The Beast’s Bargain: Arab States, Israel, and the Price of ‘Peace’
When peace is demanded from the weak and defined by the strong, it ceases to be peace at all – it becomes submission disguised as justice.
US Allies Are Not Off-Limits: Israel’s Qatar Strike Shatters Gulf Illusions
Tel Aviv’s unprecedented attack on a US-designated major non-NATO ally has warned the region that diplomatic ties and American bases offer no shield from Israeli military reach.
Understanding Israel’s Attack on Qatar, and What It Means for the Region
Israel has sent a message that its impunity extends even to attacks on states that have close relations with Washington. They need only cry “HAMAS” and any act is acceptable.
When Even Saudi Arabia Jumps Into Solar and Wind Power, You Know Change is Here
By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Saudi Arabia’s massive oil deposits and its 9.53 million barrels per day (bpd) of petroleum production make it an…
Juan Cole: We’re All Palestinians Now
How Trump Is Middle-Easternizing the United States.
US Envoy: Disarm Hezbollah or Israel, Syria Will Conquer Lebanon
Syria denies reports of escalatory tensions with Lebanon
US Army Building New Air Bases, Ammo Depots for Israel
Part of tens of billions in US aid to Israel, the projects include multi-year tenders for hangars, fuel stations, and ammunition sites.
Illness and Endless Wars
The Unrecognized Ripple Effects of Violence on Health.
Next Week, Trump and Netanyahu Will Meet at the White House to Plan Their ‘New Middle East’
By Mitchell Plitnick / Mondoweiss U.S. President Donald Trump seems to have largely moved on from Iran and is now setting his sights on instituting a broader new order in…
Jeffrey Sachs: The Time Has Arrived for a Comprehensive Middle East Peace
Instead of endless wars, Israel’s security can be ensured by two key diplomatic steps.
A New Asian Triad: ASEAN, China, and the Persian Gulf Align
As western trade wars squeeze the Global South, the first ASEAN–GCC–China summit signals a new economic realignment built on shared development goals and strategic autonomy.
Juan Cole: Genetic Study shows ‘Phoenicians,’ like all ‘Nations’ were a Multi-Ethnic Franchise
By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Harald Ringbauer et al. writing in Nature report on a genetic study of the ancient Phoenicians that is really…
Genetic Study finds Echoes of the Early Modern Ethnic Cleansing of Spain’s Muslims
By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – A genetic history study of Spain by Gonzalo Oteo-Garcia et al. in Genome Biology eloquently confirms the story of…
Trump Meets With Syria’s Al-Qaeda Leader-Turned President, Praises His ‘Strong Past’
The US is asking Sharaa to normalize with Israel and crack down on Palestinian resistance groups.
Removing Syria Sanctions is a Win for the People, Whatever Trump’s Motives
By Juan Cole / Informed Consent Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Syrians are rejoicing at the announcement on Tuesday by President Donald J. Trump that he will lift U.S. economic…