Common Ground News Service

My Proud Arab Past: An Arab Jew Speaks

My Proud Arab Past: An Arab Jew Speaks

NAAVA MASHIAH, CGNEWS: I have a love of Arabic music and poetry to an extent that baffles my father. Not unusual really since we’re Israeli Jews

 Richard Silverstein

Assassination of Iranian Nuclear Scientist Joint Mossad-MEK Operation?

Assassination of Iranian Nuclear Scientist Joint Mossad-MEK Operation?

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: I am not a supporter of Iran’s nuclear program. But I am even less a supporter of assassination as state policy.

 Juan Cole

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

JUAN COLE: Many of the dangers to which I pointed in last year’s list still exist, of course, but a whole host of new difficulties has emerged.

 Dhofari Gucci

Oman’s Grand Mufti Condemns Opera House

Oman’s Grand Mufti Condemns Opera House

NADIA: The Grand Mufti of Oman has deemed it unacceptable for Muslims to visit the newly opened Royal Opera House in Muscat. Much debate has ensued.

 Crossroads Arabia

Is Ijtihad the Key to Addressing Modern Issues?

Is Ijtihad the Key to Addressing Modern Issues?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: When the door of “ijtihad” was closed, the consensus was there would be no more independent reasoning in religious law

 Juan Cole

The Inevitably Brutal End of Qaddafi’s ‘Cult’

The Inevitably Brutal End of Qaddafi’s ‘Cult’

JUAN COLE: The demise of Qaddafi means there’s a contiguous bloc of 100 million Arabs who’ve thrown off dictatorship. The violent end was inevitable.

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Myths about the Libyan Revolution

Top Ten Myths about the Libyan Revolution

JUAN COLE: It is worthwhile reviewing the myths about the Libyan Revolution that led so many observers to make so many fantastic or just mistaken assertions about it.

 Juan Cole

Iraq: The Deafening Sound of Silence on Syria

Iraq: The Deafening Sound of Silence on Syria

JUAN COLE: It looks as if Tehran has leaned on Nouri al-Maliki to keep shtum about the ongoing protests in Syria. Washington won’t be happy.

 Steve Royston

Jerusalem – The Biography: A Compelling Story

Jerusalem – The Biography: A Compelling Story

STEVE ROYSTON: It’s a city that is sacred to Muslims, Christians and Jews but it appears to have attracted its fair share of ‘complicated characters’ in its rich past.

 Ramzy Baroud

Libya Woes An Opportunity to Extend U.S Influence?

Libya Woes An Opportunity to Extend U.S Influence?

RAMZY BAROUD: There is a lot of discussion and political calculation bouncing around the corridors of power in Washington about Libya.

 Steve Royston

Returning to ‘the New Bahrain’: It’s a Sadder Place

Returning to ‘the New Bahrain’: It’s a Sadder Place

STEVE ROYSTON: The past two weeks have witnessed enormous upheaval in the tiny island of Bahrain. On my return from holiday the changes are immediately evident.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Rise of the Arabs, the Fall of Colonialism

The Rise of the Arabs, the Fall of Colonialism

RAMZY BAROUD: Arabs are ripping up the humiliating caricatures of the region imposed by the West, as they tear down authoritarian regimes, and begin to build truly civilized, and free societies.

 Osama Al Sharif

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

OSAMA AL SHARIF: Christians are not the only victims of sectarian terror: Mosques, shrines, religious parades have been targeted indiscriminately, affecting Sunnis, Shias and other sects…

 Bassam Sebti

Christmas Cartoon Urges Iraqis to do it for ThemSelves

Christmas Cartoon Urges Iraqis to do it for ThemSelves

BASSAM SEBTI: The message in the video is powerful, urging Iraqis to stand up and start rebuilding their country themselves, instead of waiting for others…

 Prince El Hassan bin Talal

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

Looking Back on ‘the Year that Was’ in the Middle East

HRH PRINCE EL HASSAN BIN TALAL: It was a year which began with much promise and, whisper it, hope around the Middle East. It ends, however, with feelings that are all too familiar…

 Crossroads Arabia

How Saudi Arabia’s Media is tacking Wikileaks

How Saudi Arabia’s Media is tacking Wikileaks

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Saudi media is taking note of the WikiLeaks phenomenon. This piece from Arab News reflects the best and smartest policy that the Saudi government could follow: refuse comment.

 Naseem Tarawnah

Wikileaks, Jordan and the ‘Tentacles of Iran’

Wikileaks, Jordan and the ‘Tentacles of Iran’

NASEEM TARAWNAH: One particular cable is a rather clear reflection of its stance and growing concerns regarding Iran – “Beware the Iranian Tentacles … and Cut Them Off,” reads the summary…

 James M. Dorsey

The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger

The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger

JAMES M. DORSEY: As dark as that moment was for Casablancan rockers, the trial was a turning point setting Morocco on a path to becoming one of the Arab world’s more liberal societies when it comes to alternative lifestyles.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

A new translation of Boulus poem made M. Lynx Qualey reflect on how little-known the towering, excellent Boulus is in English—outside of Banipal readers.