Middle East

AJ+ “The Peshmerga are seen as one of the only forces who can defeat the Islamic State group, formerly known as ISIS or ISIL. But who are the Peshmerga and what are they fighting for?” AJ+ The Peshmerga of Iraqi Kurdistan

Featured

ISIS to US: We’ll drown you in Blood; beheads US Journalist, Holds Tikrit

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole The Iraqi military made a push on Tikrit north of Baghdad on Tuesday, but had to call off their campaign when they ran into minefields, booby-trapped buildings, sniping and artillery and mortar fire on the part of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which now styles itself the “Islamic State” […]

Central Intelligence Agency

How America made Martyrs of two Iranian Democrats and overthrew Iran’s Liberal Government in 1953

contributors

By Farhad Malekafzali August 19 is the anniversary of the 1953 CIA-MI6 coup in Iran. The coup overthrew a government with a remarkable commitment to the norms of liberal democracy. The fate of Premier Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh has rightfully received a good deal of scholarly and journalistic attention. He was tried for treason, imprisoned for […]

Iraq

In Iraq, it isn’t just about minorities: The “Infidels” attacked by the so-called “Islamic State” include the Sunnis, Too

contributors

By Ali A. Olomi The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has declared war on “kafirs.” According to most observers, this term as ISIS uses it refers to Christians, Yazidi, and Shia Muslims. But this is far more than a conflict that pits Muslim versus Yazidi or Christian, or even Sunni vs Shia. To […]

Featured

Israel: Crowd shouts “Death to Arabs” at Jewish-Muslim Wedding

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole An Israeli crowd gathered outside the wedding of a Muslim man and a Jewish woman in Rishon Lezion, shouting “death to Arabs” on Sunday. They were from the far right Lehava group, and make a specialty of harassing couples in mixed marriages. They called Maral Malka, 23, a traitor for converting to […]

Israel

Is Israel De-Industrializing Gaza?

contributors

By Martin Lejeune (Maan News Agency) On the night of the July 27, the first day of the Muslim Eid-Al-Fitr festival following the fasting month of Ramadan, the Israeli air force dropped three bombs on Al-Hurani’s carpentry workshop. Each of the three bombs had an explosive force of 250 pounds. Al-Hurani pointed towards the charred […]

Iran

Iranian Woman wins Math Genius Prize, Iranian officials Obsess about her Hair

contributors

By Golnaz Esfandiari via RFE/RL "No hair, no ears, no neck." That's how one journalist described a front-page portrait of Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani that an Iranian newspaper digitally doctored to obscure her hair and skin to placate censors in the Islamic republic. The altered picture of Mirzakhani, who this week became the first woman […]

Democracy

Largest Israeli anti-War Rally since Gaza Campaign Began: 10,000 Protest in Tel Aviv

contributors

Reuters: “Anti-war demonstrators protest against the war in Gaza at a rally in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. Rough Cut” – Largest anti-war rally since attack on Gaza began in July. Reuters: “Anti-war demonstrators protest in Tel Aviv” For an idea what is driving the protesters, from Meretz and Jewish Voice for Peace, see Social TV, […]

Apartheid

After its Failed Gaza Campaign, What next for Israel?

contributors

By Paul Rogers, University of Bradford via The Conversation With a tenuous five-day ceasefire now underway, the pause in the Gaza War allows each side to consider its position. The Israeli Embassy in London reported on August 11 that: All known tunnels, 32 in total, have now been destroyed. Following the completion of the mission, […]