Democracy is “Radical” in Northern Syria

AMUDA, Syria, Oct 28 2014 (IPS) – There was never anything particularly remarkable about this northern town of 25,000. However, today it has become the lab for one the most pioneering political experiments ever conducted in the entire Middle East region. Located… Continue Reading

Resolving Key Nuclear Issue Turns on Iran-Russia Deal

by Gareth Porter U.S. and Iranian negotiators are working on a compromise approach to the issue of Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities, which the Barack Obama administration has said in the past Iran was refusing to make concessions on. The compromise… Continue Reading

The Collapse of Order in the Middle East

by Chas Freeman* Will Rogers once observed that “when you get into trouble 5,000 miles from home, you’ve got to have been looking for it.”  It’s a good deal more than 5.000 miles to Baghdad or Damascus from here.  And,… Continue Reading

Libya’s Spillover Effect

by Wayne White Libya remains broken and violent. Secular forces made gains against Muslim extremists in Benghazi recently, but the advantage has shifted from side to side since early this year. And two rival governments vying for power amidst a… Continue Reading

The Islamic State’s Ideology is Grounded in Saudi Education

by Emile Nakhleh According to an article published Oct. 21 on Al-Monitor, the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) has issued new regulations for the school systems under its control in Iraq and Syria. The announced purpose of the so-called guidelines,… Continue Reading