Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 – The 2000s (In Progress)
Putin Is A War Criminal:
Russia Is A Terrorist State
Vladimir Putin is a terrorist and a war criminal. He has utilized KGB-era narrative control devices to flood social media with disinformation. Here is the history of his path of destruction.
Previously:
Part 1: The 1990s
Part 2: The 2000s (In Progress)
The 2000s weren’t precisely ethically sound for the United States. We still must review the actions of the United States in this decade to understand the actions that Putin would take over the next two decades. The sins of the United States do not excuse the sins of Putin and Russia – no matter how many “whataboutism” arguments Putin and the GOP would try to make. We must understand the United States’ shortcomings to understand the war crimes of Putin.
2000. United States. Ralph Nader Spoils Gore v. Bush.
The 2000 United States Presidential Election was a test for American democracy and electoral system – which the nation failed. This failure would go on to shape early 21st-century American politics.
This election set a precedent for the GOP that they would play third parties against the electoral college to game elections rather than winning hearts and minds to win the popular vote, as Republicans would pay to air Green Party ads for Ralph Nader in markets where they could sway votes away from Al Gore to benefit George Bush.
This tactic would be repeated in at least 2004 and 2016 (which will be covered in more detail in Part 3: The 2010s).
GOP Group To Air Pro-Nader TV Ads – AP News October 27, 2000
After the election day had passed, two states – Oregon and Florida – remain contested, and in both states, the total of Ralph Nader’s vote total was larger than the voting difference between Bush and Gore. In the days following the election, Gore would go onto secure Oregon as Florida would continue contested.
Gore edges ahead of Bush in ongoing Oregon count – CNN November 9, 2000
36 days. For 36 days the United States did not know who would lead them into the new millennium. And less than 1,000 votes decided who would lead them into the new millennium. And even then, questionable ballots and electoral systems of Florida forced the question of the Florida Presidential Election to the Supreme Court, where the narrow majority of five Supreme Court Justices would prematurely end ongoing Florida ballot recounts and name George W. Bush the winner of the election.
Reflections on the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election – BROOKINGS January 1, 2001
Three attorneys who assisted Bush in the case would later become much more influential in United States politics. John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. More on these attorneys will be discussed in Part 3: The 2010s. One Supreme Court Justice in Bush v. Gore will also receive more focus in that section, and in Part 4: 2020 and 2021 – Justice Clarence Thomas.
Supreme Court is about to have 3 Bush v. Gore alumni sitting on the bench – CNN October 17, 2020
Had even one more Court Justice voted to allow the recounts to continue, the path of the nation would have been drastically different. The recounts in Florida continued – albeit unofficially – and proved that Gore had actually won the State. Had only 45,608 voters been allowed to verify their ballot, Gore would have secured Florida’s 25 Electoral College votes and had been sworn into the Presidency of the White House.
Florida ‘recounts’ make Gore winner – The Guardian January 28, 2001
Had the United States either abolished the Electoral College or tied the Electoral College to the Popular Vote, Gore resoundingly won the 2000 election with approximately half a million votes.
The Florida Recount Of 2000: A Nightmare That Goes On Haunting – NPR November 12, 2018
The 2000 election ultimately exposed the weaknesses of the United States electoral system and the Electoral College – lessons that both the GOP and Putin would study and utilize in 2016 (to be detailed in Part 3: The 2010s) and 2020 (to be detailed in Part 4: 2020-2021).
Why Bush v. Gore Still Matters in 2020 – ProPublica November 1, 2020
Additional Sources For The 2000 United States Election
2001. United States. 9/11 and the War on Terror.
The domestic attacks of September 11, 2001, held long-term impacts on America’s collective psyche, intelligence, domestic and foreign security, and foreign policy. The attacks kicked off both a State of American Terror as well as America’s War On Terror.
September 11 and American Foreign Policy – BROOKINGS November 1, 2001
Within weeks of the attacks, The United States Congress had drafted, passed, and sent the Patriot Act to President Bush, which he signed on October 26, 2001. In the name of combating terrorism, American citizens had their privacy compromised with the stroke of a pen. While the Act allowed authorities to more efficiently spot, track, and build evidence against potential terrorists and actors against the State with increased surveillance leniencies, it also compromised the Constitutional Rights of the Fourth Amendment and many demographics were racially profiled.
