Juan Cole

@jricole

Juan Cole, the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, is the author, most recently, of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: A New Translation From the Persian.

Donald Trump listens as Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during their joint news conference at the White House, February 15, 2017.

The Fallout of Biden’s Middle East Policy Is Now Trump’s Responsibility The Fallout of Biden’s Middle East Policy Is Now Trump’s Responsibility

In Trump’s hands, the country's diplomatic strategy in the Middle East can only get worse.

Nov 12, 2024 / Juan Cole

Biden and Netanyahu

American Influence in the Middle East Is Evaporating Before Our Eyes American Influence in the Middle East Is Evaporating Before Our Eyes

Washington’s efforts in the Middle East have been profoundly undermined by its breathtaking hypocrisy.

Sep 30, 2024 / Juan Cole

Yemenis drive past a billboard depicting the navy destroyers of foreign countries, including the US and the UK, and the words “Navy coalition will be defeated” on a street in Sana’a, Yemen, on December 31, 2023.

We Should Pay Attention to the Ongoing Combat on the Red Sea We Should Pay Attention to the Ongoing Combat on the Red Sea

What we might call the Battle of the Tihamah has already lasted seven months and, surprisingly enough, given the opponents, its outcome remains in doubt.

Jul 5, 2024 / Juan Cole

Iranian oil refinery

In the Race to Lower Global Emissions, the Middle East Is Certainly Not Helping In the Race to Lower Global Emissions, the Middle East Is Certainly Not Helping

Some of the countries facing the biggest threat from the climate crisis seem all too intent on making it far worse.

Apr 25, 2024 / Juan Cole

Israeli forces invade Gaza.

With Every New Atrocity in Gaza, Iran Gains More Influence With Every New Atrocity in Gaza, Iran Gains More Influence

As a result of the ongoing carnage, Washington’s long struggle to exclude Iran from regional influence is visibly failing.

Mar 7, 2024 / Juan Cole

Oil pumpjacks

Big Oil Is Greenwashing the Planet Big Oil Is Greenwashing the Planet

The hosting of the recent COP28 climate summit by the United Arab Emirates is just one instance.

Dec 26, 2023 / Juan Cole

Paradise, California wildfire

This Groundbreaking California Court Case Is Taking on Big Oil This Groundbreaking California Court Case Is Taking on Big Oil

In an overheating world, the denialism of Big Oil and its henchmen, including most of the Republican Party, is a crime of the first order.

Oct 17, 2023 / Juan Cole

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system

Israel’s Repression of Palestinians Paved the Way for Its New Antidemocratic Court Israel’s Repression of Palestinians Paved the Way for Its New Antidemocratic Court

The 56-year-long brutal occupation of the Palestinian Territories has come home to roost.

Aug 16, 2023 / Juan Cole

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, permanent representative of Russian Federation to the United Nations, and Ambassador Zhang Jun, permanent representative of China to the UN, engage in conversation during the UN Security Council meeting on Nord Stream pipeline explosions at the UN Headquarters on February 21, 2023, in New York City.

The Diplomatic Wins at the Heart of China’s Ascendancy The Diplomatic Wins at the Heart of China’s Ascendancy

Its diplomatic feat of restoring relations in the Middle East reflects less its position as a rising power than the startling decline of American regional credibility.

May 23, 2023 / Juan Cole

Twenty Years Ago, the United States Was Putin

Twenty Years Ago, the United States Was Putin Twenty Years Ago, the United States Was Putin

We should condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine, but not while conveniently forgetting the crimes we committed in Iraq.

Mar 13, 2023 / Juan Cole

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