James Ryan
@jdryan08.bsky.social
Executive Director, Middle East Research and Information Project (www.merip.org | @merip.bsky.social). Adjuncting at Rowan University. Historian interested in Turkey, Prodigal Son of Philadelphia. Usual caveats.
Utterly horrifying, and only part of a pattern. Abu Ghraib on steroids.
🚨The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights says it has collected new testimonies from recently released captives and documented systematic sexual torture of Palestinian detainees, including rape, forced stripping, and filming, describing it as part of Israel’s broader campaign to destroy human....
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Utterly horrifying, and only part of a pattern. Abu Ghraib on steroids.
Talked at length with Beshara Doumani about how olive harvest season has turned from a celebratory time to a time of strife and bloodshed because the attacks by settlers in the West Bank.
As he put it, they want to create “a million little Gazas.”
www.merip.org/2025/11/the-...
As he put it, they want to create “a million little Gazas.”
www.merip.org/2025/11/the-...
November 9, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Talked at length with Beshara Doumani about how olive harvest season has turned from a celebratory time to a time of strife and bloodshed because the attacks by settlers in the West Bank.
As he put it, they want to create “a million little Gazas.”
www.merip.org/2025/11/the-...
As he put it, they want to create “a million little Gazas.”
www.merip.org/2025/11/the-...
Thinking about the wave of Islamophobia around Mamdani — it’s important to be clear that the material basis of this wave of racism is thin by comparison to what we saw post-9/11, and in this way it is much like most other MAGA grievances.
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Thinking about the wave of Islamophobia around Mamdani — it’s important to be clear that the material basis of this wave of racism is thin by comparison to what we saw post-9/11, and in this way it is much like most other MAGA grievances.
Reposted by James Ryan
NEW Podcast: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
The MERIP Podcast Episode 11: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani
Today we have a very special episode, part of a new occasional series that will highlight some of the truly great work MERIP has done over the last 50-plus years, all of which is free to read in our…
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November 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
NEW Podcast: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
November 7, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Reposted by James Ryan
RIP Dick Cheney, you would have loved to see the Senate refuse to vote on constraining presidential authority to wage war against fishing boats he doesn't like
The Senate has defeated an effort by Democrats to force a war powers vote on the U.S. military buildup re: Venezuela. Sen. Rand Paul R-KY & Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-AK were the only two GOP Senators to break ranks.
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 PM
RIP Dick Cheney, you would have loved to see the Senate refuse to vote on constraining presidential authority to wage war against fishing boats he doesn't like
Reposted by James Ryan
In a demonstration of how pathetic and meaningless the Abraham Accords are, the Trump administration is going to announce tonight that Kazakhstan is joining them.
The only problem is that Kazakhstan has had full and formal relations with Israel since 1992.
The only problem is that Kazakhstan has had full and formal relations with Israel since 1992.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In a demonstration of how pathetic and meaningless the Abraham Accords are, the Trump administration is going to announce tonight that Kazakhstan is joining them.
The only problem is that Kazakhstan has had full and formal relations with Israel since 1992.
The only problem is that Kazakhstan has had full and formal relations with Israel since 1992.
Reposted by James Ryan
SUPPORT MERIP: You can show your support for MERIP by picking up a poster or a tote bag today! All products printed locally in a union shop!
Merchandise
MERIP is pleased to offer a limited quantity of merchandise items. New items will be added to this page as items become available, and announcements of newly available items will be made on our…
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November 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
SUPPORT MERIP: You can show your support for MERIP by picking up a poster or a tote bag today! All products printed locally in a union shop!
Friends, we have a new podcast out today at MERIP that I’m especially proud of. One of the things I wanted to do with the podcast was find a way to highlight MERIP’s rich history of documenting struggles for liberation, democracy, and justice over the last 54 years.
NEW Podcast: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
Starting a new series on the gems in MERIP’s archive, we interviewed Beshara Doumani about his landmark 1989 essay, “Abu Farid’s House” and the changes in Palestine since the First Intifada.
The MERIP Podcast Episode 11: In the Archive with Beshara Doumani
Today we have a very special episode, part of a new occasional series that will highlight some of the truly great work MERIP has done over the last 50-plus years, all of which is free to read in our…
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Friends, we have a new podcast out today at MERIP that I’m especially proud of. One of the things I wanted to do with the podcast was find a way to highlight MERIP’s rich history of documenting struggles for liberation, democracy, and justice over the last 54 years.
Most of my work was in purist spaces, filling cabinets, book shops and maybe a couple of fridges.
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
November 5, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Most of my work was in purist spaces, filling cabinets, book shops and maybe a couple of fridges.
Reposted by James Ryan
MERIP has long criticized and combatted the travesties of Dick Cheney's neoconservative legacy. Today in MERIP Updates we have an overview of our coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the regime of torture and lawlessness he authored.
Dick Cheney Dead
An Archival Remix on the Neoconservative Legacy
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November 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
MERIP has long criticized and combatted the travesties of Dick Cheney's neoconservative legacy. Today in MERIP Updates we have an overview of our coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the regime of torture and lawlessness he authored.
Reposted by James Ryan
I knew that Mamdani had it; he had the people and did the work, and has been the clearest and most lucid in rejecting the untenable current state of things. But the vile, bigoted shit against him was so constant, and I am conditioned to that working better than I want. This feels like an exorcism.
