![Is Religion really Driving Middle East Violence?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/is-religion-really-driving-middl-187x137.jpg)
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Archives: Alawites
![Is Religion really Driving Middle East Violence?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/07/is-religion-really-driving-middl-187x137.jpg)
![ISIL hits Syrian Regime in Shiite northwest, killing 150](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2016/05/isil-hits-syrian-regime-in-shiit-187x137.jpg)
ISIL hits Syrian Regime in Shiite northwest, killing 150
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - The leftist Beirut daily al-Safir reports that security in Syria broke down dramatically on Monday, as seven bombs timed to go off simultaneously…![Syria: On eve of Vienna Summit, Has Russia changed the facts on the Ground?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2015/10/syria-on-eve-of-vienna-summit-ha-187x137.jpg)
Syria: On eve of Vienna Summit, Has Russia changed the facts on the Ground?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - Writing in al-Hayat [Life] this week, columnist Walid Choucair outlined the successes he sees Russia to have had in its Syria campaign, and…![Al-Qaeda in Syria Leader: Kill Alawite Minority, Russians; Christians fear West Backs Him](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2015/10/al-qaeda-in-syria-leader-kill-al-187x137.jpg)
Al-Qaeda in Syria Leader: Kill Alawite Minority, Russians; Christians fear West Backs Him
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | - - The leader of al-Qaeda in Syria, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, has called for an escalation in attacks on the population centers of the Alawite…![Can a Loose Federal system save Syria and Iraq?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2015/08/can-a-loose-federal-system-save-187x137.jpg)
Can a Loose Federal system save Syria and Iraq?
By Jerome Joffe | (Informed Comment) | - - In recent months, prospects for applying the principles of federation and constitutional protection for minorities as a basic political solution for the conflicts…![Iran’s Support for Syria Pragmatic, not Religious (or, Who are the Alawites?)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170701045837im_/https://media.juancole.com/images/2015/08/irans-support-for-syria-pragmati-187x137.jpg)