What Does Netanyahu’s Corruption Case Tell Us About Trump’s Fate?

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Feb 14, 2018 There are parallels between the Israeli prime minister's situation and the U.S. president's. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

After Destroying Iraq, U.S. Won’t Give a Dime to Reconstruction

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Feb 11, 2018 The Trump administration is reportedly going into the Iraq reconstruction conference in Kuwait with no plans to help pay for the effort. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

What Is Russian Role in Downing of Israeli Warplane?

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Feb 10, 2018 If Russia was involved, it may be a sign of Vladimir Putin’s determination to assert the prerogatives of his nation's sphere of influence in Syria. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Did a Comet Strike Trigger a Recent Ice Age?

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Feb 5, 2018 Scientists find more evidence that a massive comet slammed into the Upper Midwest about 13,000 years ago, sparking wildfires that began a 1,200-year deep freeze. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Fascist Underpinnings of Trump’s Speech

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 31, 2018 The president's address has all the elements of fascism, except brownshirts marching in the street beating people up, though he has veered toward that in his praise of neo-Nazis. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

No, Polar Ice Isn’t Growing and, Yes, We Are Boiling the Earth

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 29, 2018 The Associated Press has done a fact check of President Trump’s bizarre assertions on climate change in an interview with his friend Piers Morgan. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

In Era of Big Climate Change, We Have to Stop Farting Carbon

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 28, 2018 The word "emissions” is bland and means nothing to most people. Maybe a cruder choice can embarrass them into realizing the urgency of the global environmental crisis. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Syrian Kurds Ask Assad to Save Them From Turkey

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 26, 2018 The hopes of the Trump administration to use the Syrian Kurds as a wedge against the government of Bashar Assad in Damascus may be rapidly fading. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Jordan’s King Warns Pence of Instability Over Jerusalem

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 24, 2018 King Abdullah II may be afraid that his American alliance, unpopular with many in his country, will tag him as a traitor to Islam and the Arab nation. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Diplomatic Dimension to Turkey’s Drive Into Syria

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 22, 2018 Ankara's appeal for NATO support for its military campaign receives a cool reception from the United States. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Turkey Begins Military Operation Against U.S.-Allied Kurds in Syria

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 20, 2018 The move comes after the U.S. announces it will arm and train a Kurdish force to police Syria’s borders to ensure Islamic State does not re-emerge. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Trump Administration Commits to Forever War Against Iran in Syria

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 18, 2018 The most troubling feature of a recent mishmash of a talk by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was the intent to keep U.S. troops in eastern Syria for the long haul. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )