By Thomas Buonomo | (Informed Comment) | – – With recent reports of a potential last-year attempt by the Obama administration to set the parameters of a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict–which could perhaps include a UN Security Council resolution–it is important to assess the political context in order to estimate the prospects for substantive […]
Archives for March 2016
Syria Endgame: Are Russia and US Planning overthrow of ISIL in al-Raqqa?
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Russian press had been complaining that the West was ignoring its defeat of terrorism in Syria. But now the Russian press is saying that the US and the Russian Federation are jointly planning to liberate the Syrian city of al-Raqqa, the capital of the phony […]
On Palestinian Land Day, Israel has usurped 90% of Jordan Valley in W. Bank
By Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics IMEMC | – – The following is a press release by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistic (PCBS), marking the fortieth anniversary of the Palestinian Land . . . . . . Israeli Occupation . . . set up a buffer zone along the border of the Gaza Strip […]
Republican front-runner Donald Trump: Women’s “punishment” for abortions
TeleSur | – – Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said Wednesday that women may need to be “punished” for having abortions in the United States. Speaking at a MSNBC town hall in Wisconsin, Trump said “there has to be some form of punishment” for terminating a pregnancy, adding that the specifics would have to be […]
Are Belgian Nuclear Plants vulnerable to Terrorism?
By Robert J Downes and Daniel Salisbury | (The Conversation) | – – Belgium’s counter-terrorism efforts are once again being called into question following the recent tragedies in Brussels. The attacks were carried out against soft targets – the public check-in area of Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station – but a series of unusual […]
“Investigate Israel’s Extrajudicial Killings:” Sen Leahy, 10 other Congressmen
Ma’an News Agency | – – BETHLEHEM — US Senator Patrick Leahy along with 10 other Democratic congressmen have called on the US to investigate the possibility of “gross violations of human rights” by Israel’s and Egypt’s security forces, including “extrajudicial killings.” US Senator Patrick Leahy together with US Secretary of State John Kerry in […]
The Trump Doctrine: End NATO, Patrol Mosques, Nukes for Japan & Allies
By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Anderson Cooper’s interview with Donald Trump on Tuesday evening had the advantage of allowing come-backs and close questioning. At one point Cooper pointed out to Trump that he sometimes behaved like a 5-year-old, as with his attacks on Heidi Cruz. At another, he wondered why Trump […]
Under Israeli Siege, Gaza running out of Clean Water
AJ+ | – – “According to the United Nations, 90 percent of the water in Gaza is undrinkable, and the population relies heavily on a coastal aquifer that could become unusable in 2016. What will happen to the population in Gaza?” AJ+: “The Shortage Of Clean Drinking Water Is Worsening In Gaza”
After Palmyra, the last days of the phony Caliphate?
TeleSur The loss of the historic city amounts to one of the biggest setbacks for the extremist group since it declared a caliphate in 2014. Syrian government forces backed by Russian airstrikes battled Islamic State group insurgents around Palmyra on Monday, trying to extend their gains after taking back control of a city whose ancient […]