Armed Conflicts

Cruise-Missile Strikes against Syria

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

Donald Trump Syria Bombing Briefing

The Real Targets of Trump’s Strike Were His Domestic Critics The Real Targets of Trump’s Strike Were His Domestic Critics

Six thoughts on the US bombing of Syria.

Apr 7, 2017 / Greg Grandin

Donald Trump Has a Passionate Desire to Bring Back Torture

Donald Trump Has a Passionate Desire to Bring Back Torture Donald Trump Has a Passionate Desire to Bring Back Torture

And that should be no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention.

Apr 6, 2017 / Rebecca Gordon

Yevgeny Yevtushenko

The Death of Russia’s Great Poet-Dissenter and the Lack of His Civic Courage in the US Establishment The Death of Russia’s Great Poet-Dissenter and the Lack of His Civic Courage in the US Establishment

Yevgeny Yevtushenko, who died last week, challenged Soviet authorities for decades while Americans at far less risk remain silent in the face of Cold War hysteria.

Apr 5, 2017 / Audio / Stephen F. Cohen

yemen airstrike

America’s Support for Saudi Arabia’s War on Yemen Must End America’s Support for Saudi Arabia’s War on Yemen Must End

Acting as a de facto co-belligerent in the conflict, we are lending aid and support to the ideological heirs of those who attacked us on September 11.

Apr 5, 2017 / James Carden

Yemeni refugees

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

Hezbollah demonstration in Lebanon

How the Syrian Civil War Has Transformed Hezbollah How the Syrian Civil War Has Transformed Hezbollah

The Lebanese Shiite militia, which has played a central role in defending the Assad regime, is now a powerful regional player.

Mar 30, 2017 / Jesse Rosenfeld

Civilians killed in Mosul

Under Trump, the United States May Now Be Killing More Civilians Than Russia Under Trump, the United States May Now Be Killing More Civilians Than Russia

With mass-casualty events from Raqqa to Mosul, some think the US military is scrapping rules designed to protect innocents.

Mar 29, 2017 / Peter Certo

20 Million at risk of famine

Famine Could Kill 20 Million in Africa and Yemen—Why the Deafening Silence? Famine Could Kill 20 Million in Africa and Yemen—Why the Deafening Silence?

As with the threat to kick 24 million off health care here, unchecked power is bringing humanity to a grave crisis.

Mar 24, 2017 / Patrick Lawrence

syrian rebels

Congress Needs to Stop Trump’s Escalation of the War on Syria Congress Needs to Stop Trump’s Escalation of the War on Syria

The president’s plans will only fan the country’s flames.

Mar 23, 2017 / James Carden

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