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Conflict in Mecca: The Prophet Muhammad and Soft Power
Featured

Conflict in Mecca: The Prophet Muhammad and Soft Power

Juan Cole

I believe that the earliest source we have for the life of the Prophet is the Quran itself. And I believe the Quran is early.

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“Into this Universe:”  Heidegger and FitzGerald’s The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:29

“Into this Universe:” Heidegger and FitzGerald’s The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 1:29

12/14/2025 By Juan Cole

“Identity is never fixed:” Interview with Iranian-American Artist Soraya Sharghi

“Identity is never fixed:” Interview with Iranian-American Artist Soraya Sharghi

12/14/2025 By Global Voices

More Stories

Uncategorized
Cole in Salon: Why Bush Folded on Iran

Cole in Salon: Why Bush Folded on Iran

My essay why Bush sent a high-level diplomat to meet Iranian negotiators with no preconditions is out in Salon.com. Excerpt: ‘Pundits and diplomats nearly got […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized
McCain and the Rage Celebrities; Does he Need to go to Rehab?

McCain and the Rage Celebrities; Does he Need to go to Rehab?

McCain had pledged to run a clean campaign, but like Mike Tyson when he’s in the mood to munch ear, the Republicans just can’t control […]

Juan Cole

Iraq
Bhasin:"Situation on the Ground" or Political Convenience? Thoughts on a US Withdrawal from Iraq

Bhasin:"Situation on the Ground" or Political Convenience? Thoughts on a US Withdrawal from Iraq

Madhavi Bhasin writes in an IC Guest Editorial: The most consistent answer to the differently phrased generic query, “When will the U.S. troops withdraw from […]

Juan Cole

Iraq
Diyala Campaign Begins

Diyala Campaign Begins

The al-Maliki government has just launched another of its military offensives against guerrillas, this time in Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province. I am skeptical […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized
Because You aren't Angry Enough: Found on Reddit

Because You aren’t Angry Enough: Found on Reddit

Russia just defeated the US in the race for Central Asian gas. The US bet on a gas pipeline through Taliban territory in Afghanistan and […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized
Pakistani Taliban threaten Suicide Bombings;

Pakistani Taliban threaten Suicide Bombings;

Mark LeVine is disturbed by the tendency of Barack Obama and other US politicians to lump the Taliban together with al-Qaeda. The latter, he says […]

Juan Cole

Iraq
Women Bombers Open Gates of Hell in Iraq; 61 Dead, Hundreds Wounded; Kurdish Mobs Attack Turkmen Offices in Kirkuk

Women Bombers Open Gates of Hell in Iraq; 61 Dead, Hundreds Wounded; Kurdish Mobs Attack Turkmen Offices in Kirkuk

Al-Hayat reports in Arabic that four female suicide bombers killed or wounded 350 persons on Monday. Late reports give 61 as the number of those […]

Juan Cole

Iraq
Bombings of Shiites during Pilgrimage to Kadhimiya; 11 Thought Dead; Turkey Bombs Iraq Again

Bombings of Shiites during Pilgrimage to Kadhimiya; 11 Thought Dead; Turkey Bombs Iraq Again

Guerrillas in Iraq set off three bombs one after another on Monday morning, targeting Shiite pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of Imam Musa […]

Juan Cole

Uncategorized
100 Pushtun Guerrillas Killed at Spera from Air; ISI under Civilian Control?

100 Pushtun Guerrillas Killed at Spera from Air; ISI under Civilian Control?

One hundred Pushtun guerrillas launched a major offensive in an attempt to take Spera District center. They drew down on themselves the full fury of […]

Juan Cole

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