Why the Hunt for Assange Failed: US Scheme to Cover Up War Crimes

What has become a surprisingly remarkable turn of events - one that caught most people unawares, Julian Assange, emerged from his legal battles as a free man.

Assange’s release marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for press freedom and transparency in government actions. While history will reflect on Assange’s jailing, it’s clearly evident it was an attempt to cover up some of the greatest human rights abuses committed by the US and its allies.

In 2006 Assange founded WikiLeaks with a vision of creating a platform where whistleblowers could safely expose government and corporate misconduct and abuse - with ‘safely’ being a word that proved to be anything but. Not for its intent or objective, but for the fact the US government doesn’t respect the word ‘safely’ or what it means.

The US foments wars and has shown it has no hesitation killing innocence to protect American interests.

Take a look at the recent events over the past several days where the US gave Ukraine permission in the proxy war Ukraine is fighting against Russia. Ukraine under US instruction launched US Atacms missiles on a beach in the Russian city of Sebastopol - killing six people, three of which were children and wounding 100 others.

If it hasn’t been evident before then surely it must be now, the US will go to any length to commit significant acts, including war crimes, to counter any nation or entity it believes threatens its global hegemony - as Russia surely does. Ukraine may have pushed the button that launched the Atacms, but it was US military personnel who uploaded the data, gathered by US intelligence, using US weaponry that killed innocent Russian civilians.

America no longer has anywhere to hide thanks to Assange and Wikileaks. Assange exposed the US as a state engaged in terroristic acts, highlighting incidents such as the missile attack on Sebastopol, the ISIS terror attack in Dagestan where 40 police officers were ambushed and killed, and the murder of a priest who had his throat slit by ISIS terrorists at his altar. These were not coincidental events; they were coordinated actions with the US were behind. Let’s not forget the Crocus theatre attack in March this year where 150 concert goers were murdered.

The Crocus attack was designed to turn the Russian people against Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in the leadup to Russia’s national election. It’s apparent the US will stop at nothing to get its way and yet because of a crumbling empire’s desperation, it is prepared to risk humanity’s existence - making Wikileaks’s work so important and Assange a hero.

Assange’s saga began in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a trove of classified US military documents and diplomatic cables. Among the most notable releases was the “Collateral Murder” video, which depicted a US Apache helicopter attack in Baghdad that killed several people, including two Reuters journalists.

These revelations were followed by the Afghan War Diary and the Iraq War Logs, which exposed thousands of unreported civilian casualties, instances of torture, and other human rights abuses. These documents provided a stark, unfiltered look at the realities of war, challenging the official narratives and highlighting the human cost of conflict

Assange’s journey from whistleblower to embattled detainee began in earnest when Sweden issued a warrant for his arrest over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Fearing extradition to the US, where he faced charges related to the publication of classified documents, Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012. He remained there for seven years, effectively imprisoned within the embassy’s walls.

In April 2019, Ecuador revoked Assange’s asylum, leading to his arrest by British authorities. He was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for breaching bail conditions, and the U.S. subsequently requested his extradition to face charges under the Espionage Act. The prospect of a life sentence loomed large over Assange, sparking international debates about press freedom, human rights, and the role of whistleblowers.

Assange’s supporters argued that his prosecution was a politically motivated attempt to silence a journalist who had exposed inconvenient truths. Human rights organisations, press freedom advocates, and a wide array of public figures rallied to his defence, asserting his work had shed light on war crimes and abuses that would otherwise have remained hidden.

The documents released by WikiLeaks revealed a pattern of systemic misconduct. The Afghan War Diary documented instances where US forces killed unarmed civilians, including children. The Iraq War Logs exposed widespread use of torture by Iraqi security forces, often with the knowledge or tacit approval of US authorities. These revelations were not just about numbers; they were about real human lives, suffering and dying in conflicts shrouded in secrecy.

Now Julian Assange is free, the lens through which his jailing is viewed becomes clearer. Historians will likely see his imprisonment as part of a broader effort to stifle dissent and control the narrative surrounding US military interventions in the Middle East. By targeting Assange, powerful entities sought to deter others from exposing similar truths.

The suppression of whistleblowers and journalists who reveal government and military misconduct is not new. Throughout history, those who have dared to lift the veil on state secrets have often faced severe repercussions. Assange’s case, however, is particularly significant due to the scale and impact of the information he helped bring to light.

Julian Assange’s release does not just signify a personal victory; it represents a broader triumph for the principles of transparency and accountability. His work has had a lasting impact on journalism and the public’s right to know. The documents published by WikiLeaks forced a global reckoning with the realities of modern warfare and the ethical implications of state actions.

The release of the “Collateral Murder” video and other documents challenged the sanitised portrayals of war often presented to the public. They highlighted the disparity between official statements and the on-the-ground reality, underscoring the importance of independent journalism in holding power to account.

History will likely judge the efforts to imprison Julian Assange as a failed attempt to cover up human rights abuses and war crimes. His case has set a precedent for future whistleblowers and journalists, emphasising the need for protections for those who expose corruption and misconduct. The pursuit of truth, despite the personal cost to Assange, has proven to be a crucial element in the fight for justice and accountability.

When Julian Assange’s walked free today, it marked a moment in the history of press freedom and the struggle for government transparency. Assange’s jailing became clear that it was an effort to hide some of the most egregious human rights abuses of our time. Assange’s courage has ensured the truth about these abuses cannot or ever be buried.

Assange’s legacy will be defined not by his imprisonment, but by his unyielding commitment to uncovering the truth. He exposed the darkest corners of government secrecy and has set a standard for future generations.