A US-backed Syrian rebel group captured an Assad regime military base.

At least there is one Arab rebel group that isn't al Qa'ida or PISSI that has the ability to fight and win. I think the secular human-rights-defending revolutionary Kurds deserve support far more, but I don't know whether there is a practical possibility for Arabs to join them.

Azerbaijan has denied entry to Emma Hughes because the human rights organization she works for has criticized the regime's association with BP, and the use of the European Games (which Azerbaijan is hosting in conjunction with BP) to distract attention from repression.

Greg Palast has reported on that relationship.

Amnesty International has been totally excluded from Azerbaijan before these games.

It seems absurd to permit Azerbaijan to be a candidate for hosting "European" games, even if its government were a beacon of freedom. It is no more part of Europe than neighboring Iran is. Would they allow Japan to host the European Games? South Africa? Brazil?

The thugs' story about killing Usaamah Rahim is fishy; the video provides little information to substantiate it.

His own statements may indicate that he was planning to kill thugs, or perhaps only that he was planning to sue.

The reason so many Eritreans are fleeing to Europe is due to extreme repression there.

Latest TPP Leak Raises Burning Questions About Implications for U.S. Health Care System.