Greater Middle East
ISIS blows up Syrian prison at Palmyra
ISIS militants blew up the Tadmur prison complex at Palmyra—a move protested by Syria's civil resistance as destroying evidence of the Assad regime's crimes there.
Tag: politics of archaeology
Greater Middle East
Syria: Nusra Front announces drive on Damascus
Islamist rebels led by al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front have seized new territory in northwestern Syria, and issued a pledge to take Damascus and topple the regime.
Greater Middle East
ISIS in Palmyra: lives versus archaeology?
As the world awaits ISIS destruction of the archaeological treasures of Palmyra, human rights groups are raising the alarm over the fate of the city's civilian inhabitants.
Palestine
Israeli court approves Bedouin land confiscation
Separate Israeli Supreme Court decisions open the way for authorities to forcibly evict residents of two Arab villages—one on the West Bank, and one in the Negev.
Iraq
ISIS advances on Palmyra archaeological site
ISIS forces are advancing on the ancient city of Palmyra, a UN World Heritage Site, where it is feared they will carry on their destruction of the region's archaeological treasures.
Iraq
ISIS franchise: Nigeria to Yemen to Pakistan
Over the past two months, the ISIS international franchise has made gains from West Africa to the Indian subcontinent, with militants in several countries proclaiming for the "caliphate."
Iraq
Cultural legacy lost as ISIS torches Mosul library
Many rare and antique volumes were lost as ISIS forces put the Mosul library to the torch—over vociferous pleas and protests from the city's notables.
Central America
Panama: Barro Blanco dam construction suspended
After years of controversy, Panama's government has ordered a temporary halt to the building of a dam opposed by local indigenous communities.
The Amazon
Lima climate summit in shadow of state terror
Peru's government made much of its rainforest protection efforts at the Lima climate summit—but a new report names it as the fourth most dangerous country for ecology activists.
The Amazon
Andes: repression ahead of Lima climate summit
The slaying of an indigenous leader who planned to travel from Ecuador to denounce a mining project before the Lima climate summit is the latest attack on regional ecological defenders.
Iraq
ISIS blows up birthplace of Saladin
ISIS militants destroyed the Citadel of Tikrit, birthplace of Saladin and one of Iraq's most important archeological sites. The jihadists meanwhile seized several Syrian towns.
Iraq
Iraq: cultural cleansing in Mosul
The ISIS militants that have seized Mosul are engaged in a campaign of cultural cleansing—targeting not only the citiy's inhabitants, but its artistic and historical treasures.