Middle East

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – In view of the dire UN report warning that in 5 years Gaza may well be uninhabitable for its 2 million Palestinian residents, it is worth considering again that this outcome is being connived at by the Israeli far right wing, one mouthpiece for which is […]

Apartheid

Israeli Policies could make Gaza uninhabitable in 5 years: UN

contributors

UNCTAD Press Release | UNCTAD/PRESS/PR/2015/026 | (Geneva, Switzerland) | – – Gaza could become uninhabitable in less than five years in wake of 2014 conflict and ongoing de-development, according to new UNCTAD report. UNCTAD’s report [pdf] on assistance to the Palestinian people states that Gaza could become uninhabitable by 2020 if current economic trends […]

Dissent

Remember how Congress said we Should Support Iran Reformists? Well they want the Nuclear Deal

contributors

By Golnaz Esfandiari | ( RFE/ RL Parvin Fahimi, who lost her son to repression by the Iranian state, hopes the agreement global powers reached with Tehran on its nuclear program last month will not only remove sanctions and the threat of war, but also lead to improved human rights inside the country. Fahimi, whose […]

Health

War-Torn Yemen faces Disease Outbreaks w/out Humanitarian Corridor

contributors

By Kanya D’Almeida | (Inter Press Service) | – – UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – An outbreak of dengue fever in Yemen’s most populated governorate has prompted urgent calls from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a “humanitarian corridor” to facilitate the flow of medicines to over three million civilians trapped in the war-torn area. Taiz, […]

Counter-Terrorism

Enter the Bear: Does Russia plan air strikes on Daesh/ISIL in Syria?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole| (Informed Comment) | – – The Israeli press is reporting that Iran has made a firmer military alliance with the Russian Federation in Syria, and that Moscow is sending pilots to Damascus to fly missions in that country against Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) and other Muslim extremist groups. The Syrian regime of Bashar […]

Alawites

Can a Loose Federal system save Syria and Iraq?

contributors

By Jerome Joffe | (Informed Comment) | – – In recent months, prospects for applying the principles of federation and constitutional protection for minorities as a basic political solution for the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have dramatically improved. On the foundation of state restructuring, coordination of military force to degrade ISIS and the Nusra […]

Iraq

‘We Must Face Reality. Iraq Can No Longer Be Ruled In A Centralised Way’ – Former VP Salih

contributors

Zhyar Mohammed | Niqash.org | Sulaymaniyah | – – Senior Iraqi Kurdish politician Barham Salih doesn’t pull his punches: The Iraqi army is over, as is the national Iraqi project. And extremists can only, truly be defeated by political reform – after military action. Barham Salih is one of Iraq’s most senior, most experienced politicians. […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestinian Christians Clash with Israeli Soldiers after Sunday Mass over Bethlehem Confiscations

contributors

by IMEMC News | – – Palestinian Christians clashed with Israeli forces, following mass on Sunday, when priests and demonstrators marched to protest renewed work on the apartheid wall in the Christian majority town of Beit Jala, in the occupied West Bank. The march, the most recent in a string of protests, moved through neighborhoods […]

Lebanon

“You Stink!” Movement Gives Lebanese Gov’t 72 Hours to Meet Protesters Demands

contributors

By Amira Al Hussaini | (Global Voices Online) | – – Lebanese protesters at Martyrs’ Square in Beirut earlier today. Photo credit: You Stink Movement official Facebook page Lebanese protesters today gave the government a 72 hour ultimatum to meet their demands or face further protests on Tuesday. The demands include the resignation of Environment […]