Arab World

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Turkey and Russia are announcing they have reached a cease-fire deal in Syria. The ceasefire reached in Aleppo will be continued past December 28, and will be expanded to other parts of the country Russia is representing the government of Bashar al-Assad, which its air force […]

Iraq

Iraq: ISIL Attacking Civilians in Mosul Retreat

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – Calls ‘Unbelievers’ Valid Targets (Erbil) – Fighters with the [so-called] Islamic State [Group} (also known as ISIL) have indiscriminately attacked civilian areas in eastern Mosul with mortar rounds and explosives, and deliberately shot at fleeing residents, Human Rights Watch said today. Iraqi and coalition forces have also killed and […]

Assyrians

Wealthy Baghdad Muslim raised 85′ tall Christmas Tree in Solidarity

contributors

NewsBeat Social | (Video News report) | – – “A Muslim businessman in Iraq put up an 85-foot-tall Christmas tree in Baghdad to show solidarity with Iraqi Christians and help Iraqis “forget their anguish”” NewsBeat Social: ” LOOK: Christmas Tree in Baghdad ‘Represents Love and Peace’”

Bahrain

With Fall of Aleppo, will a Russo-Iranian Middle East challenge Trump?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – On Thursday, the Syrian government announced that the last of those who wanted to be evacuated from the East Aleppo pocket had been bused out, and that the Bashar al-Assad regime had reestablished complete control over the entire city of Aleppo. Bashar al-Assad in his remarks […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Admits to Using Illegal UK Cluster Bombs in Yemen

contributors

TeleSur | – – “If Saudi forces are prepared to use cluster bombs, then why is the U.K. continuing to arm and support the regime?” a campaigner asked. Saudi Arabia admitted Monday it used illegal U.K.-made cluster bombs in Yemen as the Gulf state continues its aggressive air campaign there, backed with the help of […]

Iraq

Could Iraqi Parliament Recognition of Shiite Militias re-Tribalize the Sunnis?

contributors

By Ibrahim Saleh | (Baghdad) | Niqash.org | – – Although many Sunni politicians tried to block the passage of a November law that legitimized Iraq’s Shiite volunteer militias, some did not. They want the 30,000 or so Sunni volunteer fighters to get their share too. In late November, the Iraqi government passed the controversial […]

Featured

Hard Truth: Aleppo Rebels weren’t defeated by Main Force but b/c they alienated Syrians

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Syria was in a better position to attain peace last spring, when a ceasefire had unexpected success. It would have been better if the rebels had been able to keep East Aleppo and the rest of their territory, and the regime had been forced to dicker […]

Employment

It’s the Economy, Stupid: Ending ‘Religious’ Violence in the Middle East

contributors

Moha Ennaji | (Project Syndicate) | – – FEZ – The escalation of radicalism, violence, and civil wars in the Middle East since the so-called Arab Spring revolts began in 2010 has exacted a massive toll in human lives and welfare. The need to build effective states that support peace, provide greater opportunity and prosperity, […]

Featured

After Aleppo, Russians prepare to defy Trump re: their Iran Alliance

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – the left-leaning Lebanese newspaper al-Safir [Ambassador] reports that the armed resistance to the regime of Bashar al-Assad in the East Aleppo pocket is finished. Reports from Wednesday morning say that the ceasefire that Russia and the regime signed onto in hopes that the few hundred hold-outs […]