Uncategorized

T. Deniz Erkmen | (Informed Comment) | – – The results of November 1st snap elections in Turkey were a surprise; not just for the left or liberal opposition who were hoping for a decrease in AKP (governing center-right Justice and Development Party) vote share, not just for the pollsters almost all of whom failed […]

Israel/ Palestine

Obama gives up on Israeli-Palestinian peace during his Administration

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — United States president Barack Obama concluded that a peace treaty or direct talks between Israel and Palestinian leadership would not be carried out in his time left in office, a White House spokesperson said Thursday. With thanks to FreeOnlinePhotoEditor Israeli media reported that Obama’s senior adviser […]

Bashar al-Assad

Regime Market Bombing Kills 100: Don’t Syrian Lives Matter?

contributors

Majed Aboali | (Foreign Policy in Focus) | – – Hospital workers in Syria, barely able to keep up with demand, are desperate to reduce the supply. Their plea: stop the killing. ————————————————————————– Breaking News CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh reports on the aftermath of a missile attack on a market in the Syrian suburb of […]

Democracy

Turkey: Can a pro-Feminist, pro-Kurdish Party get out the Women’s Vote?

contributors

By Mona Tajali | (OpenDemocracy) | – – The Turkish HDP’s egalitarian gender ideology played a key role in the election of a record number of women to parliament in June’s election. Can these gains be sustained in the political turmoil ahead? On June 7th Turkey held parliamentary elections which marked major turning points in […]

Israel/ Palestine

Jewish Squatter attack on Leader of Rabbis for Human Rights caught on Video

contributors

Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — A Jewish settler on Friday attacked the head of the Israeli group Rabbis for Human Rights during a Palestinian olive harvest in the Nablus district, Israeli media reported. Head of the group, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, was with a group of Israeli and internationals activists who had […]

Eastern Europe

Iraqi Kurds Face Hard Diplomatic Choices Between the US and Russia

contributors

By Histyar Qader | (Niqash.org) | – – It is tough for Iraqi Kurdistan to turn down any kind of aid when it comes to fighting the Islamic State. So now the Kurdish are not sure whether to stand with the US or to ask for help from the Russians. The relatively new Russian intervention […]

Israel/ Palestine

Forever Refugees – Palestinian Families expelled by Israelis to Syria lose Homes Again

contributors

By: Mai Abu Moghli, Nael Bitarie, and Nell Gabiam | Ma’an News Agency | – – Similarly to their Syrian counterparts, Palestinians in Syria have been severely affected by the ongoing war. Syrian towns and villages, as well as Palestinian refugee camps, have been subject to repeated attacks and prolonged sieges by troops loyal to […]

Iraq

Did US-Russia Tensions Help Bring Iraq Victory in Baiji and Anbar?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | (Niqash.org) Recently Iraqi anti-extremist forces have made some of the biggest gains in months. Iraqi military leaders explain how they beat the Islamic State; some credit US- Russia tensions for the latest successes too. Fighters from Shiite Muslim volunteer militias celebrate victory at Baiji, earlier this year. (photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE) Over […]

Israel/ Palestine

Palestinians need hope, not calm

contributors

By John V Whitbeck | (Middle East Eye) | – – It is a sad reality that, unless Jewish lives are lost, Israelis and the Western world tend to feel that the occupation is not a problem Since the current upsurge of violence in Israel and occupied Palestine began, numerous foreign leaders, as well as […]