Did Medieval Muslims Invent Modern Secularism? Did Medieval Muslims Invent Modern Secularism?
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was embraced by many Western intellectuals as an aid to their own secularization.
Nov 7, 2016 / Juan Cole
Will the Reconquest of Mosul Lead to the Breakup of Iraq? Will the Reconquest of Mosul Lead to the Breakup of Iraq?
The Arab world is divided, often along sectarian lines, on what to expect.
Oct 31, 2016 / Juan Cole
Oliver Stone’s ‘Snowden’ Is a Horror Movie—and the Monster Is Our National Security State Oliver Stone’s ‘Snowden’ Is a Horror Movie—and the Monster Is Our National Security State
For Trump to have these instruments of power would be a catastrophe.
Sep 19, 2016 / Juan Cole
What Should We Take Away from Turkey’s Almost-Coup? What Should We Take Away from Turkey’s Almost-Coup?
The attempted military coup in Turkey is sure to reverberate beyond its borders, leaving the United States and its NATO allies with decisions to make.
Jul 19, 2016 / Juan Cole
The Istanbul Terror Attack May Force a Reckoning in Turkey’s Foreign Policy The Istanbul Terror Attack May Force a Reckoning in Turkey’s Foreign Policy
Ankara has already patched up relations with Israel and Russia—and Washington could be next.
Jul 6, 2016 / Juan Cole
When Donald Trump Says His Foreign Policy Is ‘America First’—What Exactly Does He Mean? When Donald Trump Says His Foreign Policy Is ‘America First’—What Exactly Does He Mean?
Four experts consider how exactly Trump might go about making America great again.
May 24, 2016 / Sherle R. Schwenninger, Heather Hurlburt, Stephen Kinzer, and Juan Cole
Why Is Washington Supporting Fundamentalist Jihadis in Syria? Why Is Washington Supporting Fundamentalist Jihadis in Syria?
A CIA-backed rebel group has joined with Al Qaeda in attacking another rebel force—the one leading negotiations in Geneva.
May 16, 2016 / Juan Cole
Egyptian President Sisi Is Ridiculed for ‘Selling’ Islands to Saudi Arabia Egyptian President Sisi Is Ridiculed for ‘Selling’ Islands to Saudi Arabia
Even members of the usually supine elite are horrified; the dictator’s move could provoke much more widespread opposition.
Apr 11, 2016 / Juan Cole
War Crimes and US Responsibility in Syria and Yemen War Crimes and US Responsibility in Syria and Yemen
Washington is giving substantial support to the Saudi-led war in Yemen, even helping to choose bombing targets.
Feb 18, 2016 / Juan Cole
Flint and Gaza: Water Crises of Colonialism Flint and Gaza: Water Crises of Colonialism
In both places, local people have been deprived of autonomy, and they face a severe public health crisis as a result.
Feb 3, 2016 / Juan Cole