Patriot Act: Definition, History, and What Power It Has – Investopedia December 15, 2005
The September 11 attacks triggered Article 5 for the first time in NATO’s history, and on October 7, 2001, NATO launched an attack on Afghanistan in search of Taliban and al-Qaeda militants and leaders. Within two months, the Taliban authority over Afghanistan had fallen in November 2001. It was decided in December 2001 to house prisoners of war in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with no defined plans for due process and trial – at its height, the prison complex held over 800 detainees.
September 11 attacks | United States [2001] – Britannica June 17, 2015
By 2004, it was discovered that the United States was employing torture tactics at the Guantanamo Bay facility. Prisoners were subject to both psychological and physical torture – including exposure to cold, beatings, and audio torture techniques – in the name of “producing intelligence.”
Red Cross Finds Detainee Abuse in Guantánamo – The New York Times November 30, 2004
The most infamous torture technique utilized was known as “waterboarding.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) describes waterboarding as “a brutal practice whereby an interrogator straps a prisoner to a board, places a wet rag in his mouth, and by pouring water through the rag induces controlled drowning” and it is considered a war crime.
WHAT IS WATERBOARDING? – ACLU May 29, 2018
Former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and later George W. Bush’s Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice approved waterboarding as an “interrogation technique” as early as July 2002. President Obama regarded the interrogation technique as a method of torture.
Rice gave early approval for CIA waterboarding, Senate report reveal – The Guardian April 23, 2009
As more time was removed from 9/11, the GOP grew to associate Islam with violence and terrorism. In 2002, 32% of Republicans viewed Muslims unfavorably. By August 2021, that number had increased to 72%. Conversely, only 32% of Democrats shared this view in 2021 – up only 9% from 23% in 2001. 68% of Republicans do not consider Islam a part of mainstream American society and 56% believe that U.S. Muslims are associated with extremism as of 2017. Muslim Americans experienced increasing discrimination between 2007 and 2017.
Two Decades Later, the Enduring Legacy of 9/11 – Pew Research Center September 2, 2021
The Department of Homeland Security was proposed in June 2002 to “coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the country against terrorism and respond to any future attacks” and the Homeland Security Act was passed by Congress in November 2002.
The Department of Homeland Security replaced the Office of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council in January 2003, as the Department also assumed control of the Customs Service and Border Patrol, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard.
United States Department of Homeland Security | United States government – Britannica June 18, 2015
Additional Sources for 2001. United States. 9/11 and the War on Terror.
2003. Iraq War. Bush Lies About Weapons of Mass Destruction.
In the Fall of 2002, the Bush Administration was determined to engage Iraq in warfare. Utilizing the public psychology of the “War on Terror,” the members of the Administration began to manipulate intelligence to make that a reality – namely Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney began to make non-existent links between the 9/11 attackers and the Iraqi Intelligence Agency.
By October 2002, this narrative evolved into the Iraqi government developing a narrative of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) including a nuclear weapons program. Bush administration officials began “leaking” that Iraq had obtained materials necessary for a uranium enrichment project to The New York Times. Presidential speeches began referencing sketchy intelligence regarding Iraq buying uranium from Africa – against warnings against it from the CIA director. In reality, Iraq dissolved its nuclear weapon program in 1991.
The narrative continued to evolve, expressing that Iraq had both retained biological war agents and was producing more – when they had suspended that program in 1996 with no concrete evidence supporting their attempt to restart production of the program. The Administration started pushing similar false intelligence in regard to chemical weapons – a program that Iraq had suspended in 1991.
When it was time for Congress to vote to approve the Iraq War, they were voting on a National Intelligence Estimate Report that the Bush Administration had scrubbed of dissenting opinions. The intelligence that Congress had was biased heavily toward the goals of the Bush Administration.
