“These first few months [have resulted] in the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific and medical research, clampdown on any efforts promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), newly aggressive policies for […]
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The Moroccans (Matisse Painting)
The Moroccans Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954) Issy-les-Moulineaux, late 1915 and fall 1916. Oil on canvas, 71 3/8″ x 9′ 2″ (181.3 x 279.4 cm). Gift […]
Fighting Spreads to Damascus; but is it a Turning Point
It is significant, but not decisive, that fighting raged for a second day in the Syrian capital of Damascus Monday. The southern district of Tadamun […]
The Tanks that did not Defeat Misrata (Photo)
Photograph by Juan Cole, May 2012 Line of tanks that Mu’tasim Qaddafi deployed against the civilians of the city of Misrata, Libya, March-August 2011– destroyed […]
Omar Khayyam (493) “I passed a potter at his wheel”
The other day I passed a potter at his wheel, displaying every moment a new skill; and it occurred to me, though one less clear-eyed wouldn’t see […]
Matisse: “Algerian Woman” (Painting)
Henri Matisse. The Algerian Woman. 1909. Oil on canvas. Musee National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France The depiction of the Middle East has, […]
Jimmy Carter’s Greatest Victory: Guinea Worm on Verge of Extinction
The guinea worm may be the second major human disease after small pox to be completely eradicated. It is a parasite that you get from […]
Dear Microsoft: Please give us Non-Profit News
Microsoft has sold its remaining 18% share of MSNBC, which now becomes, just NBC. It is being reported that Microsoft wants to be free to […]
“Whoever controls the media . . .” (Allen Ginsberg Poster)
Entrance to Grand Mosque, Kairouan
Photo by Juan Cole, May, 2012 Aghlabid, rebuilt 863. For another traveler’s view of Kairouan, see this blog.
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