Middle East

By Alexander Titov | (The Conversation) | – – In locking horns over Syria, Russia and Turkey are playing out the latest chapter in a rivalry that has spanned centuries. Since the 1600s the two have lurched between conflict and uneasy friendship. But the war of words that has erupted since Turkey shot down a […]

Israel/ Palestine

Israeli squatters in Palestine storm Palestinian activist center in Hebron

contributors

Ma’an News Agency Israeli settlers sitting at tables and chairs they brought into the garden of the Youth Against Settlements activist center. HEBRON (Ma’an) — Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the headquarters of the Youth Against Settlements activist group in central Hebron on Saturday and demanded its closure. Issa Amro, the head of the activist […]

Israel/ Palestine

Pres. Obama refuses to recognize new Israel Squatter Settlements on Palestinian Land

contributors

By IMEMC | – – In a press conference this week, the Obama administration rejected Israel’s government request to recognize the construction of new [illegal] settlements in the occupied West Bank. The issue over new Israeli illegal settlements emerged between Washington and Tel Aviv on Tuesday, according to the PNN, as US Secretary of State […]

Arab Spring

Annual Informed Comment Fundraiser: Support Indie Journalism

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – It is that fundraising time of year again, folks. This year everyone who contributes $100 or more to Informed Comment by Paypal will receive a signed copy of the paperback version of my recent book, The New Arabs. Nicola’s Books in Ann Arbor has kindly agreed […]

Featured

As French Pres. Hollande meets Putin, France considers alliance w/ Syrian Army

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – French President Francois Hollande met Thursday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, in his marathon search for a “Grand and Unique Coalition” against Daesh (ISIL, ISIS) in Syria. One of the sticking points between France and the US on the one side and Russia […]

Dissent

Dear Saudi Arabia: Executing People for Atheism is in fact ISIL-Like; #Sosuemesaudi

contributors

Boom Live | – – Poet Ashraf Fayad has been sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian court. He was charged with accusations of public ‘blasphemy’ and has less than 30 days to appeal.” Also, Saudi Arabia is suing a Twitter user who said this death sentence for atheist poetry is “ISIL-like.” Guess what, Saudi […]

Iraq

Iraq: Eastern front against ISIL slowed by Internal Divisions, Unenthusiastic USAF

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Niqash.org) | – – Iraqi fighters in Anbar are waiting to push the Islamic State group out of cities like Ramadi. But they wonder when it will happen, if ever. Many believe that politics are why this particular victory must take so long. The tribal fighters of the central Iraqi province […]

censorship

Israel To Coordinate With Google, YouTube, To Censor Palestinian Videos Of Conflict

contributors

By Saed Bannoura | ( IMEMC) | – – The Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Member of Knesset Tzipi Hotovely, held meetings this week with representatives of YouTube and Google, to find ways of cooperating to censor Palestinian videos from occupied Palestine, videos she dubbed as “inciting violence and terrorism.” Israeli daily Maariv said Hotovely will […]

Featured

Putin: Turkey supports Radicalism & We may have to Respond, hence Tourism Ban

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday explained his rationale for asking Russian tourists to leave Turkey, and it is ominous. He anticipates that there may be further “incidents” between Turkey and Russia over Syria policy, and that Moscow may be constrained to “respond.” In that case, […]