The Bush Administration would continue to build on the false narrative of WMDs by disseminating false intelligence that Saddam Hussein had both trained and harbored terrorists – including members of al-Qaeda. In the march to war, millions of people marched against the United States entering Iraq on February 15, 2003. Despite the international public desire to not engage in Iraqi warfare, numerous media agencies began repeating Bush Administration pro-war propaganda – some even firing journalists that held anti-war opinions.
16 Years Later, How the Press That Sold the Iraq War Got Away With It – Rolling Stone March 22, 2019
The Iraq War would officially begin on Saturday, March 20, 2003, as a barrage of explosions shook Baghdad in a campaign that was dubbed “shock and awe”. As aircraft devasted Iraq’s capital, the ground campaign would push 125 miles through the desert toward the remains that would be left by the air campaign. Iraq’s 51st Division – approximately 8,000 troops and more than 200 tanks – would surrender within a week on the following Friday. Despite the actions of the 51st Division, Saddam Hussein would not yield as he continued to recruit soldiers via financial incentives. He would soon go into hiding in April 2003.
Baghdad Shaken by ‘Shock and Awe’ Assault – DW March 22, 2003
Saddam managed to escape the United States and NATO troops for the following nine months. His luck would run out, however, on December 14, 2003. The United States would soon share footage of the capture with the world.
Saddam Hussein Captured – ABC News December 14, 2003
Evidence against Saddam would be gathered for war crimes and genocide over the next three years. Hussein’s trial would begin on September 20, 2006, and his death sentence would be issued on November 5, 2006. Saddam’s last day would be on December 30, 2006, as he was executed by hanging.
Timeline: Saddam’s Violent Road to Execution – NPR December 29, 2006
While the (false) premise of the Iraq war was Saddam Hussein’s war crimes, the larger legacy would be Iraq’s oil and Vice President Dick Cheney’s relationship with Halliburton. Cheney was Halliburton’s Chief Executive Officer for five years before he accepted the Vice President position. In 2000, Halliburton was the United States twenty-second largest military contractor. By 2003, Haliburton’s position ballooned to the seventh largest. During that time period, Cheney received $1,997,525 from the company and held options to buy Halliburton stock.
During that time, Halliburton received a contract from the United States military to provide food, housing, fuel, and various logistical services for the Army – a contract worth ~$5 billion. Halliburton subsidiaries also received no-bid contracts worth ~$7 billion for services in Iraq.
A Closer Look at Cheney and Halliburton – The New York Times September 28, 2004
Halliburton and Halliburton subsidiaries would go on to win contracts worth $39.5 Billion between 2003 and 2013 – most awarded without competing bids.
Halliburton would receive another contract with Iraq’s cabinet to drill 30 oil wells in 30 months for $278 million in 2014.
Iraq approves $278 mln oil deal with Halliburton – Reuters October 21, 2014
Additional Sources for 2003. Iraq War. Bush Lies About Weapons of Mass Destruction.
2003. Sea of Azov/Kerch Straight. Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian tensions with Ukraine began arising in 2003 over Russia’s construction of a Kerch Straight dam – an action Ukraine interpreted as an illegal land grab by Russia. This was the culmination of a series of Russian leadership (false) statements indicating that they believed that Crimea belonged to Russia on state-controlled Russian media. The dam was being built on Tuzla Island – which now hosts a segment of the Crimean Bridge.
Russia/Ukraine: Prime Ministers Meet Today Over Tuzla Dam Dispute – RFERL October 24, 2003
Contemporary Ukrainian analysts viewed the construction of the dam as an attempt by Putin to delay Ukraine’s quest to join westward interests by means of a territorial dispute. The dam actually led to the opposite – calls for Ukraine to fast-track its applications for membership in both the European Union and NATO.
Russia-Ukraine Ties Founder on the Shore of Tiny Isle – Los Angeles Times November 3, 2003
Military action was avoided for a time, and an agreement between Russia and Ukraine on the terms of usage of the Azov Sea was reached by Christmas and New Year – on December 24. Putin was able to negotiate a right of agreement before third-party military ships can enter the Sea.
Russia, Ukraine aim to end row – BBC News December 25, 2003
2004. Iraq. Blackwater Mercenaries.
Even though Saddam Hussein had been captured and deposed, the United States would continue to occupy Iraq. Unfortunately, not all the occupiers were under the jurisdiction of the United States Armed Services. Iraq saw the rise of privately contracted militaries – the most notable of which was Blackwater. Founded by former U.S. Navy Seal Erik Price (Trump’s Secretary of Education Betsy Devos’ brother). As early as 2003 Blackwater was awarded multi-million dollar contracts to protect members of the “Coalition Provisional Authority” – the U.S. governing authority in Iraq. By 2009, Blackwater would receive over $1 billion for “services” rendered in Iraq.
Blackwater: private US security firm mired in Iraq controversy – The Guardian January 29, 2009
Blackwater originally came to international attention when four of its contractors were killed, burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah in March 2004.
Then and Now: Iraq’s ‘Blackwater Bridge’ – PBS NewsHour August 20, 2010
The hangings led to conflict escalations over the following month that would leave at least 36 U.S. military personnel, 200 insurgents, and over 600 civilians dead. Blackwater personnel would later claim that they were understaffed, undertrained, and underfunded due to corporate cost-cutting measures, while Blackwater’s legal defense attempted to claim immunity from the deaths as the company “operates as an extension of the military and cannot be responsible for deaths in a war zone.”
Dems Blame Blackwater For Fallujah Carnage – CBS News September 27, 2007
Between early 2005 and September 12, 2007, 195 shooting incidents and numerous Iraqi deaths would include Blackwater involvement.
Blackwater involved in 195 Iraq shootings – Reuters October 1, 2007
As Blackwater continued operations pretty much any way they wanted, no matter how reckless those methods may be, they started viewing themselves as above the law. The contractor would once again be the cause of conflict escalation on September 16, 2007, as they were at the center of a mass shooting incident in Iraq’s Nisour Square in Baghdad. Despite Blackwater contractors claiming that they were only returning fire – a claim disputed by American military officials – a firefight broke out with Blackwater personnel aimlessly shooting into the Square with automatic weapons, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers. Blackwater’s offense was so intense and indiscriminate that some contractors aimed their weapons at fellow Blackwater guards urging them to stand down. The incident left 17 Iraqis – including women and children – dead. Ultimately, the incident would play into the Iraqi government’s refusal to extend their treaty with the United States for American troops to stay in the country after the end of 2011.
Before Shooting in Iraq, a Warning on Blackwater – The New York Times June 29, 2014
Blackwater and the Iraq War Time Warp – The Atlantic April 14, 2015
The Obama administration attempted to terminate the practice of the military usage of mercenary contractors, Blackwater was banned from Iraq in 2009, and the Nisour Square Massacre played into the Iraqi government’s decision to not renew a treaty that would have kept American troops in Iraq in 2011.
The real Blackwater scandal is that the State Department kept hiring them – Vox June 30, 2014
More on Blackwater will be explored in Part 3: The 2010s and Part 4: 2020-2021
Additional Sources for 2004. Iraq. Blackwater Mercenaries.
