By Melani McAlister, George Washington University | – In February 2022, evangelical leader Franklin Graham called on his followers to pray for Vladimir Putin. His tweet acknowledged that it might seem a “strange request” given that Russia was clearly about to invade Ukraine. But Graham asked that believers “pray that God would work in his […]
Archives for April 2022
My Grandfather Fled Ukraine 140 Years Ago, Now it is an Icon of Our long History of War
( Tomdispatch.com) – Excuse me if I wander a little today — and if it bothers you, don’t blame me, blame Vladimir Putin. After all, I didn’t decide to invade Ukraine, the place my grandfather fled almost 140 years ago. I suspect, in fact, that I was an adult before I even knew such a […]
As US Squanders $728.5 billion/ yr on Pentagon, China Captures 65% of Global EV Sales, ups Production 115%
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – China is beating the pants off the United States in the burgeoning new energy vehicle market, out-producing and out-selling America with regard to plug-in vehicles by a massive margin. Whereas the Chinese government is supporting this new industry, the US government is still subsidizing fossil fuels and is spending $728.5 […]
Ukraine and NATO Expansion
Vancouver (Special to Informed Comment) – To be absolutely clear, the attack on Ukraine was a clear violation of international law, and there is absolutely no excuse for this invasion. Putin is a war criminal for initiating this unjustifiable bloodshed. However, NATO in general and the United States in particular followed an unnecessary and dangerous […]
Systemic Change Is Coming to the Arab World Thanks to Gen Z Women
Manama (Special to Informed Comment) – Change is coming, I promise. Even as the pace of modernization in the Arab world shows some signs of acceleration, we all must recognize that deep-rooted cultural norms around women’s roles and rights are slow to evolve. Guess who is going to change that? The women of Generation Z. […]
Why did a far-right Israeli Parliamentarian storm into the Sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque?
By Nabil Al-Sahli | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – A far-right member of the Israeli parliament stormed into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque last Thursday. Extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir was guarded by a heavy police presence at the time. His incursion fell within the context of Israel’s long-term strategic political goal to Judaise occupied […]
Zelensky says Russia is the new ISIL: Top 3 Ways he may be Right
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – In an address on Tuesday to the United Nations Security Council, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky compared Russia to the ISIL (ISIS, Daesh) terrorist group that took over eastern Syria and northwestern Iraq 2014-2018. His immediate comparison was of the brutality of Russian troops toward the civilian population in Bucha and […]
Responsibility for the Invasion of Ukraine and for Climate Change
Kalamazoo, MI (Special to Informed Comment) – Many are rightly celebrating a resurgence of liberalism as the Free World rallies against Putin’s war of choice. We honor brave Ukrainians fighting for freedom. Pride surges for democratic governments incurring great costs, with skillful and cooperative leadership countering immense and unjustified harm to innocents and arrogant violation […]
Israel has Deprived Palestinians of Right to Choose Int’l Scholars and Students for Palestinian Universities: MESA
Committee on Academic Freedom, Middle East Studies Association of North America: Letter protesting new Israel Government directive regarding selection of international scholars and students to teach and study in Palestinian Universities Prime Minister Naftali Bennet . . . [et al.] Dear Prime Minister, Ministers, Brigadier-General, and Chief Clerk, We write to you on behalf of […]