Informed Comment - Part 2280

Abbas: Israeli Colonization Impedes Start of Direct Talks

AFP Arabic reports that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that there is no point in moving to direct negotiations with the Israelis until more progress […]

Juan Cole

Afghanistan

6 US Troops Killed in Afghanistan;
Mazar Demonstration says ‘Yankee Go Home’

Guerrillas killed 5 US Troops in Afghanistan on Saturday, along with a dozen civilians. Another American soldier died in an accidental explosion. Two were killed […]

Juan Cole

Islam

UAE Fatwa Against the Vuvuzela

The vuvuzela horn that produces that annoying buzzing sound at the world cup games had threatened to spread from South Africa around the world. An […]

Juan Cole

Environment

Germany Will Seek 100% of its Electricity from Renewables by 2050

Germany, which generates 16% of its power from renewable sources such as hydro-electric, wind and solar, now plans to get 100% of its electricity from […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized

Asadi on Iran: “Today’s Internal Affairs, Tomorrow’s Global Impact”

Houshang Asadi writes in a guest op-ed for Informed Comment Iran: Today’s Internal Affairs, Tomorrow’s Global Impact The international community’s demand that clemency be shown […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized

World Cup Death Threats for Paul the Oracle Octopus

RT reports on death threats received by Paul the Oracle Octopus from German soccer fans because he correctly predicted Spain’s victory in the most recent […]

Juan Cole

Pakistan

Taliban Kill 65 in Bomb Blast;
Blackwill Urges Partition

A suicide bomber on a motorcycle struck at a government office in the Mohmand region of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of northwest Pakistan […]

Juan Cole

Iraq

US Ally Maliki & Octavia Nasr Both Praised Fadlallah

So help me understand this. Nuri al-Maliki, still the Iraqi prime minister for the moment, expressed his appreciation for the accomplishments of the late Grand […]

Juan Cole

Iraq