2004. Ukraine. Poisoning of Victor Yuschenko.
On the border and on the brink – The Economist October 28, 2004
Yushchenko’s acne points to dioxin poisoning – Nature November 23, 2004
Doctors: Yushchenko was poisoned – The Guardian December 11, 2004
Yushchenko suffered ‘dioxin poisoning’ – AL JAZEERA December 11, 2004
Yushchenko Was Poisoned, Austrian Doctors Say – NPR December 11, 2004
Yushchenko poisoned by most harmful dioxin – NBC News December 11, 2004
Ukraine candidate ‘was poisoned’ – BBC News December 11, 2004
Ukrainian Poisoning Confirmed – Los Angeles Times December 12, 2004
Yushchenko Poisoned, Doctors Say – DW December 12, 2004
Yushchenko Was Poisoned, Doctors Say – The Washington Post December 12, 2004
Ukraine Government silent after poisoning revelations – ABC News Australia December 12, 2004
Liberal Leader From Ukraine Was Poisoned – The New York Times December 12, 2004
Yushchenko Aide Alleges ‘KGB’ Plot – ABC News December 12, 2004
Ukraine: Yushchenko Convinced He Was Poisoned By ‘Those In Power’ – RFERL December 13, 2004
KGB legacy of poison politics – The Christian Science Monitor December 13, 2004
What Is Dioxin, Anyway? – SLATE December 13, 2004
Yushchenko ‘given Agent Orange ingredient’ – The Guardian December 17, 2004
Yushchenko Dioxin Most Harmful – CBS News December 20, 2004
Ukraine: Mystery Behind Yushchenko’s Poisoning Continues – RFERL September 18, 2006
Skin growths saved poisoned Ukrainian president – NewScientist August 7, 2009
Poisoned ex-Ukrainian president: ‘I know what Putin fears’ – Sky News March 28, 2018
Factbox: Kremlin foes who have suffered mysterious fates – Reuters September 3, 2020
Additional Sources for 2004. Ukraine. Poisoning of Victor Yuschenko.
2004-2005. Ukraine. Orange Revolution.
US campaign behind the turmoil in Kiev – The Guardian November 25, 2004
Ukraine’s ‘Orange Revolution’ – The Atlantic December 2004
Ukraine: ‘Orange’ Revolution Leader Yushchenko Does Not Fit Typical Models – RFERL December 3, 2004
An Orange Revolution timeline – Kyiv Post December 9, 2004
Ukraine: ‘Orange Revolution’ Is Over — Time To Form A Cabinet – RFERL January 3, 2005
Orange Revolution: Ukraine Votes for Change – Wilson Center March 8, 2005
U.S. to Aid Ukraine in Countering Bioweapons – The Washington Post August 30, 2005
Ukraine: Why Are Ukrainians Disappointed With The Orange Revolution? – RFERL November 21, 2005
Ukraine marks Orange Revolution – BBC News November 22, 2005
One Year After Ukraine’s ‘Orange Revolution’ – Council on Foreign Relations November 22, 2005
Ukraine: Our Ukraine Takes Steps Toward Unlikely Coalition – RFERL June 15, 2006
Ukraine quietly remembers Orange Revolution – NBC News November 22, 2006
Ukraine: Protests and Memories of the Orange Revolution – BROOKINGS November 26, 2013
Ukraine’s two different revolutions – BBC News December 3, 2013
The Orange Revolution and the Yushchenko presidency – Britannica September 18, 2015
Ukraine’s Orange Revolution – The Kyiv Independent August 24, 2022
Additional Sources for 2004-2005. Ukraine. Orange Revolution.
2006. London. Poisoning of Aleksandr Litvinenko.
Russia: British Police Investigating Litvinenko Poisoning Case – RFERL November 20, 2006
Poisoned former KGB man dies in hospital – The Guardian November 23, 2006
Radiation found after spy’s death – BBC News November 24, 2006
Radioactive element found in blood of Russian ex-spy – NewScientist November 24, 2006
Radiation Poisoning Killed Ex-Russian Spy – The New York Times November 24, 2006
Full statement by Alexander Litvinenko – CNN November 24, 2006
Poison with a familiar scent – Los Angeles Times November 26, 2006
Kildare incident linked to Litvinenko death – The Irish Times November 29, 2006
The KGB’s Poisoning Methods – NPR November 29, 2006
Sushi bar identified as key link in poisoning – Independent December 1, 2006
Another Suspected Poisoning Of a Russian Deepens Mystery – The Wall Street Journal December 1, 2006
Russian Ex-Spy Lived in a World of Deceptions – The New York Times December 3, 2006
Radiation-Pattern Baldness – SLATE December 5, 2006
Litvinenko’s Father Says Son Requested Muslim Burial – RFERL December 5, 2006
Russian Spy Mystery – DW December 10, 2006
Over 120 were exposed to Litvinenko poison – The Guardian January 11, 2007
Was Russian Ex-Spy Poisoned By Cup Of Tea? – CBS News January 26, 2007
Expert in Russian poisoning case is shot – NBC News March 2, 2007
THE KREMLIN’S LONG SHADOW – VANITY FAIR APRIL 2007
CHRONOLOGY – The death of Alexander Litvinenko – Reuters May 22, 2007
Litvinenko’s widow denies spy’s claim – Reuters June 2, 2007
The Polonium Trail – Sky News July 13, 2020
Russia Fatally Poisoned A Prominent Defector In London, A Court Concludes – NPR Septermber 21, 2022
Russia behind Litvinenko murder, rules European rights court – BBC News September 21, 2021
What is known about Litvinenko’s fatal poisoning – DW November 24, 2021
Suspect in Litvinenko poisoning dies in Moscow, TASS reports – Reuters June 4, 2022
Alexander Litvinenko assassination suspect dies of Covid – The Guardian June 4, 2022
Russian man accused of Alexander Litvinenko killing dies of Covid-19 – Sky News June 4, 2022
Additional Sources for 2006. London. Poisoning of Aleksandr Litvinenko.
