Middle East

By Lillian Rosengarten | (Informed Comment) | – – The distinction between Zionism and Judaism remains in constant need of clarification and discussion. Fanatics closed to discussion believe in their moral superiority and create political terror so as to silence and deny. The charge of “delegitimizing Israel “ requires one to question what the Israeli […]

Syria

How Realistic is the Big 5 Peace Plan for Syria?

contributors

By Baher Kamal | (IPS) | – – MADRID (IPS) – The “big five” – i.e., the most military powerful states on earth (US, UK, France, Russia and China) have just agreed that it would be about time to end the Syrian five-year long human tragedy. Before reaching such a conclusion, they waited until 300,000 […]

Featured

ISIL/ Daesh Threatens to attack Saudi Arabia after Executions

contributors

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) has pledged to attack and destroy the two Saudi political prisons, al-Ha’ir (Riyadh) and al-Tarfiya (Qaseem region), where Muslim radicals are typically held, and release their inmates. These prisons hold several thousand Saudis accused of involvement in terrorism. It was the organization’s first […]

Iraq

In Iraq, some Sunni refugees’ bulwark against ISIL is . . . the Gated Community

contributors

Kamal al-Ayash | Fallujah | (Niqash.org) | – – Families who fled the [so-called] Islamic State [group] have found new homes in a residential complex south of Fallujah. But even with several families sharing one home, rents are rising as other Iraqis profit from their misery. The district of Amiriyah is about 30 kilometres south […]

Human Rights

Saudi Arabia: Prominent Shia Cleric dead in largest mass execution since 1980

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – – (Beirut) – Saudi authorities carried out the largest mass execution in the country since 1980, putting 47 men to death on January 2, 2016. According to the Saudi state news agency, all of the men were convicted on terrorism charges, and most were members of Al Qaeda. The mass […]

Featured

Iraqi Shiites up in Arms, claim Saudi “Spying on behalf of ISIL/Daesh”

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Saudi Arabia’s execution on Saturday of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr has so far not created a crisis between Riyadh and the Shiite-dominated Baghdad government. But Saudi Arabia’s name with the rank and file Shiites and parliamentary backbenchers is mud. On Tuesday, thousands (or perhaps […]

Syria

Syrian Peace Groups: This is not a Civil War, it is a Set of Foreign Invasions

contributors

By Mairead Maguire | (Inter Press Service) |- – BELFAST (IPS) – In November 2015 I visited Syria together with an International Peace delegation. This was my third visit to Syria in the last three years. As on previous occasions I was moved by the spirit of resilience and courage of the people of Syria. […]

Israel/ Palestine

Vatican: Historic Accord with Palestine Takes Effect

contributors

By IMEMC | – – The Vatican’s first accord with the Palestinians — an agreement that Israel has attacked as counter-productive to the Middle East peace process — has come into force, the Holy See announced Saturday, according to Al Ray. The accord was signed in June, just over two years after the Roman Catholic […]

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Executes Top Shia Cleric Nimr Al Nimr Under “Terrorism” Charges

contributors

By Amira Al Hussaini | ( GlobalVoices.org) Saudi Arabia announced today it had executed 47 people under “terrorism” charges, including top shia cleric Nimr Al Nimr who was seen as a leader in anti-government protests that took place in the Eastern province of the absolute monarchy at the beginning of the so-called Arab Spring. Saudi […]