![Syria’s forgotten pluralism and why it matters today](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/04/syrias-forgotten-pluralism-and-w-187x137.jpg)
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Archives: Shiites
![Syria’s forgotten pluralism and why it matters today](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/04/syrias-forgotten-pluralism-and-w-187x137.jpg)
![Al-Sadr: Russia, America and al-Assad should all get out of Syria!](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/04/al-sadr-russia-america-and-al-as-187x137.jpg)
Al-Sadr: Russia, America and al-Assad should all get out of Syria!
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Saturday issued a broadside demanding that Russia and the United States withdraw from Syria and that strongman…![After Mosul: Can Iraq survive without a unified National Army?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/02/after-mosul-can-iraq-survive-wit-187x137.jpg)
After Mosul: Can Iraq survive without a unified National Army?
By Balsam Mustafa | (The Conversation) | - - The operation to retake Iraq’s second city of Mosul from the so-called Islamic State [group] (IS) has entered its crucial phase. The Iraqi…![Iraqi Leaders Denounce Trump over Oil, Jerusalem; US Troops in Political Crossfire](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/01/iraqi-leaders-denounce-trump-ove-187x137.jpg)
Iraqi Leaders Denounce Trump over Oil, Jerusalem; US Troops in Political Crossfire
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Since his inauguration, Donald J. Trump has not been making a good impression in Iraq, where the US has 6,000 troops, according to…![](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2017/01/bgd_img-1-187x137.jpg)
The Future of Iraq? As Police Lose Control Of Streets, Militias Take Over
Mustafa Habib | (Baghdad) | (Niqash.org) | - - The volunteer militias formed to fight the Islamic State group are now policing Baghdad’s neighbourhoods. But as they do, they compete with the…![Does Turkey’s Erdogan Dream of Neighboring Mosul?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/11/does-turkeys-erdogan-dream-of-ne-187x137.jpg)
Does Turkey’s Erdogan Dream of Neighboring Mosul?
By Lucy DerTavitian | (Informed Comment) | - - The battle over Mosul appears to have ignited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s expansionist Ottoman era fantasies. He gained a few more adversaries…![Sectarian Tensions flare in Baghdad as some Sunni Arab families forced from Neighborhoods](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/11/sectarian-tensions-flare-in-bagh-187x137.jpg)
Sectarian Tensions flare in Baghdad as some Sunni Arab families forced from Neighborhoods
By Ibrahim Saleh | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | - - Several Sunni Muslim families were forced out of their mainly Shiite Muslim neighbourhood in Baghdad recently. Locals fear the creeping return of…![In Mosul, ISIL Extremists Wall in Residents, prepare for Armageddon](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/10/in-mosul-isil-extremists-wall-in-187x137.jpg)
In Mosul, ISIL Extremists Wall in Residents, prepare for Armageddon
Special Correspondent | Mosul | (Niqash.org) | - - In Mosul, the Islamic State is preparing for a siege, building walls, tunnels and trenches and boasting that, like the Prophet Mohammed in…![The myth and history of Sunni-Shia divide](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/09/the-myth-and-history-of-sunni-sh-187x137.jpg)
The myth and history of Sunni-Shia divide
By Amir Ahmadi Arian | ( OpenDemocracy ) | - - Sunnis and Shias have lived together in peace for centuries, and up to the new millennium have barely had a history…![Saudi Bigot-in-Chief Declares Iranian Shiites “Not Muslim”](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/09/saudi-bigot-in-chief-declares-ir-187x137.jpg)
Saudi Bigot-in-Chief Declares Iranian Shiites “Not Muslim”
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - `Abd al-Aziz Al Shaikh, the chief jurisconsult or mufti for the interpretation of Muslim law in Saudi Arabia, said Wednesday that Iranian Shiites…![‘Unacceptable’ UN says US-Backed Iraqi Militias Recruiting Children](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/09/unacceptable-un-says-us-backed-i-187x137.jpg)
‘Unacceptable’ UN says US-Backed Iraqi Militias Recruiting Children
TeleSur | - - The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” about reports the groups are using children on the frontlines of the fight against the Islamic State group. Amid reports…![How Twitter robots spam critics of Saudi Arabia & Shiite Muslims](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/how-twitter-robots-spam-critics-187x137.jpg)
How Twitter robots spam critics of Saudi Arabia & Shiite Muslims
By Brian Whitaker | ( Al-Bab.com ) | - - For several weeks now there has been growing evidence that Twitter is being used for a covert and highly organised propaganda operation…![Will Iraq’s next Government be . . . Iran-backed Shiite Militias?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/will-iraqs-next-government-be-ir-187x137.jpg)
Will Iraq’s next Government be . . . Iran-backed Shiite Militias?
By Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | - - The [so-called] Islamic State [IS] group has caused a realignment of Iraq’s political map. Next year’s provincial elections will signal who will…![Defeating ISIL in Iraq will Take Sunni-Shiite Reconciliation, not Just Tanks](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/defeating-isil-in-iraq-will-take-187x137.jpg)
Defeating ISIL in Iraq will Take Sunni-Shiite Reconciliation, not Just Tanks
By Neil Thompson | (Informed Comment) | - - As Iraqi, Kurdish and Syrian forces squeeze its territory in the Arab world and Turkey hunts down the group’s support networks and sympathisers…![Is Religion really Driving Middle East Violence?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/is-religion-really-driving-middl-187x137.jpg)
Is Religion really Driving Middle East Violence?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Pew Research has released a report saying that "As a whole, the region continued to have the highest levels of religious hostilities in…![Ordinary Iraqis defy sectarianism after Islamic State’s attacks on Baghdad](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/ordinary-iraqis-defy-sectarianis-1-187x137.jpg)
Ordinary Iraqis defy sectarianism after Islamic State’s attacks on Baghdad
By Balsam Mustafa | (The Conversation) | - - “I’m happy that I graduated. I’m so grateful to my parents and I dedicate my success to both of them.” These were the…![Abuses of Fallujah Sunnis Raise Question: Does Iraq Gov’t Control of Shiite Militias](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/06/abuses-of-fallujah-sunnis-raise-187x137.jpg)
Abuses of Fallujah Sunnis Raise Question: Does Iraq Gov’t Control of Shiite Militias
Human Rights Watch | - - (Beirut) – The announced investigation into allegations of abuse of civilians around Fallujah by Iraqi government forces is a test for the government’s ability to hold…![How The US, Iraqi Army And Shiite Militias United – Then Split – In Fallujah](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/06/how-the-us-iraqi-army-and-shiite-187x137.jpg)
How The US, Iraqi Army And Shiite Militias United – Then Split – In Fallujah
By Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | - - Anti-extremist forces have been fighting in Fallujah for a week. But before they began, there were serious negotiations between the partners-in-battle. And…![Modern Mongols: Sunni Arabs outraged at Iran role in Iraqi Gov’t Fallujah Campaign](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/05/modern-mongols-sunni-arabs-outra-187x137.jpg)
Modern Mongols: Sunni Arabs outraged at Iran role in Iraqi Gov’t Fallujah Campaign
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - BBC Monitoring surveyed the Arabic press on 27 May for the issue of the Iranian role in the Iraq government campaign to take…![ISIL hits Syrian Regime in Shiite northwest, killing 150](http://web.archive.org./web/20170504135122im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/05/isil-hits-syrian-regime-in-shiit-187x137.jpg)