Middle East

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – I’ve been thinking about what the Russian invasion and attempted occupation of Ukraine is like in recent history, and one analogy that might be good to think with is Israel in Lebanon. Putin seems to hope that the Ukraine is like Palestine, which the Israelis have successfully kept subdued even […]

Bush

How Bush’s Iraq Fiasco ruined US Credibility and Enabled Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – George W. Bush issued a statement about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It went like this: DALLAS, TEXAS – “Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of […]

Israel/ Palestine

It’s Settled That Israel Is Committing the Crime of Apartheid—Now What Should We Do About It?

Phyllis Bennis

( Commondreams.org ) – When Amnesty International released its report “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity” earlier the month, it was clearly part of a rapidly expanding trend. Palestinian human rights defenders, members of Congress and faith leaders in the United States, academics, and activists of the Palestinian rights […]

Israel/ Palestine

Europe Needs to Ban trade with Israeli Squatter Settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch – (Brussels, February 21, 2022) – The European Commission should prohibit EU trade with settlements in occupied territories globally, Human Rights Watch said today as it signed onto a European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI). The citizen-led initiative, registered with the European Commission in September 2021 and initiated on February 20, 2022, calls for […]

Algeria

Sanctions on Russia may be a Bonanza for Mideast Gas and Oil Producers, but Where will they get their Wheat?

Middle East Monitor

By Ihsan Al-Faqih | – Over the decades, the Middle East has been an arena of contention over influence and interests between the US and Russia in various conflicts. This continued until the end of former US President Donald Trump’s presidency. The involvement of the US in the region’s conflicts has declined since Joe Biden […]

Colonialism

Why Putin’s Denial of Ukrainian Statehood and Israel’s Denial of Palestinian Statehood are Crimes against History

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – In his incendiary speech on Ukraine on Monday, Vladimir Putin alleged that Ukraine does not really exist, that it is an artificial construct of the Communist period, crafted by Vladimir Lenin. He declared, “Ukraine never had a tradition of genuine statehood.” When I heard that, it reminded me of the […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israel and the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians: Crimes of apartheid do not have a statute of limitations

Middle East Monitor

By Amira Abo el-Fetouh | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – There is no doubt that the report by Amnesty International issued earlier this month pleased all the free people of the world, not only the Palestinians, and gave us a little hope that there is still some conscience in the international institutions which […]

Employment

From Couriers to factory Laborers, Turkish Workers are Protesting low Wages amid economic Crisis

Global Voices

By Doga Celik and Arzu Geybullayeva | – ( Globalvoices.org ) – Prices are rising in Turkey and people have had enough. The leader of a Turkish opposition party recently tweeted he won’t be paying inflated electricity bills following January price hikes on basic commodities. At the same time, shop owners have been posting their […]

Islam

The Long History of al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as a Center of Sufi Mysticism was even Mentioned by Rumi

Middle East Monitor

By Ismail Patel | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – Before discussing two great Sufis, Abd Al-Ghani Nabulusi and Ibrahim ibn Adham, it is essential to note that Sufis from across the globe are passionate about Masjid Al-Aqsa. In the 17th century, there were over 70 zawiyas (Sufi spiritual centres) in Jerusalem. Both Masjid […]