( Tomdispatch.com ) – Four years ago, I published Subtle Tools, a book on the erosion of American democratic norms in the face of what came to be known as the Global War on Terror. Both what had been done in the name of “national security” in response to the 9/11 attacks and how it […]
Archives for March 2025
Istanbul Mayor’s Arrest Sparks Türkiye’s Largest Protests in over a Decade
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment) – Major protests over the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rival, have entered their sixth day. Demonstrations have erupted in at least 55 out of Türkiye’s 81 provinces, according to AFP, which marks one of the most widespread waves of […]
Trouble at Tesla and Protests against Trump’s Tariffs suggest consumer Boycotts are starting to Bite
By Erin O’Brien, Griffith University and Justine Coneybeer, Griffith University (The Conversation) – When the United States starts a trade war with your country, how do you fight back? For individuals, one option is to wage a personal trade war and boycott products from the US. President Donald Trump has said no nation will be […]
2025 Emergency National Statement to University and College Presidents from Faculty
New England Scholars Speak / Action Network US Scholars: Speak Up for Liberty and Justice NOW Public Domain. Photo by Nataraj Munoli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/statue-of-liberty-66709/ March 2025 An Urgent Message to University and College Presidents Across the United States At this dangerous juncture for the future of academic freedom, free speech, and due process on all our […]
Can Trump’s Plan to Target China for its Oil Imports from Iran Succeed?
London (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has reinstated the maximum pressure campaign of his first administration on Iran. Trump wants to push Iran into ending its nuclear programme, and the White House has tried to severely curtail Iran’s oil exports as way of putting […]
After Assad: Sectarian Violence and the Struggle for Syria’s Future
By Weliam Sejari ( Global Voices ) – The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in Syria’s history, ending over five decades of Assad family rule. This transition, however, has been marred by escalating violence, particularly against the Alawite community in Syria’s coastal regions. Beginning on March […]
Trump rages to snuff out Democracy’s Candle: Will we Rage against the Dying of its Light?
( Tomdispatch.com ) – Allow me to stipulate that I do not wish to die. In fact, had anyone consulted me about the construction of the universe, I would have made my views on the subject quite clear: mortality is a terrible idea. I’m opposed to it in general. (In wiser moments, I know that […]
The Making of the Modern Middle East: Juan Cole on History, Politics, and Today’s Turmoil – Tamooda Interview
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Juan Cole interviewed by Martin Asser at Tamooda : “The Making of the Modern Middle East: Juan Cole on History, Politics, and Today’s Turmoil” According to LinkedIn, “ TAMOODA is a new digital, independent, liberal, and secular platform in the Arab world for opinion. It is is a non-profit initiative […]
The Rhetorical Tricks for Normalizing Genocide
( Middle East Monitor ) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that, “From now on, negotiations will be conducted under fire.” His words were total nonsense, of course, because the previous negotiations for the ceasefire agreement were definitely conducted under fire. Netanyahu’s statement condemns to oblivion the previous long months of Israel’s genocide […]
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