European Union

By Tim Hatton | (The Conversation) | – – Not since World War II has Europe faced a refugee crisis comparable with the situation unfolding at its borders at the moment. The European response has been, to put it mildly, ambivalent. On one hand there has been a mass outpouring of sympathy in the media […]

Authoritarianism

Those forced to Europe are mostly Regime Change Refugees

contributors

By Thalif Deen | ( Inter Press Service) | – – UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The military conflicts and political instability driving hundreds of thousands of refugees into Europe were triggered largely by U.S. and Western military interventions for regime change – specifically in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria (a regime change in-the-making). The United […]

Displaced and Refugees

Germany decides to Accept Syrian Refugees, Waives EU Rule

contributors

Der Tagesspiegel by Andrea Dernbach translated by Samuel Morgan [NB Germany is expecting 800,000 asylum seekers this year, 40% of the EU total.] Germany has ceased applying the rules of the Dublin system to Syrian refugees. All deportations to other EU countries have been halted, Tagesspiegel reports. The Dublin system’s critics have said for years […]

China

US Right needs to get over Self: Iran Deal is International

contributors

By Thalif Deen | (Inter Press Service) | – – UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The single biggest misunderstanding about the nuclear agreement with Iran is that it is a bilateral deal with the United States. Not true. “Beware of American and Israeli politicians and commentators who claim this agreement will enable Iran to acquire nuclear […]

Featured

Iran Deal: Why doesn’t US Media interview Real Allies on American Policy?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – So after France and Britain and Germany conducted negotiations with Iran over its civilian nuclear enrichment program alongside the United States, you would expect American television news eagerly to seek out interviews on the deal from David Cameron, Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel– or foreign ministers […]

Economy

European Companies poised for Iran Gold Rush but will Hill Keep US Out?

contributors

By Charles Recknagel | ( RFE/ RL) Many of the punishing UN, U.S., and EU financial and energy sanctions imposed on Iran in recent years to pressure Tehran to curb its nuclear activities are to be suspended or lifted in the wake of the deal struck in Vienna on July 14. But many other sanctions, […]

Egypt

Egypt: ISIL claims Massive Blast at Italian Consulate that Kills 1, wounds 4

contributors

Times of India | (Video Report) | – – “At least one person was killed and four others injured today in a powerful explosion outside the Italian consulate in the Egyptian capital.” (Update: “ISIS Claims Deadly Car Bomb Blast At Italian Consulate In Cairo” The Times of India: “1 Killed, 4 Injured in Blast at […]

Balkans

Desperate Afro-Asian Migrants flee war, famine through risky Balkans on The Road To EU

contributors

By Iva Martinovic | (RFE/ RL) | – – These days, the park flanking Belgrade’s bus terminal and the nearby railway station teems with migrants. They are from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, or Somalia, and they are on the last leg of a grueling journey they hope will take them to the European Union. Inside the […]

Banking

Is Greece’s “No” on Debt Referendum another Youth Revolution?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – During the past 5 years, the old categories of politics– left, right, center or capitalist and socialist– have been challenged by a new one, that of youth. What the Millennials want has begun to matter in addition to the other factors. That Greece has a left-wing […]