Democratic Party

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The second Saturday-night Democratic debate had a lot of discussion on foreign policy. It is a shame that the Democratic National Convention put it on a Saturday, when its audience was much lower. Many Bernie Sanders supporters believe that the DNC supports Sec. Hillary Clinton and […]

Democratic Party

With Oil at $36/barrel, Have Democrats just Won the Presidency?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The price of petroleum fell Monday to levels not seen since the crash of 2008, at one point hitting $35 a barrel in New York. There is every reason to expect prices to remain low for a few years, and they could easily go lower as […]

Barack Obama

Oh, no! Not another American war against evil!

contributors

By Ira Chernus | (Informed Comment) | – – This time, it’s the Islamic State (IS). After the attacks in Paris, Barack Obama, spokesman-in-chief for the United States of America, called that crew “the face of evil.” Shades of George W. Bush. The “evildoers” are back. And from every mountaintop, it seems, America now rings […]

Barack Obama

Obama vs. Daesh/ISIL: Freedom is more powerful than Fear & We Refuse to take the Bait

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – President Obama addressed the nation on Sunday night, in an attempt to calm the public mood after the San Bernardino killers were tied to Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) — though the connection seems to spring merely from common radicalism and murderousness rather than any organizational tie. Obama […]

Arab Spring

Annual Informed Comment Fundraiser: Support Indie Journalism

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – It is that fundraising time of year again, folks. This year everyone who contributes $100 or more to Informed Comment by Paypal will receive a signed copy of the paperback version of my recent book, The New Arabs. Nicola’s Books in Ann Arbor has kindly agreed […]

Democratic Party

Armed White Shooters Scarier than Syria Refugees: Dallas Mayor

contributors

Mark Sovel and Nik Zecevic | (TheLipTV Video Report) | – – “Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said he is “more fearful” of white men who commit mass shootings than people fleeing civil war in the Middle East, speaking to MSNBC on Saturday morning. Rawlings was addressing growing anxiety in the US due to concerns that […]

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders: “Turning our backs on refugees destroys the idea of America”

contributors

Gwen Ifill/ Bernie Sanders | (PBS News Hour Video) | – – “Sanders: Turning away refugees destroys the idea of America Blurb: How would Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders handle terror threats at home and abroad, in light of the Paris attacks and the shifting threat of the Islamic State? Sanders joins Gwen Ifill […]

Democratic Party

In Bipartisan display of Bigotry, 47 Democrats Join with House GOP to Refuse Syrian Refugees

contributors

By Jon Queally, staff writer | (Commondreams.org) | – – “Not much is bipartisan these days, but apparently bigotry is something both sides of the aisle can come together on.” “Speaker Ryan and this un-American bill’s supporters falsely claim it will simply pause U.S. resettlement of refugees,” said Karin Johanson of the ACLU. “In fact, […]

Barack Obama

Obama: GOP afraid of little Syrian Girls; Cruz: ‘You want a piece of me?’

contributors

John Iadarola and Elliot Hill | (The Young Turks Video) | – – “President Obama is speaking out against Republican politicians and members of the media demonizing Syrian refugees, implying that we shouldn’t allow them into our country because of the inherent risks associated. Ted Cruz took the opportunity to dare Obama to insult him […]