Peter Van Buren – Washington to Whomever: Please Fight the Islamic State for Us

In the many strategies proposed to defeat the Islamic State (IS) by presidential candidates, policymakers, and media pundits alike across the American political spectrum, one common element stands out: someone else should really do it. The United States will send in planes, advisers, and special ops guys, but it would be best — and this varies depending on which pseudo-strategist …

US Catholics ready to follow Pope’s ‘marching orders’ on climate change – Suzanne Goldenberg

Leaders of the Catholic church in America took their “marching orders” from the pope’s encyclical on Thursday, fanning out to Congress and the White House to push for action on climate change. The high-level meetings offered a first glimpse of a vast and highly organised effort by the leadership of America’s nearly 80 million Catholics to turn the pope’s moral …

Judgment Day For Pervert Priests? – Barbie Nadeau

For the first time in the long and sordid history of the Catholic Church’s saga with pedophile priests, the Vatican has approved a special judicial tribunal that could bring to justice the bishops who have helped protect offending priests. But is it enough to protect kids? Survivors groups hope that this time the Vatican has come up with an approach that …