Just Foreign Policy

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• Congress: Debate & Vote Before FBI Forces Apple to Break iPhone

  Acting at the behest of the FBI, a federal court has ordered Apple to develop technology to help the FBI break the security on an iPhone. Apple has resisted the FBI's demand and is expected to appeal the order. Privacy advocates fear that the FBI is trying to set a precedent in court that will make it easier not just for the U.S. government but also for foreign governments to demand that technology companies comply automatically with broad government requests for citizens' private information. If the FBI has its way, this precedent would be set without a debate and vote by Congress, bypassing the shift in public attitudes on government surveillance following Edward Snowden's revelations. The ACLU and Amnesty International back Apple's legal fight against the court order. The ACLU said: “The Constitution does not permit the government to force companies to hack into their customers' devices...The government's request also risks setting a dangerous precedent. If the FBI can force Apple to hack into its customers' devices, then so too can every repressive regime in the rest of the world.” [1] Amnesty said: "Apple is right to fight back in this case: the FBI's request ... would set a very dangerous precedent. Such backdoors undermine everyone's security and threaten our right to privacy. Undermining mobile security ... threatens privacy and freedom of expression at a time when [it] is a clear lack of checks and balances that prevent[s] authorities from abusing surveillance powers." [2] Urge Congress to debate and vote on the government's power to break encryption and to push the FBI to step back in the meantime by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.aclu.org/news/aclu-comment-fbi-effort-force-apple-unlock-iphone 2. http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/18/11044642/apple-fbi-encryption-eff-aclu-amnesty-snowden

  5,674 of 6,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Congress: Stop using our tax dollars to illegally fund Saudi war crimes in Yemen

  UN investigators say Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have killed thousands of civilians in Yemen in airstrikes, tortured detainees, raped civilians and used child soldiers as young as 8, actions which are likely war crimes. Their report said Saudi and Emirati airstrikes had hit residential areas, markets, funerals, weddings, jails, boats and medical facilities. They accused Saudi-UAE of routinely having failed to consult their own “no-strike list” of civilian sites in Yemen, including refugee camps and hospitals. The chair of the experts panel that produced the report said “there is little evidence of any attempt” by Saudi-UAE to minimize civilian casualties. [1] The UN report on Saudi-UAE war crimes in Yemen makes a mockery of claims by Defense Secretary James Mattis that the Pentagon is helping Saudi Arabia and the UAE reduce civilian casualties. On the contrary: by arming Saudi Arabia and the UAE, by refueling their warplanes during their bombing runs, by providing targeting intelligence, and by providing diplomatic protection for their war at the UN, the Pentagon is complicit in Saudi-UAE war crimes. But incredibly, Mattis insists that “we have not seen any callous disregard by the people we're working with,” and so the Pentagon “will continue to work with them." [2] Congress can stop this crime. In violation of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia’s Yemen war was never authorized by Congress. That means that under the War Powers Resolution, any Member of Congress can force a vote on ending the war, as Senators Bernie Sanders, Mike Lee, and Chris Murphy did in March. [3] Urge your Representative and Senators to force a vote on ending the war by signing our petition. References: 1. “War Crimes Report on Yemen Accuses Saudi Arabia and U.A.E.,” Nick Cumming-Bruce, New York Times, Aug. 28, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/world/middleeast/un-yemen-war-crimes.html 2. “US to Continue Backing Saudi Coalition in Yemen War,” Associated Press, Aug. 28, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/08/28/us/politics/ap-us-mattis.html 3. “Why Congress must vote on the United States’ role in Yemen,” Mike Lee, Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, Washington Post, February 28, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-congress-must-vote-on-the-united-states-role-in-yemen/2018/02/28/2ce853b4-1cc8-11e8-9de1-147dd2df3829_story.html

  9,687 of 10,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert R Naiman
• Tell @BarackObama: Make restitution in Urbana for the catastrophic Saudi war in Yemen

