( Tomdispatch.com) – In these first 100-plus days of the nation’s 47th presidency, President Donald Trump and his sidekick Elon Musk have cast a frightful spell over the country. As if brandishing wands from inside their capes — poof! — offices and their employees, responsibilities and aims, norms and policies have simply disappeared. The two […]
Archives for May 2025
Even as it Strikes Deals with Trump, the Gulf Embraces Chinese Tech Giants
Chinese technology firms are increasingly competing with US ones in major Middle Eastern markets, escalating technology-related US national security concerns. London (Special to Informed Comment; feature) – Chinese technology companies are poised to play a growing role in the Middle East’s digitalization process, amid expanding ties between Chinese entities and local regional partners. Firms including […]
US: Don’t Forcibly Transfer Migrants to Libya
Deportations Would be Unlawful, Subject Detainees to Horrific Conditions ( Human Rights Watch ) – (New York) – The United States should not forcibly transfer migrants to Libya, where inhumane detention conditions are well-documented, including torture, ill-treatment, sexual assault, and unlawful killings, Human Rights Watch said today. Based on numerous media reports citing US officials, […]
Netanyahu’s Occupation Plan for Gaza means more Suffering for Palestinians and less Security for Israel
By Julie M. Norman, UCL (The Conversation) – Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared on May 5 that his government intends to intensify military operations and indefinitely reoccupy Gaza. The announcement has dashed hopes for a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The plan, which was unanimously approved by […]
Are Cyberattacks and Iran’s Port Explosion the First Salvo in Disrupting U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks?
Iran, Israel, the US, Russia, and China are interconnected by rumors of cyberattacks and sabotage By Mohammad Eslami and Ibrahim Marashi | – Braga, Portugal and San Marcos, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment, Feature) – As negotiations between Iran and the United States entered a critical third round, an unexpected disaster struck one of Iran’s […]
Iran, US Conclude ‘Difficult But Useful’ Round Of Nuclear Talks In Oman
By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda ( RFE/ RL ) – The fourth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States has ended in Muscat, with Tehran suggesting a new round will be scheduled by Omani mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister spokesman Esmail Baqaei wrote on X that the talks on May 11 were “difficult but […]
Donald Trump’s Feverish Lust for Green Energy Resources isn’t about the Climate
( Tomdispatch.com ) – Ancient oak trees rise above gigantic boulders scattered across a high desert mesa in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. This is Oak Flat (Chi’ chil Bildagoteel), a sacred site for Native Americans, including the Western and San Carlos Apache. And like many other lands across the West, it’s under grave threat from multinational […]
My Palestine: An Impossible Exile
Review of Mohammad Tarbush, My Palestine: An Impossible Exile (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2024) Munich, Germany (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) –– –– It is probably impossible for a single autobiography to capture the lengths of modern Palestinian history. But if one book can get close to this, it is Mohammad Tarbush’s “My Palestine: […]
Rümeysa Öztürk freed, as Judge Warns of Grave Threat to Free Speech
“There has been no evidence that has been introduced by the government other than the op-ed,” U.S. District Judge William Sessions III said, referring to Öztürk’s article urging divestment from Israel. By Brett Wilkins | – ( Common Dreams ) – Rümeysa Öztürk, one of several pro-Palestine scholars kidnapped and imprisoned by the Trump administration […]