In which I try to find something nice to say in the aftermath of Turkey's failed coup attempt.
Author: DWD
writer, blogger, lover, fighter
Today in European history: the Battle of Guadalete (711)
On or around this date in 711 Berber and Visigothic armies met in the Battle of Guadalete, one of the decisive engagements in the Islamic conquest of Iberia and establishment of al-Andalus.
The History of Turkey’s Diyanet
Kristin Fabbe and Kimberly Guiler, at The Washington Post's "Monkey Cage" blog, looked at the proliferation of conspiracy theories surrounding last week's attempted coup in Turkey. In their piece, they made a point about a Turkish institution that probably deserves more explanation than they were able to give it, the Diyanet: Turkey’s self-avowed secularists also … Continue reading The History of Turkey’s Diyanet
ISIS finally takes credit for Nice
French authorities are saying that Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, the man behind this week's terror attack in Nice, "radicalized himself very quickly," which if you grab your decoder ring is another way of saying "we have no idea who this guy was or why we've never heard of him before." But whoever he was or whatever … Continue reading ISIS finally takes credit for Nice
Turkey’s day after
I don't have a lot of updates to offer on last night's attempted coup and I don't have a whole lot of time to offer them, but here are the high points: Barring the coup equivalent of a miracle, this attempted coup is over and Erdoğan is the winner Everything I've seen about the coup … Continue reading Turkey’s day after
Updates on the Nice attack
Updates on the attack in Nice and some thoughts on everybody's grand plans for preventing more attacks like it.
Today in Middle Eastern history: the 14 July Revolution (1958)
On this date in 1958, a coup in Iraq overthrew the Hashemite monarchy and replaced it with a republic under a group of Iraqi army officers.
Developing story: apparent terrorist attack in Nice, France
Several hours ago a truck drove into and through a crowd of people gathered to celebrate Bastille Day in Nice, France. At least 77 people were killed according to the latest figures on TV, with at least 50 more injured. The driver was reportedly "zigzagging" (for up to two kilometers) once he'd driven into the … Continue reading Developing story: apparent terrorist attack in Nice, France
Happy JCPOAnniversary
It's been one year since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which limits Iran's nuclear program in return for international sanctions relief, was signed in Vienna. I have had a much higher than usual slate of paid writing to do this week, some of which is actually very relevant to the JCPOA's anniversary, but I … Continue reading Happy JCPOAnniversary
New polling suggests Iranians aren’t so keen on the nuclear deal anymore
A new poll finds that Iranians are unhappy with the benefits, or lack thereof, that they've seen as a result of last year's nuclear deal.
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 