International Politics and Economy

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Chapter 73 of the Qur’an, “The Robed” (Al-Muzammil), contains what is probably the earliest Islamic injunction to turn the other cheek. 8 Remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him wholeheartedly– 9 the Lord of the East and the West. There is no god save He, so […]

Arms Sales

Donald Trump and the Art of the Arms Deal (for Everyone)

contributors

By William D. Hartung | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – It’s one of those stories of the century that somehow never gets treated that way. For an astounding 25 of the past 26 years, the United States has been the leading arms dealer on the planet, at some moments in near monopolistic fashion. Its major […]

Corruption

Swampy McSwampface: EPA Chief Ruining Environment Living in Polluter Lobbyist Condo

contributors

By Jessica Corbett, staff writer | ( Commondreams.org) | – – “As he has done over and over again, he showed contempt for transparency, ethical guidelines, and the public interest.” As key figures of the Trump administration face mounting concerns about conflicts of interest, a growing number of critics are calling for the resignation of […]

Authoritarianism

Egypt’s Electoral Farce: Polls show Al-Sisi lacks legitimacy & gov’t is Unstable

contributors

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 […]

Arms Sales

US Approves US$1 Billion Arms, Missile Deal with Saudi Arabia

contributors

TeleSur | – – Saudi Arabia bought the almost 7,000 TOW missiles – plus an additional 96 for training purposes – for a total of US$670 million. The U.S. Congress has one month to counter the Trump administration’s approval of a US$1 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, with almost 7,000 anti-tank missiles thrown into […]

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 […]

Far Right

European Fascism plots to change American Culture

contributors

By Juliette Legendre | (Foreign Policy in Focus) | – – Far more dangerous than the far-right effort to win elections alone is its concerted campaign to change the culture — a strategy it owes, perversely, to the left. When Marine Le Pen took the reins of her father’s French far-right National Front party, she […]

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 […]