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Juan Cole

Environment
Earthquake/Tsunami reminds us of Futility of War

Earthquake/Tsunami reminds us of Futility of War

Juan Cole

Every once in a while, amidst our petty wars and squabbles with each other, Nature reminds us that the real threat to humankind comes from her, not from other human beings. Climate change is human-driven, but its danger is in unleashing uncontrollable natural forces of immense power. We are still defenseless against a meteor strike […]

Libya
Rebels Hold out in Zawiya, Eastern Ra's Lanuf as Libyan Civil War Unfolds

Rebels Hold out in Zawiya, Eastern Ra’s Lanuf as Libyan Civil War Unfolds

Juan Cole

I just want to signal that some caution is in order about reading the military and political situation in Libya. Muammar Qaddafi’s counter-attacks are creating the image in the media of the momentum being on his side, but in fact he is bogged down and making little progress, despite the setback Thursday for the rebels […]

Islamophobia
King’s Nixonian Hearings against American Muslims

King’s Nixonian Hearings against American Muslims

Juan Cole

Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY)’s hearings on the alleged ‘radicalization’ of American Muslims are an affront to the brave Middle Eastern Muslims who have, during the past two months, thrown off American-backed tyrannies and are even now battling the minions of murderous dictator Muammar Qaddafi. His hearings contain the same premise deployed by Zine El […]

Libya
Qaddafi's Scorched Earth Policy, at Home and Abroad

Qaddafi’s Scorched Earth Policy, at Home and Abroad

Juan Cole

Muammar Qaddafi is still trying to play the al-Qaeda card, arguing that his murderous regime is what stands between Europe and the emigration to it of thousands of Muslim extremists. He told Turkish television that his regime is a key element of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and its fall would bring chaos there, including […]

al-Qaeda
Pirio:  Military Offensive against Al Shabaab in Somalia

Pirio: Military Offensive against Al Shabaab in Somalia

Juan Cole

Gregory Alonso Pirio writes in a guest column for Informed Comment: With the world’s eyes riveted to the unfolding civil conflict in Libya, little notice is being given to a major offensive underway in Somalia to defeat the forces of the radical Al-Shabaab movement. Al Shabaab — a coalition of Somali forces supported by hundreds […]

Tunisia
It's Official:  Tunisia Now Freer than the U.S.

It’s Official: Tunisia Now Freer than the U.S.

Juan Cole

Tunisian Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi announced on Monday the dissolution of the country’s secret police arm. This step toward democracy is the most important taken by any Arab country for decades. Euronews has video: Tunisia’s interim government also abolished the ‘Ministry of Information,’ which had been in charge of censorship, allowing a free press […]

Libya
Qaddafi Said to seek deal as Rebels Repel pro-Qaddafi Forces at Misrata, Ras Lanuf

Qaddafi Said to seek deal as Rebels Repel pro-Qaddafi Forces at Misrata, Ras Lanuf

Juan Cole

The inability of pro-Qaddafi forces on Monday to retake Misrata and Ras Lanuf appears to have impelled Muammar Qaddafi to begin back-channel talks with the provisional government in Benghazi about circumstances under which he might step down. Reuters said that he is seeking immunity from prosecution for himself and his family. The National Libyan Council […]

Egypt
Top Ten Achievements of Mideast Democracy Protests this Weekend

Top Ten Achievements of Mideast Democracy Protests this Weekend

Juan Cole

10. In the Sunni-ruled monarchy of Bahrain, which has practiced employment discrimination against the Shiite majority of citizens, the Ministry of Interior has announced it will create 20,000 security-related jobs, apparently intended to be filled mainly by Shiite Bahrainis with college degrees. The protest movement, however, is unlikely to be satisfied unless there are political, […]

Libya
Rebels Take, Hold Key Oil Cities in Fierce Libyan Civil War

Rebels Take, Hold Key Oil Cities in Fierce Libyan Civil War

Juan Cole

Libyan rebels advancing from the east along the Mediterranean coast, having taken the oil refinery city of Ras Lanuf on Saturday in fierce fighting, advanced further west and briefly took the small town of Ben Jawad. Early Sunday morning there were reports of pro-Qaddafi resistance in Ben Jawad, and by mid-morning Sunday, AFP was saying […]

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