Juan Cole

Top Ten Myths about Iraq 2006 1. Myth number one is that the United States “can still win” in Iraq. Of course, the truth of this statement, frequently still made by William Kristol and other Neoconservatives, depends on what “winning” means. But if it means the establishment of a stable, pro-American, anti-Iranian government with an […]

Shiite Militias and Iran in Iraq Another US soldier was killed on Christmas Day, bringing the number of GIs killed in Iraq to one more than the number of persons killed in the 9/11 attacks. AP reports that the British raided a police HQ and prison in Basra when they heard that the unit was […]

Christmas in the Middle East Silent night, Al-Zaman reports that “The Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad appeared almost deserted on Christmas Eve. Christian celebrations of Christmas were limited to private homes. Iraqi Christians had announced last week that they would suspend official celebration, out of solidarity with the tragedy of the Iraqi people.” […]

Sistani Rejects New Sunni-Shiite Coalition 6 Dead in Samawa Clashes 47 Bodies in Baghdad Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has rejected a plan for a new coalition in the Iraqi parliament that would ally the Shiite Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq with the Sunni Arab Iraqi Islamic Party and the Kurdistan Alliance. The plan […]

5 US GIs Killed British Raid Rogue Police in Basra Coeds Raped, Killed in Baghdad Reuters reports several deadly bombings in Baghdad. In addition, US military spokesmen said that 5 GIs were killed by guerrillas on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, “Three U.S. Marines and a sailor were killed in action in the western Anbar […]

Swearing on the Qur’an And the Nut on Miami Florida Governor Jeb Bush called Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo “a nut” for comparing Miami to a “third world” country. Cuban-Americans and other minorities who vote Republican in the fond hope that the American Right will accept them should reconsider. The American Right is about exclusion and […]

Iraq Roundup The US military announced 3 more US GIs killed by guerrillas on Thursday. The Arab League ambassador in Baghdad, Mukthar Lamani, said Thursday that in the previous week, 250 prominent Iraqi personalities have been assassiated. They included five tribal leaders from Diyala province who participated in the Reconciliation Conference last weekend in Baghdad. […]

76 Bodies found in Baghdad, Dozens More Killed Attacks on Teachers Roil Education Raed Jarrar argues that the Bush administration’s plans to ally with the Kurds and the Shiites and crush the Sunni Arabs in Iraq won’t work. He is right. He also points to the continued political alliances across sectarian lines, which show that […]

Hashimi: Bush Blackmailed Blair on Timetable Sistani Said to Back New Coalition A US Marine died of wounds received in al-Anbar Province on Monday, the US military announced. Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi of the Iraqi Islamic Party said Tuesday that he thought George W. Bush had “blackmailed” or “brainwashed” British Prime Minister Tony Blair. […]