Xe Services, aka Blackwater, continues to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan even with strong opposition from the governments. Even after Karzai issued a presidential order, Blackwater is prospering in Afghanistan, recruiting future mercenaries for Libyan rebel support. In 2009, the Iraqi government said it would not extend Blackwater’s license after the tragic killing of innocent civilians and news headlines shown the company was kicked out, but recent leaked US cables indicate that Xe continues to function in the country.

CODEPINK & other activists have been bird-dogging former Bush administration officials across the country. Former Vice President Dick Cheney was interviewed by his daughter, Liz, at the Nixon Library in southern California. During the event, CODEPINK cofounder Jodie Evans was able to present an arrest complaint and speak out against his crimes. Next, Cheney spoke at an American Institute Enterprise forum in Washington DC, and CODEPINK activists were outside holding a vibrant street presence with props and costumes.

CODEPINK cofounder Medea Benjamin talks about trying to move Cheney’s book to the crime section at the DC Union Station Barnes & Noble.

While speaking at the Metropolitan State College in Denver, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was interrupted by protesters who shouted “war criminal”. According to the Denver Post, five students in the auditorium stood up and placed black hoods over their heads. Also, CODEPINK and NYC activists protested inside and outside an event where former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld spoke.

Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern and CODEPINK activist Nancy Mancias disrupted Donald Rumsfeld inside the Kaufmann Concert Hall. The discussion was hosted by the 92nd Street Y. When the conversation turned towards Bush’s decision to invade Iraq after 9/11, Ray McGovern rose from his seat and stood in silent protest at the front of the auditorium wearing a Veterans For Peace t-shirt. He remained standing for about ten minutes until he was escorted out by six NYPD officers. Later in the evening, Mancias tossed 100 pink arrest complaints from the auditorium balcony, showering down on to the audience, and shouting “It’s known that you are a war criminal. It’s known there were no weapon’s of mass destruction. It’s known that Iraq was not a threat.”

Former British Petroleum CEO Tony Hayward will once again manage an oil company. His investment firm Vallares will purchase Genel Energy Oil Company which operates in Iraq. Tony Hayward is remembered for his criminal behavior in the handling of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. CODEPINK cofounder Diane Wilson had the opportunity to address Mr. Hayward’s behavior when he testified at a Congressional hearing.

While speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, the former Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair called for an end to U.S. drone strikes. He also mentioned that the U.S. over spends billions on security and intelligence. Blair was confirmed in early January 2009 as Director of National Intelligence but was fired by President Obama in May 2010.

Activists in Canada are gearing up for a visit by former President George W. Bush working on efforts to have the former president arrested. Activists who made attempted citizens’ arrests will be in action as well as lawyers who are working on the legal angle.

The Chilcot inquiry keeps moving forward in its questioning of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to invade the country of Iraq. This fall, the inquiry is expected to be published and is set to challenge Blair’s evidence of Saddam containing weapons of mass destruction.

Touching on issues of Palestine, Afghanistan, Bradley Manning and Iraq, activists in Perth Australia held a lively protest outside a venue where Tony Blair was speaking. Watch as activists the confront local police!

While CODEPINK was making its presence known in Washington, DC, cofounder Medea Benjamin found herself face-to-face with former ambassador to the UN John Bolton. CODEPINK Confronts John Bolton

Bolton helped to launch an illegal war of aggression by disseminating false claims that Iraq was trying to obtain uranium “yellowcake” from Niger through the State Department while he was Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control.

To continue maintaining relationships with clients, mercenary contractor Xe, formerly known as Blackwater is moving its headquarters to Virginia. The office opened its doors on Monday on 19th and Kent in Rosslyn. Erik Prince is the former owner of Xe, whose mercenaries are complicit in murders and other misconduct in Iraq in addition to arms smuggling allegations.

In an amazing turn of events, an Army veteran working for a military contractor while in Iraq will be able to move forward in his case against former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The veteran claims he was disappeared, tortured and released with no explanation while in Iraq.

