Juan Cole

For Netanyahu Iran Is About ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Mushroom Clouds’

For Netanyahu Iran Is About ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Mushroom Clouds’

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanded on Sunday that the world community constrain Iran to change its “genocidal policy” toward Israel, in the course of a speech in which he attacked President Obama’s current round of negotiations with Iran over its civilian nuclear enrichment program.

JUAN COLE: It appears that a light foam forms on Binyamin Netanyahu’s lips when he begins speaking about Iran. Not all Israeli politicians are like him

 Juan Cole

‘Bye Bye, America, Hello, Russia’: Arab World Turns

‘Bye Bye, America, Hello, Russia’: Arab World Turns

An Egyptian delegation heading to Moscow just after the United States cut $300 million out of its aid package to Cairo to punish the July 3 military coup there has raised speculation that Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s military junta is shopping for a new superpower patron. In the 1960s at the height of the Cold […]

 Common Ground News Service

The Rouhani/Zarif Twitter Exchange: Improved Dialogue?

The Rouhani/Zarif Twitter Exchange: Improved Dialogue?

MICHAEL FELSEN, CGNEWS: A recent exchange of tweets hints at a more positive future dialogue between two regional superpowers.

 James M. Dorsey

Cutting Egypt’s Military Aid: Washington’s Dangerous Game

Cutting Egypt’s Military Aid: Washington’s Dangerous Game

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s clear that Washington has embarked on a major re-alignment of its strategic resources in the Middle East.

 James M. Dorsey

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian divisions fuelling conflict across the Middle East have spilt on to the soccer pitch with Iraq’s decision to boycott the Gulf Cup and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warning the Iraqi government not to interfere in the game. It is hard to separate the divisions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that governments in Bahrain […]

 Juan Cole

Israel and Iran: A Lot More In Common Than They Think

Israel and Iran: A Lot More In Common Than They Think

JUAN COLE: Binyamin Netanyahu’s observations on Iranian jeans-wearing provoked much mirth but the two countries have a lot in common.

 Mondoweiss

Strike on Syria: The Lobby’s In Overdrive

Strike on Syria: The Lobby’s In Overdrive

MONDOWEISS: As the vote in Congress nears there is one group of ‘cheerleaders for war’ who are working particularly hard.

 Francis Matthew

Is Any Iranian Deal Destined to Fail?

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Rouhani’s new and pragmatic approach will give Obama another test, as it will force the administration to be clear about whether its real goal is a nuclear settlement…

 Juan Cole

U.S. Iran Oil Policy: Whose Interest Is It?

U.S. Iran Oil Policy: Whose Interest Is It?

Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.

JUAN COLE: Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf rivalries and the Soccer Pitch: Persian or Gulf?

Gulf rivalries and the Soccer Pitch: Persian or Gulf?

The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.

JAMES M. Dorsey: The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.

 Tabsir

‘A Mental Defect’, Mr Brooks? Try Looking in the Mirror.

‘A Mental Defect’, Mr Brooks? Try Looking in the Mirror.

DANIEL M. VARISCO: David Brooks is taking a dangerous road by ascribing what he calls ‘mental deficiencies’ to the Egyptian people.

 Common Ground News Service

Rouhani’s Election: Clock’s Ticking on Golden Opportunity

Rouhani’s Election: Clock’s Ticking on Golden Opportunity

AMBASSADOR WILLIAM GREEN, CGNEWS: I’ve been involved in negotiatons with Iran for more than fifty years. I believe we need to capitalise quickly on the new situation

 Steve Royston

‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror

‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror

STEVE ROYSTON: The situation in Syria is so desperate, so serious and so wide-ranging that it has the potential to affect every individual living in the region

 Juan Cole

‘Domestic Issue Deflection?’ Morsi’s Call for Syrian Action

‘Domestic Issue Deflection?’ Morsi’s Call for Syrian Action

JUAN COLE: President Morsi’s called for a no-fly zone over Syria. He is, though, facing a raft of serious issues at home

 Tabsir

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For George W. Bush the phrase was ‘Mission Accomplished’. For his successor there could be another phrase that defines his foreign affair policy

 Juan Cole

Clinton Tries To Set Up Obama As ‘Patsy to The Hawks’

Clinton Tries To Set Up Obama As ‘Patsy to The Hawks’

JUAN COLE: Bill Clinton has criticised President Obama for not providing stronger military support for the Syrian opposition. His own record on military intervention isn’t so good.

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran

 Francis Matthew

Iran-US Relations Thaw, Politics Continues

Iran-US Relations Thaw, Politics Continues

Iran and the US have growing technical agreement over the nuclear dispute, which will only become useful if the political leaders on both sides want to make a deal.

FRANCIS MATTHEW: A technical agreement over the nuclear dispute will only be useful if leaders on both sides want to make a deal.

 David Roberts

The Linguistic Composition Of Iran

The Linguistic Composition Of Iran

The only thing better than a nice map is a particularly informative nice map, like this one on Arab dialects or the one above….

 Juan Cole

The Problem With ‘Argo’: An Orientalist Viewpoint

The Problem With ‘Argo’: An Orientalist Viewpoint

JUAN COLE: The Iranian ‘baddies’ come from a very old school of stock Middle Eastern characters. Wouldn’t it have been a good idea to show why they were angry?

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