Juan Cole

Ghost of Iraq Comes Back to Haunt US/UK Syria Plans

Ghost of Iraq Comes Back to Haunt US/UK Syria Plans

The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by the Bush administration and the Blair government in 2002-2003 came back to haunt the Anglo-American alliance on Thursday when the British parliament voted 285 to 272 not to authorize a military strike on Syria.

JUAN COLE: The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by Bush, Blair governments came back to haunt the alliance on Thursday when parliament voted not to authorize a military strike on Syria.

 Francis Matthew

Iraq 10 Years On: The Benefit of Hindsight

Iraq 10 Years On: The Benefit of Hindsight

The attempts by President George W. Bush to justify the American-led invasion of Iraq followed so many wildly different reasons with no coherent link that the liveliest of conspiracy theories have flourished. This has been fuelled by the obvious political failure that has caused no pain to Bush and his neo-conservative allies who launched the war, while the companies with links to those same neo-conservatives have taken a significant share in the billions spent in reconstructing Iraq.

In the aftermath of the terrible attack on the World Trade Centre on 9/11, the first reason given was that Saddam Hussain supported Al Qaida, although Saddam had been ruthless in suppressing Islamists. Then Bush and Blair used Saddam’s alleged plan to manufacture and prepare to use weapons of mass destruction. When eventually this reason […]

 Ramzy Baroud

A Lesson for Iraq: The Perseverance of Sinbad

A Lesson for Iraq: The Perseverance of Sinbad

RAMZY BAROUD: Ten years on from the onset of the Iraq invasion with all the horror and despair that has accumulated there is hope in the shape of a character from a children’s story

 Ramzy Baroud

American ‘NeoCons’ Eye Arab Spring Spoils

American ‘NeoCons’ Eye Arab Spring Spoils

RAMZY BAROUD: After a short respite, neoconservatives are back with their bizarre maps, bleak visions, and a fail-proof recipe for perpetual conflict.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Perilous Position of Syria’s Palestinian Refugees

The Perilous Position of Syria’s Palestinian Refugees

RAMZY BAROUD: There has been a flood of Palestinian refugees into Syria and they’re facing desperate times.

 Juan Cole

Arab Voting Power Makes Bachmann a Romney Liability

Arab Voting Power Makes Bachmann a Romney Liability

JUAN COLE: Remember how Florida in 2000 hung on just a few hundred votes. Well, there are over 250,000 Arab-Americans in Florida. They can all tell when someone is prejudiced.

 James M. Dorsey

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

JAMES M. DORSEY: The success of the Jordanian Football Association is causing other sporting bodies to sit up and take notice.

 David Roberts

Qatar Fire: Out Come The Shia Bogeymen

Qatar Fire: Out Come The Shia Bogeymen

DAVID ROBERTS: There has been some utterly dreadful reporting of the recent fire in a mall in Qatar. One particular report, however, stands out

 Tabsir

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

TABSIR: A celebrated novelist, poet and filmmaker Sinan Antoon reflects on life in Iraq before and after the fall of Saddam Hussein

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Poetry of the Taliban’: Worth All The Fuss?

‘Poetry of the Taliban’: Worth All The Fuss?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The editors surely anticipated – and welcomed – the storm that has erupted around publication of their collection

 James M. Dorsey

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

JAMES M. DORSEY: The $744,000 pitch outside a $39 million penitentiary-style building is intended to reward the most cooperative of the 120,171 inmates.

 Ramzy Baroud

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

RAMZY BAROUD: History repeats itself, when we fail to learn its lessons. Israel might want to take such chances, but why should the rest of the world?

 Juan Cole

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: So much that is misinformed, over-hyped and simply plain wrong has been written about the Arab Spring. So let’s sort the wheat from the chaff.

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt and Yemen: Protestors Being ‘Marginalised’

Egypt and Yemen: Protestors Being ‘Marginalised’

JAMES M. DORSEY: Powerful forces are at work in both Egypt and Yemen to mould the emerging political landscape to benefit these particular players.

 Juan Cole

Why Saif Qaddafi Should Be Sent to the Hague

Why Saif Qaddafi Should Be Sent to the Hague

JUAN COLE: The danger for Libyans is that a ‘done deal’ trial followed by a swift execution will be immensely harmful for their country. The International Court of Human Rights provides the right way out.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Libya Hosts Book ‘Un-Banning Ceremony’

Libya Hosts Book ‘Un-Banning Ceremony’

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Who knows – it could set the template for a wave of such events. Libya’s ‘Book Un-Banning Ceremony’ is worth celebrating.

 Michael J. Totten

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims are increasing daily throughout Egypt. Coptic leaders are understandably cagey…

 Rania Al Malky

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

RANIA AL MALKY: Is it logical that the ousted Mubarak, responsible for the disintegration of Egypt’s institutions is now living in a five-star hospital suite…

 James M. Dorsey

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

JAMES M. DORSEY: China and Russia could quietly establish relations with Syrian protesters if and when Mr. Assad is forced to relinquish power.

 James M. Dorsey

Libya: MidEast Model or Revolution To Go Awry?

Libya: MidEast Model or Revolution To Go Awry?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Libyans unlike Egyptians and Tunisians will be in a position to dismantle the former regime’s apparatus.