Juan Cole

Another Winning Formula for Iraq Distinguished Middle East historian William R. Polk writes: ‘ If my comments in my last essay on the suggestion of Scott Gerwehr and Nina Hachigian on how to turn around insurgents “with a little tenderness” depressed you, be of good cheer. All is not lost. I have just read about […]

The Disaster of US Economic Policy in Iraq An informed observer of the Iraq scene writes: ‘ For most constructive purposes, it is not worth adding controversy over the Bush Administration’s economic policy in Iraq and early plans to privatize the economy, including the oil industry. Until after there is an elected constitutional government, there […]

Huge Bomb in Basra Kills 16 14 Bodies Discovered in Mahmudiyah Guerrillas detonated an enormous bomb outside a restaurant in the southern port city of Basra on Thursday, killing 16 persons and wounding 21. Two children were killed in the attack. Basra has occasionally suffered from such guerrilla violence, which is carried out by Salafi […]

Who is the Enemy, Really? My talk at the New America Foundation conference on Terrorism, Security and America’s Purpose is available in streaming video (windows media player). Thanks again to Steve Clemons of the Washington Note blog for his key role in setting it up. And a shout out to Irish blogger Gavin, who blogged […]

Louisiana National Guard coming Home 4 US Security Men Killed Guerrillas used a roadside bomb to kill 4 US private security men in the southern city of Basra on Wednesday. They had helped guard the US consulate in the southern Shiite city. There are about 20,000 such private security guards in Iraq, and some 200 […]

4 US Troops Dead Constitutional Talks End The US military has withdrawn from the Shiite holy city of Najaf, seat of the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Although the Lt. Col. James Oliver maintained that the Iraqi army is operating successfully throughout the region, it is more likely the case that the Badr Corps is providing […]

20 Killed in Guerrilla Violence Talabani Lashes out at the Arab League In the western city of Hit on Monday guerrillas detonated a suicide car bomb at a US/Iraqi base, killing 3 Iraqi soldiers and 8 civilians. It also wounded 16 other persons. Guerrillas in Baquba and Khalis, north of Baghdad, struck at civilian neighborhoods […]

Terrorism, Security, and America’s Purpose The New America Foundation is hosting a conference on “Terrorism, Security and America’s Purpose” at the Capitol Hilton on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Conference Schedule is here. There will be a live webcast, and several of the speakers would be especially worth catching, especially, on Tuesday, the 11 am panel […]

Hitch’s Last Stand My article at Salon.com is “Christopher Hitchens’ last battle.” ‘ The British hawk gives 10 reasons why Americans should be proud of the Iraq war. He goes 0 for 10. – – – – – – – – – – – –By Juan Cole Sept. 3, 2005 | Bush administration foot-dragging and […]