Middle East

The horrible bloodshed in Egypt on Wednesday marked a turning point in the country’s modern history, locking it in to years of authoritarian paternalism and possibly violent faction fighting. The country is ruled by an intolerant junta with no respect for human life. Neither the Brotherhood nor the military made the kind of bargain and […]

Egypt

Egyptian Police Clear Brotherhood Sit-Ins, at cost of Scores of deaths, injuries

Juan Cole

On Wednesday morning, the State Security police in Egypt used earth movers to tear down the barricades around the huge sit-ins at al-Nahda Square in Giza and Rabia al-`Adawiyya square in Cairo. They left one street open at each location and demanded the crowds disperse, saying that no one would be pursued who voluntarily left. […]

Saudi Arabia

Defecting Saudi Prince: Royal Family in Panic at Arab Revolts, Thousands imprisoned

Juan Cole

Russia Today got a scoop on Monday with an interview with a defecting Saudi prince: “In recent weeks Saudi Arabia has launched an offensive against anti-regime activists arresting many and sentencing some to years in jail. Total number of political prisoners has now surpassed 40 thousand according to some reports. The crackdown has even forced […]

Energy

India, China Defy US Congress’ War on Iranian Oil

Juan Cole

The US House of Representatives approved a bill at the beginning of this month aimed at completely closing off Iranian petroleum exports. Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so […]

Drones

How Much Blood Money does the US Pay to Families of Innocent Drone Victims? It’s Classified (Currier)

Juan Cole

Cora Currier writes at Propublica: There have been nine drone strikes reported in Yemen in the past two weeks – an uptick apparently connected to the Al Qaeda threat that shut down U.S. embassies across the Middle East and Africa. As many as six civilian deaths have also been reported. President Obama has promised increased […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli Gov’t mocks ‘Peace Talks’ with announcement of 1200 New Squatter homes in Occupied Palestine

Juan Cole

The Israeli government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that it would take bids on nearly 1200 new housing units on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel. The news from Tel Aviv further underlines what a charade the John Kerry-pushed “peace talks” are between a powerful Israel occupying some 4 million stateless Palestinians and the […]

Egypt

Egypt: Food Crisis looms as Interim Gov’t decides to disperse Muslim Brotherhood Protesters Peacefully

Juan Cole

In the midst of its political crisis, Egypt also faces rising food prices that are hitting the poor hard. This rise comes on top of tremendous price increases for staples under deposed president Muhammad Morsi this past year, as a result of the government not importing enough wheat and the 15% fall in the price […]

Egypt

“After the Ruler undermined Democracy, the people wanted the Military…” Egypt 1952 (video)

Juan Cole

Egyptian Revolution of 1952 “the Communists called it a military dictatorship . . .” “Gen. Muhammad Naguib was considered a Muslim Brotherhood sympathizer . . .” plus ça change . . .

Syria

Syrian Farmers Face Shortfall because of Fighting

Juan Cole

The war in Syria is interfering in farmers’ ability to bring in the wheat and other crops. It is a sad Eid al-Fitr (the feast to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan) for millions of Syrians VOAnews reports: The World Food Program reports of one twice-displaced Syrian family made internally displaced persons: […]