By Juan Cole | — Kurdish forces (including both the local YPG and Peshmerga units from Iraqi Kurdistan), and supported by Free Syrian Army troops and coalition air strikes, have largely recovered Kobane from rule by Daesh (called in the West ISIL or ISIS). Kurdish forces have recovered control of the downtown where the government […]
Archives for January 2015
What Black & White thinking misses about ISIS/Daesh & why it Matters to us All
By Neslihan Çevik | (Daily Sabah) — To combat radicalism, EU countries should avoid considering an increased interest in the origins and nature of Islam as a sign of potential radicalization, while Muslim states should encourage the youth to analytically inquire about their religion and systematically reject radical Islamism based on that inquiry Debates on […]
Fearing NSA, Writers in USA and Worldwide Avoiding controversy, keyword Searches
PEN America | “Global Chilling” PEN America writes: “Global Chilling: The Impact of Mass Surveillance on International Writers is a new report demonstrating the damaging impact of surveillance by the United States and other governments on free expression and creative freedom around the world. The report’s revelations, based on a survey of nearly 800 writers […]
Saudi General, Border Guards Killed by Daesh/ISIL for not being Fanatical Enough
France24 | — “At 4,30 am 4 men coming from Iraqi territory attacked a border post on the northern frontier of Saudi Arabia. Two of the attackers were killed during the attack, one by gun shot and the second activated his explosive belt killing general Awda al-Balwi, commander of the northern frontier zone, with one […]
National Shame: 50,000 Homeless Veterans Nationwide
ABC News | — “ABC News’ Bob Woodruff travels the country examining new efforts end homelessness among US veterans.” ABC News: “50,000 Homeless Veterans Nationwide” Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America’s website for donations can be found here.
Iran’s Rouhani & Direct Democracy: Wants Referendum to Sidestep Hardliners
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — Iran’s system of government is a hybrid. One wing of it consists of a dictatorial theocracy, centered on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The other wing is elected and comprises the parliament and the presidency. President Hassan Rouhani, a reformer, is worried about being stymied in his economic and […]
Scotland: World’s Largest Tidal Power Project Begins Construction
STV | — STV (Scottish TV) reports, “Construction work on the world’s largest tidal energy project is set to begin… The 269-turbine installation, which is expected to power 175,000 homes, will be built in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth. Construction is expected to begin at the Ness of Quoys near the village of […]
Ten Things You Should Know About Selma Before You See Oprah’s Film
By Emilye Crosby | (Zinn Education Project) In this 50th anniversary year of the Selma-to-Montgomery March and the Voting Rights Act it helped inspire, national media will focus on the iconic images of “Bloody Sunday,” the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the interracial marchers, and President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act. […]
Online Freedom of Speech under Siege even in “Democracies”
By Jillian York | (Electronic Frontier Foundation) In the midst of the global surveillance debate, talk of online censorship has often taken a backseat. Yet, all around the world, the inalienable right to freedom of expression is violated on a regular basis. While in 2014, issues such as terrorism and online harassment generated new discussions […]
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