Uncategorized

By Histyar Qader | (Niqash.org) | – – It is tough for Iraqi Kurdistan to turn down any kind of aid when it comes to fighting the Islamic State. So now the Kurdish are not sure whether to stand with the US or to ask for help from the Russians. The relatively new Russian intervention […]

Israel/ Palestine

Forever Refugees – Palestinian Families expelled by Israelis to Syria lose Homes Again

contributors

By: Mai Abu Moghli, Nael Bitarie, and Nell Gabiam | Ma’an News Agency | – – Similarly to their Syrian counterparts, Palestinians in Syria have been severely affected by the ongoing war. Syrian towns and villages, as well as Palestinian refugee camps, have been subject to repeated attacks and prolonged sieges by troops loyal to […]

Iraq

Did US-Russia Tensions Help Bring Iraq Victory in Baiji and Anbar?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Niqash.org) Recently Iraqi anti-extremist forces have made some of the biggest gains in months. Iraqi military leaders explain how they beat the Islamic State; some credit US- Russia tensions for the latest successes too. Fighters from Shiite Muslim volunteer militias celebrate victory at Baiji, earlier this year. (photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE) Over […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestinians need hope, not calm

contributors

By John V Whitbeck | (Middle East Eye) | – – It is a sad reality that, unless Jewish lives are lost, Israelis and the Western world tend to feel that the occupation is not a problem Since the current upsurge of violence in Israel and occupied Palestine began, numerous foreign leaders, as well as […]

Bush

Yes, George W. Bush bears some Responsibility for US Vulnerability on 9/11

contributors

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Donald Trump-Jeb Bush tiff over whether George W. Bush “kept us safe” is another example of how Donald Trump is better than Karl Rove at politics. Rove had some success with his doctrine of attacking people on their strengths. Like a spiteful child, Trump attacks […]

Featured

Iran in Syria? Reports its Troops plan Idlib, Aleppo Campaigns

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad (Tomorrow) is reporting that the commander of the Jerusalem Brigade of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards has been spotted near Latakia, urging on a volunteer militia of Alawite Shiites. The report comes as AP says it was told by a senior Western official […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestine: Of course, it is an intifada: This is what you must know

contributors

By: Ramzy Baroud | (Ma’an News Agency) | – – When my book ‘Searching Jenin’ was published soon after the Israeli massacre in the Jenin refugee camp in 2002, I was quizzed repeatedly by the media and many readers for conferring the word ‘massacre’ on what Israel has depicted as a legitimate battle against camp-based […]

Russia

Putin’s Syria Strikes Irk some among Russia’s 16 mn. Muslims, Raise Risks

contributors

By Tom Balmforth | RFE/ RL MOSCOW — With its soaring minarets and golden dome, the huge new mosque that President Vladimir Putin opened in Moscow late last month was welcomed by Muslims as a sign of their greater acceptance in mostly Christian Russia. Days later, some worshippers voiced dismay over the Kremlin’s campaign of […]

Islam-hatred

Armed Extremists plan “Global Rally” to Stalk American Mosques

contributors

Bridge Initiative Team | (Tracking islamophobia) Against the backdrop of increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric, a coalition of online activists is calling on “patriots” to organize protests in front of mosques across the United States. Dubbed the “Global Rally for Humanity,” events are planned in at least 20 cities nationwide on October 9th and 10th. Claiming that […]