Economy

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — In 2014, Iran made news on a number of important fronts. 1. Although there was no decisive breakthrough in its relationship with the United States and the European Union, there was anticipation that some sort of deal would be reached eventually with the permanent members of the UN […]

Apartheid

Victim of Apartheid Wall: Christmas in Isolated Bethlehem

Juan Cole

DW | — “Bethlehem – the traditional birthplace of Jesus is sacred for many believers. But it means big business for Palestinians who sell souvenirs there. Even with heightened tensions in the region, Christmas offers a bit of light in tough economic times.” DW: “Christmas in Bethlehem | Journal” What I wrote a few years […]

Banking

If Jeb Bush Is In, Who Will Win Wall Street’s Money?

contributors

Bloomberg Business | — “Bloomberg’s Stephanie Ruhle and John Heilemann talk cash and 2016 prospects. Bloomberg Politics leads Bloomberg’s political coverage across all platforms: Web, mobile, television, digital video, radio, live events and more. “With All Due Respect” is hosted by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann airs at 5p ET/PT on Bloomberg Television and BloombergPolitics.com. […]

Central Asia

China’s Pivot toward Europe may Cut USA out of Deal

contributors

By Pepe Escobar | (Tomdispatch.com) — November 18, 2014: it’s a day that should live forever in history. On that day, in the city of Yiwu in China’s Zhejiang province, 300 kilometers south of Shanghai, the first train carrying 82 containers of export goods weighing more than 1,000 tons left a massive warehouse complex heading […]

Featured

The Banality of Terrorism: Sydney’s other Hostage Crisis, of 1984

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | — IC doesn’t usually cover hostage-taking, since it is an artificial and manipulative criminal act. Any two-bit thug can grab someone off the street and push them into a car, and subsequently kill them. It doesn’t take intelligence or any other admirable quality, just brutishness. One’s heart goes out to the […]

Climate Change

Green Continent? Will Solar Power allow Africa to Leapfrog Expensive Grid-Building?

contributors

By Wambi Michael LIMA, (IPS) – Africa is experiencing a revolution towards cleaner energy through renewable energy but the story has hardly been told to the world, says Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Steiner, who had been advocating for renewable energy at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Lima, […]

Climate Change

The Koch Tax: Why are Floridians being denied Free, Clean Energy from the Sun?

contributors

WPBT2 | — “According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks third for solar potential nationally, but ranked 18th when it comes to development of this clean energy option. Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy discusses the untapped clean energy potential in Florida and how climate change plays a role. Guest: […]

Economy

When 1% hog the Wealth, it hurts National Growth for Everyone

contributors

DW | — “OECD says inequality hits national growth and says education the key to fighting this. DW: “OECD finds growing inequality lowers growth | Journal”

Economy

Russell Brand v. Press Lord Rupert Murdoch: Who won?

contributors

AJ+ | — “The British twitterati is in a tizzy over a brawl between Russell Brand and Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun. The “manarchist” comedian has been accused of hypocrisy for championing housing rights and decrying tax-evading gentrifiers all while paying rent to a tax-dodging landlord. Find out who’s winning here.” AJ+: “Russell Brand Vs. Murdoch’s […]