Michael Jansen ( The Irish Times ) – The US war on Iraq, launched 20 years ago on Monday, became a significant turning point for the eastern Arab world due to the fall of a third key country from the regional front designed to secure the sovereignty and independence of the region. […]
Syria bears Brunt of economic Devastation caused by Quake
( Irish Times ) – The death and devastation wreaked by Monday’s massive earthquake is greatest in Turkey, but that country is in a far better position to deal with the aftermath than Syria, due to warfare and sanctions. The civil conflict and proxy interventions have left Syria divided, with 70 per cent of territory […]
Muslim Authorities Condemn Taliban Ban on Women in Universities, as NGOs Close in Protest
By Michael Jansen | – ( The Irish Times ) – Four global aid agencies have suspended services in Afghanistan in response to a Taliban ban on women working at non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In a joint statement, Care, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Rescue Committee said: “We cannot effectively reach […]
While world focuses on plight of Ukraine’s children, endless trauma of Gaza’s children should not be ignored
( Jordan Times ) – More than two million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded that country. The majority have been women and children since men between 18-60 are not allowed to leave and are conscripted into the armed forces. Most refugees have fled to Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary where Ukrainians, but […]
Our Double Standards on War and Refugees
By Michael Jansen | – ( Gulf Today ) – Demonstrators attend a rally in support of Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Prague, Czech Republic. Reuters Under US leadership Nato and the European Union (EU) have mobilised compelling military and financial resources to counter and halt […]
Is Big Brother Israel a ‘stalker state’?
( Jordan Times) – In an interview with The Washington Post, Israel’s Breaking the Silence, an ex-soldiers rights organisation, has highlighted Israel’s comprehensive surveillance of Palestinians living under occupation. Breaking the Silence, which collects testimonies of abuses reported by soldiers, points out that Israel’s employment of advanced techniques amount to “massive escalation in Israel’s pursuit […]
The Taliban Emirate of ‘No’
( Jordan Times ) – The unclaimed murder last weekend of a journalist and two of his relatives while travelling in a car along a road in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province remains a crime to be investigated by the Taliban along with another ten shooting and bombing attacks on Afghan civilians. But, since the Taliban […]
Fierce Optimism of Oslo Accords has Vanished 25 Years On
Dublin (Irish Times) – Twenty-five years ago on Thursday, a portly Palestinian boy scout raised the Palestinian red, white, black and green flag from the balcony of Orient House in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem as solemn compatriots spilled from the courtyard into the street. On the White House lawn in distant Washington, the Oslo Accord was […]
Amid Cacophony of War and Repression, Essential Mideastern Voices are going Silent
Dublin (Informed Comment) Tahrir Square’s voices have been silenced. During the 18 days of Egypt’s 2011 up- rising, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians from every corner of the country, every social level, and every persuasion flocked to Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square to speak freely about their lives, their dreams and their rulers. Anyone and everyone […]
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