Monthly Archive: February, 2015

The Enemy of My Enemy: Islamic State and the Internationalization of the Syrian and Iraqi Civil Wars Part 3

The US Role in the Syrian and Iraqi Civil Wars 2012-2014 The military involvement of the United States in the Syrian Civil War officially began in June 2014, when President Barack Obama authorized… Continue reading

Black Future Month: Examining the Current State of Black Lives and Envisioning Where We Go From Here

Everyone knows that February in the U.S. is observed as Black History Month. This tradition began nearly 90 years ago when noted scholar and author Carter G. Woodson, himself the son of formerly… Continue reading

The Three Slayings of Michael Brown

18-year-old Michael Brown had the dubious distinction of being slain three times. The first was, of course, his being gunned down by now former Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson. The second slaying was… Continue reading

The Accidental Activist

Romania’s revolution in 1989 was not as clear-cut as those in other countries in the region. There was not, for instance, a sharp divide between the Communist political elite and the post-Communist elite.… Continue reading

On Humor

Ice Church In Romania: A Chilly Spot To Warm The Soul

BALEA LAC, Romania (AP) — High on a remote mountain in Romania, priests have blessed a church made entirely from ice, outstanding both for its architectural style as well as being a place… Continue reading

Another Skunk Ape (Or Bigfoot Hoaxer) Rears Its Ugly Head In Florida Swamp

January roared in like a lion and out with a flurry of Bigfoot reports. The year began with a Jan. 3 controversial story of how a fisherman claimed to have seen and photographed… Continue reading

2 Injured Climbers Airlifted Off Mt. Hood, Rescue Officials Say

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon National Guard helicopter has airlifted two climbers off Mount Hood after the two were injured in a fall, rescue officials said. The two climbers, a male and… Continue reading

Jailed Al Jazeera Journalist Peter Greste Released

CAIRO, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste left Egypt for his native Australia on Sunday after serving 400 days in an Egyptian prison on charges that included aiding a terrorist… Continue reading

How One Tibetan Buddhist Nun Is Blazing A Trail For Other Women To Follow

NEWPORT, Wash. (RNS) At a conference for Western Buddhist teachers some years ago, the Venerable Thubten Chodron and other monastics complained to the Dalai Lama about the difficulties they faced: lack of finances,… Continue reading