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I knew that Mamdani had it; he had the people and did the work, and has been the clearest and most lucid in rejecting the untenable current state of things. But the vile, bigoted shit against him was so constant, and I am conditioned to that working better than I want. This feels like an exorcism.
This is the obituary equivalent of a complete game shutout. One heater after another.
All day, many of you have been asking for a Cheney obituary from me. Get ready:
His Works Completed, Dick Cheney, Mass Murderer of Iraqis and American Democracy, Dies
As much as the Trumpists claim to disavow the War on Terror, they walk a path paved by the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.
www.thenation.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:11 AM
This is the obituary equivalent of a complete game shutout. One heater after another.
Reposted by James Ryan
SUPPORT MERIP: We rely on reader support to continue to bring our work to the world without paywalls! Please consider a one-time or monthly donation today!
Donate
SUPPORT MERIP'S CRITICAL WORK BY DONATING For 50 years, MERIP has published critical analysis of Middle Eastern politics, history, and social justice not available in other publications. Our articles…
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November 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
SUPPORT MERIP: We rely on reader support to continue to bring our work to the world without paywalls! Please consider a one-time or monthly donation today!
A few choice words from me on the deceased, and a great overview of our coverage of Cheney’s awful legacy.
MERIP has long criticized and combatted the travesties of Dick Cheney's neoconservative legacy. Today in MERIP Updates we have an overview of our coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the regime of torture and lawlessness he authored.
Dick Cheney Dead
An Archival Remix on the Neoconservative Legacy
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A few choice words from me on the deceased, and a great overview of our coverage of Cheney’s awful legacy.
Glad to have all these collected on the website now! And I’m excited for an extra special pod coming out Thursday.
The MERIP Podcast was launched in July of this year and features interviews with contributors, roundtables with our editors, and audio from our events. All 10 episodes are available to stream on our website and your podcast service of choice. A new episode coming later this week!
The MERIP Podcast - Middle East Research and Information Project
MERIP30 Ardmore Ave. PO Box 390Ardmore, PA 19003
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November 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Glad to have all these collected on the website now! And I’m excited for an extra special pod coming out Thursday.
Reposted by James Ryan
Zohran hasn’t even won yet and NYC cardiac arrested war criminal Dick Cheney.
November 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Zohran hasn’t even won yet and NYC cardiac arrested war criminal Dick Cheney.
Reposted by James Ryan
I’m hearing on his deathbed Dick Cheney accepted the light of Islam and immediately sent himself to a black site
November 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I’m hearing on his deathbed Dick Cheney accepted the light of Islam and immediately sent himself to a black site
As good a reminder as any that there’s still time to send the rest of this monstrous administration to the Hague.
BREAKING | Dick Cheney, George W. Bush’s vice president, dead at 84
Dick Cheney, George W. Bush’s vice president, dead at 84
www.independent.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 1:26 PM
As good a reminder as any that there’s still time to send the rest of this monstrous administration to the Hague.
Reposted by James Ryan
This event is free to attend, but please consider making a donation to help us make it a success!
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Donate
SUPPORT MERIP'S CRITICAL WORK BY DONATING For 50 years, MERIP has published critical analysis of Middle Eastern politics, history, and social justice not available in other publications. Our articles…
www.merip.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
This event is free to attend, but please consider making a donation to help us make it a success!
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Friends, it will be great to see you in DC later this month! Please rsvp (not a requirement but it’ll help us plan!)
EVENT: RSVP now for our live event in DC on 11/22. Join longtime MERIP contributors and friends Aslı Bâli, Joel Beinin, Zach Lockman, Sarah Leah Whitson and more to honor our late founding editor, Joe Stork, and discuss MERIP's past, present and future!
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Honoring Joe Stork, Live in DC
November 22 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
www.merip.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Friends, it will be great to see you in DC later this month! Please rsvp (not a requirement but it’ll help us plan!)
Reposted by James Ryan
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
To be asked to write about racism only to be racially aggressed in the editing process is a new level unlocked I have to say.
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Reposted by James Ryan
NEW in MER: Identity and Cultural Diplomacy in the Abraham Accords
Shir Alon on the shifting definitions of Arabness and Jewishness as a result of normalization.
Shir Alon on the shifting definitions of Arabness and Jewishness as a result of normalization.
Identity and Cultural Diplomacy of the Abraham Accords
In December 2020, three months after the Abraham Accords were signed enabling the first commercial flights between Israel and the UAE, a short video went modestly viral on Israeli twitter. A man in a…
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November 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
NEW in MER: Identity and Cultural Diplomacy in the Abraham Accords
Shir Alon on the shifting definitions of Arabness and Jewishness as a result of normalization.
Shir Alon on the shifting definitions of Arabness and Jewishness as a result of normalization.
Reposted by James Ryan
What if, and stay with me, the barbaric and imperious way the United States responded to 9/11 is an enormous part of how we got here
SecDef announcing another illegal strike in the Caribbean against “narco-terrorists.”
Says the Pentagon will treat these alleged drug smugglers “EXACTLY how we treated Al-Qaeda.”
I can think of a few relevant differences between the two, eg 9/11, etc.
Says the Pentagon will treat these alleged drug smugglers “EXACTLY how we treated Al-Qaeda.”
I can think of a few relevant differences between the two, eg 9/11, etc.
November 2, 2025 at 6:35 PM
What if, and stay with me, the barbaric and imperious way the United States responded to 9/11 is an enormous part of how we got here