Middle East

By Richard Foltz | — Having committed ourselves to military involvement in Iraq, we in North America should be asking ourselves exactly what goals we hope to achieve. Personally, after recently spending three weeks in the region, I am not convinced that “preserving the territorial integrity” of the present Iraqi state should be one of […]

Israel

Jewish Terrorists set Fire to joint Arab-Jewish School in Jerusalem

contributors

Euronews | — “An integrated Jewish-Arab school in Jerusalem has been vandalised by suspected Jewish extremists who set fire to a classroom. It happened late on Saturday at the Hand-in-Hand school where Palestinian and Israeli children study together in Arabic and Hebrew. “Death to Arabs” read part of the graffiti scrawled on walls. “Whoever hurts […]

Apartheid

It is Time for the PLO to go to the UN, Int’l Criminal Court for Palestinian Independence

contributors

By Nadia Hijab and Diana Buttu (Ma’an) | — Al-Shabaka is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and foster public debate on Palestinian human rights and self-determination within the framework of international law. This policy brief is authored by Nadia Hijab, Executive Director of Al-Shabaka, and Diana Buttu, a lawyer who previously […]

Iran

In Slam at Hard Liners, Iran Leader Khamenei’s Aide Calls For End To Criticism Of Nuclear Talks

contributors

By Golnaz Esfandiari (RFE/RL) A top adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for an end to domestic criticism of Tehran’s nuclear negotiations with major world powers. Former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, who advises Khamenei on international affairs, said on November 30 that since the supreme leader has endorsed an extension […]

Eastern Europe

Putin, Blocked by Europe, turns to Turkey for Gas Pipeline

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | — The Russian annexation of Crimea and heavy interference in the Ukraine has had a significant consequence for its hydrocarbon industry. President Vladimir Putin has been forced to cancel a planned natural gas pipeline that would bring the fuel to southern Europe, because of European Union pressure for boycotting Russia. Moscow […]

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

Is Turkey letting Daesh/ISIL Weapons & Fighters Cross Freely to Syria?

contributors

DeutscheWelle [DW] | — “Supplies of weapons and fighters bound for Islamic State militants are crossing over the border from Turkey into Syria, mostly unhindered.” DW: “Goods crossing Turkish border bound for IS | Journal”

Middle East

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Juan Cole

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Bush

Bush Admin. Spent Billions on an Iraqi Army with 50,000 “ghost” Soldiers

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | — Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi announced to his parliament on Sunday that inspectors had uncovered 50,000 non-existent soldiers in four divisions of the Iraqi Army. Their pay was presumably being diverted to the officers in the division. This ziggurat of corruption was one reason the army collapsed on June 9, […]

Egypt

Egypt’s Female Genital Mutilation Shame and the Failure of Prosecution

contributors

Human Rights Watch | — (Beirut) – Egyptian authorities need to take clear action to end the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) following the country’s first trial on the crime ending in acquittals, Human Rights Watch said today. A trial this month in Egypt centered on the death of a 13-year-old girl in 2013. […]