Free Republic

The mixed legacy of 1492By James Carroll October 11, 2010 IT IS commonly observed that 1492, in addition to being the year of Christopher Columbus, was also the year of the Jews — their expulsion from Spain by the same Ferdinand and Isabella who sponsored the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. But the overlap of events (actually, Columbus set sail in the very week of the banishment) has historic significance, for it was in Iberia that ancient Christian anti-Judaism had recently morphed into genetic anti-Semitism — the idea that Jews are contemptible not because of their religion, but because of...

Somalia is in danger of descending into famine while the world's attention is focused on the problem of piracy off its coast, the Red Cross has warned. BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says agencies like the International Committee of the Red Cross are very wary about using words like famine. The ICRC's Alexandre Liebeskind said the violence had made it almost impossible for aid agencies to operate. About half of Somalia's population is dependent on food aid. Drought, floods and nearly two decades of conflict have driven many into destitution. Alexandre Liebeskind, head of the ICRC in East Africa, says...

Diggings related to construction of a gas pipeline from Iran to Armenia has partially destroyed remains of the oldest city called "Dragon Stone" (Azhdaha Dashi) in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. "Dragon Stone" includes ruins of an ancient city built 1000 years before Christ and is located at 40 kilometers east of Andarjan village of Varzighan county... "Dragon Stone" was declared a historic site and a protected area... However, Iran's gas company has started digging in the area despite the declaration... The representative of Cultural Heritage and Tourism office has added that studies of the 3000 year old "Dragon Stone"...