International Politics and Economy

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) The horrific murder of the editor, cartoonists and other staff of the irreverent satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, along with two policemen, by terrorists in Paris was in my view a strategic strike, aiming at polarizing the French and European public. The problem for a terrorist group like al-Qaeda is […]

Education

Tee tomesing, tay tomesing? UK Kindergarten Teachers must report Terrorist Toddlers

contributors

AJ+ | — “The British government wants kindergarten teachers to report their toddlers…for potential extremism. Seriously.” AJ+ “Terrorist Toddlers In The UK? ”

Books

Fearing NSA, Writers in USA and Worldwide Avoiding controversy, keyword Searches

contributors

PEN America | “Global Chilling” PEN America writes: “Global Chilling: The Impact of Mass Surveillance on International Writers is a new report demonstrating the damaging impact of surveillance by the United States and other governments on free expression and creative freedom around the world. The report’s revelations, based on a survey of nearly 800 writers […]

Democracy

Iran’s Rouhani & Direct Democracy: Wants Referendum to Sidestep Hardliners

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — Iran’s system of government is a hybrid. One wing of it consists of a dictatorial theocracy, centered on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The other wing is elected and comprises the parliament and the presidency. President Hassan Rouhani, a reformer, is worried about being stymied in his economic and […]

Dissent

Online Freedom of Speech under Siege even in “Democracies”

contributors

By Jillian York | (Electronic Frontier Foundation) In the midst of the global surveillance debate, talk of online censorship has often taken a backseat. Yet, all around the world, the inalienable right to freedom of expression is violated on a regular basis. While in 2014, issues such as terrorism and online harassment generated new discussions […]

Apartheid

When will it Explode? Jerusalem’s Silwan district is a Global Powder Keg

contributors

Vice News | — “Throughout the past several months, Jerusalem has been a scene of clashes and violent attacks. Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood just steps away from Jerusalem’s Old City, has been at the heart of the unrest, and is becoming one of the most contentious neighborhoods in the most contested city in the world. […]

Drones

After 500 Strikes: Is America’s Drone War Crashing And Burning?

contributors

AJ+ | — “Drone strikes are the weapon of choice in America’s so-called War on Terror. They’ve been used nearly 500 times in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia since 2002. But while U.S. officials praise their “surgical precision,” the reality on the ground tells a different tale. Here’s what you need to know about the U.S. […]

History

Allied Footage of Istanbul from 1915 in WW I

contributors

British Pathe | — “Footage from 1915 of Constantinople, in the Ottoman empire (now Istanbul, Turkey), as the allies approach the city during World War One. Tracking shot on the water (Bosporus straits), moving to left. We pass many old buildings, Hagia Sophia, as well as other churches and mosques with domes, minarets, etc. Low […]

Copts

Dissident Youth, Facing Military-Media Crackdown, begin new Exodus from Egypt

contributors

By Muhammad Moneib | (Your Middle East) — “A lot of posts share tips and tricks about finding a legal way out of Egypt” Perfectly timing the theatrical run of Ridley Scott’s epic new movie, starring Christian Bale as Moses, God’s prophet who leads the oppressed Israelites out of ancient Egypt through the miraculous parting […]