Middle East

By Simon Mabon, Lancaster University (The Conversation) – The morning of October 7 2023 set in process a series of events which have profoundly changed the Middle East. At the beginning of that month, the region looked very different to today. Saudi Arabia appeared ready to normalise with Israel, having recently set aside longstanding differences […]

Featured

Why Weren’t the October 7 attacks Avoided?

Dan Steinbock

On October 7, 2023 – two years ago – the Hamas-led offensive was portrayed as “Israel’s 9/11” that came out of the blue. This assumption is not supported by the facts. The attack was avoidable. New York (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – After the Hamas-led assault, the Netanyahu cabinet and other high-level Israeli political, […]

Iran

“The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled:” FitzGerald’s The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:18

Juan Cole

Stanza 18 in the first edition of Edward FitzGerald’s The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám is the last in the series that emphasizes the impermanence of royal glory and it transitions to a subsequent set of meditations on the transitory character of life itself XVIII. I sometimes think that never blows so red The Rose as […]

Israel/ Palestine

Hamas and Israel are on the Verge of a Ceasefire; Denial of Palestinian Agency Could Derail it

The Conversation

By Martin Kear, University of Sydney (The Conversation) – Hamas announced that it has accepted several parts of the peace plan put forth by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finally end Israel’s war on Gaza. Hamas has agreed to release the remaining Israeli captives it holds and is willing […]

Iran

“They say the Lion and the Lizard keep the Courts:” Edward FitzGerald’s the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:17

Juan Cole

Quatrain 17 of the first edition of Edward FitzGerald’s the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám continues the theme that kingly glory quickly fades. XVII. They say the Lion and the Lizard keep The Courts where Jamshyd gloried and drank deep: And Bahrám, that great Hunter — the Wild Ass Stamps o’er his Head, and he […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israel’s Abduction of the Gaza Aid Flotilla is a clear Violation of International Law

The Conversation

By Donald Rothwell, Australian National University (The Conversation) – The Israel Defence Force has intercepted a flotilla of humanitarian vessels seeking to deliver aid to Gaza, taking control of multiple vessels and arresting activists, including Greta Thunberg. The interceptions took place in the Mediterranean Sea between 70-80 nautical miles off the Gazan coast. These are […]

Academic Freedom

Protesting Northwestern U’s Flawed Compulsory Training on Criticism of Israel as “Antisemitism”

Committee on Academic Freedom

Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | – Letter to Northwestern University expressing concern about its flawed compulsory anti-bias training and its threats against students who refuse to complete it Henry S. Bienen Interim President, Northwestern University nupresident@northwestern.edu Dear President Bienen and Colleagues: We write on behalf of the Middle […]

Arab World

Why the Saudi-Pakistan Bilateral Defense Pact is unlikely to Revive Muslim Unity

Abdullah al-Ahsan

Chicago (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – When Israel launched an attack on Doha in September 2025, Arab and Muslim leaders convened an emergency summit. They condemned Israel’s “blatant violation of international law” and praised Qatar’s restraint. However, the joint statement, like so many before it, contained no concrete measures. CNN called it a “wordy […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestinian Subordination: Donald Trump’s Gaza “Peace” Plan

Binoy Kampmark

by Dr Binoy Kampmark ( Middle East Monitor ) – He had moments of discomfort and embarrassment – pressed into calling the Qatari prime minister by his host to apologise for striking Doha and made to pay lip service to the prospect of a Palestinian state – but Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu had many reasons […]