  Former U.S. President Barack Obama is coming to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on September 7, to receive an award for “ethics in government.” [1] Barack Obama’s career in government has a gruesome moral stain, for which he still has the opportunity to make restitution. In March 2015, as President of the United States, Barack Obama approved U.S. military intervention in Yemen on behalf of Saudi Arabia. The subsequent unnecessary and unjustified Saudi war and blockade in Yemen has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with millions of human beings pushed deliberately to the brink of starvation, a “famine” imposed by Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and Britain akin to the British-imposed “Great Famine” in Ireland between 1845 and 1849. Obama’s unnecessary and unjustified military intervention on behalf of the Saudis in Yemen was and remains unconstitutional and illegal. It occurred and is ongoing without having been authorized by Congress, in flagrant violation of Article I of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973. “It’s not a radical idea” to speak out against this ongoing, illegal U.S.-enabled Saudi atrocity. Senator Bernie Sanders said on September 1: “We must end U.S. support for this disastrous war in Yemen. It is also long past time that we begin to take a very hard look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia.” [2] Barack Obama isn’t President of the United States anymore. But that doesn’t end his personal moral responsibility for the ongoing atrocities of the U.S.-backed Saudi famine-war in Yemen. The atrocities of the U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen continue today. Just last month the U.S. helped Saudi Arabia blow up a bus full of schoolchildren, which Saudi Arabia still claims was a “legitimate military target.” UN investigators say Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have killed thousands of civilians in Yemen in airstrikes, tortured detainees, raped civilians and used child soldiers as young as 8, actions which are likely war crimes. [3] Barack Obama is speaking out now about “American values.” He could speak out now about ending this war. Helping Saudi Arabia blow up buses full of schoolkids isn’t an “American value” that the majority of Americans would ever vote for, if they were ever allowed to vote on it. If Obama spoke out now for ending the biblically-catastrophic Saudi war in Yemen, it would pressure Democratic leaders in Congress push for a vote to end the war. Obama’s silence on the atrocities of the war helps to perpetuate those atrocities. After the Saudis bombed the bus full of kids, liberal foreign policy expert Micah Zenko wrote: “The only reason that I can guess why the United States continues to arm, train, and provide essential logistical support for the air campaign in Yemen, is that this support has occurred during both Democratic and Republican administrations; as we learned in Vietnam previously and Afghanistan every day, where poor strategic decisions are made and sustained by administrations of both major political parties, there is no political advantage for the party out of power to critique current policy.” [4] Obama could personally change this dynamic by speaking out now. Some Obama Administration officials have already admitted that it was a moral mistake for the Obama Administration to enable Saudi Arabia’s famine-war in Yemen. Samantha Power, who as Obama’s Ambassador to the UN defended the war, said last December, "The US is … wrong (as were we in last admin) to keep supporting Saudi-led coalition as it kills civilians w/ impunity & blocks medicine/food/fuel supplies in face of looming famine." [5] Urge Barack Obama to speak out in Urbana on September 7 for ending the biblically-catastrophic U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen by signing our petition. References: 1. “Obama to speak Sept. 7 at UI,” Julie Wurth and Ben Zigterman, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, 8/30/2018, http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2018-08-30/obama-speak-sept-7-ui.html 2. “We must end U.S. support for this disastrous war in Yemen,” Senator Bernie Sanders, 1 Sep 2018, https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1036064182259593216 3. “War Crimes Report on Yemen Accuses Saudi Arabia and U.A.E.,” Nick Cumming-Bruce, New York Times, Aug. 28, 2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/world/middleeast/un-yemen-war-crimes.html 4. “America Is Committing War Crimes and Doesn’t Even Know Why,” Micah Zenko, Foreign Policy, August 15, 2018, https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/15/america-is-committing-awful-war-crimes-and-it-doesnt-even-know-why/ 5. “Power: Trump wrong to continue supporting Saudi-led coalition in Yemen,” Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12/17/17, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/365316-power-trump-wrong-to-continue-supporting-saudi-led-coalition-in

  3,132 of 4,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert R Naiman
• Stand with CPC: No Iraq War Advocate as Secretary of State

  Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders Keith Ellison, Raul Grijalva, Mark Pocan and Barbara Lee have written to President-elect Trump, urging him to choose people to lead foreign policy in his Administration consistent with his campaign criticism of the Iraq war, not people who were prominent advocates for the Iraq war. [1] Their letter reminded Trump that he called the Iraq War a “tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East” but “to humanity,” which "totally destabilized” the Middle East and cost taxpayers $4-5 trillion, which could have been “spent right here in the United States on schools, hospitals, roads, airports, and everything else that are all falling apart”; and that he said “our current strategy of nation-building and regime change is a proven failure.” They expressed dismay over reports that Trump's transition team was considering Iraq War advocates like Rudy Giuliani and John Bolton for key positions to guide the foreign policy of his administration. Urge your representatives in Congress to join CPC leaders Ellison, Grijalva, Pocan and Lee in pressing President-elect Trump not to choose Iraq War advocates to serve in his administration by signing our petition. References: 1. https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/press-releases/congressional-progressive-caucus-criticizes-trumps-potential-picks-for-secretary-of-state/

  7,321 of 8,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• @SenateDems: Back @KeithEllison to lead DNC

  Bernie Sanders [1], Elizabeth Warren [2], and MoveOn [3] agree: The next head of the Democratic National Committee should be Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison. Chuck Schumer agrees too. [4] We agree too, because Keith Ellison has been a champion against the TPP and failed U.S. trade policies like NAFTA that have especially hurt workers in Midwest states which Trump carried on Election Day [5]. We also agree because Keith Ellison has been a strong supporter of diplomacy with Iran, while Howard Dean, who has also announced his candidacy for DNC chair, opposed diplomacy. [6] Dean even took money from an Iranian terrorist group - it was on the State Department's terrorist list [7] - to support U.S. advocacy for regime change in Iran. [8] Urge Senate Democrats to support Keith Ellison for DNC chair and oppose Howard Dean by signing our petition. References: 1. http://thehill.com/homenews/house/305435-sanders-endorses-keith-ellison-for-dnc-chairman 2. http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2016/11/scoop-schumer-backs-ellison-for-dnc-trump-world-begins-to-float-cabinet-secretaries-schock-indicted-targeted-victory-splits-in-two-bday-tucker-bounds-217350 3. http://commondreams.org/newswire/2016/11/10/moveon-statement-dnc-leadership 4. http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2016/11/scoop-schumer-backs-ellison-for-dnc-trump-world-begins-to-float-cabinet-secretaries-schock-indicted-targeted-victory-splits-in-two-bday-tucker-bounds-217350 5. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lori-wallach/latest-tpp-peril-presiden_b_12883024.html; http://fair.org/home/the-final-bill-for-tpp-may-include-trump/; http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/economy-budget/305330-dems-need-alternative-to-four-decades-of-neoliberal-failure 6. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/237593-howard-dean-obama-should-walk-away-from-iran-talks 7. https://thinkprogress.org/giuliani-dean-paid-to-advocate-for-terrorist-group-9c316a06c50 8. http://www.salon.com/2015/04/02/howard_deans_iran_secret_famously_dovish_dem_is_paid_shill_for_iranian_regime_change_group/

  6,392 of 7,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Sign Grijalva-Huffman: Aid #NoDAPL protectors at Standing Rock

  President Obama has recognized the importance of protecting the sacred lands of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and of allowing for peaceful demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatens tribal lands. But state & local law enforcement have been escalating the use of force, with riot gear, batons, armed vehicles, sound cannons, and pepper spray being deployed against demonstrators, resulting in over a hundred arrests. Democratic Representatives Raúl Grijalva & Jared Huffman are leading a letter urging President Obama to de-escalate the use of force at Standing Rock. They urge Obama to deny the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. They urge Obama to protect the rights of the water protectors by sending Justice Department observers & urging North Dakota Gov. Dalrymple to withdraw National Guard & other law enforcement personnel that have been deployed around the camp. They oppose the use of federal funds to reimburse North Dakota for its heavy-handed response to protests. Urge your Representative to support the Grijalva-Huffman letter by signing our petition.

