No, Russia Isn’t Taking Over the Middle East

Juan Cole / Truthdig Nov 11, 2019 There's not much evidence to support all the talk about Russian assertion and U.S. decline in the region. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Many Problems With Trump’s Plan to Take Syria’s Oil

Juan Cole / Truthdig Nov 5, 2019 Let's start with the fact that to take some of the country's "massive amounts of oil," as the president suggests, is a war crime. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Democrats Have No Answer for Trump’s Anti-War Posture

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Oct 17, 2019 The president's 2020 opponents would do well to watch his moves on the international front, as they could help his re-election cause. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Trump Aide: Syria Withdrawal Waiting on ‘Conditions’

ZEKE MILLER / The Associated Press Jan 6, 2019 National security adviser John Bolton says defeating what is left of the Islamic State and protections for Kurdish fighters are needed. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Winners and Losers of Trump’s Abrupt Syria Withdrawal

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Dec 20, 2018 The president shakes up world politics by unexpectedly announcing a full and immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from northeast Syria. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Iran Summit Seeks to Avert a Bloodbath in Northwest Syria

ZEINA KARAM / The Associated Press Sep 6, 2018 The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran are due to meet in Tehran in hopes of reaching a last-minute deal to prevent a massacre in Syria’s last opposition stronghold. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

The Frightening Foreign Policy Revealed in Woodward’s Book on Trump

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Sep 5, 2018 Here are some of the points gleaned from excerpts from Bob Woodward’s upcoming book, “Fear,” which profiles the Trump White House on the basis of hundreds of hours of interviews with staffers. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Assad: West Is Fueling Syria War, Hoping to Topple Him

The Associated Press Jun 10, 2018 The Syrian president says that Western nations have lied about chemical attacks and supported terrorist groups in his country, while Russia has supported his government against the foreign “invasion.” Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Mike Pompeo’s 12-Step Plan for Disaster With Iran

Scott Ritter / Truthdig May 23, 2018 Demanding that Iran unilaterally surrender to American demands that are detached from reality is little more than a prescription for war. Dig deeper ( 14 Min. Read )

Israel Accuses Iranian Forces of Rocket Attack on Golan

JOSEF FEDERMAN / The Associated Press May 9, 2018 The Israeli military said its Iron Dome rocket defense system intercepted some of the incoming projectiles, while others caused only minimal damage. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Caliphate of Trump

Tom Engelhardt / TomDispatch May 9, 2018 With the rise of a new kind of American death cult, our president might be considered the superpower version of Islamic State's leader. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Syria Monitor: Sunday’s Missile Attack Kills 26, Mostly Iranians

BASSEM MROUE / The Associated Press Apr 30, 2018 Iranian media gave conflicting reports about the attack on government outposts in Syria’s northern region amid speculation that it was carried out by neighboring Israel. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )