Corruption

By Pamela Abbott & Andrea Teti | (The Conversation) | – – Egyptians are voting in presidential elections on March 26-28. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who grabbed power in 2013, is set to win another term by a landslide. Yet this is far from a sign of strength: opposition candidates have been silenced, and even pro-government […]

Authoritarianism

French Ex-President Sarkozy arrested over Libya Campaign money Charges

Juan Cole

TeleSur | – – Sarkozy has categorically denied receiving any campaign funding from the North African country. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was detained by police officers early Tuesday, Reuters reported. The ex head of state was being questioned by magistrates in relation to allegations he received US$61 million in funding for his 2007 election […]

Corruption

Did an Emirates-Israel alliance Help elect Trump more than Russia?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – One of the surprises thrown up by the Gulf crisis and by the Mueller investigation is how entangled the United Arab Emirates is with Israel, and how the lobbies of the two states in Washington powerfully shape American policy. While the Israel lobbies have received scholarly […]

Corruption

The Russians aren’t the only election hackers

Juan Cole

By Reese Erlich | (48hills.org ) | – – The US has interfered in elections all over the world — and this Russian ‘crisis’ is a big deal about very little Welcome to the latest Washington crisis. The American people are supposed to be petrified at the threat posed by Russian spies who hack our […]

Corruption

Top Ten Signs the US is the most Corrupt nation in the World (2018 Edn.)

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Revised Those ratings that castigate Afghanistan and some other poor countries as hopelessly “corrupt” always imply that the United States is not corrupt. This year’s report from Transparency International puts the US on a par with Austria, which is ridiculous. All kinds of people from politicians […]

Corruption

Israel: Netanyahu’s Top Allies Arrested in Ongoing Corruption Probe

contributors

TeleSur | – – A former Netanyahu spokesman and the former director of the communications ministry are among the persons arrested. Two close associates of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have been named in the ongoing corruption probe against Netanyahu. Nir Hefetz, a former Netanyahu spokesman, and Shlomo Filber, the former director of the communications […]

African-Americans

Worse than Russian Hack: GOP Voter Suppression planned in 20 States

contributors

By Jen Herrick | ( Otherwords.org) This year, at least 20 states are considering laws that would make it harder to vote. When President Trump created the “Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity” last spring — and put notorious vote suppressor Kris Kobach at the helm — voting rights advocates had decades of good reasons […]

Corruption

Israel: Protesters call for ‘crime minister’ Netanyahu to step down

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – Israeli demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv today to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign after police recommended he be charged with bribery in two corruption cases. Police said on Tuesday enough evidence had been found for Netanyahu to be charged, saddling the four-term premier with one of the […]

Corruption

What Does Netanyahu Corruption Case tell us about Trump’s Fate?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Israeli police have recommended that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu be indicted for corruption. The recommendation now goes to attorney general Avichai Mandelblit, who may or may not decide to act on it. Although 60% of Israelis in polling have said they wanted Netanyahu to step down […]