Mich Cafe

Child Brides: Action Is Being Taken At Last

Child Brides: Action Is Being Taken At Last

MICH CAFE: It’s an issue throughout the Arab world and beyond. Finally, it’s being addressed.

 Juan Cole

Ten Good Reasons NOT To Arm Syrian Rebels

Ten Good Reasons NOT To Arm Syrian Rebels

JUAN COLE: Mitt Romney is flip-flopping on whether ‘Muslims Are Bad’ or that the U.S should supply them with sophisticated weapons.

 Ramzy Baroud

‘Freedom for Freedom’s Sake’: What Binds Arabs

‘Freedom for Freedom’s Sake’: What Binds Arabs

RAMZY BAROUD: Euphoria has given way to hard truth throughout the Arab world. It’s difficult to generalise but there are certain commonalities

 Juan Cole

For Egypt in 2012, Read the United States in ’60s?

For Egypt in 2012, Read the United States in ’60s?

JUAN COLE: The Egyptian electorate seems to have a strong leaning for ‘law and order’. Very similar to the U.S electorate in the 1960s

 Steve Royston

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

STEVE ROYSTON: There was a bit of commotion about the King of Bahrain’s attendance at a recent lunch in the UK. I was struck by another issue

 Juan Cole

Facebook Value Endures Beyond IPO in Middle East

Facebook Value Endures Beyond IPO in Middle East

JUAN COLE: Facebook does not seem important in Egypt’s presidential race. You wonder if the young are interested: Most plausible candidates are rather ancient…

 Francis Matthew

GCC Union: Practical Thinking Required

GCC Union: Practical Thinking Required

FRANCIS MATTHEW: It’s likely to succeed if it focuses on ways to make the existing GCC work better, rather than offer any new political structure.

 Juan Cole

‘Give Muslims A Hiroshima’: Pentagon’s Curious Class

‘Give Muslims A Hiroshima’: Pentagon’s Curious Class

JUAN COLE: The Pentagon has launched an investigation into a class on Islam which characterises all Muslims as radical, violent extremists

 Tabsir

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

Sinan Antoon: ‘The Barbarian Who’s Keeping It Real’

TABSIR: A celebrated novelist, poet and filmmaker Sinan Antoon reflects on life in Iraq before and after the fall of Saddam Hussein

 James M. Dorsey

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

JAMES DORSEY: According to the ITUC “workers are dying in Qatar as they build World Cup stadiums, suffering large scale exploitation every day.

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 Steve Royston

Shisha: A Living Tradition Worth Preserving?

Shisha: A Living Tradition Worth Preserving?

STEVE ROYSTON: While Saudi plans to ban it within city limits; Bahrain is considering loosening restrictions. I’m with the Bahrainis.

 Steve Royston

The Bahrain Grand Prix Furore: It’s Only A Race

The Bahrain Grand Prix Furore: It’s Only A Race

STEVE ROYSTON: There seems to be an unnatural degree of emotion surrounding this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix. A sense of perspective?

 Susie of Arabia

Princess Basma: An Insider Speaks Out

Princess Basma: An Insider Speaks Out

SUSIE OF ARABIA: She is the niece of the current ruler of Saudi Arabia but is unafraid to point out the shortcomings she sees in the Kingdom.

 Christina Hebert

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

CHRISTINA HEBERT: It’s an issue that generates heated debate but what are the benefits of Gulf countries offering citizenship to foreigners?

 Juan Cole

Arab League Divide: Plus Ca Change

Arab League Divide: Plus Ca Change

JUAN COLE: There’ll be some missing faces at the upcoming meeting in Baghdad but regional divisions are sharpening.

 Juan Cole

Arab Spring Update: Significant Developments

Arab Spring Update: Significant Developments

JUAN COLE: Not that you’d know from watching American TV news but there have been important developments in the Arab world recently

 Susan Al Shahri

The Positives of Being a Woman in Oman

The Positives of Being a Woman in Oman

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: While it’s been a mixed year for women globally there are many advantages to being a woman in Oman

 Rob L. Wagner

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

ROB L. WAGNER: They played a leading role in the early stages of the Arab Spring. But have women seen concrete benefits yet?