James M. Dorsey

Ultra’s Organization Evident in Tahrir Square

Ultra’s Organization Evident in Tahrir Square

JAMES DORSEY: The organizational skills of the ultras, fanatical Cairo soccer fans, are emerging as opponents and supporters of President Mubarak.

 Mondoweiss

It’s ‘Ruined’: ‘Tell the world he’s killing us’

It’s ‘Ruined’: ‘Tell the world he’s killing us’

MONA SEIF, MONDOWEISS: Today was the day everything changed. It was the saddest day, a peaceful revolution and has now been attacked with unspeakable violence.

 Crossroads Arabia

Time to Say, ‘Goodbye’: Mubarak is the Problem

Time to Say, ‘Goodbye’: Mubarak is the Problem

CROSSROADS ARABIA: After 30 years in power, Mubarak appears no longer capable of providing a solution to Egypt. Rather, he is now the problem.

 Steve Royston

A Ceaucescu Moment: Protest Coming to a Head

A Ceaucescu Moment: Protest Coming to a Head

STEVE ROYSTON: The Egyptians are lovely people. It’s heartbreaking to see heads breaking and eyes white with hatred. Please God it ends soon.

 Mondoweiss

Egypt to Usher in Brave New World the U.S. will find harder to Control

Egypt to Usher in Brave New World the U.S. will find harder to Control

PHYLLIS BENNIS, MONDOWEISS: Do the principles on which the U.S. was founded apply to more than 300 million Arabs?

 Common Ground News Service

It’s the Youth Taking the Lead in Region’s ‘Renaissance’

It’s the Youth Taking the Lead in Region’s ‘Renaissance’

FARAH I. ABDEL SATER: One outstanding feature of the recent turmoil in Tunisia and now in Egypt is the prominent and active role of the region’s youth.

 Rachel McArthur

Coming Together: Why I’m Proud to be Egyptian

Coming Together: Why I’m Proud to be Egyptian

RACHEL MCARTHUR: Now I must admit that phrase had somewhat lost its meaning over the years. The government made its people lose the will to care.

 James M. Dorsey

Muddled US Policy Reflected in Footy ‘Friendly’

Muddled US Policy Reflected in Footy ‘Friendly’

JAMES DORSEY: The USSF’s reluctance to cancel the match contrasts starkly with the Egyptian Football Association’s decision on Thursday to cancel all premier league matches…

 David Roberts

Egypt: Where Were You on the Day When…

Egypt: Where Were You on the Day When…

DAVID ROBERTS: How exactly people think things will ipso facto get better I don’t understand. You can’t eat or pay rent with democracy.

 Juan Cole

Egypt’s Class Conflict: An Elite, and Everyone Else

Egypt’s Class Conflict: An Elite, and Everyone Else

JUAN COLE: The failure of the regime to connect with working and middle classes, and its inability to provide jobs set the stage for last week’s events.

 SuhaibWebb

A View from the Street in Cairo: Fear, and Hope

A View from the Street in Cairo: Fear, and Hope

SUHAIBWEBB: The curfew is in place, police have disappeared, essential supplies are running out. With the excitement there is also a sense of fear.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: The involvement of organized soccer fans in Egypt’s anti-government protests constitutes every Arab government’s worst nightmare.

 Ramzy Baroud

Generalizing Tunisia: What’s the (Real) Story

Generalizing Tunisia: What’s the (Real) Story

RAMZY BAROUD: Understanding Tunisia as just another “Arab regime”, another possible podium for al-Qaeda’s violence, is convenient but also unhelpful…

 Sara Reef

…And Our Survey Says: It’s Good to Talk

…And Our Survey Says: It’s Good to Talk

SARA REEF: A major survey conducted across 55 countries to test the state of relations between the Muslim world and the West…

 Michael J. Totten

Conspiracy, Stupidity Hovers over Iran, Egypt

Conspiracy, Stupidity Hovers over Iran, Egypt

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: There’s nothing the Israelis can do to appease this stupidity. They are hated in part because the people who hate them are mad.

 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…

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar WC 2022: A Middle East Game Changer?

Qatar WC 2022: A Middle East Game Changer?

JAMES M. DORSEY: So deep-seated is soccer passion that governments would be acting at their own peril and would likely conclude that they have no alternative but to allow their teams to play Israel.

 Arianna Huffington

Facebook, Twitter Driving Change in the MidEast

Facebook, Twitter Driving Change in the MidEast

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: No longer is our best hope for change governments. If change happens, it’s going to be social media fuelling the transformation.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Why the U.S. Should Push for Democracy in Egypt

Why the U.S. Should Push for Democracy in Egypt

JAMES M. DORSEY: Repression of the opposition, intimidation of the media and electoral restrictions may guarantee Mubarak’s win. But for the U.S., the perception it is perpetuating authoritarian rule may outweigh any benefits.