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One of the reasons that Saudi Arabia’s plans for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on its ARAMCO oil have not actually materialized is that investors are not dummies. Saudi Arabia’s oil is an asset with no future value, and the future in which its price collapses is nearer than the oil companies think. (I would […]

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Syria: Reports of Rebel Collapse in Deraa as al-Assad and Putin win Yet Again

Juan Cole

Rebel sources are saying that they have reached a framework for surrender in Deraa with Russia and the al-Assad government. If these reports are true, it is another step toward complete victory. The rebels say they have declared a ceasefire and have put down their arms after they negotiated through the Russians. Regime troops have […]

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Iran: Trump’s Tweets have added $10 to cost of Oil, Upping cost of Gasoline

Juan Cole

Iran’s official for the Organization of Petroleum Countries, Governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, was quoted by the Iranian Press on Thursday as addressing US President Donald Trump, saying that Trump’s Twitter activity is roiling the oil markets: “Your tweets have increased the prices by at least $10. Please stop this method.” Investors and buyers are jittery, […]

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Trump sidelined as UN Security Council plus Germany Meet Iran’s Rouhani in Vienna

Juan Cole

The five foreign ministers, minus US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, of the countries signatory to the 2015 Iran deal on curbing its civilian nuclear enrichment program, will meet in Vienna on Friday to explore ways of preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action after the treaty was violated by the Trump administration. The JCPOA […]

Donald Trump

Top 3 Grievances against Trump the Founders would have Had

Juan Cole

In the section of the Declaration of Independence on grievances, there are a number of paragraphs that resonate with today’s politics. The whole authoritarian thrust of Trumpism, with the disregard for rule of law and for checks and balances among the branches of government, runs counter to the key concerns of the Founders. *Trump keeps […]

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Whitey on the Moon Again?

Juan Cole

I’m ordinarily a big booster of NASA and space exploration. I understand the concerns of those who think the whole thing is a boondoggle that reduces government services to people who need a safety net. I don’t think they are taking account of all the benefits to science and technology and thence to everyday life […]

Donald Trump

Trump Luminaries at Iranian Jihadi Cult Conference in Paris while Excluding Nice Iranians from Immigration

Juan Cole

Many Trump stalwarts have a peculiar, paid position as lobbyists for the People’s Jihadi Organization (Mojahedin-e Khalq), the Iranian expatriate group aiming to overthrow the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hence we find Rudy Giuliani addressing their annual convention and pledging regime change in Iran. Giuliani only has experience of two kinds of […]

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No, Saudi Can’t Save Trump from High Gas Prices

Juan Cole

Trump has tweeted that King Salman of Saudi Arabia has promised to increase Saudi oil production by 2 million barrels a day. Trump says he feels this is important because US gasoline prices are “too high.” Trump is aware that high gasoline prices have tracked since the 1970s with public disapproval of the party in […]

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Report: Trump hopes for Deal with Putin over Iran in Syria, US Exit

Juan Cole

CNN’s sources say that when Trump met with Jordanian king Abdullah II, he revealed his game plan for Syria. Trump is said to plan to discuss this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their proposed summer summit. The plan is apparently for the US to allow the government of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to […]