Human right groups in Britain are boycotting an inquiry into the government’s role in the torture and extraordinary rendition program. The groups, some representing former Guantanamo detainees, claim the victims of these torture tactics will not be fully represented in the inquiry.

The campaign to seek an international arrest warrant for former Bush CIA General Counsel John Rizzo continues to make headlines. Reports show that lawyers from Pakistan and human rights organization Reprieve are looking into waging cases against other individuals including British officials.

A court in Washington DC has refused to re-open a Blackwater case of the shooting deaths of Iraqi civilians in 2007.  Blackwater was securing a convoy through Nisour Square in Baghdad where the incident took place bringing international outrage. Blackwater’s license to operate in Iraq was revoked by the government.

Criticism of President Barack Obama’s handling of Bush administration torture cases continues to mount. The Department of Justice announced it would close 99 out of 101 torture cases which took place after 9/11 under the Bush administration. Attorney General Holder has indicated he would not prosecute anyone who acted in “good faith”.

Activists held a protest outside the National Committee On US-China Relations in New York City where Henry Kissinger was giving a talk about his new book, Prescription on China.

Groups at the protest  included members of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, known as ETAN and CODEPINK Women for Peace.

Finally, reports show that Ehud Olmert and Tzipi Livni may face war crimes charges in Norway in their role in the Gaza offensive.

Former Guantanamo Navy photographer Elisah Dawkins who served in Iraq is facing deportation to the Bahamas and federal prosecution for lying on his U.S. passport application. Dawkins attended high school in Miami, went to nursing school and joined the Navy. While stationed at Guantanamo, he photographed the everyday life of detainees. On returning back to the U.S. from Guantanamo he was arrested by the F.B.I. Dawkins trial took place early this week where the community of Miami rallied in his support.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Obama administration to investigate detainee abuses under the Bush administration. HRW released a 107-page report titled “Getting Away with Torture” providing background and operations of torture.  Attorney General Eric Holder has indicated the administration would not prosecute any U.S. officials who acted in ‘good faith’.

Former Tony Blair chief of staff’s partner writes a play about her life leading up to the Iraq invasion. Sarah Helm a long-partner to Blair chief of staff Jonathan Powell describes her opposition to the Iraq war and how the invasion changed her home life.

Blackwater (Xe) former and current employees claim they have evidence that the mercenary company overbilled the government $300 million. Blackwater is being sued for alleged contract fraud under a whistleblower lawsuit.

International arrest warrant is sought for former Bush CIA General Counsel John Rizzo. Rizzo is a current legal adviser to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who has been complicit in torture, ill-treatment of detainees, the establishment of secret prisons, extraordinary and kidnapping and destruction of torture. The legal human rights organization Reprieve which is known for representing detainees at Guantanamo and death row and lawyers from Pakistan are leading the way in seeking an international arrest warrant. John Rizzo admitted in a Newsweek interview that he approved CIA drone strikes.

In what is considered an important case exposing the corruption and abuse of Iraq war profiteer Halliburton and subsidiary at the time Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR), the alleged rape case of Jamie Leigh Jones was rejected by a jury in a Texas court.

Through her foundation, Jamie Leigh Jones is working to support victims of crimes abroad and holding those accountable who perpetrate the crimes.

Mercenary contractor Xe, formerly known as Blackwater, continues to remake itself, first, with bringing former Attorney General John Ashcroft on board and now the latest political figure to join the company is Jack Quinn. Quinn was the former White House counsel to Bill Clinton and chief of staff to Al Gore. Blackwater is recognized for its strong mercenary presence in Iraq, receiving large sums of government contracts to operate in Iraq from the State Department and the killing of innocent Iraqi civilians.

Former Bush chief of staff Andrew Card who helped coordinate the campaign for the invasion of Iraq has been named the acting dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Card has also joined a Chamber of Commerce road show with former Sen. Evan Bayh which is aimed at getting Democrats to support the Chamber.

Finally in this week in accountability, the New York Times endorsed the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) calls for the Obama administration to honor those who said no to torture.