Middle East

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – David Kirkpatrick of the New York Times caused an international stir by estimating that 20 percent of Sudanese fighters in Yemen may be 13-17, i.e. child soldiers. The percentage may be as high as 40%. That these child soldiers appear to have been paid for by Saudi Arabia at a […]

Iran

Rightwing Iran’s Policy in post-US Syria is to Block Kurdish Left

Middle East Monitor

By Maysam Behravesh | – US President Donald Trump’s abrupt announcement last week of the withdrawal of American troops from Syria caught many people off guard, including his own administration officials. It actually prompted the resignation of Defence Secretary James Mattis. The surprise, however, was perhaps greater in Tehran’s corridors of power. Less than two […]

Israel/ Palestine

Europe, UK, France & Turkey Reject Israel’s Plans for new Squatter Homes in Palestine

TeleSur

Israel’s settlements in the West Bank are a violation of the 4th Geneva Convention, according to the United Nations. France, the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union (EU) and Turkey have rejected Israel’s newly approved expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. “The European Union’s position on Israeli settlement construction and related activities […]

Egypt

Egypt Kills 40 ‘Terrorists’ in Crackdown after Giza Attack

AFP

Giza, Egypt | AFP | – Egyptian police killed 40 suspects in a crackdown on Saturday after a roadside bomb hit a tour bus claiming the lives of three Vietnamese holidaymakers and an Egyptian guide. Thirty alleged “terrorists” were killed in separate raids in Giza governorate, home to Egypt’s famed pyramids and the scene of […]

Russia

Filling Vacuum Left by Trump, Russia & Turkey Coordinate on Syria

AFP

Moscow, Russia | AFP | – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, pictured August 2018, met to coordinate ground operations in Syria after the announced US military pullout Russia and Turkey on Saturday agreed to coordinate ground operations in Syria after the shock announcement of a US military withdrawal, […]

Feminism

Saudi Women Trample Face Veils in Social Media Protest

Middle East Monitor

Saudi women are stepping on the face veils some are made to wear in the conservative kingdom and posting it on social media with the hashtag “the niqab under my foot“. The campaign marks the latest protest against strict dress codes for women in Saudi Arabia, who are required to wear abayas – loose, all-covering […]

Israel/ Palestine

1,451 War Crimes: Ashrawi Condemns new Squatter Housing as Israeli Settler Colonialism

Maan News Agency

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi strongly condemned the Israeli Civil Administration’s decision to approve for the establishment of 1,451 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and to advance plans for the construction of 837 additional units. Ashrawi said, in a statement released on Thursday, that “Today’s […]

Books

Amos Oz, Renowned Israeli Novelist and Critic of Expansionist Right, Dies at 79

AFP

Jerusalem | AFP | – Amos Oz, who died of cancer Friday aged 79, was a celebrated Israeli novelist and passionate peace advocate whose stirring memoir “A Tale of Love and Darkness” became a worldwide bestseller. His daughter Fania Oz-Salzberger confirmed his death on Twitter, calling him “a wonderful family man, an author, a man […]

Afghanistan

With Trump Ready to Leave Afghanistan, can Qatar Broker a Peace?

contributors

BY SAID SABIR IBRAHIMI | – (Political Insights) – Over the past few years, Qatar has shown itself to be an influential actor in Afghanistan’s peace making efforts. Said Sabir Ibrahimi examines Qatar’s efforts and what it can do to further the prospects of peace in Afghanistan. Qatar has emerged as a conflict resolution actor […]