Middle East

John McCain Iran deal

Inside the Effort to Kill the Iran Deal Inside the Effort to Kill the Iran Deal

The rhetoric coming from Iran hawks is increasingly out of touch with public opinion.

Jul 31, 2015 / James Carden

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

John Kerry Iran Deal

It’s Not a Nuclear-Armed Iran That Israel and Saudi Arabia Really Fear It’s Not a Nuclear-Armed Iran That Israel and Saudi Arabia Really Fear

It’s that the Vienna Agreement opens the door for the United States and Iran to develop important financial and trade ties.

Jul 28, 2015 / Peter Van Buren

An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel

An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel An Open Letter to the NBA Players Traveling to Israel

The NBA’s trip to Israel—sponsored by Sheldon Adelson—raises questions for players who aligned themselves with the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Jul 27, 2015 / Dave Zirin

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

Shuafat Ridge Water Crisis

How Israel Uses Water to Control Palestinian Life How Israel Uses Water to Control Palestinian Life

The relentless scarcity is purposeful and integral to Israel’s strategy of “demographic balance.”

Jul 24, 2015 / Charlotte Silver

John Kerry Testimony

John Kerry Makes the Case on Capitol Hill for a Deal With Iran John Kerry Makes the Case on Capitol Hill for a Deal With Iran

It’s this deal or war, the secretary of state claimed.

Jul 23, 2015 / James Carden

Presidents Putin and Jinping

The Geopolitical Big Bang You Probably Don’t See Coming The Geopolitical Big Bang You Probably Don’t See Coming

China and Russia are gearing up to create an economic zone beyond Washington’s reach.

Jul 23, 2015 / Pepe Escobar

John Kerry

John Kerry’s Next Challenge John Kerry’s Next Challenge

Confronting the war party on Ukraine

Jul 21, 2015 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Obama Correspondents' Dinner

Luther the Anger Translator No Longer Needed as Obama Fights for the Iranian Deal Luther the Anger Translator No Longer Needed as Obama Fights for the Iranian Deal

Obama’s impatience with the stagecraft of the White House press conference hints at a long overdue rhetorical change.

Jul 17, 2015 / Leslie Savan

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