Middle East

The BuSSy Monologues in Egypt: I will pinch your ass and grab your boobs, and you can’t talk about it:

(By Sondos Shabayek) “You can’t go on stage and say this,” the state-owned theater director told me. “How do you suggest I say it otherwise?” I replied. “Just use ‘bleep’ or say that someone said an inappropriate phrase or committed an inappropriate act in my presence.” “So when someone pinches my ass and another […]

Apartheid

Israel Accused of War Crime over Army “Execution” of Innocent Palestinian Teens

contributors

(By Lauren McCauley) According to rights group Defense for Children International — Palestine, which obtained and circulated the security camera footage, Nadeem Siam Nawara, 17, and Mohammad Mahmoud Odeh, 16, sustained fatal gunshot wounds on May 15 by Israeli Defense Forces after participating in a demonstration near the Ofer military prison in the West Bank. […]

Featured

The Obama Effect? Are Iran/ Saudi-and-GCC no longer on a war footing?

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) There are signs of a diplomatic thaw between Iran and the Arab oil monarchies of the Gulf. It has just been announced that the ruler of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, will make a state visit to Iran. This news comes after it was confirmed that the Iranian foreign minister has been invited […]

Christianity

Will Pope Francis’s Visit to the West Bank be a Challenge to Occupation?

contributors

"This visit will help us in supporting our struggle to end the longest occupation in history." (By Lauren McCauley) On an upcoming trip to the Middle East, Pope Francis is expected to prioritize his visit with Palestinians, including a refugee camp, in a move interpreted by many as a 'recognition' of a future Palestinian state. […]

Democracy

Sunnis Big Losers in Iraq Elections, PM al-Maliki has Largest Party

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) The results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections are in, and everybody lost. There will be another hung parliament that gets almost nothing done. The Sunni Arabs ended up dividing their vote and doing poorly. The Shiites likewise are deeply divided. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s party did best, positioning him for a third […]

Apartheid

Occupartheid is Isolating and Degrading Israel

contributors

(Open Letter from Daniel Bar-Tal, Tel Aviv) “Love your neighbor as yourself” This is the core requirement for overcoming blindness caused by hate and fear needed for peacemaking. Dear Friends, I write this letter with great concern for the future of my society and the State of Israel with the belief that the views presented […]

Arab Spring

Second Libyan Upheaval, this Time Against Political Islam, Extremist Militias

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) In Benghazi on Monday morning, fighting resumed between the “Libyan National Army” forces of Col. Khalifa Hifter and fundamentalist extremists. The latter fired rockets at the Benina military airport overnight, but caused no casualties. It was from this base that aircraft were flown on Friday against positions of the fundamentalists, by air […]

Featured

GOP holds hearings but in the Real Benghazi a Retired Col. is bombarding Extremists

Juan Cole

(By Juan Cole) As congressional Republicans prepare to have yet another round of investigations into the September 11, 2012 attacks on a US “consulate” in Benghazi, Libya, it is hard to see any concrete steps they have taken to forestall such calamities going forward. Congress had refused requests for better embassy security in 2012 because, […]

Economy

Under World Cup Pressure, Qatar reforms Guest Worker Laws, abolishes Sponsorship System

Juan Cole

Qatar to end sponsorship system for foreign workers (via AFP) Qatar, host of the 2022 football World Cup, said Wednesday it will abolish its controversial sponsorship system for foreign workers, whose treatment in the energy-rich state has stirred mounting international criticism. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter described… ——- AFP: “Qatar to end sponsorship system for […]