Democracy Now

"Torture & Genocide": U.N. Expert Francesca Albanese Denounces Israeli Abuse of Palestinians
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese details how Israel's systematic torture and "torturous environment" against Palestinians, including children, constitutes collective vengeance and genocide, demanding immediate international intervention.

Pentagon Whistleblower Criticizes "Bloodthirst" of Iran War, Says Hegseth Is Enabling War Crimes
A former Pentagon targeting specialist and whistleblower accuses US military leadership, specifically Pete Hegseth, of directing war crimes and dismantling civilian protection protocols in the ongoing US-Israeli war in Iran.

"It's a Disaster": European Countries Refuse to Take a Stand Against U.S. Violations of Int'l Law
Europe's ambiguous response to the US-Israel war on Iran is a 'disaster' that erodes international law and NATO's credibility, according to a leading international relations professor.

Economist Jeffrey Sachs: U.S.-Israeli "War of Choice," Assault on U.N. Charter Could Lead to WWIII
Jeffrey Sachs argues that current U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran constitute a 'war of blatant aggression' and a 'war of choice' that flagrantly violates the UN Charter, pushing the world towards a potential World War III and economic calamity.

"No Stupid Rules of Engagement": Ahead of Iran War, DoD Halted Efforts to Limit Civilian Deaths
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegsath, systematically dismantled teams and processes designed to limit civilian casualties and uphold international law prior to and during the current conflict with Iran, raising concerns about potential war crimes and strategic blowback.

Ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Netanyahu Could Turn to Nuclear Bombs If Iran War Escalates
Retired Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson warns that the US-Israeli war on Iran is an illegal, misjudged conflict leading to significant US military damage, widespread war crimes, and a potential nuclear escalation by Netanyahu.

Iran Picks New Supreme Leader; Toxic Black Rain Falls After Israeli Strikes on Iranian Oil Depots
As the US-Israeli war on Iran intensifies, Iran's Assembly of Experts defied US pressure by selecting Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, while civilian infrastructure faces devastating attacks, including a US missile strike on a girls' school.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 2, 2026
A US-Israeli military assault on Iran triggers widespread retaliatory strikes, global economic disruption, and international condemnation, escalating conflicts across the Middle East and impacting domestic US politics.

Special Report: U.S. & Israel Launch Unprovoked Attack on Iran, Risking Broader Regional War
The U.S. and Israel launched a joint, unprovoked attack on Iran, leading to immediate Iranian retaliation across the Middle East and raising critical questions about international law, war objectives, and regional stability.

"It's Still a Genocide": Poet Mosab Abu Toha on Reality of "Ceasefire" in Gaza
Pulitzer-winning poet Mosab Abu Toha asserts that Israel's actions in Gaza continue to constitute genocide despite a supposed ceasefire, detailing ongoing civilian deaths, medical crises, and the destruction of infrastructure.

Cuba's U.N. Ambassador Denounces U.S. Oil Blockade, Push to Topple Government
Cuba's UN Ambassador details the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the US oil blockade and economic embargo, highlighting widespread international condemnation and the US's historical efforts to destabilize the island.

Right of Return: Omar Shakir & Ken Roth Debate "Blocked" Human Rights Watch Report on Palestine
Two former Human Rights Watch executives publicly debate the organization's controversial decision to block a report classifying Israel's denial of Palestinian right of return as a crime against humanity, exposing internal rifts over legal interpretation and political pressure.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 9, 2026
A Democracy Now report details escalating tensions surrounding ICE operations in the US, controversial US foreign policy moves regarding Venezuela and Greenland, and ongoing global conflicts, highlighting a disregard for international law and domestic accountability.

Trump Vows to “Indefinitely” Control Venezuela’s Oil
The US seized Venezuelan oil tankers and allegedly abducted President Maduro, with President Trump declaring indefinite control over Venezuela's oil sales, sparking debate over international law and internal Venezuelan dynamics.

Trump's Plan to Seize Greenland Would "Militarize the Arctic," Trample Indigenous Rights
The Trump administration's aggressive pursuit of Greenland, including potential military force, sparks international condemnation, threatens NATO, and highlights the disregard for indigenous sovereignty and international law.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 6, 2026
The US faces international condemnation and domestic unrest following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, while simultaneously facing a controversial new vaccine schedule and a political standoff over a January 6th plaque.

"It's All About the Oil, Stupid!": Mehdi Hasan on Trump Attacking Venezuela & Kidnapping Maduro
Mehdi Hassan argues that the US intervention in Venezuela, including the detention of President Maduro, was explicitly driven by oil interests, with President Trump openly admitting this motivation and briefing oil executives before Congress.

Law Prof. David Cole on the Illegality of U.S. Attack on Venezuela
Constitutional law expert David Cole dismantles the Trump administration's claim of a 'law enforcement operation' in Venezuela, framing it as an illegal imperialist invasion driven by oil interests and a dangerous precedent for international law.

Report from Caracas on U.S. Attack & Maduro Abduction
The US launched a military attack on Venezuela, abducting President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, leading to international condemnation and a power vacuum in Caracas.

Special Report on Venezuela: U.S. Abducts Maduro, Trump Says "We Are Going to Run" Oil-Rich Nation
The United States launched a large-scale military operation to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with President Trump declaring the US would 'run' the oil-rich nation and control its oil industry, drawing widespread international condemnation and triggering calls for resistance within Venezuela.
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