Middle East

Human Rights Watch | — (New York) – The death of at least 20 people in Egypt during clashes with security forces surrounding the commemoration of the 2011 uprising underscores the need for an independent investigation into the authorities’ excessive use of force.A woman and 17-year-old girl were killed ahead of the January 25 anniversary […]

Democracy

Egypt Cancels Revolution Fete to Mourn Saudi King who derailed Revolution

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) In a great irony, the Egyptian government attempted to cancel the commemoration of the January 25 revolution four years ago, on the grounds that the late King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia needed to be mourned. The Saudis played a sinister behind-the-scenes role in undermining budding Egyptian attempts at democracy, […]

Displaced and Refugees

Angelina Jolie in Iraq: Int’l Community Failing Refugees from ISIL Brutality

contributors

Associated Press | — “Actress and director Angelina Jolie is calling on the international community to do more to aid refugees displaced by fighting in Iraq and Syria. The UN special envoy for refugees visited a camp in Iraq Sunday, saying that despite good intentions, “the international community has failed …” Angelina Jolie Visits Refugees […]

US Foreign Policy

Can US can help Mediate Yemen Crisis? US Embassy Cuts Staff…

contributors

CNN | — “The United States struggles to maintain a sense of diplomacy in Yemen during political chaos.” CNN: “U.S. embassy cuts staff in Yemen”

Barack Obama

The Boehner-Obama Struggle over Iran Nuclear Talks has gone International

contributors

By Jasmin Ramsey | (WASHINGTON (IPS) – While it’s anyone’s guess whether a final deal will be reached over Iran’s nuclear programme this year, a number of key international actors have forcefully weighed in on calls from within the U.S. congress to impose more sanctions on the Islamic Republic. President Barack Obama reiterated his threat […]

Featured

Yemen Civil War? Masses Rally in Capital & South Secedes

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) — From 1967 to 1990, and again briefly in 1994, South Yemen was an independent country. In the first period, of some 23 years, it had a Communist government, the only one in the Arab world. Today, South Yemen is again an independent state. Since the resignation of united […]

Israel

Extremist Lieberman: Unified Palestinian-Israeli Party a threat to Israel as ‘Jewish State’

contributors

By IMEMC & Agencies Arab parties in Israel announced they would be running in the upcoming Israeli Knesset election, scheduled for March 17, in a unified list that could increase their representation from 11 to a minimum of 12-15 seats. The lists represents all parties, including Islamist and communist movements. The agreement came following negotiation […]

al Qaeda in the Arabian Penisula

Yemen: Freeze on US Drone Strikes as Gov’t Collapses

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) Thousands demonstrated in Sanaa on Saturday morning against the Houthi take-over of the Yemeni government. Down south in Aden, there were big demonstrations on behalf of workers The murky political situation in Yemen has left the US unable to continue its drone strikes and other counter-terrorism operations, since Washington […]