Bringing people of different faiths together to solve the world’s problems is a noble goal – but it’s hard to know what it achieves

Katherine O’Lone, University of Cambridge and Julian Hargreaves, University of Cambridge An estimated 84% of the global population identifies with a religion. This is over 6.5 billion people. Among thousands of world religions, Christianity is the largest, with 2.3 billion … Continue reading Bringing people of different faiths together to solve the world’s problems is a noble goal – but it’s hard to know what it achieves

US hands Palestine a loaded deck

            To understand how self-defeating the US latest “peace process” drive has been, one only needs to consider some of the characters involved in this political theater. Martin Indyk in particular stands out as a testament to how inherently futile the exercise is. Indyk, a former US ambassador to Israel, was selected by Secretary of State John Kerry for the role of special envoy for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Under normal circumstances, Kerry’s selection might have appeared rational. Former ambassadors often possess the necessary expertise to navigate challenging political landscapes in countries where … Continue reading US hands Palestine a loaded deck

Message for Southern Baptists – Palestine and Palestinians were and are REAL!

Ameri   It’s been clear for years that the one thing that might—and only might—change the Israeli government’s thinking is a credible threat by the United States of pulling away, cutting back its military aid, and joining an international effort to isolate Israel. If the United States were to remove the universal presumption that, ultimately, it will always take Israel’s side, it could actually play the role of honest broker.  But what are the chances of that happening? Especially with the warmongering rapture/violence loving Christian Zionist fanatics whose hold on consecutive US Governments increases and with in Likuds hold on … Continue reading Message for Southern Baptists – Palestine and Palestinians were and are REAL!

A John Hagee Fairytale: “Blood Moons” and The End of Times

  by BILL BERKOWITZ FOR BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT (Photo: Roadcrusher)In the course of his long career Pastor John Hagee has been chasing the end of times, beating a muscular pro-Israeli drum, establishing the world’s largest pro-Israel organization, and accumulating extraordinary wealth. Now, with Blood Moons rising, his End Times war chest is bubbling over. “I believe that the heavens are God’s billboard, that He has been sending signals to planet Earth, and we just haven’t been picking them up.” – Pastor John Hagee Harold Camping, the Oakland, California-based preacher who wrongly prophesized the coming of the End Times is now gone, … Continue reading A John Hagee Fairytale: “Blood Moons” and The End of Times

The many shades of McWorld

Some years ago, in response to a rather strong piece on US shenanigans in the Middle East, an American reader wrote back: “Why do you hate America?” As some of my perceptive readers might have already deduced, I get loads of fanmail in response to my weekly rants, especially from my own kind and most of it not most flattering. Yet the accusation ‘why do you hate America’ from an all-American white reader was a little disconcerting. For I do not see myself as an America phobe. The influence of American literature, Hollywood, culture and their collective glorification of ambition, excellence, grit and … Continue reading The many shades of McWorld

US ‘peace process’ charade plays on

As the US-imposed April 29 deadline for a “framework” agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority looms, time is also running out for the American administration on the issue. The Barack Obama administration needs to conjure up an escape route to avoid embarrassment if the talks are to fail.  The Americans were likely aware when this latest process launched that peace under the current circumstances is unattainable. Israel’s ruling coalition is adamantly anti-Arab, anti-peace and against any kind of agreement that falls short of endorsing the Israel’s apartheid-like occupation of Palestine.  Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies on … Continue reading US ‘peace process’ charade plays on

The return of Al-Qaeda

Back in 2011 many thought Al-Qaeda was finished. Battered by America’s ferocious response to 9/11 and relentlessly targeted by drones, the organisation was gasping for breath. The death of Bin Laden, it seemed, delivered the final blow.And yet today Al-Qaeda is resurgent.The relative weakness of the Al-Qaeda leadership in Afghanistan and Pakistan is deceptive. The organisation’s strength now lies at the periphery. Today the Al-Nusra front controls huge tracts of Syrian territory. And there are signs that the jihadis there have learnt an important lesson: if they want the consent of the people, it’s best not to murder too many … Continue reading The return of Al-Qaeda

Palestinian leaders’ showdown turns ugly

When late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was confined by Israeli soldiers to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Mohammed Dahlan reigned supreme. As perhaps the most powerful and effective member of the “Gang of Five”, he managed the affairs of the ruling Fatah movement, coordinated with Israel regarding matters of security, and even wheeled and dealed in regional and international affairs.  That was the period between March and April 2002, and it was a different time. Back then, Dahlan – a former Palestinian Authority (PA) minister, National Security advisor and head of Gaza’s Preventative Security Service (PSS)- was … Continue reading Palestinian leaders’ showdown turns ugly

Current Iran “Crisis” Began With Overthrow of Democratically Elected Government in 1953

  Tanks in the streets of Tehran, 1953. (Photo: Wikipedia) In Manufactured Crisis, investigative journalist Gareth Porter details the manipulation and fabrications that have accompanied the current Iranian nuclear situation. The main difference between this and the Iraq war conspiracy, the author says, was that the neoconservatives who were carrying it out never got the war on Iran they wanted. Obtain this book, Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare, from Truthout with a minimum contribution. Just click here. You will be enhancing your knowledge, supporting progressive authors and backing the vital journalism of Truthout. Have we narrowly averted a … Continue reading Current Iran “Crisis” Began With Overthrow of Democratically Elected Government in 1953

U.S. National War Academy: A Project for The Muslim nations – Whats the Muslim Response?

  Plans for Redrawing the Middle East: The Project for a “New Middle East” By Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya Global Research, November 18, 2006 Region: Middle East & North Africa Theme: US NATO War Agenda In-depth Report: AFGHANISTAN, IRAN: THE NEXT WAR?,IRAQ REPORT, THE WAR ON LEBANON     “Hegemony is as old as Mankind…” -Zbigniew Brzezinski, former U.S. National Security Advisor The term “New Middle East” was introduced to the world in June 2006 in Tel Aviv by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (who was credited by the Western media for coining the term) in replacement of the older and more imposing term, the “Greater Middle East.” … Continue reading U.S. National War Academy: A Project for The Muslim nations – Whats the Muslim Response?