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Juan Cole

@jricole.bsky.social

6.5K followers 1.6K following 4.2K posts

Historian, essayist: Middle East, South Asia, Islam, Social History, Foreign Policy, Environment, Culture, Progressive Politics; Signal: Juan Cole

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John Ricardo Irfan "Juan" Cole is an American academic and commentator on the modern Middle East and South Asia. He is Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan. Since 2002, he has written a weblog, Informed Comment (juancole.com). .. more

Political science 68%

Sociology 17%

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · Oct 26

Gaza Yet Stands: Juan Cole’s New E-Book

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Many observers have complained that our understanding of the current Mideast War too often begins with the horrendous Hamas attacks on Israelis on October 7, 2023. Historian, here, hand up. I’ve not only studied the history…

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 3h

Syria’s Parliamentary Election Results look Alarmingly like Iraq 2005, which produced a Civil War

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Syria’s parliamentary elections on October 5 raised alarm flags for me on several grounds. First, they were not conducted on the basis of a direct vote. Sixty “constituencies” were established to elect 121 members of the People’s Assembly of Syria (only 119 were actually elected). Another 70 members will be […]

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 5h

A Gaza Ceasefire Is Not Enough: We Must Choose Life and Freedom

( The Times of Israel ) – As we wait anxiously to see whether the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will take hold and become permanent—ending the massacres in Gaza and bringing the hostages home—we find ourselves in the midst of Sukkot, the festival of fragile dwellings [or “Feast of the Tabernacles”]. During Sukkot, […]

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 5h

We Must Not Look Away from Palestine: Resisting Oppression and Pursuing Justice

Roy Eidelson Note: This essay is adapted from the author’s August address at the American Psychological Association annual convention and from a webinar he presented in early September. The webinar includes many visual depictions of the topics discussed here. ( Counterpunch ) – Welcome everyone. I’m Roy Eidelson, president of the Society for the Study of Peace, […]

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 10h

Illustration for the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edmund Dulac, 1909; see also Juan Cole, The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyam
A New Translation from the Persian https://www.bloomsbu... http://dlvr.it/TNcrMy

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Geoff Brumfiel @gbrumfiel.bsky.social · 10h

BREAKING: CDC is apparently reversing many of its layoffs. Letters seen by NPR indicate that many employees working with infectious diseases have had their RIFs revoked.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 11h

oh, Twitter isn't making Elmo money! huge drain on finances, except that a half- trillionaire can afford vanity projects. Alas I can't write books like The New Arabs out of Bluesky

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan , and 11 more Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Tom Clark, Juan Cole, Michael Kevane, Robert C. Richards, David R. Miller, Michael D. McDonald, Jason Lyall, David Rosnick, Aviel Roshwald, Stella M. Rouse, Nathan P. Kalmoe

Kevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 12h

Unconstitutionally taking money that the law says must be spent on one purpose & using it for something else—when it's to establish personalist control over the FUCKING MILITARY—is about as dangerous a constitutional crisis/failure as you can imagine

Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

The Office of Management and Budget sent a notification to Congress about their intent to use research and development funds to pay members of the military, two sources with direct knowledge tell NBC News.

A spokesperson for the OMB confirmed to NBC News that it plans to use the research and development funds and that there are two years' worth of funds available within the Department of Defense.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 12h

much of life is only enjoyable as we go through it because we don't know the whole truth:

the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was so popular because it hinted around at this reality

Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 13h

I know her friendship with Woody Allen was problematic but Diane Keaton was a great actress...sigh.

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Anthea Butler @antheabutler.bsky.social · 13h

I know her friendship with Woody Allen was problematic but Diane Keaton was a great actress...sigh.

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Jannis J Grimm @jannisgrimm.bsky.social · 15h

Demonstration march in solidarity with Palestine in Berlin Mitte today counting roughly 8,000-12,000. Knock on effect of the large demonstrations two weeks ago is still visible, despite heavy policing and announced ceasefire plan.

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Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 15h

🇱🇧 An Israeli drone strike hit a car on the outskirts of Kherbet Selem and Qalaway in southern Lebanon, killing one person. The two villages sit a few miles from the Israeli border in the Bint Jbeil district, which had been repeatedly targeted in cross-border strikes.

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Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 15h

🔗 Full episode:

youtu.be/BUNFnZBXVhM?...

Bari Weiss and the Israel narrative in the US | The Listening Post

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English

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Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 16h

CNN asks Palestinian-American analyst Omar Baddar about Israeli concerns over releasing “convicted” Palestinian “prisoners.”

Video below ⬇️

Omar Baddar via X: "Telling CNN what the ceasefire agreement after 2 years of genocide will mean for Gaza, & how keeping the boot of occupation on the necks of Palestinians will never bring true peace or security to Palestinians or Israelis."

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 16h

the Middle Easterners aren't on Bluesky; have to find them where they are; this feed doesn't support my specialty sufficiently

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Mia Farrow @miafarrow.bsky.social · 16h

International Committee of the Red Cross: Awarded the Nobel Peace prize 3 times for its humanitarian work.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Awarded the prize twice for its work with refugees.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

Summers in Japan longer by 3 weeks over 42 years, researchers say www.scmp.com/news/asia/ea...

