Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The European Centre for Development Policy Management has issued a new report on the threats of human-caused climate change to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, concentrating on cross-border dangers that affect more than one country. Heat and drought would rank high on this list. The Middle East […]
Archives for November 2024
Saudi Crown Prince condemns Israel attacks on Palestinians as ‘Genocide’
( Middle East Monitor ) – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and de facto ruler condemned what he called the “genocide” committed by Israel against Palestinians during a speech at a summit of leaders of Muslim and Arab countries in Riyadh on Monday, Reuters reports. “The Kingdom renews its condemnation and categorical rejection of the genocide […]
How the Taliban are seeking to Reshape Afghanistan’s Schools to push their Ideology
By Enayat Nasir, University at Albany, State University of New York | – (The Conversation) – The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 was a blow for education across the country – but especially for girls and women. Since then, the Taliban’s leaders have outlawed education for girls after sixth grade, expanded religious seminaries known […]
What Rough Beast? President Biden’s Gaza Policy Leaves the Middle East in Flames
This is my summation of President Joe Biden’s Middle East policies for Tomdispatch.com. Check out Tom Engelhardt’s searing introduction. And note his recommendation for my new book, Gaza Yet Stands.. ( Tomdispatch.com ) – President Joe Biden has now joined the ranks of Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush as a president whose Middle East […]
Oliver Stone talking about War in San Diego, a military Hub, is a perfect Fit
( The San Diego Union-Tribune) – To mark this year’s Veterans Day, the fifth anniversary of the foundation of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, D.C., and the 50th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War, the Center for War and Society at San Diego State University will be hosting a completely booked event aboard […]
Warped Government Priorities make Climate Disasters Worse
When we fund wars and fossil fuel subsidies instead of green jobs and disaster recovery, we punish those who can least afford it. ( Otherwords.org ) – This year’s hurricane season has been devastating. Hurricane Helene left a trail of wreckage across the Southeast and Appalachia, where over 230 people have died so far. Barely […]
IPC warns of Imminent Israeli-caused Famine in Gaza, with 133K facing “Catastrophic Food Insecurity”
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The United Nations is again warning of imminent famine in northern Gaza. A panel of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification committee (IPC) released an alarming report on Thursday. The IPC panel said that urgent steps must be taken by concerned countries to avert mass starvation “within days not weeks.” […]
Jordan Condemns Israeli Forces for Storming Jerusalem Church
( Middle East Monitor ) – The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli occupation forces storming a church in the Sanctuary of the Eleona in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday and arresting two security guards employed by the French Consulate General in Jerusalem. The two guards were tasked with securing the area ahead of […]
Protesting Flawed Disciplinary Process toward Student Protesters at Swarthmore
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | – Valerie Smith President Swarthmore College president@swarthmore.edu Dear President Smith and colleagues: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our concern about the flawed disciplinary proceedings involving a number of […]