Middle East

By Golnaz Esfandiari | ( RFE/ RL ) | – – A onetime bodyguard for former Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has been killed in Syria while fighting Islamic State (IS) militants, according to Iranian media reports. Abdollah Bagheri Niaraki was killed October 22 while “fighting terrorists” in the suburbs of the northern city of Aleppo, […]

Israel/ Palestine

The Intifada, Viral Death, and the Facebook Fallacy

contributors

By Julie Poucher Harbin, Editor, | Interview with Rebecca Stein | ISLAMICommentary | – – There are varying explanations for the uptick in violence in Israel-Palestine over the past few days, but one explanation that appears to have caught on with the Israeli government and much Western media, according to Duke University cultural anthropologist Rebecca […]

Human Rights

Russia/Syria: Possibly Unlawful Russian Air Strikes

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – (New York) – At least two air strikes in northern Homs on October 15, 2015, that local residents believed to be Russian, apparently violated the laws of war. The air strikes killed a total of 59 civilians, residents said, including 33 children and a commander of the local armed […]

Bashar al-Assad

Is Russia’s offer of Parliamentary Elections in Syria Serious?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (informed Comment) | – – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said three surprising things Saturday in an interview with Rossiya 1. 1. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad would have to be part of any transition to a new govering. 2. Syria could have nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections next summer 3. Russia […]

Israel/ Palestine

Jewish Squatter attack on Leader of Rabbis for Human Rights caught on Video

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A Jewish settler on Friday attacked the head of the Israeli group Rabbis for Human Rights during a Palestinian olive harvest in the Nablus district, Israeli media reported. Head of the group, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, was with a group of Israeli and internationals activists who had […]

Eastern Europe

Iraqi Kurds Face Hard Diplomatic Choices Between the US and Russia

contributors

By Histyar Qader | (Niqash.org) | – – It is tough for Iraqi Kurdistan to turn down any kind of aid when it comes to fighting the Islamic State. So now the Kurdish are not sure whether to stand with the US or to ask for help from the Russians. The relatively new Russian intervention […]

Israel/ Palestine

Forever Refugees – Palestinian Families expelled by Israelis to Syria lose Homes Again

contributors

By: Mai Abu Moghli, Nael Bitarie, and Nell Gabiam | Ma’an News Agency | – – Similarly to their Syrian counterparts, Palestinians in Syria have been severely affected by the ongoing war. Syrian towns and villages, as well as Palestinian refugee camps, have been subject to repeated attacks and prolonged sieges by troops loyal to […]

Iraq

Did US-Russia Tensions Help Bring Iraq Victory in Baiji and Anbar?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Niqash.org) Recently Iraqi anti-extremist forces have made some of the biggest gains in months. Iraqi military leaders explain how they beat the Islamic State; some credit US- Russia tensions for the latest successes too. Fighters from Shiite Muslim volunteer militias celebrate victory at Baiji, earlier this year. (photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE) Over […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestinians need hope, not calm

contributors

By John V Whitbeck | (Middle East Eye) | – – It is a sad reality that, unless Jewish lives are lost, Israelis and the Western world tend to feel that the occupation is not a problem Since the current upsurge of violence in Israel and occupied Palestine began, numerous foreign leaders, as well as […]