Authoritarianism

By Mattea Kramer and Sean Fogler ( Tomdispatch.com ) – The federal takeover of Washington, D.C., rightfully attracted extensive media coverage, but an executive order called “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets,” quietly issued on July 24th, received remarkably little attention. Perhaps it didn’t make a splash because it wasn’t specifically about policing (or, […]

Academic Freedom

Celebrating Court Ruling Striking down Trump’s $2 Billion Funding Freeze on Harvard

Middle East Studies Association

Middle East Studies Association of North America Court rules on Harvard College v. HHS Lawsuit in Favor of Harvard The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) welcomes a court decision striking down the Trump administration’s freezing of over $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University. MESA filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Harvard […]

Authoritarianism

Thugs R Us: How MAGA Uses Violence to Consolidate Power

Andrea Mazzarino

( Tomdispatch.com ) – President Trump, his cabinet, and those who have profited from his rise seem to revel in public displays of cruelty. Take former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk, holding a chainsaw at a televised event to celebrate the firing of civil servants. Or Trump’s White House sharing a video […]

Authoritarianism

New data shows No Kings was One of the largest Days of Protest in US history

Waging Nonviolence

The historic number of No Kings Day protesters and their expansive geographic spread are signs of a growing and durable pro-democracy movement. Erica Chenoweth, Soha Hammam, Jeremy Pressman, and Christopher Wiley Shay ( Waging Nonviolence ) – No Kings Day on June 14 was one of the largest single days of protest in United States […]

Authoritarianism

Saudi Arabia: Executions Surge in bid to Crush Dissent (HRW)

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch – (Beirut) – Saudi authorities have been carrying out an unprecedented surge in executions in 2025 without apparent due process, Human Rights Watch and the Middle East Democracy Center said today. The June 14 execution of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist known for exposing corruption within the Saudi royal family, raises concerns that the […]

Authoritarianism

An Ailing Old American Empire Lashes Out

William J. Astore

( Tomdispatch.com ) – As a retired U.S. Air Force officer, I firmly believe in civilian control of our military. This country should be a nation of laws — not of special interests, oligarchs, or kings. Before committing our forces to battle, Congress should always declare war in the name of the people. Our military […]

Authoritarianism

Protesting Georgetown U’s Sanctioning of Prof. Jonathan Brown for Speaking out on Iran War

Committee on Academic Freedom

Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association of North America | – Letter to Georgetown University protesting its statements and actions with regard to Professor Jonathan Brown Robert M. Groves Interim President, Georgetown University presidentsoffice@georgetown.edu Dear Interim President Groves, Interim Provost Colbert, Dean Edelstein and Vice President Ferrara: We write on behalf […]

Authoritarianism

Tunisia’s Slow Unraveling: From Arab Spring Beacon to Police State

Middle East Monitor

by Dr Mustafa Fetouri ( Middle East Monitor ) – Just over a decade ago, Tunisia was the brightest light of the Arab Spring—the rare case where mass protest led to a peaceful transition and hopes for real democracy. Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in 2010 triggered a revolution that toppled Ben Ali’s regime and inspired uprisings […]

Authoritarianism

Regime Change: From Thomas Jefferson to Donald Trump

Bahman Fozouni

Sacramento (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – The Fourth of July we just observed, nearly 250 years after America’s Declaration of Independence, felt like a time for reckoning, not celebration. It was the saddest Fourth of July I’ve experienced in over 65 years. Until now, I never associated this day with sorrow—it was always a […]