Report From Dera’a, Cradle of the Syrian Revolution Report From Dera’a, Cradle of the Syrian Revolution
Perhaps because the struggle began here, its spirit has been preserved in its purest form in the south, with a free press and thriving civil society.
Sep 20, 2017 / Khaled al Zubi
Charlottesville: Is America Becoming the Middle East? Charlottesville: Is America Becoming the Middle East?
Our neo-imperial wars may be coming home to roost.
Aug 16, 2017 / Juan Cole
ISIS’s Days in Syria Are Numbered, but Does Trump Have More Wars to Fight There? ISIS’s Days in Syria Are Numbered, but Does Trump Have More Wars to Fight There?
Both Damascus and Ankara are afraid Washington may establish a long-term military base in the Syrian Kurdish northeast.
Aug 3, 2017 / Juan Cole
Is the Saudi Boycott of Qatar Driving It into the Arms of Iran? Is the Saudi Boycott of Qatar Driving It into the Arms of Iran?
Saudi overreaching just might destroy the Gulf Cooperation Council—and strengthen Iran’s regional power.
Jun 28, 2017 / Juan Cole
How Trump Is Inflaming the Middle East’s Proxy Wars How Trump Is Inflaming the Middle East’s Proxy Wars
He has emboldened a recklessly aggressive Saudi government, which is now destroying Yemen, imposing a blockade on Qatar—and could even stumble into war with Iran.
Jun 9, 2017 / Mohamad Bazzi
ISIL Hits Tehran; Trump Blames Victim, Iran Hard-Liners Blame Saudis ISIL Hits Tehran; Trump Blames Victim, Iran Hard-Liners Blame Saudis
ISIL uses terror to set people against one another, so by that standard, its attack on Iran may be more successful than the ones in Britain.
Jun 8, 2017 / Juan Cole
What Explains Trump’s Sharp About-Face on Saudi Arabia? What Explains Trump’s Sharp About-Face on Saudi Arabia?
It has more than a little to do with the power of the Saudi lobby—as well as the administration’s deep hostility toward Iran.
May 22, 2017 / James Carden
In Tartous, Syria, Women Wear Black, Youth Are in Hiding, and Bitterness Grows In Tartous, Syria, Women Wear Black, Youth Are in Hiding, and Bitterness Grows
This Alawite city used to support the regime, but most now believe Assad cheated his own people by sending them into an endless, pointless war.
May 15, 2017 / Alimar Lazkani and Roy Gutman
What Is It With US Presidents and Tomahawk Cruise-Missile Strikes? What Is It With US Presidents and Tomahawk Cruise-Missile Strikes?
Typically deployed symbolically by presidents facing domestic political troubles, they rarely have significant military effect.
Apr 7, 2017 / Juan Cole
Trump’s Generals Are Considering a Wider War in Yemen Trump’s Generals Are Considering a Wider War in Yemen
A humanitarian crisis already threatens to starve millions. Deeper US involvement in the civil war will only make it far worse.
Apr 3, 2017 / Juan Cole