Middle East

“Could we have a prudent pause?”

Swedish FM worries about Muslim & Palestinian Youth Despair, draws Israeli Rebuke

By IMEMC | – – Following the Paris attacks on Friday, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom made a connection between Islamic State extremism and the Israeli occupation, causing a feud between the two governments, that the Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned its Swedish envoy on Monday. In an interview with a Swedish TV channel, following the […]

France

Paris attacks: how effective has the military response been?

contributors

By Scott Lucas | (The Conversation) | – – Even as Parisians were trying to assess the scale of the attacks by Islamic State (IS) which killed 132 people on November 13, politicians were promising a decisive and effective military response. French President Francois Hollande assured, “We will be merciless toward the barbarians of Islamic […]

Featured

Is Daesh/ ISIL a modern Raiding Pirate state?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Some analysts trying to understand Daesh (ISIL, ISIS) had suggested that it differs from al-Qaeda in its emphasis on taking and holding territory, thus becoming a state– something that al-Qaeda was largely uninterested in. They expected the self-proclaimed “caliph” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to concentrate his resources […]

France

From Beirut, this is Paris: in a world that doesn’t care about Arab lives

contributors

Elie Fares | (Open Democracy) | – – There is a stark contrast in the reaction of the world to the horrific terrorist attacks in Lebanon and France. But in the world that doesn’t care about Arab lives, Arabs lead the way. When a friend told me past midnight to check the news about Paris, […]

France

Palestinian leadership in solidarity with France after deadly attacks

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Friday expressed his solidarity and sympathy with France in a statement after a series of attacks left over 120 dead in Paris. Abbas said he stood by the French government and citizens in the face of “terrorism,” adding that the international […]

Iraq

ISIL imposes Harsh Loyalty tests on Fighters at Mosul

contributors

Special Correspondent | (Niqash.org) | – – Locals in Mosul say the Islamic State group has started a campaign to “test the loyalty” of their members. Those who joined for money or power are being asked to take pay cuts or head to the front lines. There is a verse in the Koran that asks […]

Europe

Paris at Midnight: Attempt to push France out of anti ISIL coalition in Syria?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Update: Daesh (IS, ISIS, ISIL) has said they were behind the attack. Paris was hit by at least two well-trained and -equipped terrorist cells in a coordinated attack on 6 or 7 soft targets on Friday night. The attack that took the most lives, over 120 […]

Iraq

ISIL Reels from major loss to Kurdish Forces at Sinjar

contributors

Wall Street Journal | (Video News Report) | – – “Kurdish forces on Friday retook control of the strategic Iraqi city of Sinjar from Islamic State militants, Kurdish officials said, as a separate assault began on the southern city of Ramadi.” Wall Street Journal: “Kurdish Forces Retake Sinjar From [so-called] Islamic State [group]”