[This is a monthly archive of pieces written by Jadaliyya contributors and editors on the Occupations, Interventions,and Law (O.I.L.) Page. It also includes material published on other platforms that editors deemed pertinent to post as they provide diverse depictions of O.I.L.-related topics. The pieces reflect the level of critical analysis and diversity that Jadaliyya strives for, but the views are solely the ones of their authors. If you are interested in contributing to Jadaliyya, send us your post with your bio and a release form to post@jadaliyya.com [click "Submissions" on the main page for more information]
US-Middle East Relations
Iran Leader Slams West's 'Stupid' Missile Stance before Talks, Michelle Moghtader and Mehrdad Balali
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described United States expectations that Iran will curb missile development "stupid and idiotic," prior to a new round of nuclear talks.
Newsweek: Extensive Israeli Spying in the US Kept Quiet Due to Pressure from the Lobby, Adam Horowitz
Mondoweiss reports on a Newsweek report alleging Israel spying on the US is often covered up due to political pressure from the pro-Israeli lobby as well as a range of responses to the report.
US Grants Syrian Opposition Diplomatic Status, Al Jazeera
The United States has official recognized Syrian National Coalition offices in the US as foreign missions.
In Major Speech, Indyk Opens Up on "Breakdown" of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks, Michael Wilner
The US special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations has accused both the Israeli and the Palestinian side of the negotiations of lacking urgency to compromise.
Armed Conflict
Deadly Barrel Bombs Reportedly Hitting Fallujah, Imran Khan
The government of Iraq has begun bombing parts of Fallujah in an effort to stave off anti-government militants, killing civilians in the process.
Deadly Drone Attack in Western Yemen, Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera reports on a recent series of US drone strikes in Yemen thought to be directed at al-Qaeda.
Iraq's Displaced, from Anbar to Kurdistan, Jenna Krajeski
Krajeski writes in The New Yorker of a wave of thousands of Iraqis from provinces that have seen armed conflict taking refuge in Kurdistan.
Counter-Terrorism: Britain's Legitimacy Gap, The Guardian
The editorial board of The Guardian argues the UK has neglected legal and democratic legitimacy in much of its counter-terrorism efforts.
Blair at Bloomberg: Rehashing the Dangers of "Radical Islam," Usaid (Muneeb) Siddiqui
A recent speech by Tony Blair at the Bloomberg headquarters in London warning of a threat of "Radical Islam" largely speaks of the Middle East in cliches or cherry-picked facts, alleges Siddiqui in New Left Project.
Israel-Palestine
Israeli Ministers Approve Bid to Block Palestinian Prisoner Releases, Jeffrey Heller
Amidst efforts to revive peace talks, an ministerial committee in Israel has approved legislation designed to block any further prisoner releases of Palestinians accused of killing Israelis.
NBC Refuses to Receive Petition Calling for End to Occupied Jerusalem Shoot, Ali Abunimah
NBC has declined to accept a petition signed by upwards of five thousand people urging the network to rescind its involvement with DIG, an action series shot and set in East Jerusalem.
Legal Issues
Egypt Court Sentences Thirty-Six Students for Protesting, Sarah El Deeb
The Associated Press reports on the sentencing of thirty-six students to four years in prison for taking part in a protest against the ousting of former President Morsi.
Lawyer for Pakistan Doctor Jailed over bin Laden Hunt Quits Amid Threats, Reuters
Samiullah Afridi, lawyer for Dr. Shakil Afridi, jailed after helping the CIA find Osama bin Laden, has left the case due to threats made against his family.
Strong Words, Weak Arguments: A Response to the Open Letter to the UN on Humaniarian Access to Syria, Naz Modirzadeh
The open letter to the UN on humanitarian aid in Syria signed by thirty-five lawyers of the International Bar Association is largely a political argument couched in International Humanitarian Law language, writes Modirzadeh in Opinio Juris.
The Lawyer Behind the Drone Policy, The New York Times Editorial Board
TheNew York Times writes favorably of holding up the nomination of David Barron to be a judge on the US Court of Appeals until the memos he wrote justifying the drone strikes that killed American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki are made available to the public.
Conferences
International Human Rights New Voices Panel; 2-5 January 2015; Washington, D.C.; Call for papers here.
On Jadaliyya
Identity Crisis: The Israeli ID System, Visualizing Palestine
Sixty-Six Years of Ongoing Nakba – Back to Basics: The Right of Return is a National and Inalienable Right, Jadaliyya Reports
Danny Glover, Grace Lee Boggs, Bill Ayers, and Other Actors & Activists Call for Cultural Boycott of Israel, Jadaliyya Reports
O.I.L. Monthly Edition (April 2014), O.I.L. Editors
Quick Thoughts: Chas Freeman on Israeli Espionage against the United States, Chas Freeman
Press Release: Alkarama Releases Its 2013 Annual Report in Arabic, English, and French, Jadaliyya Reports
The World Is with Us: Global Film and Poster Art from the Palestinian Revolution, 1968-1980 (London, 16 May - 14 June), Jadaliyya Reports
Gaza in 2020: A Liveable Place?, Jadaliyya Reports
Call for Submissions: DC Palestinian Film & Arts Festival, Jadaliyya Reports
4th Annual UC Davis Spring Human Rights Initiative Symposium (9-10 May), Jadaliyya Reports
مناحم بيغن وأريئيل شارون: لهما جائزة نوبل للموت!, Shadi Rohana