Juan Cole

@jricole

Juan Cole, the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, is the author, most recently, of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: A New Translation From the Persian.

Refugees fleeing Sana

Yemen, the World’s Next Great Refugee Crisis Yemen, the World’s Next Great Refugee Crisis

As the civil war heats up amid intervention by the Gulf monarchies, thousands are fleeing every day.

Sep 9, 2015 / Juan Cole

Hawaii Gov David Ige

Hawaii’s Governor Dumps Oil and Gas in Favor of 100 Percent Renewables Hawaii’s Governor Dumps Oil and Gas in Favor of 100 Percent Renewables

An unlikely partnership between Hawaii’s local government and the US military makes the island a leader in energy policy.

Aug 26, 2015 / Juan Cole

A guard in Sanaa, Yemen

The US-Backed Saudi Coalition Is Winning in Yemen The US-Backed Saudi Coalition Is Winning in Yemen

But will a devastated country destabilize the region?

Aug 19, 2015 / Juan Cole

John McCain Iran deal

Iran Hawks Think We Can Impose Harsher Sanctions on Iran Iran Hawks Think We Can Impose Harsher Sanctions on Iran

Here’s why they’re wrong.

Aug 12, 2015 / Juan Cole

Selahattin Demirtas

Turkey Is Making the Kurds’ Fight Against ISIS Impossible Turkey Is Making the Kurds’ Fight Against ISIS Impossible

Turkey’s president has not only managed to weaken US support for its Kurdish allies, but his war is dividing the Kurdish front.

Aug 6, 2015 / Juan Cole

Mullah Omar Painting

If the Taliban Reconquer Afghanistan, Does It Matter If Mullah Omar Died? If the Taliban Reconquer Afghanistan, Does It Matter If Mullah Omar Died?

In all likelihood, the story of his death is being co-opted by various factions in Afghanistan for their own purposes.

Jul 30, 2015 / Juan Cole

ISIS Member with Flag

Did ISIL Arise Partly Because of Climate Change? Did ISIL Arise Partly Because of Climate Change?

Martin O’Malley was ridiculed by the right for correctly noting the role of climate-induced drought in causing Syria’s instability. The bad news is that this is only the beginning.

Jul 24, 2015 / Juan Cole

Iran Nuclear Deal Celebrations

Can Washington and Tehran Finally Escape Their Pathological Past? Can Washington and Tehran Finally Escape Their Pathological Past?

Yes, but only if they begin behaving like responsible governments instead of causes.

Jul 15, 2015 / Juan Cole

Bill O'Reilly Islamophobia

Fox News and Right-Wing Radio Have Helped Racists Broadcast Islamophobic Vitriol to Millions Fox News and Right-Wing Radio Have Helped Racists Broadcast Islamophobic Vitriol to Millions

The dangerous propaganda being promoted by hate groups is putting American Muslims at risk.

Jul 9, 2015 / Juan Cole

Vigil for beach resort attack in Tunisia.

Can Tunisia’s Democracy Survive Terrorism? Can Tunisia’s Democracy Survive Terrorism?

Some Tunisians fear that the government’s proposed solution to deal with violent radicals will undo the victories of the 2011 revolution.

Jun 29, 2015 / Juan Cole

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