‘The Neighbors Are Talking:’ Despite past differences, Syria and Iraq are teaming up again

‘The Neighbors Are Talking:’ Despite past differences, Syria and Iraq are teaming up again

AUGUST 1997,  Toward Freedom. What nobody in the US—no journalist or academic or politician wanted to talk about, has actually happened. Syria and Iraq have…

Letter to My Friend in Damascus

Letter to My Friend in Damascus

MARCH 13, 2017, Counterpunch.org. I am afraid to ask you you’re feelings about the recently announced American invasion into your country. In our talks these…

An Impossible Syrian Victory

An Impossible Syrian Victory

APRIL 6, 2016, Counterpunch.org. “…before it fell back into government hands last weekend”, notes a National Public Radio reporter Monday morning. He’s clearly disappointed, unable…

Losing Our Young Syrians

Losing Our Young Syrians

JULY 22, 2015, Counterpunch.org. When a former Syrian student of mine, Walid, announced that he’d resolved to pay smugglers to get him to Europe, I…

A Short History of Syrian Orphans

A Short History of Syrian Orphans

FEBRUARY 5, 2014, Counterpunch.org. How can I distinguish between a 4-year old alawite corpse and a 6 month old miasmatic christian infant, between an orphan…

The Empty Classrooms of Qalamoun

The Empty Classrooms of Qalamoun

DECEMBER 6, 2013, Counterpunch.org. Poetic designations like Qalamoun are propelled into international consciousness as new sites of combat and desolation. Because Qalamoun lies strategically on…