bahrain

Why a Security Pact With Bahrain Does Not Serve US Interests

Paul R. Pillar / Responsible Statecraft Sep 18, 2023 Seen as a dry run for a similar deal with Saudi Arabia, such arrangements are more likely to further destabilize the region. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Trump Fails Again to Bring Troops Home From the Middle East

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 6, 2019 After abruptly withdrawing from Syria, the president reportedly is considering deploying an additional 14,000 soldiers to counter Iran. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

America Is Sabotaging the New Arab Spring

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Jul 1, 2019 The U.S. has aligned itself with some of the worst actors in the Middle East. We'll be living with the consequences for years to come. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

A Glimpse at Ties Between Israelis and Arabs

JOSH LEDERMAN / The Associated Press May 12, 2018 A recent unexpected and informal meeting at a Washington, D.C., restaurant casts light on budding cooperation as the Jewish state and Gulf nations find common cause against Iran. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pompeo: U.S. Stands With Israel Against Iran

MATTHEW LEE / The Associated Press Apr 29, 2018 In Tel Aviv, the secretary of state call for concerted international action to punish Iran for its missile programs. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Did Trump Help Engineer the Saudi Soft Coup?

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 7, 2018 In his new book "Fire and Fury," Michael Wolff makes a number of allegations about the U.S. president's role in the Gulf crisis that, if true, help explain the mess in that part of the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

The Human Cost of Holding the World Cup in Qatar

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Sep 30, 2017 A rights group claims hundreds of migrant workers die in the Middle Eastern country every year from the duress of extreme heat, humidity and poor working conditions. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Attempt to Close Al-Jazeera Is an Attack on Freedom of Expression, U.N. Says

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jul 1, 2017 The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is reportedly "extremely concerned" by four neighboring countries' demand that Qatar shut down the television news network. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Four Neighboring Countries Demand That Qatar Shut Down Al-Jazeera

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jun 23, 2017 Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE want the Pan-Arab news network silenced. It has less independence than in earlier years but is still a voice that would be sorely missed if lost. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Hillary Clinton Must Learn From Her Mistakes

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Aug 31, 2016 Is criticism of the Democratic presidential nominee over her emails and her family's foundation too harsh? Perhaps But the Clintons invite such scrutiny and suspicion Is criticism of the Democratic presidential nominee over her emails and her family's foundation too harsh? Perhaps. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Doubling Down on a Failed Strategy: The Pentagon’s Dangerous ‘New’ Base Plan

By David Vine / TomDispatch Jan 15, 2016 The Obama administration's consideration of a Pentagon proposal to create a “new” and “enduring” system of military bases around the Middle East confirms that the military intends to stay in the region for decades, if not generations, to come. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

VIDEO: Manufacturing Terror: How Saudi Arabia Helped Create Islamic State

Staff / Truthdig Nov 17, 2015 In light of the latest terrorist attacks in Paris, we take a look back at an interview with CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, who singled out Saudi Arabia for its role in creating radical extremism in the Middle East. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )