A Brief History of Climate Science

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Nov 24, 2012 In 300 B.C., a student of Aristotle observed that humans could change regional temperatures by draining marshes and clearing forests. More than 2,000 years later, a Swede quantified carbon’s role in keeping the planet warm. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan: Recognition of Futility or Retreat From the Coming Storm?

William Pfaff / Truthdig Feb 29, 2012 No one yet in Washington seems fully to appreciate or acknowledge the failure, but failure it is. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Arab League Lands in Syria

Staff / Truthdig Dec 27, 2011 Delegates from the Arab League arrived in Syria on Monday in yet another attempt to resolve the crisis that's only intensified since the Syrian government made the evidently hollow gesture last week of agreeing to stop military-enabled assaults on its own people and allow observation from outside its borders. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Durban Deal Is No Deal

Staff / Truthdig Dec 11, 2011 Another round of climate negotiations, another vague promise to commit to something in the distant future and another slow-motion step toward disaster for the world’s poor and vulnerable. The Durban deal puts the U.N.’s 194 nations on track to begin negotiating a legally binding pact by 2015, six years after we were told to expect such a treaty in Copenhagen. (more)Another round of climate negotiations, another slow-motion step toward disaster. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Syria Strikes Compromise With Help From Arab League

Staff / Truthdig Nov 3, 2011 Remember the conflict in Syria? You know, the one involving President Bashar al-Assad and the protesters in his country clamoring for regime change? It's still happening Some 3,000 Syrians have lost their lives in the struggle, and (more). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Infants More Likely to Survive in 40 Countries Other Than U.S.

Staff / Truthdig Sep 1, 2011 The World Health Organization reported that babies born in the U.S. are more likely to die in their first month of life than are babies born in 40 other countries, including South Korea, Cuba, Malaysia, Lithuania, Poland and Israel. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Sudan’s President Shows Up at Arab Summit

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2009 Despite the arrest warrant recently issued for him by the International Criminal Court, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has made a defiant move by showing up in Qatar to attend the 21st Arab League summit meeting, at which United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was also slated to appear. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Human Rights Defenders Have It Tough in the Mideast

Robert Fisk / Truthdig Mar 22, 2009 Dr Salim el-Hoss is 80 now but remains a staunch defender of human rights and democracy, an opponent of the death penalty and an outspoken supporter of Palestinians. When I recommended to him a long article on American torture, he read it right through to the end and then put the paper down with a slap on his knee. "Terrible, terrible," he muttered. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Two Mideast Peace Stories, for a Change

Staff / Truthdig May 24, 2008 The Mosaic Intelligence Report looks at two welcome developments in the Middle East: On Wednesday, Israel and Syria said they had begun indirect talks in Turkey, the first confirmation in eight years of negotiations between the long-time enemies. On that same day, the Gulf state of Qatar scored a diplomatic coup by pulling off a deal intended to end Lebanon's protracted crisis. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lebanon’s Leaders Reach Deal

Staff / Truthdig May 21, 2008 The Lebanese government and the Hezbollah opposition group came to a power-sharing agreement Wednesday, potentially marking the end to the country's two-year-old political crisis, which only weeks ago erupted in clashes that left 65 people dead. The move, which some analysts say may benefit Hezbollah more than the Western-backed government, has been hailed by the parties directly involved and others, including the U.S. as well. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

An Anti-Terror Hero’s Dubious Ties

Staff / Truthdig Nov 29, 2007 Rudy Giuliani likes to pretend that he's the world's greatest terrorism fighter, but it turns out that his business empire has contracted with a Qatari sheik who once helped Khalid Sheikh Muhammad escape the FBI. The Village Voice has the goods. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Bin Laden Releases Another Tape

Staff / Truthdig Apr 23, 2006 This time he's railing against the U for cutting off aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )