducted by the Bush administration. I mean, this happened throughout the Bush era. And so, to have it right now with the Obama administration is just par for the course. I mean, this is how things are done in Washington. Jeremy, we want to thank you for being with us. Jeremy Scahill, national security correspondent for The Nation magazine, he is also the narrator and subject of the new film, Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, and is author of a forthcoming book by the same title. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-february-5-2013?start=676 The Obama administration&rsquo;s internal legal justification for assassinating U.S. citizens without charge has been revealed for the first time. The Boy Scouts of America opened a three-day meeting on Monday in which the group&rsquo;s national board will consider lifting its controversial ban on openly gay members. A federal appeals court has ruled the government can continue to keep secret its efforts to pursue the private information of Internet users without a warrant. And a lawsuit challenging a law that gives the government the power to indefinitely detain US citizens is back in federal court this week. <br /> Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:19:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-february-5-2013 United States, American Civil Liberties Union, Barack Obama, Drone, Anwar al-Awlaki, Boy Scouts of America, Jacob Appelbaum, National Defense Authorization Act, Indefinite detention, Targeted killing The Obama administration's internal legal justification for assassinating U.S. citizens without charge has been revealed for the first time. In a secret Justice Department memo, the administration claims it has legal authority to assassinate U.S. citizens overseas even if there is no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the United States. We're joined by Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "If you look at the memo ... there's no geographic line," says Jaffer. "The Obama administration is making, in some ways, a greater claim of authority [than President Bush]. They're arguing that the authority to kill American citizens has no geographic limit." The Obama administration's internal legal justification for assassinating U.S. citizens without charge has been revealed for the first time. According to a secret Justice Department document obtained by NBC News, the Obama administration claims it has the legal authority to target citizens who are, quote, "senior operational leaders," of al-Qaeda or "an associated force" — even if there's no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the U.S. In September 2011, a U.S. drone strike in Yemen killed two American citizens: Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan. The following month, another U.S. drone strike killed al-Awlaki's 16-year-old son Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, who was born in Denver. The document obtained by NBC News is described as a "white memo" that was provided to members of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees as a summary of a classified memo prepared by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. Last month, a federal judge denied a request by the American Civil Liberties Union and The New York Times for the Justice Department to disclose its legal justification for the targeted killing of Americans. The Obama administration's secrecy around the drone program is expected to be a top issue at this week's confirmation hearing of White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to be director of the CIA. Brennan has been dubbed by critics to be Obama's "assassination czar." Joining us now is Jameel Jaffer, deputy legal director of the ACLU and director of the ACLU's Center for Democracy. You've looked at the white memo. This is something you've been asking for for quite some time, Jameel. Talk about its significance. Go through it with us point by point. Sure. Well, it's a very significant document, and it's a remarkable document, and it's something that everybody really ought to read, in the same way that everybody ought to read the torture memos from the last administration. It sets out, or professes to set out, the power that the government has to carry out the targeted killing of American citizens who are located far away from any battlefield, even when they have not been charged with a crime, even when they do not present any imminent threat in any ordinary meaning of that word. So it's a pretty sweeping power that's been set out. And the memo purports to provide a legal justification for that power and explain why the limits on that power can't be enforced in any court. The confidential Justice Department white paper that you're talking about, Jameel Jaffer, introduces a more expansive definition of "self-defense" or "imminent attack" than any articulated by the U.S. government before. It reads, quote: "The condition that an operational leader present an 'imminent' threat of violent attack against the United States does not require the United States to have clear evidence that a specific attack on U.S. persons and interests will take place in the immediate future." Can you talk about the significance of that and how exactly "imminent" is defined in this document— Sure. —or not defined? Yeah, well, I mean, I think you—you know, you have to start with the acknowledgment that there are circumstances in which the government has the authority, and maybe even the responsibility, to use lethal force. Even if you think about it domestically—somebody is running down the street, waving a gun around, threatening civilians—the government doesn't have to go to a judge beforehand to seek a warrant to carry out that use of lethal force. But that's a situation in which the threat is imminent, in the ordinary meaning of the term: There's not time to go to a judge; there's not time for deliberation. But the kind of imminence that the government is defining here, or the way that the government has defined the term here, is much, much broader. They're talking about situations in which the person presents no immediate threat, there's no known plot. These people are located far away from any actual battlefield, so you're not talking about a situation in which there are battlefield exigencies that the government has to worry about. You're really talking about something that looks a lot more like a law enforcement context. And in that context, the traditional rule is the government has the authority to use lethal force only in very narrow circumstances. And this memo really redefines those circumstances entirely. Let's turn to Attorney General Eric Holder, a comment he made last March when he outlined what the White House billed as the legal rationale for its claimed right to kill U.S. citizens who belong to al-Qaeda or associated forces. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER: It is an unfortunate but undeniable fact that some of the threats that we face come from a small number of United States citizens who have decided to commit violent attacks against their own country from abroad. Based on generations-old legal principles and Supreme Court decisions handed down during World War II, as well as during this current conflict, it's clear that United States citizenship alone does not make—does not make such individuals immune from being targeted. Jameel Jaffer, respond to Attorney General Eric Holder. Well, it's not a question of immunity. This is kind of a straw man. Nobody is arguing that Americans are entirely immune from the government's use of lethal force. The question is: Under what circumstances can the government use lethal force? And again, for a very good reason, those circumstances have traditionally been defined very narrowly. Now what the government is doing is creating an extremely broad category of people who can be targeted without judicial review before the fact, without judicial assessment of the evidence after the fact. It's a very dangerous thing that the government is doing. And I think that at some level, I think the people who have written this memo and the people who are exercising this authority in the Obama administration must be convinced of their own trustworthiness. But even if you accept that the people who are now in office are trustworthy in this sense, this power is going to be available to the next administration and the one after that, and it's going to be available in every future conflict, not just the conflict against al-Qaeda. And according to the administration, the power is available all over the world, not just on geographically cabined battlefields. So it really is a sweeping proposition. But what does it mean, though, that it's not an official legal memo, it's a white paper? Does that have any legal significance or implications? Well, you know, some people have been saying that this is a kind of transparency that the administration, through these kinds of leaks, is giving the public the ability to assess the strength of the administration's legal arguments. And the truth is that this is really just a briefing document, it's not a legal memo. It does tell us a little bit about the authority that the government is claiming, but the actual legal memos are still secret. We've been litigating for those memos now for 18 months or two years. The administration has refused to release them. We have just appealed one case to the 2nd Circuit here in New York, to the appeals court here in New York. Can you explain the case? What is the case that your organization, the ACLU, is— So, there are two—there are two Freedom of Information Act cases that we're litigating right now. One is—one is here in New York, and the other one is in D.C. One of them is an effort to get the legal memos. We're litigating that case with The New York Times; they have a parallel request. The other case, which is in D.C., is about, principally, civilian casualties, the question of who has been killed in these—in these drone strikes, because the administration has not released numbers. And we're reliant on the work of very good organizations outside the administration to do that kind of work. We think that the administration should release its own numbers. So— And "who has been killed," you mean U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizen who have been killed. Right, absolutely. So, most of the people who are being killed in these drone strikes aren't U.S. citizens, right? There have only been four U.S. citizens—three in 2011, one in 2002. The rest have been noncitizens killed, some of them in Pakistan, some of them in Yemen, some of them in Somalia. According to the figures of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in the U.K., we're now talking about somewhere on the order of 4,000 people who have been killed with these drones. And the administration still hasn't released the legal memos that purport to justify that program. So, one of the cases that we're litigating, the one here in New York, is the effort to get that justification. This memo, this briefing paper, provides us a little more information about that justification, but it's not the justification itself. For the same reasons that the government was right in 2009 to release the torture memos, we think the government should release the targeted killing memo. Let's get specific. I saw you in Sundance at one of the premieres of Jeremy Scahill and Rick Rowley's film called Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield. And it tells the story, among others, of Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, 16-year-old kid born in Denver, killed in a drone strike two weeks after his father was killed in a drone strike in Yemen. Talk about his case and how this relates. Right. When does the U.S. stop? What is the justification for killing this 16-year-old boy? Well, so two things about that. First, I think one of the most chilling aspects of the power that the government is claiming here is that they're claiming the authority to do all of this in secret, not just keep it secret from the courts or keep their justification secret from the courts, but keep the exercise of this power secret, so they can carry out these killings of American citizens, among many others, without even acknowledging to the public or to any court that they have exercised that authority. And that really is a chilling proposition. But that's one thing, and that's one of the things that they've done in the Abdulrahman case: They have failed to acknowledge that they actually carried out this killing, although everybody knows it to be true. But we have other litigation which we're doing with the Center for Constitutional Rights. It's a constitutional case on behalf of the three U.S. citizens who were killed in 2011, including Abdulrahman, the 16-year-old. And that's a case in which we are raising claims under the Fourth Amendment and the Fifth Amendment, the due process clause, arguing that the government does not have the right, again, except in these extremely narrow circumstances, to carry out targeted killings without judicial review. And the government's response to that lawsuit has not been to defend their authority on the merits. They're not actually saying, "We have the right to do this." They haven't actually filed any of those arguments in court. Instead what they're arguing is: This question of whether the government acted lawfully or not is a political question committed to the political branches, and the judges have no role to play, no role whatsoever to play, in assessing whether the killing of an American citizen was lawful or not. How does it stop? Where does it stop? You kill them in Yemen, American citizens and others—no trial, no charge. What about in the United States? There's no line. You know, if you look at the memo, the briefing paper that was released yesterday, there's no geographic line. And you can remember how most of the country reacted when President Bush declared the authority to hold American citizens detained in the United States: Most of the country said, "You can't be serious. You're going to treat the United States as part of the battlefield. You're going to detain American citizens inside the United States as enemy combatants." And now, the Obama administration—you know, if you accept the memo on its face, you accept the briefing paper on its face, the Obama administration is making, in some ways, a greater claim of authority. They're arguing that the authority to kill American citizens has no geographic limit. I want to turn to comments made by John Brennan, John Brennan who is Obama's counterterrorism adviser and now his pick for CIA director. He made these comments last May and publicly confirmed that the United States has used drones to conduct targeted killings overseas. JOHN BRENNAN: President Obama believes that, done carefully, deliberately and responsibly, we can be more transparent and still ensure our nation's security. So let me say it as simply as I can: Yes, in full accordance with the law, and in order to prevent terrorist attacks on the United States and to save American lives, the United States government conducts targeted strikes against specific al-Qaeda terrorists, sometimes using remotely piloted aircraft often referred to publicly as "drones." And I'm here today because President Obama has instructed us to be more open with the American people about these efforts. That was Obama's nominee for CIA director, John Brennan, speaking last May. Jameel Jaffer, your comments on what he said about drone attacks? Well, this is—this is, I think, you know, in some ways, good timing for the release of this briefing paper, because, you know, as you mentioned, John Brennan has been nominated to head the CIA. There's going to be a vote on his nomination later this week. And some senators have said that the nomination should not go forward unless the administration is more forthcoming with its legal analysis, unless they release the OLC memo. And I think that's exactly right. The administration should release that memo. There are also open questions about the role that Brennan played in the torture program, and those questions, too, ought to be answered before the vote goes forward. So, you know, I think it's good timing. There are some very serious questions that ought to be asked by— Do you think the Democrats will be asking these questions of a Democratic administration? Well, you know, there were a group of senators yesterday that wrote to the administration asking for the release of the legal memo and seeming to connect the release of the legal memo to—to these votes, to the Hagel vote and to the Brennan vote. And I think that that's an important thing. And it was a group led by Senator Wyden. So I think that there—you know, there are definitely senators who think this is important. And if people can make it known to their senators that they think it's important, I think that would be a very good thing. And your thoughts on John Brennan being the CIA pick? Already, four years ago, when President Obama wanted to do it the first time around, he was forced to withdraw his name because there was such outcry. Well, right. I mean, I definitely have reservations about it. I think that there are these questions, these important questions about his role in the torture program. And also, you know, people have said that John Brennan is an advocate for transparency about the drone program. If that's true, now is the right time to release the OLC memo, the legal counsel memo. And I think that the debate about his nomination should be informed by whatever's in that memo. We had a report in headlines about Open Society Justice Initiative—and you're a fellow at the Open Society right now, on leave from the ACLU—putting out a new report that's revealed a detailed look at global involvement in the CIA's secret program of prisons, rendition and torture since 9/11. The initiative says 54 countries aided the CIA until President Obama stopped the program in 2009. It's called "Globalizing Torture," also reveals at least 136 people were held by the CIA during those years—the largest tally to date. How significant is this? I think it's a hugely significant report. I think it's the most comprehensive report thus far about the people who are held by the CIA and what happened to them, and also the complicity of other countries in the CIA's program. Some of those other countries have begun to grapple with the question of accountability for their role in that program. As you know, the United States has not. The Obama administration has interfered with civil suits that seek to hold officials accountable for their role in that program, and it has failed to bring criminal charges against senior officials who supervised the program. But I think it's a very important thing, what the Open Society Justice Initiative has done here, and I think that it will create pressure not just on other countries to begin to grapple with that question of accountability, but on the United States, as well. Final question on this issue of targeted killings: Is this President Obama's answer to attempting to close Guantánamo? You don't need prisons if you kill people before they go to prison. I hope not. You know, without more information about who it is that the administration is killing and on what basis, it's difficult to make—to draw a conclusion on that question. But I think when you see the kinds of authority that the government is claiming in briefing papers like this, it certainly raises the question about to what extent this program, the drone program, is in fact a substitute for detention. And as you said, don't they say—don't the documents say that they will kill someone if it puts U.S. personnel at risk? That's right. I mean, I think that one of the—you know, one of the really troubling things about the document is the way that it defines this phrase, "Capture is infeasible," because once you see that phrase in the first paragraph, "Capture is infeasible," it sounds like a real restriction on the government's authority to use lethal force. But halfway through the memo, they redefine the phrase, "Capture is infeasible," to mean something more like: "Capture is inconvenient." And once you redefine the phrase in that way, then you've opened up the possibility of the use of lethal force much more broadly. And again, it does raise the question of whether they are using the use of lethal force as a substitute for detention, and even if they're not, whether that possibility is open for another administration in the future. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mali-rebel-faction-seeks-peace?start=0 One of the Islamist rebel groups fighting in northern Mali has reportedly split into two, with one faction offering to discuss peace and to join the French-led offensive against its former comrades Ansar Dine. The Malian army, meanwhile, has been accused of human rights abuses including summary executions.<br /> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:09:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mali-rebel-faction-seeks-peace Mali, Ansar Dine, Military of Mali, France, Summary execution, International Federation for Human Rights, Islamism, Tuareg, Euronews One of the Islamist rebel groups fighting in northern Mali has reportedly split into two, with one faction offering to join the French-led offensive against its former comrades Ansar Dine. The Malian army, meanwhile, has been accused of human rights abuses including summary executions. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-syrian-rebels-summary-executions-a-war-crime?start=0 The United Nations Human Rights Council has announced that the execution of soldiers from the Syrian army by the armed opposition is likely a war crime, and assured that if the video recording of the execution is real, then it will amount to evidence of war crimes if a trial is held. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Nujeen Dirik, the leader of a Kurdish armed unit that is affiliated with the Syrian branch of the PKK in Turkey, was killed in the northern city of Aleppo. Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:37:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-syrian-rebels-summary-executions-a-war-crime Syrian Civil War, Idlib Governorate, United Nations Human Rights Council, Free Syrian Army, Summary execution, War Crime, Syrian army, Syria, Human rights, Hillary Clinton Presenter, Male #1 The United Nations Human Rights Council regrets the execution of soldiers from the Syrian army by the armed opposition, and considers it a war crime. And a Canadian website reveals that the plot to destroy Syria was prepared by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in 2007. Reporter, Female #1 The video of the armed opposition's execution of 8 soldiers from the Syrian army, who were captured in Idlib Province, did not pass unnoticed. It pushed the international community and international organizations to condemn it, as the UNHRC expressed its regret over the execution of soldiers from the Syrian army by the armed opposition, considering it as a likely war crime. The spokesman for the UNHRC, Robert Colville, clarified that the Council will examine the pictures carefully. He called on everyone to respect international human rights legislation, and assured that if the video recording is real, then it will amount to evidence of war crimes if a trial is held. Reporter, Female #1 The Syrian National Council prompted opposition fighters to hold accountable all those who violate human rights. On the other hand, Amnesty International sees that the shocking video portrays a possible war crime that is currently ongoing, and shows a complete disregard of international human rights laws by the armed groups. Reporter, Female #1 In a related development, 24-year-old Nujeen Dirik, the leader of a Kurdish armed unit that is affiliated with the Democratic Unity Party, which is the Syrian branch of the PKK in Turkey, was killed in the northern city of Aleppo, after a week of being detained by opposition fighters. Reporter, Female #1 On the other hand, tension once again dominates the Syrian-Turkish border after both sides exchanged a number of shells. Sounds of machine gun clashes and several explosions were heard. This was in the wake of a bloody day in which dozens were killed, most of them civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Violent clashes continued between the Syrian army and the armed opposition in different parts of the country. Official Syrian TV mentioned that special forces killed a number of terrorists in Atarib, and targeted another armed group along the Aleppo-Damascus road. This came at a time when al-Ghouta al-Sharqiya in the countryside of Damascus witnessed shelling by warplanes, along with Talbiset Homs, where planes were seen bombing the area. Reporter, Female #1 Far from the events on the ground, the Syrian National Council, which includes most of the opposition factions, rejected the creation of any alternatives to itself, after America hinted at this. The council denounced statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in which she hinted at creating a more comprehensive framework for the opposition. They stated that any discussion of bypassing the National Council, or forming alternative frameworks, is an attempt to harm the Syrian revolution and plant seeds of discord and disagreement. Reporter, Female #1 It's the first time the National Council has released such a report. In a detailed financial report that was published, the opposition Syrian National Council announced that the total number of donations it received over the year has reached USD 40 million. Half of that amount came from Libya, and the other half came from Qatar and the Emirates. The funds were deposited into two accounts, one in Qatar for the Qatari contribution, and the other in Turkey for both the Libyan and Emirati contributions. Reporter, Female #1 This comes at a time when the Canadian Global Research website revealed that a plan to destroy Syria had been prepared by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in 2007. In a report that quoted Israeli research centers, as well as the "Clean Break" report from joint Israeli-American research, it clarified that the plan was put in place to ensure the security of Israel. Israel would attain security by targeting Syria, the lively and independent state. Reporter, Female #1 The website stated that the two reports published in 2007 and 2008 by the Counterterrorism Center, which is affiliated with the American military, revealed the presence of international networks of terrorist organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda. Their mission was to send fighters to Iraq and Syria. They added that Libya was relied upon as a focal point to train al-Qaeda members and arm them, to be sent on missions according to NATO's agendas. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-110212?start=171 <p>Mauritanian president remains in Paris as opposition calls for end to military rule, UN condemns Syrian rebels' summary execution of regime soldiers, Arab-American voters lean toward Obama in US elections, and more.</p> Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-110212 Israel, US presidential election, 2012, Republican Party (United States), Democratic Party (United States), Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Syrian Civil War, Arab American, Israeli American, Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian Revolution Presenter, Male #1 The United Nations Human Rights Council regrets the execution of soldiers from the Syrian army by the armed opposition, and considers it a war crime. And a Canadian website reveals that the plot to destroy Syria was prepared by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in 2007. Reporter, Female #1 The video of the armed opposition's execution of eight soldiers from the Syrian army, who were captured in Idlib Province, did not pass unnoticed. It pushed the international community and international organizations to condemn it, as the UNHRC expressed its regret over the execution of soldiers from the Syrian army by the armed opposition, considering it as a likely war crime. The spokesman for the UNHRC, Robert Colville, clarified that the Council will examine the pictures carefully. He called on everyone to respect international human rights legislation, and assured that if the video recording is real, then it will amount to evidence of war crimes if a trial is held. Reporter, Female #1 The Syrian National Council prompted opposition fighters to hold accountable all those who violate human rights. On the other hand, Amnesty International sees that the shocking video portrays a possible war crime that is currently ongoing, and shows a complete disregard of international human rights laws by the armed groups. Reporter, Female #1 In a related development, 24-year-old Nujeen Dirik, the leader of a Kurdish armed unit that is affiliated with the Democratic Unity Party, which is the Syrian branch of the PKK in Turkey, was killed in the northern city of Aleppo, after a week of being detained by opposition fighters. Reporter, Female #1 On the other hand, tension once again dominates the Syrian-Turkish border after both sides exchanged a number of shells. Sounds of machine gun clashes and several explosions were heard. This was in the wake of a bloody day in which dozens were killed, most of them civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Violent clashes continued between the Syrian army and the armed opposition in different parts of the country. Official Syrian TV mentioned that special forces killed a number of terrorists in Atarib, and targeted another armed group along the Aleppo-Damascus road. This came at a time when al-Ghouta al-Sharqiya in the countryside of Damascus witnessed shelling by warplanes, along with Talbiset Homs, where planes were seen bombing the area. Reporter, Female #1 Far from the events on the ground, the Syrian National Council, which includes most of the opposition factions, rejected the creation of any alternatives to itself, after America hinted at this. The council denounced statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in which she hinted at creating a more comprehensive framework for the opposition. They stated that any discussion of bypassing the National Council, or forming alternative frameworks, is an attempt to harm the Syrian revolution and plant seeds of discord and disagreement. Reporter, Female #1 It's the first time the National Council has released such a report. In a detailed financial report that was published, the opposition Syrian National Council announced that the total number of donations it received over the year has reached USD 40 million. Half of that amount came from Libya, and the other half came from Qatar and the Emirates. The funds were deposited into two accounts, one in Qatar for the Qatari contribution, and the other in Turkey for both the Libyan and Emirati contributions. Reporter, Female #1 This comes at a time when the Canadian Global Research website revealed that a plan to destroy Syria had been prepared by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in 2007. In a report that quoted Israeli research centers, as well as the "Clean Break" report from joint Israeli-American research, it clarified that the plan was put in place to ensure the security of Israel. Israel would attain security by targeting Syria, the lively and independent state. Reporter, Female #1 The website stated that the two reports published in 2007 and 2008 by the Counterterrorism Center, which is affiliated with the American military, revealed the presence of international networks of terrorist organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda. Their mission was to send fighters to Iraq and Syria. They added that Libya was relied upon as a focal point to train al-Qaeda members and arm them, to be sent on missions according to NATO's agendas. http://news.linktv.org/videos/libya-still-not-free-one-year-after-gaddafis-death?start=0 One year after Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated by rebel soldiers, many concerns have not been resolved. Militias still patrol the streets. Government forces storm pro-Gaddafi towns. The controversy surrounding Gaddafi's death remains unsettled. How long will it take to fully liberate Libya? Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:32:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/libya-still-not-free-one-year-after-gaddafis-death Bani Walid, Libya, Muammar Gaddafi , Death of Muammar Gaddafi, Tripoli, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Libyan army, Libyan rebel forces, Assassination, Summary execution One year after Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was assassinated by rebel soldiers, many concerns have not been resolved. Militias still patrol the streets. Government forces storm pro-Gaddafi towns. The controversy surrounding Gaddafi's death remains unsettled. How long will it take to fully liberate Libya? http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyas-new-leaders-failed-to-investigate-gaddafis-death?start=0 An investigation into Muammar Gaddafi's violent death last year has challenged the version of events given by Libya's new rulers. Human Rights Watch commented on the gruesome footage showing the ex-dictator being mocked and beaten. Officials initially said he was killed in crossfire. The new report also accuses former rebels of beating and executing dozens of Gaddafi supporters. "There cannot be acquiescence by the government to allow such crimes to go unpunished. That is very dangerous moving forward, because that, in a sense, gives the message that these kinds of abuses against former Gaddafi or pro-Gaddafi affiliated - whether security forces or politicians or citizens -- that that will go unpunished, that that will be accepted. And that can give a green light to the kind of targeted assassinations we've seen in the east of Libya for example," said Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch. <br /> Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:21:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyas-new-leaders-failed-to-investigate-gaddafis-death Muammar Gaddafi , Death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya, Human Rights Watch, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Summary execution, Misurata, Sirte, Assassination, Libyan rebel forces An investigation into Muammar Gaddafi's violent death last year has challenged the version of events given by Libya's new rulers. Human Rights Watch commented on the gruesome footage showing the ex-dictator being mocked and beaten. Officials initially said he was killed in crossfire. The new report says in the film he "appears lifeless" after his capture. The campaign group's report also accuses former rebels of beating and executing dozens of Gaddafi supporters. "There cannot be acquiescence by the government to allow such crimes to go unpunished. That is very dangerous moving forward, because that, in a sense, gives the message that these kinds of abuses against former Gaddafi or pro-Gaddafi affiliated - whether security forces or politicians or citizens - that that will go unpunished, that that will be accepted. And that can give a green light to the kind of targeted assassinations we've seen in the east of Libya for example," said Heba Morayef, Middle East and North Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch. The bodies of Gaddafi and his son were put on display in Misrata, a town that had been heavily shelled by government forces. The new Libyan authorities promised to investigate how they were killed, but Human Rights Watch says little has been done. It claims to have evidence that opposition militias summarily executed at least 66 members of Gaddafi's convoy in the town of Sirte. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100312?start=783 <p>Iranian riot police clash with demonstrators during currency crisis protests in Tehran, Bahrain launches crackdown on funeral for activist who died in custody, Tunisian woman accused of indecency after being raped by security forces, and more.</p> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100312 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Israel, Human rights, Aleppo, Free Syrian Army, Palestinians, Iran, Damascus, Activism An armed group in Syria claimed responsibility for the summary execution of 20 soldiers in the flashpoint city of Aleppo last month. In a statement posted online, the Salafi al-Nusra Front said that the soldiers were from the Hanano military compound located in east Aleppo, which was briefly taken by armed groups on September 10, but later recaptured by government troops. The group also claimed responsibility for other recent attacks, including a twin bombing in Damascus that killed 55 people in May. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-rebels-execute-suspected-government-militia-members?start=0 Amid reports Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing support for the Free Syrian Army, a video emerges that apparently shows Syrian rebels in Aleppo summarily executing captured government fighters in a sustained burst of gunfire. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:38:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-rebels-execute-suspected-government-militia-members Free Syrian Army, Battle of Aleppo, Summary execution, Syrian Civil War, Aleppo, Shabeha, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, War Crime, Human Rights Watch Amid reports that US President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing support for the Free Syrian Army, videos posted on YouTube apparently show Syrian rebels in the commercial capital Aleppo summarily executing captured government fighters in a sustained burst of gunfire. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071812?start=675 Several Eritrean human rights organizations have welcomed a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council to appoint a special commissioner for Eritrea, saying it shows growing concern over the state of human rights violations in Eritrea, BBC Arabic reports. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:28:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-071812 Politics of Israel, Kadima, NATO, Afghanistan, Afghanistan War, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Haredi Judaism, Taliban, Damascus Presenter, Male #1 Several Eritrean human rights organizations have welcomed a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council, the HRC, to appoint a special commissioner for Eritrea. The Council issued the resolution during its twentieth session. In a statement that the BBC obtained a copy of, the organizations said that the resolution shows the growing concern over the state of human rights violations in Eritrea. The organizations urged the HRC to make braver decisions in order to deal with such dangerous violations. Reporter, Male #2 This is how life appears in the Eritrean capital, Asmara: completely calm and normal. Eritrea, which has an area of 118 square kilometers and a population of four million, sits on a great wealth of natural resources, and owns many islands overlooking the Red Sea, with a costal line reaching nearly 1,000 kilometers. Reporter, Male #2 Since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has been ruled by Isaias Afewerki. The country seldom makes international headlines, except with regard to its political and border conflicts with neighboring countries, or its alleged intervention in Somalia, and support for the armed al-Shabaab militant group. This makes Eritrea a semi-isolated country that keeps to itself, according to some. The opposition accuses the regime of being one of the last radical and totalitarian systems in the world. Reporter, Male #2 The UN Human Rights Council has recently unveiled what's being described as a "miserable state of human rights" in the country. In a rare resolution, the HRC condemned the wide-scale and systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms by Eritrean authorities. The violations include executions outside the judicial system, random acts of execution, enforced disappearances, systematic torture, indiscriminate detention, solitary confinement, as well as inhumane and insulting imprisonment conditions. Reporter, Male #2 The HRC also criticized the severe restrictions on the freedoms of expression and opinion, and well as the freedoms of the press, religion, association, gathering, and assembly. The violations also include the detention of journalists and human rights activists, as well as political reformists, clergymen, and experts. The Council also condemned the mandatory recruitment of citizens for unspecified periods of time in the National Service. The policy led to forcing minors to join the army, as well as threatening and detaining families of those suspected of deserting the National Service. Reporter, Male #2 The HRC called on the Eritrean government to immediately end all forms of indiscriminate detention, including torture and inhumane punishment. The Council also called for the release of all political prisoners, and for the formation of an independent judicial system. Reporter, Male #2 In order the monitor these issues, the Council decided to appoint a special commissioner in Eritrea. His name is yet to be announced. The decision was largely welcomed by the Eritrean opposition. The government of Asmara will likely welcome the resolution. However, observers expressed doubt over the ability of President Afewerki's regime to meet the requirements necessary for the implementation of such a resolution. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/activists-release-graphic-video-evidence-of-massacre-in-damascus-suburb?start=0 WARNING: Very Graphic Content. Syrian opposition activists have released video evidence of a massacre said to have taken place in the Damascus suburb of Douma. Forty-five people, including women and children, were reportedly executed by regime forces. Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/activists-release-graphic-video-evidence-of-massacre-in-damascus-suburb Douma, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Damascus, Summary execution, Syrian army, Civilian casualties, Artillery, Video journalism, Bashar al-Assad WARNING: Very Graphic Content. Syrian opposition activists have released video evidence of a massacre said to have taken place in the Damascus suburb of Douma at the end of June. Forty-five people, including women and children, were reportedly executed by regime forces looking for weapons belonging to anti-Assad fighters. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-syrian-general-says-army-is-destroyed-physically-and-mentally?start=0 Former Syrian Brigadier General Ahmad Berro, who defected earlier this month, says the Syrian army is tired of fighting the uprising and calls on his colleagues to defy the orders of the Syrian government. Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:18:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-syrian-general-says-army-is-destroyed-physically-and-mentally Syrian Civil War, Syrian army, Free Syrian Army, Syria, Defection, Civilian casualties, Summary execution, Brigadier general, Morale, Raw video Former Syrian Brigadier General Ahmad Berro, who defected earlier this month, says the Syrian army is tired of fighting the uprising and calls on his colleagues to defy the orders of the Syrian government. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-14-2012?start=144 Protesters confronted JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on Wednesday as he testified on Capitol Hill about how his bank lost up to $3 billion in risky bets; lawmakers, however, gave him a warmer reception. A draft agreement leaked Wednesday shows the Obama administration is pushing a secretive trade agreement that could vastly expand corporate power and directly contradict a 2008 campaign promise. And a bipartisan dispute has emerged on Capitol Hill over how to investigate a series of national security leaks, including disclosures about President Obama's secret "kill list." Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:02:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-14-2012 JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, United States Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs , Barack Obama, United States, Syria, Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, National security, Syrian Civil War, Crimes Against Humanity Amnesty International is accusing the Syrian government of crimes against humanity and deliberately targeting civilian areas linked to support for opposition rebels. In a new report, Amnesty says its researchers collected evidence from 23 villages and towns of indiscriminate killings by government forces and affiliated militias. Amnesty adviser Donatella Rovera said civilians are enduring massive brutality. Donatella Rovera: "The civilian population is very much on the receiving end, getting caught in the conflict, and being quite frankly mercilessly targeted by government forces who have been pounding towns and villages, going into people's homes, taking young men out of the houses and executing them in front of their families and burning down their homes." In its report, Amnesty renewed its call for an arms embargo on Syria and for the Security Council to refer the Syrian government to the International Criminal Court. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012?start=123 Bradley Manning appears at a pretrial hearing in a military court ahead of his September trial, as a new book documents his trajectory from a difficult childhood to his current predicament. And more from the Democracy Now! interview with the filmmakers behind "Five Broken Cameras," a new documentary that tells the story of a West Bank village's resistance to the Israeli separation barrier. Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012 Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, Whistleblower, United States v. Bradley Manning, United States, Court-martial, Trial, Military justice, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Bil'in The crisis in Syria is intensifying following a massacre of Sunni villagers in Hama province. Witnesses and activists say government-backed forces killed up to 86 people in the village of Kubair, around half of them women and children. Most of the victims were burned in their own homes, with many bodies showing signs of grizzly murders. The massacre reportedly came after dozens of Syrian troops and militia members surrounded the village from all directions. On Thursday, Syrian troops blocked U.N. monitors from reaching the village, and some observers came under fire as they tried to approach. The attack in Hama came less than two weeks after pro-government forces killed more than 100 civilians in the village of Houla. The Syrian government has denied responsibility for both atrocities, blaming rebel "terrorists." Annan: Ceasefire in Tatters, Assad Primarily Responsible At the United Nations, international envoy Kofi Annan acknowledged his ceasefire plan has failed and said responsibility first rests with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kofi Annan: "Today, despite the acceptance of the six-point plan and the deployment of a courageous mission of United Nations observers to Syria, I must be frank and confirm that the plan is not being implemented. Clearly, all parties must cease violence, but equally clearly, the first responsibility lies with the government. Since then, shelling of cities has intensified. Government-backed militia seem to have free reign with appalling consequences." Also in his remarks, Annan renewed his warning that Syria may already be in the midst of a catastrophic civil war. Kofi Annan: "Given the level of violence and the actors on the ground, you could say we are drifting, if we are not already, in a sort of a civil war. All efforts are being made to ensure that if it were to become a full-blown civil war, it doesn't spread to the neighbors." Ban Condemns "Unspeakable Barbarity" in Syria Massacre Appearing with Kofi Annan, U.N. Security-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the massacre in Hama. Ban Ki-moon: "Any regime or leader that tolerates such killing of innocents has lost its fundamental humanity. Today's news reports of another massacre in al-Kubeir and Kafr Zeta are shocking and sickening — a village apparently surrounded by Syrian forces, the bodies of innocent civilians lying there. They were shot, some allegedly burned or slashed with knives. We condemn this unspeakable barbarity and renew our determination to bring those responsible to account." Russia Calls for Iran Role in Talks, Rejects Intervention Members of the U.N. Security Council remain at an impasse over an international response to Syria's turmoil. Kofi Annan has proposed establishing a new contact group involving the United States, Russia and Iran, but the United States has refused to accept Iran's involvement. Russia and China continue to oppose proposals for sanctions against Syria and the U.S.-led calls for Assad to step down. At the United Nations, Russia envoy Vitaly Churkin said Council members have ignored the role of Syria's armed rebels in the ongoing violence and called for Iran's involvement in any future talks. Vitaly Churkin: "The truth of the matter, as you know, is that armed opposition groups do not only — do not only fail to comply to the Kofi Annan plan, but they declare that it is their intention not to do so, which, to us, is a very dangerous development, a very counterproductive development. We hear complaints about Iran, so the way to deal with that is to involve Iran in discussions and make sure that their activities are in sync with the activities of the rest of us who want to have this matter finally settled peacefully." Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov vowed to oppose any Security Council measure authorizing military intervention, saying: "There will not be a Security Council mandate for outside intervention, I guarantee you that." Clinton: Assad "Has Doubled Down on Brutality" Speaking during a visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton renewed the Obama administration's call for the immediate departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hillary Clinton: "Assad has doubled down on his brutality and duplicity, and Syria will not, cannot be peaceful, stable or certainly democratic until Assad goes. So even as we intensify the sanctions pressure, because as we were meeting in Istanbul, the sanctions working committee of the Friends of the Syrian People was meeting in Washington, the time has come for the international community to unite around a plan for a post-Assad Syria." http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war?start=0 The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:52:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war 2012 al-Qubair massacre, al-Qubair, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Bashar al-Assad, Hama Governorate, Civil war, Houla massacre The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. Comments made yesterday showed a marked change in tone, clearly aimed at building pressure on the Assad government. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon. Meanwhile Kofi Annan admitted his peace plan is not working. "If things do not change, the future is likely to be one of brutal repression, massacres, sectarian violence, and even all-out civil war," he said. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-7-2012?start=134 Dozens of New York lawmakers and several advocacy groups are convening on Capitol Hill today to call on the Justice Department to investigate the NYPD's controversial "stop-and-frisk" policies. Eight American Muslims from New Jersey have filed a federal lawsuit calling on the NYPD to stop its intelligence-gathering program that targets Muslim and Arab communities. And we discuss the award-winning new documentary, "Five Broken Cameras," which tells the story of a Palestinian farmer who got a video camera to record his son's childhood, but ended up documenting the growth of the resistance movement to the Israeli separation wall in the West Bank village of Bil'in. Plus headlines, and more. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:43:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-7-2012 NYPD, New York City stop-and-frisk program, New York City, Michael Bloomberg, US Department of Justice, African American, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Bil'in, Syria, United States WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Pro-government forces in Syria are being accused of committing a new massacre with reports of more than 86 dead in Hama province. Hama residents say Syrian forces shelled a village before pro-government militants entered and killed dozens of civilians. The alleged attack comes less than two weeks after more than 100 civilians were reportedly killed in the village of Houla. The Syrian government has denied the latest allegations, and U.N. monitors say they are attempting to verify the death toll. The U.N. Security Council is due to hold a session on Syria later today. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-un-observers-blocked-from-visiting-site-of-new-massacre?start=0 Syria's opposition is blaming the government for another alleged massacre, which reportedly left scores of people dead in Hama province. More than 80 people were killed on Wednesday in the village of Mazraat al-Qabeer, actvists said. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:10:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-un-observers-blocked-from-visiting-site-of-new-massacre 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, al-Qubair, Hama Governorate, Robert Mood, United Nations, UN Security Council, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, Kofi Annan Syria's opposition is blaming the government for another alleged massacre, which reportedly left scores of people dead in Hama province. More than 80 people were killed on Wednesday in the village of Mazraat al-Qabeer, actvists said. UN observers trying to access the site say they are being blocked by the Syrian army. It all comes as United Nations envoy Kofi Annan prepares to address the UN Security Council to try to salvage his Syrian peace plan. Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN headquarters in New York and Rula Amin follows developments from Beirut in Lebanon. http://news.linktv.org/videos/in-rare-public-speech-assad-denies-responsibility-for-massacre?start=0 Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has used his first public speech in five months to deny his government's involvement in last month's Houla massacre. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:36:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/in-rare-public-speech-assad-denies-responsibility-for-massacre Bashar al-Assad, Houla massacre, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Houla, Civilian casualties, Summary execution, Navi Pillay, Speech, United Nations Commission on Human Rights Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has used his first public speech in five months to deny his government's involvement in last month's Houla massacre. http://news.linktv.org/videos/official-syrian-report-blames-rebels-for-houla-massacre?start=0 The Syrian government has released a report clearing itself of any involvement in last week's massacre in Houla. Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, slammed the regime's version of events as "another blatant lie." Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/official-syrian-report-blames-rebels-for-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Susan Rice, Houla, Sectarian Violence, Summary execution, United Nations Human Rights Council, Civilian casualties, Al-Qusayr The Syrian government has released a report clearing itself of any involvement in last week's massacre in Houla. Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations, slammed the regime's version of events as "another blatant lie." http://news.linktv.org/videos/survivors-bear-witness-to-syrias-sectarian-nightmare?start=0 In an exclusive report from inside Houla, where more than 100 people were killed on Friday -- nearly half of them children -- eyewitnesses from the mainly Sunni town say the massacre was carried out by Shias and Alawites from neighboring areas. Wed, 30 May 2012 16:33:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/survivors-bear-witness-to-syrias-sectarian-nightmare Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Sectarian Violence, Houla, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Alawite, Civilian casualties, Sectarianism In a Channel 4 exclusive, Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson has the first report from inside Houla in Syria, where more than 100 people were killed on Friday, nearly half of them children. Eyewitnesses from the mainly Sunni town say the massacre was carried out by Shias and Alawites from neighboring towns. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-what-options-are-the-international-community-considering?start=0 Jon Snow is joined by International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and from Washington by Matt Frei to discuss what steps the international community may take in order to stop the violence in Syria. Wed, 30 May 2012 15:53:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-what-options-are-the-international-community-considering Syrian Civil War, Houla massacre, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, François Hollande, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vladimir Putin, Russia, Turkey, Assad family Jon Snow is joined by International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and from Washington by Matt Frei to discuss what steps the international community may take in order to stop the violence in Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-30-2012?start=2809 In a divided decision, Britain's Supreme Court has upheld the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to Sweden over alleged sex crimes. Assange's attorney says the ruling sets an alarming precedent for judicial independence in Europe. With the global spotlight on the Assange case, WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning marks two years behind bars. Journalist Glenn Greenwald argues that Obama's secret "kill list" is "the most radical power a government can seize. And, after the United States and 11 other countries formally expel Syrian diplomats following a massacre of more than 100 people in the village of Houla, does this incident mark a tipping point in favor of foreign military intervention? Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Wed, 30 May 2012 12:31:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-may-30-2012 WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, Extradition, United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Appeal, Bradley Manning, Houla massacre The United States and 11 other countries have formally expelled Syrian diplomats following a massacre of more than 100 people in the village of Houla. U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan now says Syria has reached a "tipping point" after more than a year of conflict. We're joined by Charles Glass, an award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster specializing in the Middle East. Glass reported from Syria last month for the New York Review of Books. The U.S. and 11 other countries have formally expelled Syrian diplomats following a massacre of over one hundred people in the village of Taldou, near Houla. Dozens of children were killed in the Houla attack, which marked the deadliest single incident of the 15-month uprising against Bashar al-Assad. In a coordinated action, countries including Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Japan ordered the departure of Syrian ambassadors from their capitals. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Syria's top diplomat in the US has been told to leave within three days and also blamed Iran for the massacre. VICTORIA NULAND: This morning, we called in Syrian Charge d'Affaires Zuheir Jabbour and informed him that he is no longer welcome in the US and gave him 72 hours to depart. We took this action in response to the massacre in the village of Houla, absolutely indefensible, vile, despicable massacre against innocent children, women, shot at point-blank range by regime thugs, the Shabiha, aided and abetted by the Iranians who were actually bragging about it over the weekend. That was State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. Meanwhile, UN Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan has said the country has reached a ”tipping point” after more than a year of conflict. On Tuesday, Kofi Annan made an emergency trip to Damascus and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. KOFI ANNAN: I shared with President Assad my assessment that the six-point plan is not being implemented as it must. We are at the tipping point. The Syrian people do not want their future to be one of bloodshed and division, yet the killings continue and the abusers are still with us today. Earlier, U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said initial investigations suggested most of those killed in the village of Taldou were summarily executed. For more, we are going to Charles Glass, award winning journalist, author, broadcaster specializing in the Middle east. He joins us from London. His most recent piece for the New York Review of Books is called "Syria: The Citadel and the War." Charles Glass, welcome to DEMOCRACY NOW! Can you respond to the latest in Syria and then talk about what people were saying in Aleppo and Damascus where you have just returned from? I think the massacre at Houla and Taldou [UNINTELLIGIBLE] are clear indications of how urgent it is to find … to force both sides in the conflict, the opposition and the regime, to negotiate a settlement, which would ultimately probably mean a change of regime, but certainly a transition. In the absence of that, you will have the Russians arming the government, you'll have the Saudis, the Qataris, possibly the US, Turkey, arming the opposition, which can only exacerbate the civil war. As remember from civil wars in Iraq and Lebanon, more massacres will then take place. This was the biggest fear amongst people that I spoke to in both Damascus and Aleppo. It is a big fear that most of the minorities – remember that Syria is a country composed of many minorities: Christians, [UNINTELLIGIBLE], Kurds, Armenians and others — and those minorities are terribly afraid of massacres that might take place if the conflict escalates. Charles Glass, who are the Shabiha militiamen who were allegedly responsible for this massacre? “Shabiha” is an Arabic term that means roughly "ghost." It also means someone who disguises himself. Initially, the Shabiha were small-time gangsters in the port areas around Latakia. They are occasionally called upon to do favors for the Alawites of the regime. Some of the favors involve being at checkpoints with soldiers, being at checkpoints with the police. They will go into people's houses as they did in Homs and commit murders. They will intimidate people. They are above, clearly above the law. If they were, indeed, as everyone suspects, involved in the massacres in Houla and Taldou, then they should be held responsible. One of the things that happened very early in the uprising in Syria, which began with demonstrations by students in the southern town of Daraa was that the governor of Daraa was responsible for the torture of children who were arrested during the demonstrations and after the demonstrations. Because Bashar al-Assad did not arrest the governor, who is a relation of his, immediately, a lot of people who believed that Bashar al-Assad could be a reformer lost their faith in him. There are still some people — many people — in Syria who support the regime, but if he does not do something about this and doesn't bring those responsible to account, he will lose even more support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking yesterday, said that certain countries were using this massacre, the Houla massacre, as "a pretext for voicing demands relating to the need for military measures to be taken." One of the things you point out in your article is that the majority of people you spoke to in Aleppo and Damascus are opposed to any kind of military intervention in the conflict. Well, they all remember what happened when the US invaded Iraq and they do not want that kind of chaos. They do not want a total destruction of the state and then a prolonged civil war with the ethnic and sectarian cleansings that they saw in Iraq. Remember, they received over 2 million refugees from Iraq who were fleeing the chaos that came after the American invasion. They do not want to be subject to that themselves. Surely, those who use the massacre as justification to call for western airstrikes or western invasion should think that actually this massacre should be a reminder of what could happen not only without an invasion, but because of an invasion. That makes it all the more urgent for pressure to come from Russia on the government and from the West and Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the Opposition to sit down and hammer out binding agreements that will end this conflict before it destroys the country. US General Martin Dempsey, the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the possible military intervention in Syria during an interview on Fox. GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY: There's always a military option. But that military option should always be wielded carefully because one thing we've learned about war, I have personally learned personally about war, is that it has a dynamic all its own. It takes on a life of its own. So you will always find military leaders to be somewhat cautious about the use of force because we're never entirely sure what comes out of the other side. But that said, it may come to a point with Syria because of the atrocities. That was US General Dempsey. Charles Glass, your response? The general makes a good point — that you cannot predict the outcome of an invasion. I think one of the outcomes, is that it might unite a lot of the Syrians against an invasion. Syria has a long history of fighting foreigners when they came in. When the French invaded in 1920, and kept the country under French