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Archives: December 2013

Dubai Fireworks for New Year 2014

Dubai Fireworks for New Year 2014

(By Juan Cole) Dubai Fireworks spectacular for New Year at Burj Khalifa (2 million gather): Dubai will be the site of the 2020 world expo which will help it further emerge as…

Benjamin Netanyahu's 'Jewish' Christmas Message Gaffe

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his holiday blessings to the Christian citizens of Israel on Tuesday, in which he stressed the importance of the community’s contribution to the Israel Defense Forces –…
Assyrian Christian Revival in Turkey

Assyrian Christian Revival in Turkey

(By Alexander Christie-Miller) The Christian Science Monitor recently reported on an Assyrian Christian revival in southeastern Turkey, fueled by a burgeoning Turkish economy and more tolerant laws enacted by Prime Minister Tayyip…
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Coleridge, Kubla Khan (Poem of the Day)

(By Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Kubla Khan Or, a vision in a dream. A Fragment. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless…

Europe Lawmakers Push Back on Circumcision

Encouraged by Israeli diplomats, parliamentarians from the Council of Europe have submitted a motion opposing an earlier resolution condemning ritual circumcision of boys. Click here for the rest of the article...
Is Edward Snowden a modern Martin Luther?

Is Edward Snowden a modern Martin Luther?

(By J.M. Porup) Quiz time, people. Identify the following: A powerful church that has betrayed its founding principles. A secretive priesthood that knows all your sins. An empire that anoints princes. But…

Saudi Internet Activists face Crackdown

(By Human Rights Watch) (Beirut) – Activists in Saudi Arabia face a repressive and intolerant government as they advocate popular political participation, judicial reform, and an end to discrimination against women and…
The Enigma of Israel and Solar Energy

The Enigma of Israel and Solar Energy

(By Juan Cole) Israel ought to be a pioneer in solar energy. It is mostly sunny and the amount of energy it could realize from solar panels is enormous. It has a…

End of the road for Hrithik-Sussanne marriage

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan and his wife of 13 years, Sussanne Roshan, are ending their marriage, the Hindustan Times reported on Friday. In a statement requesting the media to respect his privacy,…
Presidents shaking Hands with Dictators

Presidents shaking Hands with Dictators

By Juan Cole President Barack Obama's casual hand shake with Cuban president Raul Castro at the memorial for Nelson Mandela has, predictably, set off a wave of outrage among right wing politicians…

Egypt’s crisis is structural

Egypt has been struggling to get back to normal, but the damage caused by decades of dictatorship has caused many Egyptians to consider military rule as the best option for now.

Israel president 'ready to meet Iran counterpart'

Israeli President Shimon Peres said Sunday he would be prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, even though their two countries consider each other arch-enemies.Asked at an economic forum over a…
Today’s South Africa by the Numbers (with Photos)

Today’s South Africa by the Numbers (with Photos)

Population of South Africa: 51 million (slightly larger than South Korea) Annual Gross Domestic Product (nominal): $384 billion (in neighborhood of Taiwan, Austria, UAE) Rank among world economies: 29 Rank among African…
Photo of the Day: Apartheid South Africa Sign

Photo of the Day: Apartheid South Africa Sign

This sign is left over from Apartheid days and is preserved under an awning in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa as a reminder of what was. I photographed it in August, 2012. ------…
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Photo of the Day: Mandela Training in Algeria

h/t Sami Ben Gharbia ‏@ifikra Nelson Mandela training with the Algerian Liberation Front in 1962. The Algerians fought an 8-year war, 1954-1962, to become independent from French imperialism, in the course of…
GOP:  No Climate Change because, Bible

GOP: No Climate Change because, Bible

Opposing views points to the scary ignorance and bible-thumping to which GOP representatives in Congress are appealing in their genocidal stand against quick action on climate change. If you have to have…
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Annual Informed Comment Fundraiser

I hope you all like the new design. Of course, the changes are a work in progress but 2014 is an important year for Informed Comment. We will be adding some editorial…