Middle East

Euronews: “Spanish MPs have urged their government to recognise the Palestinian state. The a non-binding resolution presented by the socialists won the backing of all the political groups of the lower house, and would only ask for recognition when the Palestinians and Israel negotiate a solution to their long-running conflict. “The Spanish Parliament unanimously believe […]

Iran

In Iran, US Choice is a Negotiated Peace Now or the Risk of War

contributors

By Carlyn Meyer In 2012, Israeli PM Netanyahu stood before the UN General Assembly with a cartoon representation of an “Iranian bomb.” It was filled with red paint (uranium) up to a thick black line representing the ‘point of no return’ where Iran could produce a nuclear bomb within a few months. Or so we […]

Egypt

The Historical Drivers of Modern Day Developments in Iraq (Cole Interview)

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole, interviewed by Bassam Haddad | — Bassam Haddad, a prominent Syria specialist at George Mason University, interviewed me this fall for the new web radio program Status Hour , on the Middle East. Do check out the range of important interviews already up at the site. My own audio interview is here. […]

Israel

Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas Denounces Synagogue Killings

contributors

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday condemned an attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem that killed four Israelis earlier in the day. Abbas’ office said in a statement that the presidency always denounced the killing of civilians by any party. “Consequently, today the presidency denounces the killing of worshipers at a place of […]

Iran

Why Israel Opposes a Final Nuclear Deal with Iran and What to Do About It

contributors

By Robert E. Hunter WASHINGTON, Nov 18 2014 (IPS) – Nov. 24 is the deadline for six world powers and Iran to reach a final deal over its nuclear programme. If there is no deal, then the talks are likely to be extended, not abandoned. But as I learned from more than three decades’ work […]

Christianity

Pope Francis’s Visit to Turkey Embroiled in Partisan Controversies

contributors

By Ali Murat Yel The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Turkey on 3-day official visit from November 28 to 30. However, the publication of Turkey’s official invitation letter in Milli Gazete, a Turkish daily, has caused an enormous stir in the country. As a result, Pope Francis’s visit has stirred controversy among […]

Featured

3rd Possibility: Coming Civil War in West Bank/ Jerusalem?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | — Observers of the evolution of the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians have long argued that there are only two likely outcomes of the alternating violence and diplomacy between the two sides that has gone on nearly 70 years now. One is a “two-state solution” wherein Israel accepts a rump […]

Iraq

Secular Palestinians in Iraq made Refugees again by Daesh/ ISIL Threats

contributors

Fearing IS, Palestinian families leave Mosul for Iraqi Kurdistan | — RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — About 120 Palestinian families have emigrated from Mosul in northern Iraq to Iraqi Kurdistan fearing IS threats, according to the consulate of Palestine in Erbil. In a statement, released Saturday, the consul of Palestine in Erbil Nathmi Hazouri said Palestinian families […]

Iran

Should Iran and the US accept a Good, but not perfect Nuclear Deal?

contributors

By Hamid Zangeneh | — We have a few days left to the final deadline (Nov. 24 target date) for this round of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany (P5+1 countries). There are some contradictory messages from both sides, some of which are unsettling. It seems […]