By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The leftist Beirut newspaper al-Safir comments scathingly on the name-change of the Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate, the Nusra Front led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, to the Syria Conquest Front. Here are some reasons that the name change isn’t going to work: 1. Al-Julani got permission from 9/11 […]
Is the French Press Right to stop Printing Pictures, Names of Terrorists?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Le Monde is reporting that a number of French newspapers and television channels have decided to cease printing the pictures, and sometimes even the names, of those who commit terrorist acts. Le Monde itself is adopting the same policy. France and Belgium have seen a number […]
Top 7 firsts in Women in US Politics
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – As I pointed out, it is all very nice that Hillary Clinton is the first American woman to be nominated as the standard-bearer for her party’s presidential bid, but 11 Muslim women have already served. Women comprise 51% of the US population but they are only […]
The most Left Wing Supreme Court in a Generation? Sec. Clinton’s most important Progressive Prospect
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Progressives who had backed Bernie Sanders are understandably upset about the prospect of a Clinton presidency. Some put their hopes in the Democratic Party platform, where Bernie supporters won on issues like a $15 minimum wage. But party platforms don’t mean much in the end. It […]
Arab Street Shocked as Saudi Delegation Visits Israel
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Egyptian news site the Arab Observer Network reports that the visit to Israel of a former Saudi military intelligence officer, Gen. Anwar Eshki, came as a body blow to the Arab in the street. He conducted several meetings with Israeli officials last week, along with […]
Islamophobia Kills: German Munich shooter admired Breivik, Killed Turks
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The shooter at a Munich mall last week who killed 9 and left 27 wounded was an admirer of far right wing Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, and appears to have hated Muslims. Although David Sonboly was of Iranian heritage, he does not seem to have […]
Israeli squatters fire on, threaten Palestinians on their private land
Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Israeli settlers verbally attacked Palestinian residents of the town of al-Khader in the southern occupied West Bank on Saturday, threatening them with a gun as the Palestinians were working in their land, which is situated in the Bethlehem district between the illegal Israeli settlements of Neve […]
Is Russia deepening Cooperation with US in Syria, or hitting US Bases?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – About a week ago, Russian warplanes bombed a Syrian base used by the US and the UK. The Wall Street Journal suggested that Russia was attempting to herd Washington into a closer military cooperation. At the same time, the Arabic press commented on on a Washington […]
Top 6 Graphs that Refute Donald Trump’s Lies about the United States
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – AP’s Fact Check found that as usual Donald Trump’s statistics in his GOP acceptance speech are way beyond the ‘damned lies’ level. So here are some illustrative graphs to suggest the level of his duplicity: “Homicides last year increased by 17 percent in America’s 50 largest […]
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