Juan Cole

The Problem with Frenchness Readers have asked me for comment about the riots in France that have now provoked emergency laws and a curfew. What I would rather comment on, however, is the myths that have governed many rightwing American comments on the tragic events. Actually, I can only think that the disturbances must produce […]

Saddam Attorney Assassinated Reuters reports that another attorney working for Saddam’s defense team was assassinated on Tuesday. It is obvious that Saddam cannot be properly tried in Iraq under these circumstances. It is not known who is behind the killings, but Saddam to put it lightly has a lot of enemies. It is also possible […]

Chalabi and Abdul Mahdi An informed reader writes: ‘ There appears to be some Bush Administration disarray in relation to the candidates for Iraqi Prime Minister, which the “Western press” deem to be Messrs. Allawi, Chalabi and Mahdi, although the incumbent should not be counted out. Obviously, much depends on the votes received by List […]

Conyers to Chalabi A press release from the office of Congressman John Conyers: Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Maurice Hinchey and other Members will send the attached letter to Mr. Ahmed Chalabi asking for a meeting to discuss his role in manipulating the intelligence that led to […]

5 GIs Dead, US Kills 36 in Qaim District; Guerrillas Kill 16 Guerrillas at a checkpoint south of Baghdad detonated a car bomb that killed 4 US GIs. In addition, AFP writes: ‘ A suicide car bomber killed nine people, including six Iraqi policemen, in the southern Dora district of Baghdad on Monday. Ten people […]

Italians Release Video of Phosphorous Attack on Fallujah The Italian television network RAI has released a video that includes an interview with an ex-Marine and footage of the use of phosphorous bombs at Fallujah in November of 2004. The issue is being discussed at Daily Kos. White phosphorus is a form of incendiary bomb. The […]

Comment Section Rules The comment section of Informed Comment is intended to allow readers to weigh in on the issues raised in the postings. The ideal comment would be meaty, with some analysis or information that contributes to the topic, and would be one or two paragraphs in length. Short messages of a sociable nature […]

Comments at Informed Comment Readers have occasionally asked for a comment feature at this web site. I of course love the idea, but did not move in that direction for a number of reasons. At first, of course, blogger.com software did not allow it. Then when they did, there was no moderating function and there […]

Future of the Book The Institute for the Future of the Book is having a gathering soon to which I am invited, as an academic blogger. They thought it would be useful to poll my readers about some issues. The brief poll is at a comments page at their web site. I’d be most grateful […]