Bear F. Braumoeller | (The Conversation) | – – One of the prominent themes in this year’s presidential primaries is the state of the American military. In his April 27 foreign policy speech, Republican front-runner Donald Trump summed up the majority view of the GOP: [W]e have to rebuild our military and our economy. The […]
Archives for May 2016
Al-Qaeda Everywhere: US support for Oppressive Gov’t’s made Bin Laden’s Killing Moot
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The US government has never understood insurgency for the most part. Smart USG officials with whom I’ve interacted have had a firm belief that leadership is a rare quality and that you can attrite an organization by killing its leaders. This theory is patently false. It […]
After Obama-Salman Summit, will Saudi finally rein in Wahhabi Radicalism?
Christopher R. Hill | Project Syndicate | – – DENVER – US President Barack Obama supposedly “cleared the air” with Saudi King Salman before the latest meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. Given how strained the bilateral relationship is – a situation long in the making – that was probably […]
Does Trump’s problem with Women voters extend to GOP Women?
Ana Kasparian & John Iadarola | (The Young Turks) | – – “Donald Trump’s favorability, or lack thereof, continues to plummet among female voters. Even Republican women are turning away from the candidate. Ana Kasparian and John Iadarola, hosts of The Young Turks, break it down. Tell us what you think in the comment section […]
Israel’s cement ban prevents hundreds of Gaza families from rebuilding homes
Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israel’s punitive ban on cement imports into the Gaza Strip has prevented hundreds of families from rebuilding their homes devastated by the 2014 war, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a press release Thursday. As a result of the debilitating […]
Papal impact? For 1st time, 50% of GOP voters Worry about Climate Change
The Tree | – – The tides have shifted among conservative voters, as new research suggests that half of Republicans heading to the polls this year believe that global warming is a threat. The survey, issued by researchers at Yale and George Mason universities, noted that twice as many conservatives believe that climate change is […]
The End of American Iraq: Poor Shiites invade Parliament over corrupt Spoils System
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Baghdad is under a state of emergency on Sunday a day after members of the Sadr Trend stormed the Green Zone and invaded the parliament building, briefly imprisoning parliamentarians in the chamber (and some in a basement) before letting them go. Some apparently were beaten as […]
Confused Muslim-hating Bigots Target American Sikhs
Hasan Minhaj | (Comedy Central video report) | – – “Hasan Minhaj sits down with designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia to find out how Islamophobia is affecting America’s (non-Muslim) Sikh population.” Comedy Central: “The Daily Show – Confused Islamophobes Target American Sikhs”
Climate Change, Water Wars to create 40% Water Shortfall in 15 Years: UN
By Thalif Deen | (Inter Press Service) | – – UNITED NATIONS, Apr 28 2016 (IPS) – Ten presidents and prime ministers from around the world will work together to resolve the growing global water crisis amid warnings that the world may face a 40 percent shortfall in water availability by 2030. The pastoralists of […]