International Politics and Economy

David Schanzer | (ISLAMiCommentary) – Address to Islamic Association of Raleigh (NC) David Schanzer As-salamu alaykum. Thank you so much for the invitation to address you this afternoon. I am very pleased to be included in this wonderful celebration. I know we are gathering today with very heavy hearts. I was out of town last […]

Democracy

The Palestinian-Israelis’ Selma Moment?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) Ayman Odah, leader of the Joint Arab List, the party representing Palestinian-Israelis and elements of the Israeli left, responded late Tuesday to the news that Israelis of Palestinian descent came out in droves to vote. Their turnout in the last Israeli election had only been 56%. Odah said from […]

Militarization

The Impotence of the Big Dick strain of American Nationalism

Juan Cole

By Nan Levinson | (Tomdispatch.com) Let’s face it: we live in a state of pervasive national security anxiety. There are various possible responses to this low-grade fever that saps resolve, but first we have to face the basis for that anxiety — what I’ve come to think of as the Big Dick School of Patriotism, […]

al-Qaeda

Syria: Signs of Popular Backlash Against al-Qaeda

contributors

By Robert S. Ford and Tony Ghazal Mouawad | (Informed Comment) As the Syrian civil war drags into its fifth year, the al-Qai’da linked Nusra Front [Support Front] has a reputation as being among the toughest fighters and has consolidated its position on the Syrian scene. At the same time, there are hints that many […]

Dissent

Palestinian-Israelis Aspire to National Role after Elections

contributors

France24 | – At 20% of the Israeli population, Israelis of Palestinian heritage have united to back a single party and for the first time could lead the opposition in parliament with the third-largest party, giving them an official role in diplomacy. This marginalized community dreams of gaining the influence its numbers support. – JC […]

Dissent

Dear MSM: The Israeli Elections are about Minority rights, not Iran

contributors

By Sammy Smooha | (The Conversation) There are 5.3 million eligible voters living in Israel today (votes may be not cast abroad). Among these voters there are three main minority (non-dominant) groups. Their numbers break down, according to my own estimates, as follows: Palestinian Arabs are 15%, Mizrahim or “Oriental” Jews (who immigrated from Muslim […]

Democracy

Top 5 ways Netanyahu sabotaged US and Israel Interests

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – Binyamin Netanyahu is fighting the most difficult political battle of his life. His party seems likely to come in smaller than the center-left coalition of Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni– though in parliamentary systems what really matters is who can put together a majority after the election. Netanyahu […]

Democracy

Why Tough Talk from Netanyahu won’t Guarantee his Election Victory

contributors

By Simon Mabon | (The Conversation) – For decades, Israeli politicians have argued that they live in a “tough neighbourhood” in an effort to justify and legitimise their foreign policy. While historically the threat posed to Israel came from the surrounding Arab states, in recent years, the threat has shifted to non-state actors and Iran. […]

Democracy

Could a Netanyahu loss in Israeli Elections change Everything?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – Israeli polling is suggesting that Binyamin Netanyahu’s party might get only 21 seats or less in the 120-seat Israeli parliament, with his rivals, the Zionist Union, getting 24 or 25. There is even the possibility of the gap between the two widening and Netanyahu doing even worse. The […]