July 12, 2007. Iraq. Accidental Killing of Journalists.
This would later give Wikileaks a false sense of credibility when they leaked a video of the incident. More to be detailed in Part 3: The 2010s.
Iraq Becomes Deadliest of Modern Wars for Journalists – The New York Times May 30, 2006
Two ABC News journalists killed in Iraq – Reuters May 18, 2007
TIMELINE: Journalists killed in Iraq – Reuters May 30, 2007
2 Iraqi Journalists Killed as U.S. Forces Clash With Militias – The New York Times July 13, 2007
Journalist killed in Iraq – The Guardian October 15, 2007
FACTBOX: Details of Reuters staff killed in Iraq – Reteurs June 16, 2008
Afghanistan & Iraq. The Cost of War.
Iraq: The Human Cost – MIT Center for International Studies November 29, 2007
Iraq study estimates war-related deaths at 461,000 – BBC News October 16, 2013
9/11, the ‘war on terror’ and the global consequences – DW September 10, 2021
20 years, $6 trillion, 900,000 lives – Vox September 11, 2021
2007. Munich Security Conference.
Putin laid bare his soul and his full intent for global ambition during his speech at the 2007 43rd Munich Security Conference. In this speech, Putin denounced “The Free World’s” United States-led liberal order, upending years of post-Cold War era international diplomacy. Within mere minutes, Putin transformed the conference’s welcoming attitude into that of dismay and shock. After over a decade of the globe building new cooperative diplomacy in the ashes of the Cold War, Putin illustrated his nation’s foreign policy in his vision of a Second Cold War – spitting on the West’s goodwill gestures of supplying post-Soviet Russia with financial and technical assistance – as well as the numerous international agreements that secured that assistance. Not least of which was the 1994 Budapest Memorandum which guaranteed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in exchange for Ukraine giving Russia its nuclear arsenal – which was the world’s third-largest at the time.
The full speech can be found here:
“Putin’s famous Munich Speech 2007” uploaded by RussianPerspective on Nov 19, 2015
While Putin apologists may claim that this speech was a rebuke of America’s War on Terror, it was in actuality Putin’s “hold my beer” moment, giving himself carte blanche to not only repeat the sins of America’s Iraq War but to supersede those actions with even worse endeavors. This speech was the culmination of years of Putin decrying the fall of the Soviet Union, rebuilding the nation’s military, nuclear, and intelligence arsenals, undermining Russian democracy with the takeover of media outlets, consolidation of industries, and assassinations of political opponents. He had created his own personal Communist Party – sans the ideology and hierarchical structure.
It did not take long to put the State Machine that Putin had built into full effect
His action before in Chechnya and since in Georgia, Crimea, Syria, and Ukraine only prove his stated intentions.
