Middle East

(By Alice K Ross and Jack Serle) In 2013 the number of drone strikes to hit Pakistan fell to the lowest levels of Obama’s presidency: 27 strikes reportedly hit the country’s tribal areas, down from a peak of 128 in 2010. And for the first time since Pakistan strikes started in 2004, there were no […]

Iraq

Kurds increase their Autonomy amid chaos in Arab Iraq

contributors

(By Globalpost) As Iraq spirals, the Kurds take advantage (via GlobalPost) ERBIL, Iraq — As sectarian violence in Iraq reaches new heights and threatens to return the country to civil war, the semi-autonomous Kurdish north could be set to capitalize on the instability. An estimated 6,818 people were killed in Iraq’s violence… —– Related […]

art and photography

A Bridge of Boats across Frozen Tigris River, Mosul, 1903

Juan Cole

The authors say locals in Mosul told them that the last time the river froze was 1750. That freezing became more rare after that date is significant, since 1750 marks the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and increased coal burning for energy. The period 1250-1850 or the medieval cooling period (often incorrectly called the ‘little […]

al-Qaeda

Syria: Rebel Militias take on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

contributors

(By Joshua Landis with A.J.N.) A major confrontation has broken out between the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Syria’s other rebel militias. It is being led by two newly organized coalitions, called Jaysh al Mujahidiin and the Front of Syrian Revolutionaries. But many other militias have also declared war on ISIS, insisting […]

Iran

Iran Rock Video: Chrymez, “Fight for Your Rights”

Juan Cole

David Nejadi’s Iran Chrymez Rock band plays “Fight for your Rights” for more see Reverbnation

Featured

Recognizing Israel as a Jewish State is like saying the US is a White State

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is adding a fifth demand to his negotiations with US Secretary of State John Kerry and Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas: That the Palestinians recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” For Netanyahu’s demand to make any sense, he first has to define “Jewish.” “Jewish” has a number of […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israel Rejects Kerry Proposal to Relinquish Control of Palestine-Jordan Border, Endangering Talks

contributors

(By AFP) Israel rejects US proposals on Jordan Valley (via AFP) Israel rejects any US-proposed security concessions for the Jordan Valley, a cabinet member close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as US Secretary John Kerry visited the Middle East. “Security must remain in our hands. Anyone who proposes… Related video: Reuters reports […]

Arab World

“Zariya”: A. R. Rahman, Jordan song, Nepal Buddhist Hymn

Juan Cole

India’s MTV program “Coke Studio” (sponsored by Coca Cola) presents: Published on Aug 1, 2013 Giving a whole new spin to the term ‘world music’ — A.R.Rahman spins his magic on an absolute scorcher, featuring Jordanian singer –Farah Siraj along with Nepalese Buddhist Nun Ani Choying. With the traditional Nepalese Buddhist hymn forming the base […]

Featured

John McCain and Lindsey Graham Want to invade Falluja Yet Again

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) There were conflicting reports on Sunday morning about whether the Iraqi government and its allied tribal levies had regained control of the western city of Falluja, which had fallen to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) on Saturday. What was not in doubt was that some in the […]