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 mai abdul rahman

An ‘Israeli Spring’ for Palestine? The Call Is Out

An ‘Israeli Spring’ for Palestine? The Call Is Out

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: It’s a bold move and one that is sure to cause much aggression and derision to be directed his way. What’s the story behind the brutality?

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

iPads and Infidels: Inaccurate, Superficial Saudi View

iPads and Infidels: Inaccurate, Superficial Saudi View

EMAN AL-NAFJAN: Here we go again – another foreigner rattles out yet another ‘analysis’ of Saudi Arabia that seems to have been pre-cooked.

 The View From Fez

The Menace of Mopeds in the Medina: Need for Speed

The Menace of Mopeds in the Medina: Need for Speed

DEREK WORKMAN, VIEW FROM FEZ: Some traders and residents in the Medina have had enough of the speedy, ill-disciplined moped riders.

 Juan Cole

‘We Heart Torture’: Zero Dark Thirty’s Message

‘We Heart Torture’: Zero Dark Thirty’s Message

KAREN J. GREENBERG, INFORMED COMMENT: It’s a deeply flawed movie with a deeply troubling message – torture is great.

 Richard Silverstein

Ex-Shin Bet Directors ‘Stick It’ To Netanyahu in Movie

Ex-Shin Bet Directors ‘Stick It’ To Netanyahu in Movie

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: When in office they’re ramrod straight security hawks but once they leave they suddenly become ‘seers’. But the criticism is unusual in its vehemence

 Mondoweiss

He’s Obama’s Man But Will AIPAC Take On Hagel?

He’s Obama’s Man But Will AIPAC Take On Hagel?

PHILIP WEISS: The widely floated possibility of Chuck Hagel’s nomination as Defence Secretary looks a reality. Who will fight against it?

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

JAMES DORSEY: It seems that ‘ultra’ football fans in Egypt are gearing up for greater and fiercer conflict in the months ahead.

 Juan Cole

Israel’s ‘Journey to the Right’ Is Set To Continue

Israel’s ‘Journey to the Right’ Is Set To Continue

KIRK BEATTIE, INFORMED COMMENT: The ultimate Middle East nightmare – a small group of religious extremists in charge of nuclear weapons could happen soon – in Israel.

 mai abdul rahman

‘Moral Giants’: Israel’s ‘Freethinkers’ are its Liberators

‘Moral Giants’: Israel’s ‘Freethinkers’ are its Liberators

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: They are a powerful force within Israeli society and their courage is deeply appreciated by Palestinian activists

 Tabsir

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

KHALED FATTAH, TABSIR: There is a lazy shorthand in much Western reporting on the Middle East, particularly when it comes to describing the influence of tribes

 Juan Cole

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

JUAN COLE: It’s been another extraordinary year across the Middle East. Here is my take on the most significant changes this year

 Steve Royston

The People and Events That Mattered in 2012: My Choice

The People and Events That Mattered in 2012: My Choice

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s by no means scientific or representative but here are the people and special moments that resonated with me this year

 Mondoweiss

Samer Issawi’s Story: A Hunger Striker’s Tale

Samer Issawi’s Story: A Hunger Striker’s Tale

MONDOWEISS: He has been on hunger strike for more than 150 days. Still his story is not heard

 Juan Cole

Morsi’s Victory: But At What Cost to Egypt’s Future?

Morsi’s Victory: But At What Cost to Egypt’s Future?

JUAN COLE: A deeply polarized country must face the reality that Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood cadre have scored an overwhelming victory.

 Richard Silverstein

Photo of the Year: One Tender Moment in Gaza

Photo of the Year: One Tender Moment in Gaza

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Time Magazine has chosen its ‘Photo of the Year’ and it is a moment of great sadness during the recent onslaught on Gaza

 James M. Dorsey

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

JAMES M. DORSEY: This weekend’s Syrian victory over Iraq in a soccer match is being seized by the regime as ‘a great national achievement’.

 Susan Al Shahri

Burqa Tradition Dies in Dhofar: Not Soon Enough

Burqa Tradition Dies in Dhofar: Not Soon Enough

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’ve only worn a burqa once and that’s more than enough times. Its appearance in Dhofar is getting increasingly more rare.

 Naseem Tarawnah

How To Be A Real Middle East Entrepreneur

How To Be A Real Middle East Entrepreneur

NASEEM TARAWNAH: It’s not about spinning logos, Facebook likes or fancy events – real entrepreneurship is about engagement.

 Tabsir

Of Jesus, Smith and Elvis: The Prophet Issue

Of Jesus, Smith and Elvis: The Prophet Issue

‘DANIEL M. VARISCO: It’s a shtick that gets trotted out in editorial conferences at this time of year and occasionally editors buy it. ‘So who’s the real Jesus?’

 Juan Cole

Flawed: Ten Reasons Why This Constitution Fails Egypt

Flawed: Ten Reasons Why This Constitution Fails Egypt

JUAN COLE: Some of the figures coming out of the constitutional referendum cause raised eyebrows at the least. But there are deeper problems.