Featured

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The master narrative of much Western journalism is that the youth protests of 2011 have been replaced by civil war and terrorism. But while there is plenty of both in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya, in fact here and there in the region youth protests have […]

Featured

Barak– Netanyahu was on verge of Attacking Iran 3 Times 2010-12 (Why Listening to him on Iran Diplomacy is Daft)

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – In a radio interview, former Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed that the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was on the verge of attacking Iran on 3 separate occasions in 2010-2012, but was consistently blocked by other (even far right wing) cabinet ministers or by […]

Authoritarianism

Huge ISIL Blast at Cairo Security Bldg. Injures 29; Sisi Security Claims in Tatters

contributors

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – An enormous explosion damaged a building housing secret police in a northern district of Cairo (Shubra al-Khayma) on Thursday early morning, wounding nearly 30 persons, including 6 police personnel, who were transferred to hospital for treatment. Two different branches of Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) claimed responsibility, the […]

Barack Obama

No, AP, Iran doesn’t get to Inspect its own Nuclear Facilities under Deal

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Eminent Iran and security expert Gary Sick pointed out in an email late Wednesday that the Associated Press just ran a shamefully inaccurate story alleging that under the UN Security Council deal with Iran, Iran would carry out some of the inspections of their own “sensitive […]

Acidification of Oceans

Defying Saudis, Iran: Muslim thinkers call for Action on Climate Change at Istanbul Conference

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Attendees at the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium in Istanbul from 20 countries produced, and 60 of them signed, a declaration this week warning of the dangers of climate change and urging urgent action to curb carbon dioxide emissions. But, I fear the press reporting on […]

Bashar al-Assad

How many thousands US troops would GOP Hopefuls send to Iraq and Syria?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Bill Barrow of the Associated Press took a look at the specifics of plans for US troop deployments in the Middle East put forward by some of the GOP presidential hopefuls. Several Republican politicians have pledged a return of US combat troops in large numbers to […]

Authoritarianism

The Long Knives Come out in Baghdad

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – In principle, the idea of streamlining the Iraqi government and making it more efficient is a capital one. But the reforms being pursued by Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi have to raise some questions about the direction the country is taking. One step al-Abadi has taken announced […]

Featured

New Poll: only 1 in 4 in US want more American involvement abroad; Cuba & Iran lower on List

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – – A new NORC/ AP poll, done before the Iran deal was announced by President Obama, shows how out of touch most of the presidential candidates are on foreign policy public opinion. The American public just doesn’t want more involvement overseas. To be exact, a third of Americans […]

Censors

How the Israel Lobbies hurt U of Illinois-UC & 1st Amendment (Salaita Case)

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – There is no honor among thieves or ideologues, and it is sad to see a great university’s leadership descend into petty squabbling and vicious infighting over the illegal firing of Professor Steven Salaita. In recent days new revelations and developments have emerged that make clearer the […]