mandate from 1920 to 1945, they fought and rebelled almost every year. Large sections of Damascus and other cities in Syria were destroyed by French artillery in order to keep French rule. And they haven't forgotten. They haven't forgotten that. They still feel very strongly Arab, very strongly Syrian and want to preserve their sovereignty. A western invasion is very much feared. Even more than a western invasion, a Turkish invasion are feared. I spoke to many Armenians in Aleppo. There is a large Armenian community in Aleppo. They remember the Armenian massacres of the First World War and they do not want to see Armenian troops coming in, nor to the Kurds of northeast Syria want to see the Turks coming in because the Turkish record of treatment of Kurds in Turkey is appalling. Earlier this year, DEMOCRACY NOW! spoke to Karam Nachar. He is a cyber activist working with Syrian protesters via social media platforms. He has advocated for international intervention. KARAM NACHAR: While I do realize that liberals around the world in particular are very wary of the replication of the Iraq scenario for instance. The world, I think, should know that this is not Iraq. This is a society that has been mobilizing against the regime for the past year. There is a humanitarian disaster unfolding on the ground. There is a moral responsibility to protect the Syrian people. This is not a perfect situation. It is complicated. It will require a lot of money and a lot courage and a lot of involvement on the part of the international community … Charles Glass, your comments on what Karam Nachar had to say? Mr. Nachar has every right to call for help from any corner he can because people are being killed in Syria. But those who are contemplating being the intermediator should think very carefully about the consequences of their actions. As the general said, you can't predict what that outcome will be. It will certainly raise the stakes. The Syrian army is not an entirely demoralized army the way the Iraqi army was after fifteen years of sanctions and after losing wars in Kuwait and Iran. The Syrian army is well armed, well supported by the Russians. It could lead to very serious — very serious —disputes between the US and Russia along the lines of the Cold war. I do not know anyone wants to go back to that, especially now when there is the chance with so much leverage from the west and from Russia on the two sides, there is the chance to force them to meet and to talk about a way of solving this peacefully. And what do you envision that pressure to look like? Particularly, talk about the role of Russia that has sided with Syria, but also cited constantly how it felt betrayed around the US NATO intervention in Libya. Russia has its own interests in the region. It also fears a Salafist uprising in Syria as much as it did in Chechnya. Whether that is a pretext or genuine is very difficult to say. But the Russians have — because they arm the Syrian regime and they are the only ones arming them with weapons they need, they could cut that supply, or threaten to cut that supply, if the regime does not come to the table. Similarly, the west and Saudi Arabia and Qatar could threaten to cut off all aid to the opponents if they don't come to the table. Charles Glass, very quickly: Iran. We have ten seconds. The US is blaming Iran for what is going on in Syria. Well I think Iran could blame the US for what is going on in Syria in the sense that the reason most of the outside powers turned against the regime was not because of human-rights violations, which the US tolerated for years when the CIA used to render suspects to Syria. The reason they do not like the regime anymore is because of its close relationship with Iran. Charles Glass, I want to thank you for being with us, former ABC News Chief, Middle East correspondent, spent 10 days in Syria, in Damascus and Aleppo. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-escalating-war-of-words-over-houla-massacre?start=0 Speaking as the UN Security Council condemned Syria's government for the massacre of at least 108 people in the town of Houla, the UK's ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Lyall-Grant, said "There are no circumstances whatsoever that justify the use of heavy weapons and tanks against civilian population." Meanwhile, his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Jaafari denounced what he described as "a tsunami of lies" from the UN.<br /> Tue, 29 May 2012 14:20:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-escalating-war-of-words-over-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, UN Security Council, Syrian Civil War, Houla, Mark Lyall Grant, Bashar Jaafari, Civilian casualties, Summary execution, Tank Speaking as the UN Security Council condemned Syria's government for the massacre of at least 108 people in the town of Houla, the UK's ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Lyall-Grant, said "There are no circumstances whatsoever that justify the use of heavy weapons and tanks against civilian population." Meanwhile, his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Jaafari denounced what he described as "a tsunami of lies" from the UN. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-houla-massacre?start=0 WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Horrifying images from an amateur video uploaded on a social media website are believed to come from the Houla massacre which killed over 100 people last Friday. Tue, 29 May 2012 10:28:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-houla-massacre Syria, Houla massacre, Houla, Syrian Civil War, Artillery, Summary execution, Civilian casualties, Raw video, Telegraph.co.uk WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Horrifying images from an amateur video uploaded on a social media website are believed to come from the Houla massacre which killed over 100 people last Friday. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-diplomats-expelled-following-houla-massacre?start=0 Western powers are stepping up diplomatic pressure on Syria over the killing of civilians, with three countries including Australia expelling senior Syrian diplomats. This follows the massacre of 108 people in Houla on Friday, including many children and women. Tue, 29 May 2012 08:44:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-diplomats-expelled-following-houla-massacre Houla massacre, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Houla, Summary execution, Ceasefire, Bob Carr, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, UN Security Council, Artillery WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Western powers are stepping up diplomatic pressure on Syria over the killing of civilians, with three countries including Australia expelling senior Syrian diplomats. This follows the massacre of 108 people in Houla on Friday, including many children and women, reportedly by forces loyal to the Syrian regime. http://news.linktv.org/videos/hrw-syrian-regime-committed-war-crimes-while-negotiating-peace-deal?start=0 Campaign group Human Rights Watch has accused the Syrian government of committing war crimes in the region of Idlib even as it was negotiating details of a UN-brokered peace deal in late March and early April. Thu, 03 May 2012 12:34:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/hrw-syrian-regime-committed-war-crimes-while-negotiating-peace-deal Syria, Battle of Taftanaz, Syrian Civil War, Human Rights Watch, Summary execution, Idlib Governorate, Human rights in Syria, War Crime, Syrian army, Civilian casualties Campaign group Human Rights Watch has accused the Syrian government of committing war crimes even as it was negotiating details of a UN-brokered peace deal. The organization says government forces killed at least 95 civilians and destroyed hundreds of houses during a two-week offensive in the northern region of Idlib in late March and early April. In this video, an HRW researcher visits one of the towns said to be hit hardest by the violence, Taftanaz, and details evidence found there of summary executions carried out on civilians. "While diplomats argued over details of Annan's peace plan, Syrian tanks and helicopters attacked one town in Idlib after another," said Anna Neistat, associate director for program and emergencies at Human Rights Watch. "Everywhere we went, we saw burnt and destroyed houses, shops, and cars, and heard from people whose relatives were killed. It was as if the Syrian government forces used every minute before the ceasefire to cause harm." http://news.linktv.org/videos/uk-protest-against-ethnic-cleansing-of-shias-in-pakistan?start=0 The recent wave of Shia killings in Pakistan, at the hands of extremists has gone almost unnoticed in the worlds press. In London, protestors have been trying to highlight the issue that they say could turn into all-out ethnic cleansing. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:52:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/uk-protest-against-ethnic-cleansing-of-shias-in-pakistan Shia Islam, Gilgit District, Sectarian Violence, Pakistan, Protest, London, Pakistani Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Ethnic cleansing, Gilgit The recent wave of Shia killings in Pakistan, at the hands of extremists has gone almost unnoticed in the worlds press. In London, protestors have been trying to highlight the issue that they say could turn in to an all out ethnic cleansing. Nargess Moballeghi reports from the capital. Viewers may find some images in this report upsetting as it shows photos of the dead. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-013112?start=35 Local Coordination Committees said 21 people were killed in Syria today. Meanwhile, Washington and its European allies are trying to adopt a UN resolution to end the violence in Syria and pave the way for a democratic transition of power. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-013112 Protest, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Mahmoud Abbas, Middle East Peace Process, Israel, Syrian army, Free Syrian Army, Amman Presenter, Male #1 Local Coordination Committees said 21 people were killed in Syria today, including a child and four soldiers who were executed by security forces in Idlib. The Syrian Coordination Committees reported that the regime's forces managed to enter the town of Rastan and that the military operation was characterized by seesaw battles. Meanwhile, other groups announced their defection from the regime's army. A group of scholars announced that they would stand by the people's side. In turn, Syria's state media continued to air the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region showing support for President Assad. Reporter, Male #2 These tanks are shelling houses and residential neighborhoods in the town of Rastan. Guest, Male #3 God is great! God is great! As you hear, it is artillery shelling pounding the city of Rastan. Reporter, Male #2 This group of military vehicles is relentlessly and indiscriminately opening heavy fire on residential neighborhoods. The authenticity of these images cannot be verified, but they show how far deep into Syrian neighborhoods these military vehicles have pushed, as Syrian activists say. Also in Rastan, more soldiers defected from the regime's army. In the surroundings of the Syrian capital, clashes continued. In a phone call with the BBC, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the clashes as seesaw battles. He unveiled that three officers in the intelligence and security agencies were captured at dawn on Tuesday. Guest, Male #3 (Rami Abdul Rahman, Director of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights) Today, sounds of explosions were heard in a number of eastern regions, which I believe still continue. However, the operation in the countryside of Damascus seems to be a seesaw battle now. The Syrian authorities are dispatching their media networks accompanied by security forces to one of the checkpoints. Groups of defecting soldiers captured three officers, including an officer in the political security agency. