Counter-Terrorism

By Brian Glyn Williams | (Informed Comment) | – – The Destruction of the Dream of Extremist Warfare, 2014-2017 On Saturday the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al Abadi, announced that the last remnants of Iraq territory had been liberated from ISIL and proclaimed “Dear Iraqis, your land has been completely liberated, and your towns and […]

Counter-Terrorism

With 305 dead in Sinai Terror, Trump babbles Wall & Visas

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – As the death toll in this weekend’s horrific terrorist attack on a Sufi mosque near El Arish in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula rose to at least 305, the patriarch of the Coptic Church, Tawadros II, affirmed the solidarity of Egypt’s some 8 million Christians with the Muslim […]

Bush

What if the US never fell for al-Qaeda’s trap & avoided ‘War on Terror’?

contributors

By Danny Sjursen | ( Tomdispatch.com) | – – “Of all manifestations of power, restraint impresses men most.” — Thucydides You’ve heard the platitude that hindsight is 20/20. It’s true enough and, though I’ve been a regular skeptic about what policymakers used to call the Global War on Terror, it’s always easier to poke holes […]

Counter-Terrorism

What Causes Mideast Extremism? It’s the Dictatorships, Stupid!

contributors

Middle East Monitor | – – The Foreign Minister of Qatar said on Thursday that extremism in the Middle East is the result of authoritarianism, the Qatari News Agency has reported. Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed his sadness that the region has become a region of instability instead of peace and coexistence. “People are suffering […]

Counter-Terrorism

Iraq defeated ISIL, but can it defeat Extremism?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Baghdad) | (Niqash.org) | – – The military campaign against the Islamic State is almost over. But now, locals and politicians alike say, the Iraqi government must work to ensure they cannot return to recruit more followers. Even as Iraq’s pro-government forces close in on Rawa, one of the very last […]

Africa

Sen. Lindsey Graham surprised at US Troops in Niger? He could have read Nick Turse

Juan Cole

By Jon Queally, staff writer. | ( Commondreams.org) ” – – Graham Should Read More Nick Turse, TomDispatch, and Common Dreams. What U.S. Senators Don’t Know (and Neither Do You) About What the Pentagon Is Doing in Africa Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the Senate’s most outspoken military hawks and member of the powerful […]

Bill of Rights

Under Trump, Gitmo continues to Gnaw away at tattered US Rule of Law

Juan Cole

Extra-Judicial denial of habeas corpus or trial leaves ‘Enemy Combatants’ in Limbo

Counter-Terrorism

Barcelona: Nearly 500K march for Peace, against Islamophobia

contributors

TeleSur | – – Marchers, on Saturday, displayed signs and banners with various slogans. Some read, “No to Islamophobia,” “The best response: Peace,” and “I’m not afraid.” Almost half a million people have taken to the streets in the Spanish city of Barcelona to condemn violence following recent terrorist attacks in Spain. Emergency workers, police […]

Counter-Terrorism

Can Iraq save Tal Afar from ISIL without Destroying the City?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Niqash.org) | – – [N.B. The offensive against ISIL (Daesh) in Tal Afar began on Sunday. – JC] Intensive air raids, secret political talks and military forces gathering on the outskirts of the city: Everything points to the battle of Tal Afar – almost the extremists’ last stand in Iraq . […]