Arab World

By Tom Balmforth | RFE/ RL MOSCOW — With its soaring minarets and golden dome, the huge new mosque that President Vladimir Putin opened in Moscow late last month was welcomed by Muslims as a sign of their greater acceptance in mostly Christian Russia. Days later, some worshippers voiced dismay over the Kremlin’s campaign of […]

Featured

Tunisian Nobel Recognizes role of Labor Unions, the Left in Democratic Transition

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – How many American news reports about the Nobel Peace Prize given to the Tunisian Quartet that pushed the country toward democracy and compromise will mention that two of the four organizations so honored are national labor unions of workers? A third was an attorneys’ guild. The […]

Human Rights

Israeli Army kills 6 Palestinians, wounds 145 at Gaza Border Demonstration

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Six Palestinians were killed and 145 others injured as Israeli military forces opened fire at a demonstration by the border fence east of Gaza City and near Khan Younis on Friday, medics and the Ministry of Health said. The Gaza Ministry of Health said Shadi […]

Drones

How Syria is becoming a test bed for high-tech weapons of electronic warfare

contributors

David Stupples | (The Conversation) | – – The relationship between Russia and the West is becoming increasingly dangerous with potential flashpoints developing in both eastern Europe and Syria. After repeated incursions into Turkish airspace by Russian warplanes on bombing raids over Syria, NATO’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg warned Moscow that it stands ready to […]

Human Rights

Violence in Israel & Palestine: It’s the Occupation, Stupid!

contributors

Dena Takruri | (AJ+ Video Report) | – – “When you think of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, you probably think of clashes, rockets, checkpoints and Gaza – but what’s really at the heart of the violence in Israel and Palestine? AJ+: “Violence In Israel And The Palestinian Territories: It’s The Occupation”

Featured

In final Failure for Bush/Cheney, many in Iraq seek Russian Alliance

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Iraqi government in Baghdad, threatened by Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) and frustrated by the Obama administration’s foot-dragging in taking it on, seems increasingly tempted by a Russia alliance. Leaders of the Iraqi Shiite militias visited Moscow this week to seek Russian airstrikes against Daesh, according to […]

Featured

What is Russia’s Strategy in Syria & Why does Egypt Approve?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Russian MiGs for the first time on Wednesday gave close air support to the Syrian Arab Army as it attacked rebels north of Homs. The Russians also continued their airstrikes against rebel-held Idlib Province. And, the Russians for the first time launched cruise missiles from warships […]

Human Rights

How much Palestinian unrest is work of Undercover Israeli Agents?

contributors

By Celine Hagbard | IMEMC | – – A Reuters camera operator captured on film a group of Israeli undercover agents dressed as Palestinian youth during a demonstration in Beit El on Tuesday. The soldiers are seen throwing stones alongside demonstrators, then turning around, drawing their guns and shouting orders at the crowd. The video, […]

Bashar al-Assad

As Russia Strikes, Arab Twitter Wars over call for Jihad against “occupation” of Syria

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Russian plans hit 20 targets in Syria on Tuesday according to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. Among them were a training camp for terrorists in the countryside around the city of Idlib, and another facility in the outskirts of the port city of Latakia. The […]