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian National Council called for a general strike and for putting an end to the killings. Activists uploaded images online of protests in a number of areas. Syrian state media continued to report about whom it describes as terrorists. Guest, Female #1 (Syrian State TV) In a quality operation in the regions of Duma, Harasta, Saqaba, Hamuriya and Kafr Batna in the countryside of Damascus, armed members of terrorist groups were captured. They committed the most ferocious crimes against citizens, including killing, kidnapping, and planting landmines. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian media showed images of large gatherings, which it said was the 10th Forum of Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Raqqa region. Preachers gathered at the forum to show support for President Assad's reforms and policies. In Idlib, a group of scholars who call themselves "the Commission for the Free Scholars" announced they would stand behind the people against the regime. Guest, Male #4 We declare in all honesty and clarity to stand by our just Syrian people and their rightful demands to gain freedom. Guest, Male #5 They were striking the area with mortar shells. They opened fire on us using all possible means. Thank God, we have been fending them off with the help of God Almighty. We protected the demonstration. The demonstration was peaceful and we came to protect the residents of the neighborhood and their peaceful demonstration. Reporter, Male #2 Here in the Bab Sibaa neighborhood, demonstrations are protected by soldiers said to be from the Syrian Free Army. This scene indicates a strong presence of armed military defectors and of the Syrian army. If this does not indicate a civil war, then what does? Essam Abdullah, BBC. Presenter, Male #1 Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is convening a special session on the situation in Syria amid speculations that a unified position will be difficult to reach due to Moscow's refusal to discuss the Arab-backed draft resolution and the demand that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad relinquish power. Meanwhile, Washington and its European allies are trying to adopt a resolution to end the violence in Syria and pave the way for a democratic transition of power. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111711?start=1112 <p>Kuwait orders tight security following demands for prime minister's resignation, settler violence on the rise in the occupied West Bank, Iran accuses the US of sponsoring terrorism, and more.</p> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-111711 Protest, Iran, Israel, Nuclear program of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Civilian casualties, Industrial action, Kuwait, Syrian Civil War, West Bank In Yemen, anti-regime protestors have taken to the streets in several cities calling for the execution of embattled leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. The protestors have also vowed that the revolution will continue until the downfall of the regime. The Yemeni revolution began back in February inspired at the time by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. Since the revolution began, hundreds of pro-democracy protestors have been killed and thousands more wounded by forces loyal to Saudi-backed Saleh. The Yemeni people blame Saudi Arabia and the United States for impeding their revolution. http://news.linktv.org/videos/new-video-footage-shows-gaddafis-killer?start=0 Video footage has emerged of fighters loyal to Libya's National Transitional Council claiming to be the assassins of ex-Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:45:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/new-video-footage-shows-gaddafis-killer Muammar Gaddafi , Libya, Death of Muammar Gaddafi, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Sirte, Saadi Gaddafi, Libyan rebel forces, Mutassim Gaddafi, National Transitional Council, Summary execution Video footage has emerged of fighters loyal to Libya's National Transitional Council claiming to be the assassins of ex-Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Today, his body remains on display to the public, and it is still unclear where he will be buried. Meanwhile Gaddafi's son, Saadi Gaddafi, says he's "outraged by the vicious brutality" shown towards his father and his brother Muatassim, who were both killed last week. More video clips showing Gaddafi's last moments are slowly trickling in, and they are likely to come under closer scrutiny in the coming days as the United Nations, rights organizations, and more recently, the United States, backs an investigation into the deaths of Gaddafi and his son. Al Jazeera's Khadija Magardie reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/signs-of-execution-killings-at-final-battleground?start=0 New details are emerging of Gaddafi's death, with human rights investigators questioning the official NTC version of events. Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reports from the site where the dramatic final showdown took place in Sirte. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:24:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/signs-of-execution-killings-at-final-battleground Muammar Gaddafi , Libya, 2011 Libyan Uprising, Sirte, Death of Muammar Gaddafi, National Transitional Council, Summary execution, Libyan rebel forces, Al Jazeera English, Funeral As Libyan authorities plan a secret burial for Muammar Gaddafi, Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley reports from the site where the dramatic final showdown occurred in Sirte, New details are emerging of Gaddafi's death, with human rights investigators questioning the official account and calling for the National Transitional Council to launch an investigation into exactly how the former dictator died. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-deaths-behind-bars-reaching-massive-proportions?start=0 WARNING: Video contains graphic images. At least 88 people are believed to have died in detention in Syria during five months of bloody repression of pro-reform protests, a new Amnesty International report reveals today. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:03:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-deaths-behind-bars-reaching-massive-proportions Syrian Civil War, Death in custody, Torture, Syria, Detention, Summary execution, Political repression, Human rights, Crimes Against Humanity, Amnesty International WARNING: Video contains graphic images. At least 88 people are believed to have died in detention in Syria during five months of bloody repression of pro-reform protests, a new Amnesty International report reveals today. Deadly detention: Deaths in custody amid popular protest in Syria documents reported deaths in custody between April and mid-August in the wake of sweeping arrests. The 88 deaths represented a significant escalation in the number of deaths following arrest in Syria. In recent years Amnesty International has typically recorded around five deaths in custody per year in Syria. Check out details of all 88 cases at Eyes on Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/rights-group-reports-on-surge-of-torture-and-murder-in-syrian-jails?start=0 Human rights group Amnesty International reports a significant increase in the number of Syrian activists who have died in government custody. It has documented the cases of 88 people, many of them children and some as young as 13. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:35:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/rights-group-reports-on-surge-of-torture-and-murder-in-syrian-jails Syrian Civil War, Death in custody, Torture, Syria, Amnesty International, Detention, Summary execution, Sanctions, Homs, Political repression Human rights group Amnesty International is reporting a significant increase in the number of Syrian activists who have died in government custody. The group says it has documented the cases of 88 people, many of them children and some as young as 13. In a majority of cases, it is believed torture may have been the cause of death. Al Jazeera's Omar Al-Saleh reports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyan-rebels-turn-toward-gaddafis-home-city?start=0 Libyan rebels are amassing on the road to Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi's home city and one of his last bastions of support. Gaddafi was born nearby and rebels are hoping to deliver a strategic and symbolic coup de grace by taking the city. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:54:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/libyan-rebels-turn-toward-gaddafis-home-city 2011 Libyan Uprising, Sirte, Tripoli, Bin Jawad, Libya, National Transitional Council, Libyan rebel forces, Summary execution, Muammar Gaddafi , Euronews Libyan rebels are amassing on the road to Sirte, Muammar Gaddafi's home city and one of his last bastions of support. Gaddafi was born nearby and rebels are hoping to deliver a strategic and symbolic coup de grace by taking the city. Rebel commanders have sent text messages to fighters urging them not to abuse pro-Gaddafi soldiers. Leaders are keen to preserve their image abroad after reports that government troops had been found dead with hands tied behind their backs. http://news.linktv.org/videos/evidence-of-mass-execution-in-tripoli?start=0 WARNING: Video contains very graphic images. Al Jazeera's correspondent James Bays visited a hospital in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where he saw the bodies of 15 men believed to be civilians killed in a mass execution. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:44:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/evidence-of-mass-execution-in-tripoli 2011 Libyan Uprising, Tripoli, Libya, Summary execution, Civilian casualties, Muammar Gaddafi , Al Jazeera English WARNING: Video contains very graphic images. Al Jazeera's correspondent James Bays visited a hospital in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where he saw the bodies of 15 men - believed to be civilians killed in a mass execution. He had this report.