Middle East

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – After Montgomery and his troops defeated the Germans and Italians at El Alamain in northern Egypt in 1942, Winston Churchill was relieved finally to have some good news after a string of defeats. He said, “Now this is not the end. It is not even the […]

Israel/ Palestine

PM: Israeli cut-off of West Bank water supplies in Ramadan ‘inhumane and outrageous’

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Prime Minister’s office on Thursday slammed Israel’s decision to cut off water supplies for tens of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank this week as “inhumane and outrageous.” Rami Hamdallah issued a statement in response to the move by Israel’s national water […]

Israel/ Palestine

In further Move to Far Right, Israel passes Draconian Terrorism Law

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A controversial new anti-terrorism law passed the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which will grant the Israeli state far-reaching powers in cases of suspected “terrorism,” in a move a member of the Joint List called “draconian and unacceptable.” According to Haaretz, the […]

al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda Speaks The Language Of Syrian Sectarianism

contributors

By Sam Heller | ( RFE/RL) | – – As the extremist group Islamic State (IS) and its rival Al-Qaeda have captured pieces of Iraq, Syria, and other countries in the region, they have had to balance their global aims with the specific local concerns of the communities under their control. Al-Qaeda’s latest attempt to […]

Israel/ Palestine

Is Greece about to recognize Palestine?

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Syriza, the ruling party in the Greek parliament, told Palestinian lawmakers Saturday that the government was set to officially recognize the state of Palestine, according to a statement by the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Ma’an News Photos A Greek delegation from the Syriza party reportedly met […]

Iraq

Abuses of Fallujah Sunnis Raise Question: Does Iraq Gov’t Control of Shiite Militias

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – (Beirut) – The announced investigation into allegations of abuse of civilians around Fallujah by Iraqi government forces is a test for the government’s ability to hold abusive forces accountable. Judicial officials should conduct this investigation transparently and impartially, assess command responsibility, and ensure protection for victims and witnesses. Ahead […]

Featured

Is Tel Aviv Mayor Right that Israel is unique in Occupation & denying Civil Rights?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Ron Huldai, the mayor of Tel Aviv, reacted with enormous sadness to Thursday’s terrorist attack on the Sarona Market restaurant district in Tel Aviv, which left 4 dead, committed by a teenagers from the Occupied Palestinian West Bank. But he then went on to put the […]

Israel/ Palestine

Under Israeli Blockade and Running out of Water, Gaza turns to Solar

contributors

AJ+ | (Video News Report) | – – “People are struggling to find clean drinking water in Gaza, but one resident has a solution. Fayez al-Hindi has built a solar power system to purify water. According to municipalities, it’s working.” AJ+: ” In Gaza, One Man Wields Solar Power To Purify Water”

Iraq

Suicide Bombers + Secret Tunnels: ISIL Tactics On Fallujah’s Front lines

contributors

Mustafa Habib | | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – – The battle for Fallujah will be long and hard. The Islamic State has prepared for a siege, is relying on foreign fighters and is spreading lies to persuade locals to fight. NIQASH spoke to those on the front line. In the Nuaimiya area, south of […]