  5,651 of 6,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Congress: Press Israeli Govt to Disavow Anti-Muslim Hate Group

  Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer is set to receive an award from the Center for Security Policy. CSP head Frank Gaffney claims that Hillary Clinton’s top aide Huma Abedin has ties to terrorist groups. Gaffney has suggested that President Obama might be a Muslim, that Muslim members of Congress shouldn’t be given access to classified information, and that white nationalist Jared Taylor’s website is "wonderful." Donald Trump cited a bogus survey Gaffney produced as justification for his proposed ban on Muslims. [1] The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the Center for Security Policy as a hate group. [2] J Street has called on Ambassador Dermer to refuse the award and to condemn the dangerous activities and views of the CSP and Frank Gaffney. [3] Urge Members of Congress to press Ambassador Dermer to refuse this award and condemn this hate group by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ron-dermer-frank-gaffney_us_58191790e4b0f96eba96b6bd 2. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/center-security-policy 3. http://jstreet.org/press-releases/j-street-calls-israels-ambassador-dermer-decline-award-islamophobic-hate-group-condemn-groups-activities/

  6,448 of 7,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Obama: Protect Native American Protestors at Standing Rock

  On Friday, October 28, Senator Bernie Sanders sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he intervene to protect Native Americans peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. [1] At least 140 people were arrested at the construction site in Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday after police moved in with tanks and riot gear, using sound cannons, pepper spray and rubber bullets. Hundreds of Native American protectors have gathered at the site since April to protest the pipeline’s construction on land they claim is tribal under the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. Sen. Sanders asked that President Obama direct the Justice Department to send observers to the site to protect protestors’ safety and First Amendment rights; call on North Dakota Governor Dalrymple to remove the National Guard from the protest camp; and direct the Army Corps of Engineers to issue an order to stop work on construction of the pipeline near the protest site to reduce tensions while awaiting judicial action. Sanders again called on the president to suspend construction of the pipeline until the Army Corps of Engineers completes a full cultural and environmental review. Urge President Obama and Members of Congress to take action to protect the protestors at Standing Rock by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-calls-on-president-to-intervene-in-dakota-access-pipeline-dispute

  10,654 of 15,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Congress: Rebuke Mike Morell's Iran War Fantasy

  On Tuesday, former acting CIA director and Hillary Clinton adviser Michael Morell advocated going to war with Iran for the sake of securing Saudi Arabia’s domination of Yemen. [1] The last thing the Saudi war in Yemen needs is U.S. military escalation. The Saudi war in Yemen needs a lasting ceasefire and a political and diplomatic resolution. That is much more likely if the U.S. threatens to withdraw from the war than if the U.S. threatens to escalate the war. MoveOn and CREDO blasted Morell's remarks. MoveOn said: "Michael Morell’s comments at CAP yesterday are alarming. That sort of bellicose rhetoric leads to unnecessary wars." [2] CREDO said: "Morell’s suggestion that the U.S. Navy should start a war with Iran is wildly irresponsible and detrimental to our national security. Publicly advocating such a reckless position should disqualify Morell from playing a role in any future administration.” [3] Urge your Representative and Senators to repudiate Morell's remarks and oppose his nomination to any position in the next Administration by signing our petition. References: 1. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/10/clinton-adviser-lets-attack-iran-to-aid-saudis-in-yemen.html 2. https://twitter.com/MoveOn/status/791423412501569540 3. https://twitter.com/CREDOMobile/status/791681734685315072

  7,533 of 8,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman
• Pentagon: Come Clean on Use of Depleted Uranium Weapons in Syria

  The U.S. military ignored its own guidelines for the use of depleted uranium ammunition in the 2003 Iraq War, firing the controversial weapons at unarmored targets, buildings in populated areas and troops. [1] The use of depleted uranium in munitions is controversial because of concerns about potential long-term health effects. A 2005 review concluded that human epidemiological evidence is consistent with increased risk of birth defects in the children of people exposed to depleted uranium. [2] In 2015, the U.S. stated that it had not and would not use depleted uranium in Iraq or Syria. However, the Pentagon has now admitted that it has used depleted uranium weapons in Syria. [3] Urge President Obama and Congress to demand transparency and accountability in U.S. policy on using depleted uranium weapons in Syria by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.paxforpeace.nl/stay-informed/news/us-broke-its-own-rules-firing-depleted-uranium-in-iraq 2. http://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-4-17 3. http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2016/10/06/exclusive-iraq-war-records-reignite-debate-over-us-use-depleted-uranium

  6,481 of 7,000 Signatures

  Created by Robert Naiman