Juan Cole

“Thank You, Vladimir.” What Obama Should Say to Putin

“Thank You, Vladimir.” What Obama Should Say to Putin

JUAN COLE: By taking the words of John Kerry and quickly formulating a new policy on Syria Putin has saved Obama from a major political embarrassment

 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.

 Crossroads Arabia

‘Stop Dithering’. Saudi’s Message to Obama on Syria

‘Stop Dithering’. Saudi’s Message to Obama on Syria

CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s clear that impatience with Barack Obama’s position on Syria is growing within the Kingdom. So what next?

 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.

 Juan Cole

Obama Telephones Putin: Regional Implications of Boston

Obama Telephones Putin: Regional Implications of Boston

JUAN COLE: It’s clear that reverberations from the Boston bombings will spread to Chechnya and beyond. How will it impact the U.S view of Syria?

 Francis Matthew

Syria US Foreign Policy: Assad Seizing Opportunity

Syria US Foreign Policy: Assad Seizing Opportunity

FRANCIS MATTHEW: The problem with this approach is that by going gently, it allows Al Assad to think that he might still win by fighting. And it also places a huge strain on the opposition not ready to fight a long war of attrition.