Arab World

Sarah Sanbar Iraq Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division ( Human Rights Watch ) – By any metric, Iraq’s environment is under severe pressure. Lakes, rivers, and marshlands are shrinking, and in some cases entirely disappearing. Sandstorms are increasing in frequency and severity, resulting in hospitalizations and the grounding of flights. Decades of conflict-related […]

Displaced and Refugees

Syria after Assad: Why many Syrian Refugees aren’t returning Home

The Conversation

By Charlotte Al-Khalili, University of Sussex and Melissa Gatter, University of Sussex (The Conversation) – When news of Bashar al-Assad’s downfall broke on December 8 2024, 13 years after the beginning of the Syrian uprising, Syrians around the world rejoiced. We rejoiced along with them, having spent the last decade in conversation with Syrians displaced […]

Featured

Signalgate shows Trump bombing of Yemen just for Show, Ignores Dead Yemeni Children

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The high-level Trump administration Signal message thread on bombing Yemen on which someone on the staff of National Security Adviser Michael Waltz included The Atlantic‘s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg is what is impolitely called in the military a SNAFU (Situation Normal All F*cked Up). Yes, it is a security breach of […]

Syria

After Assad: Sectarian Violence and the Struggle for Syria’s Future

Global Voices

By Weliam Sejari ( Global Voices ) – The fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in Syria’s history, ending over five decades of Assad family rule. This transition, however, has been marred by escalating violence, particularly against the Alawite community in Syria’s coastal regions. Beginning on March […]

Arab World

The Making of the Modern Middle East: Juan Cole on History, Politics, and Today’s Turmoil – Tamooda Interview

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Juan Cole interviewed by Martin Asser at Tamooda : “The Making of the Modern Middle East: Juan Cole on History, Politics, and Today’s Turmoil” According to LinkedIn, “ TAMOODA is a new digital, independent, liberal, and secular platform in the Arab world for opinion. It is is a non-profit initiative […]

Saudi Arabia

Middle Eastern Monarchies in Sudan’s War: what’s driving their Interests

The Conversation

By Federico Donelli, University of Trieste (The Conversation) – The civil war in Sudan that began in April 2023 involves several external actors. The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in a quest for political and economic power. The situation has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. […]

Donald Trump

Trump’s Air War on Yemen Escalates as Civilian Population Suffers Food Insecurity, Cholera Epidemic

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The Trump administration began bombing Yemen last weekend, when the US Air Force launched 47 air raids on at least seven provinces, killing some 53 persons. On Monday the air raids continued, hitting not only the capital, Sanaa, but also Saadeh in the north, the hometown of the movement of […]

Israel

The Goals of Israel’s ongoing Aggression against Syria

Middle East Monitor

( Middle East Monitor ) Israel’s aggressive operations against Syria continue by air and on the ground, imposing new realities at a time Syria’s leadership is preoccupied with internal affairs. This suggests that Israel’s approach to Syria goes beyond mere military strikes but rather aims at reshaping the Middle East, as it had announced at […]

International Court of Justice

Sudan takes UAE to Int’l Court of Justice for Genocide: A Test for Int’l Justice

Global Voices

The case comes amid growing global scrutiny of UAE military alliances, including its deepening ties with Israel despite accusations of genocide in Gaza Written byWalid El Houri ( Global Voices ) – On March 6, 2025, Sudan initiated legal proceedings against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the […]