This war begins and ends with him
The only path to peace is his death or incarceration
The Speech In Which Putin Told Us Who He Was | Opinion – POLITICO February 18, 2022
2007. Russia. 2007 Election.
Russian election insider outlines fraud – The New York Times November 27, 2007
Fraud, intimidation and bribery as Putin prepares for victory – The Guardian November 29, 2007
Fraud and pressure marred Russian election: monitors – Reuters December 18, 2007
Russian republic petition calls 2007 vote a fraud – Reuters January 17, 2008
2008. Georgia.
Russia invades Georgia – The Guardian August 8, 2008
Russia and Georgia Clash Over Separatist Region – The New York Times August 9, 2008
Q&A: Russia-Georgia Conflict Has Deep Roots – NPR August 12, 2008
Russia’s Strategy in the War Against Georgia – CSIS August 14, 2008
Did Russia Plan Its War In Georgia? – RFERL August 15, 2008
The Five-Day War | Managing Moscow After the Georgia Crisis – Foreign Affairs November 1, 2008
New Details Surface About Georgia-Russia War – NPR November 18, 2008
FACTBOX: Facts about the 2008 war in Georgia – Reuters August 4, 2009
2008 Georgia Russia Conflict Fast Facts – CNN March 13, 2014
The 2008 Russo-Georgian War: Putin’s green light – Atlantic Council August 7, 2021
Russia Is Reenacting Its Georgia Playbook in Ukraine – Foreign Policy February 22, 2022
Russia’s war in Ukraine reminds Georgians of what they survived in 2008 – NPR March 31, 2022
Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Georgia – U.S. Department of State August 7, 2022
Continued In Part 3: The 2010s (In Progress)
Additional Sources:
2000. United States. Ralph Nader Spoils Gore v. Bush.
Nader Acts As Spoiler In Election – The Lantern November 12, 2000
The Nader Effect – CBS News February 23, 2004
Conspiracy Theories Abound After Bush Victory – ABC News November 9, 2004
How Nader cost Gore an election | Opinion – The Washington Post February 5, 2015
Bush v. Gore – Britannica June 24, 2015
United States presidential election of 2000 – Brittanica July 14, 2015
So, who really won? What the Bush v. Gore studies showed – CNN October 31, 2015
2001. United States. 9/11 and the War on Terror.
The Global War on Terrorism: The First 100 Days – U.S. Department of State February 5, 2009
Obama: ‘I believe waterboarding was torture, and it was a mistake’ – The Guardian April 29, 2009
Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp – ACLU April 24, 2015
Everyone’s heard of the Patriot Act. Here’s what it actually does. – Vox June 2, 2015
Did the Patriot Act Change US Attitudes on Surveillance? – NBC News September 8, 2016
Bush creates Homeland Security Department, Nov. 26, 2002 – POLITICO November 26, 2018
September 11, 2001 Timeline – National Park Service September 15, 2020
Twenty years after 9/11, did US win its ‘war on terror’? – ALJAZEERA September 8, 2021
The U.S. marks the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks – NPR September 11, 2022
2003. Iraq War. Bush Lies About Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Millions join global anti-war protests – BBC News February 17, 2003
WMD just a convenient excuse for war, admits Wolfowitz – Independent May 30, 2003
Examining Halliburton’s ‘Sweetheart’ Deal in Iraq – NPR December 22, 2003
Oh what a lovely war on terror it’s been for Halliburton – Independent March 27, 2005
Contractors reap $138bn from Iraq war – Financial Times March 18, 2013
Iraq War | 2003-2011 – Britannica June 16, 2015
No, really, George W. Bush lied about WMDs – Vox July 9, 2016
George W. Bush really did lie about WMDs, and his aides are still lying for him – Vox March 20, 2019
Whistleblower exposes $7 billion no-bid Defense Department contract – CBS News June 30, 2019
2003. Sea of Azov/Kerch Straight. Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Energy Empire: Oil, Gas and Russia’s Revival – Thoe Foreign Policy Centre | BROOKINGS September 2004
2004. Iraq. Blackwater Mercenaries.
The Dark Truth about Blackwater – BROOKINGS October 2, 2007
Iraqi leader wants answers for Blackwater ‘massacre’ – CNN April 7, 2008
Blackwater: Private Army In The News Again – NPR December 16, 2009
2004. Ukraine. Poisoning of Victor Yuschenko.
2004-2005. Ukraine. Orange Revolution.
2006. London. Poisoning of Aleksandr Litvinenko.
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