By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – At the CBS Democratic Party debate on Saturday night, the Paris attacks dominated as a concern. Unlike the Republican field, which is somewhat divided on the necessary response, the Democrats agree that all-out war is undesirable as a response. (In the GOP, Rand Paul is cautious […]
Archives for November 2015
Terrorism and the Other Religions
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Reprint edn. slightly revised. Contrary to what is alleged by bigots like Bill Maher, Muslims are not more violent than people of other religions. Murder rates in most of the Muslim world are very low compared to the United States. As for political violence, people of […]
Paris terrorist attacks: Can France avoid trap of fear and exclusion?
By Aurelien Mondon | (The Conversation) | – – The attacks that took place at a series of venues in Paris on November 13 are already the deadliest on French soil since 1945. At least 127 people have been killed in six different places. Reports say that another 100 are in “absolute” critical condition. Police […]
Fair Weather Friends: GOP says ‘We’re all French’ Now; but remember Freedom Fries?
By Brian Glyn Williams | (Informed Comment) | – – France has been hit twice by radical Islamist terrorism in the last year to punish it for its strong military support for Obama’s war against ISIS known as Operation Inherent Resolve. First there was the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January, which led people across America […]
Palestinian leadership in solidarity with France after deadly attacks
Ma’an News Agency | – – RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Friday expressed his solidarity and sympathy with France in a statement after a series of attacks left over 120 dead in Paris. Abbas said he stood by the French government and citizens in the face of “terrorism,” adding that the international […]
ISIL imposes Harsh Loyalty tests on Fighters at Mosul
Special Correspondent | (Niqash.org) | – – Locals in Mosul say the Islamic State group has started a campaign to “test the loyalty” of their members. Those who joined for money or power are being asked to take pay cuts or head to the front lines. There is a verse in the Koran that asks […]
Paris at Midnight: Attempt to push France out of anti ISIL coalition in Syria?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Update: Daesh (IS, ISIS, ISIL) has said they were behind the attack. Paris was hit by at least two well-trained and -equipped terrorist cells in a coordinated attack on 6 or 7 soft targets on Friday night. The attack that took the most lives, over 120 […]
ISIL Reels from major loss to Kurdish Forces at Sinjar
Wall Street Journal | (Video News Report) | – – “Kurdish forces on Friday retook control of the strategic Iraqi city of Sinjar from Islamic State militants, Kurdish officials said, as a separate assault began on the southern city of Ramadi.” Wall Street Journal: “Kurdish Forces Retake Sinjar From [so-called] Islamic State [group]”
The life of ‘Jihadi John’: how one man became the symbol of ISIL
By Scott Lucas | (The Conversation) | – – Dubbed “Jihadi John” by the British media after video footage of his murderous exploits was seen around the world, Mohammed Emwazi became a symbol of a complex conflict – a shorthand for the evil threatening the West as well as those in Syria and Iraq. On […]
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