Arab World

By Lakhdar Ghettas | (OpenDemocracy.net) | – – Seven years after the Tunisian revolution one can dissect four main conflict issues in Tunisia today. A rally marking the third anniversary of the uprising that ousted long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2014 in Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis. Picture by Palacio […]

Featured

Nearly a year after Trump bombed Syria, al-Assad and Russia extend control

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Syrian war limps along at the margins. It is over where it matters but continues in key demographic pockets. The two most significant are East Ghouta near the al-Assad-held capital of Damascus and the province of Idlib in the northwest of the country. East Ghouta […]

Employment

Tunisia: Austerity Protests roil Birthplace of Arab Spring

contributors

TeleSur | – – Protests have been taking place across the North African country over the past several nights in protest against government austerity measures at the behest of the IMF. At least one person is dead and 200 people have been arrested during several nights of protests in Tunisia, according to The Guardian. Protests […]

Donald Trump

Trump Engineered Saudi Soft Coup, attack on Qatar, to Save Self

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Michael Wolff in his new book Fire and Fury makes a number of allegations about Trump’s role in the Gulf crisis that, if true, help explain the mess in that part of the Middle East. Wolff asserts that Trump and his then inner circle–Jared Kushner, Steve […]

Egypt

Egypt Promotes Jerusalem as Israeli Capital in Secret Calls

contributors

TeleSur | – – The private conversations stand in stark contrast with the government’s public position, in which it has consistently condemned the declaration made by US President Donald Trump. Four taped phone calls reveal Egyptian intelligence officer Capt. Ashraf al-Kholi telling popular talk-show hosts and one singer to promote a positive view of Jerusalem […]

Donald Trump

America’s Biggest Mideast Foreign Policy Challenges in 2018

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – In some ways, the United States faces a more favorable foreign policy environment in 2018 than it has in some years, with regard to facts on the ground. Ironically, some of the more severe challenges emanate not from objective conditions abroad but from the erratic and […]

Copts

Egypt: Armed attack on Church south of Cairo leaves 10 Dead

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – Egyptian media sources have reported that the Mar Mina Church in Helwan, south of Cairo, was attacked this morning, resulting in the death of several people, including the attacker. The sources reported that an armed gunman tried to raid the church and an exchange of fire occurred between him […]

Iraq

Iraqi Kurdish Leaders’ No-Good very Bad Year

contributors

Histyar Qader | Erbil | (Niqash.org) | – – The end of the year brought strife to Iraqi Kurdistan, The northern region has to deal with a reduced area of influence, internal and external political problems, and a financial crisis. This year brought major transformation to the semi-autonomous northern region of Iraqi Kurdistan and by […]