Middle East Autocrats Bought Our Think Tanks Long Ago

Ben Freeman / TomDispatch Feb 24, 2019 The foreign funding of think tanks is a vital part of the way other governments try to influence policy in this country. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Oman’s Rocks Could Help the Fight Against Climate Change

By Ilana Novick Apr 27, 2018 They absorb harmful carbon dioxide, turning it into stone. Dig deeper ( 2 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 )

U.S. Is Now Openly at War With Houthis in Yemen (Video)

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 16, 2016 The Obama administration should dissociate itself from the Saudi-led war and open its own lines of communication with the Houthis, because seeing the insurgents as proxies for Iran is geopolitical paranoia. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Are Arab Oil Monarchies Divided Over the Iran Deal? (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jul 23, 2015 There is reason to think that the fabulously wealthy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprised of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, is deeply divided over the U.N. Security Council deal with Iran. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Iran Frees 2 American Hikers

Staff / Truthdig Sep 21, 2011 Two years after crossing an unmarked border into Iran, American hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal are being released from prison on $1 million bail. Convicted of espionage by the Iranians, they had been sentenced to eight years behind bars. Update: The two Americans flew Wednesday to Oman, where they raced down the stairway of a private jet and into the arms of their families. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )