Middle East

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) The foremost Sunni Muslim seat of learning, al-Azhar University in Cairo, has stirred controversy by issuing a considered legal opinion (fatwa) condemning the Shiite militias or “Popular Mobilization Forces” that are now fighting alongside the Iraq army to take Tikrit back from Daesh (ISIL or ISIS). To be fair, […]

Democracy

Why Tough Talk from Netanyahu won’t Guarantee his Election Victory

contributors

By Simon Mabon | (The Conversation) – For decades, Israeli politicians have argued that they live in a “tough neighbourhood” in an effort to justify and legitimise their foreign policy. While historically the threat posed to Israel came from the surrounding Arab states, in recent years, the threat has shifted to non-state actors and Iran. […]

Democracy

Could a Netanyahu loss in Israeli Elections change Everything?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – Israeli polling is suggesting that Binyamin Netanyahu’s party might get only 21 seats or less in the 120-seat Israeli parliament, with his rivals, the Zionist Union, getting 24 or 25. There is even the possibility of the gap between the two widening and Netanyahu doing even worse. The […]

Israel

Not a Jewish State: Palestinian-Israelis form Coalition that could be 3rd Largest Party

contributors

CCTV America | – “For the first time, Arab political groups are united as one party for Israel’s parliamentary elections and could influence the selection of the next prime minister of Israel. A coalition of Arab parties known at the “Joint Arab List” could become the third-largest political group, giving 1.7 million Arabs a bigger […]

Displaced and Refugees

As Islamic State retreats, aid workers uncover human toll

contributors

By Louise Redvers | (IRIN) – BAGHDAD/LONDON, (IRIN) – A week after launching a major offensive to recapture the city of Tikrit, pro-government forces in Iraq claim they are close to reclaiming large parts of territory held by militants from the group calling itself Islamic State (IS). But for aid agencies the work in Tikrit […]

Constitution

Iran’s Khamenei: GOP Letter Disgusting, shows Decline of American System

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei spoke Thursday about the letter signed by 47 Republican senators that had been sent to him warning that any nuclear deal he concluded with President Barack Obama would have no staying power. Khamenei called the letter “stupid” and “disgusting and said he was negotiating with […]

Iran

Just How dangerous is Sen. Tom Cotton, Iran Letter Crackpot? You’d be Surprised

contributors

By Medea Benjamin and Nalini Ramachandran | (Foreign Policy in Focus) Hailing from Arkansas, 37-year-old Senator Cotton boasts the title of being the youngest member of the Senate, but he spouts the same old warmongering rhetoric of 78-year-old Senator John McCain. From Guantanamo to Iran, food stamps to women’s rights, here are 10 reasons why […]

Barack Obama

Contrary to Israeli PM, alternative to realistic Iran Nuclear Deal is no Deal

contributors

By Thomas Graham, Jr. | (Informed Comment) A possible agreement on the nuclear issue with Iran has been much in the news these days. The United States has been trying to restrain the Iranian nuclear program for more than 20 years with little to show for it until a so-called interim agreement between the Permanent […]

Displaced and Refugees

Satellite Imaging Shows 4/5s of Lights across Syria have gone out

contributors

By Josh Butler | – UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – A single image can be more powerful, more descriptive and more potent than an entire essay – ‘ a picture says a thousand words,’ as the cliché goes. So it is in Syria, where despite the undoubted millions of words penned about atrocity after atrocity, bombing […]