Summers in Japan longer by 3 weeks over 42 years, researchers say

In comparison, the average durations of spring and autumn shortened from 1982 to 2023 due to climate change.

www.scmp.com

Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

The current war on science, and who’s behind it flip.it/KztsxL

The current war on science, and who’s behind it — Ars Technica

A vaccine developer and a climate scientist walk into a bar write a book.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

Palestinians search Gaza rubble for loved ones in ceasefire, return home flip.it/M.VOAX

Palestinians search Gaza rubble for loved ones in ceasefire, return home

Displaced Palestinians return to the ruins of homes, driven by loss, defiance and the will to rebuild.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

‘Not a punchline’: 15 dehumanising quotes on Gaza atrocities by US figures flip.it/O71AHr

‘Not a punchline’: 15 dehumanising quotes on Gaza atrocities by US figures

Van Jones apologises for joke about dead Palestinian babies, but not alone when it comes to insensitive remarks on Gaza.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

How close are we to solid state batteries for electric vehicles? flip.it/.ZRWgZ

How close are we to solid state batteries for electric vehicles?

Superionic materials promise greater range, faster charges and more safety.

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Juan Cole @jricole.bsky.social · 17h

World’s chip supply chain bracing itself for fallout from China’s rare earth curbs flip.it/DFDR1x

China’s rare-earth curbs impact global chip supply

China's new rare-earth export restrictions are threatening to disrupt the global semiconductor supply chain amidst an escalating trade war with the US. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at stra...

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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 18h

85 percent of Khan Younis flattened by Israeli attacks - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/85-percent-khan-younis-flattened-israeli-attacks

85 percent of Khan Younis flattened by Israeli attacks

<article data-history-node-id="429998" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/85-percent-khan-younis-flattened-israeli-attacks" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/85-percent-khan-younis-flattened-israeli-attacks" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">85 percent of Khan Younis flattened by Israeli attacks</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The mayor of the southern Khan Younis governorate in Gaza has reported that 85 percent of the area has been levelled by Israeli attacks.</p> <p>He added that some 400,000 tonnes of rubble must be removed before any reconstruction work can begin.</p> <figure role="group" class="media-block"> <div class="group-inner"> <div alt="Khan younis ceasefire" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3d46a9b-7797-4f2e-ad4c-997a6c583904" data-langcode="en" class="embedded-entity"> <img src="https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/default/files/khan%20younis.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Khan younis ceasefire" typeof="foaf:Image" fetchpriority="high"> </div> <figcaption>A Palestinian boy walks among rubble following Israeli forces' withdrawal from the area in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2025 (REUTERS)</figcaption> </div> </figure> <p><span style="background: rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5) url("https://www.middleeasteye.net/modules/contrib/ckeditor/vendor/plugins/widget/images/handle.png"); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" loading="lazy"></span></p> </div> </div> </article>

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Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 18h

"Two Top Scientists Tackle Trump’s Idiocracy" | Great review of my new book with @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social, #ScienceUnderSiege, by @danfalk.bsky.social for @motherjones.com: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

Two top scientists tackle Trump's idiocracy

In a new book, Michael Mann and Peter Hotez examine the risks posed by entrenched beliefs, corporate greed, and regressive governments.

www.motherjones.com

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NPR @npr.org · 18h

On Capitol Hill, there has been almost no sign of progress toward ending the shutdown. Senators say they aren't even formally negotiating, which begs the question: what are they actually doing?

'Make it stop.' For lawmakers, the shutdown feels like purgatory (but with Thai food)

On Capitol Hill, there has been almost no sign of progress toward ending the shutdown. Senators say they aren't even formally negotiating, which begs the question: what are they actually doing?

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Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 18h

Banking services to be restored in Gaza - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/banking-services-be-restored-gaza

Banking services to be restored in Gaza

<article data-history-node-id="429997" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/banking-services-be-restored-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/banking-services-be-restored-gaza" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Banking services to be restored in Gaza</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The Palestine Money Authority says it is working to restore banking services in Gaza and to provide the necessary financial and banking services in order to facilitate the flow of aid into the territory.</p> </div> </div> </article>

www.middleeasteye.net

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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 18h

Exclusive: Leaked U.S. documents reveal expanded security cooperation between Israel and key Arab states despite public condemnation of the Gaza war.

The collaboration, driven by concerns over Iran, includes military planning and training.

U.S. files reveal Israeli-Arab military cooperation, even as Gaza war raged

Documents from U.S. Central Command show a series of meetings over the past three years between Israeli and Arab military officials to coordinate on regional threats.

www.washingtonpost.com

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The Intercept @theintercept.com · 18h

Trump’s stance on Gaza shifted after Israel’s attack on Qatar — a close ally where he and his family have key business deals.

Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?

Trump’s stance on Gaza shifted after Israel’s attack on Qatar — a close ally where he and his family have key business deals.

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Jeremy Bassis @bassisjeremy.bsky.social · 18h

Universities are messy, inefficient and have never been a bastion of courage. But let's be honest about what is going on here because it has nothing to do with "fixing" higher-ed. This is about controlling who gets into elite universities and restricting the knowledge we produce. 12/

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Jeremy Pressman @djpressman.bsky.social · 18h

One thing to expect if the Israel-Palestine ceasefire sticks in Gaza. Journalists will flood into the area and write & film a lot of stories about the suffering - the stories of starvation, bombing, and Palestinian survival in Gaza; the interviews with released Israeli hostages etc.

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Physicians for a Healthy Democracy @physiciandemocracy.medsky.social · 18h

@donwinslow.bsky.social

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