M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘If Only’: A Young, Syrian Poet’s Searing Words

‘If Only’: A Young, Syrian Poet’s Searing Words

M. LYNX-QUALEY: A young Syrian poet writes about the horror that she has witnessed in her homeland.

 Jonathan Cook

Christian Conscription: Netanyahu’s Dangerous Game

Christian Conscription: Netanyahu’s Dangerous Game

JONATHAN COOK: It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book – divide and rule – but it could be the spark for another Intifada.

 Ramzy Baroud

A Convincing Palestinian Narrative: There Isn’t One

A Convincing Palestinian Narrative: There Isn’t One

RAMZY BAROUD: An hour spent flipping between two Palestinian TV channels made it abundantly clear how Palestinians are missing a clear story about their present and future

 Jonathan Cook

‘Oil in the West Bank’: Guess Who’s Claiming It?

‘Oil in the West Bank’: Guess Who’s Claiming It?

JONATHAN COOK: It’s clear that Israeli policy is to ensure that any possibility of a future Palestinian state being economically viable remains very remote

 Ramzy Baroud

Lines on the Map ‘Irrelevant’ in Shifting Middle East Map

Lines on the Map ‘Irrelevant’ in Shifting Middle East Map

RAMZY BAROUD: The sectarian genie that was released via the US invasion of Iraq is now running rampant around the Middle East

 Jonathan Cook

‘Ugly, Blatant Racism’ Playing Out in Israel’s Elections

‘Ugly, Blatant Racism’ Playing Out in Israel’s Elections

JONATHAN COOK: It seems to have fallen under the radar of the news-reporting community but some very unpleasant campaigning has been going on in this week’s elections

 Jonathan Cook

‘Omar’: The First Wholly Palestinian Movie On Occupation

‘Omar’: The First Wholly Palestinian Movie On Occupation

JONATHAN COOK: It is written by Palestinians, stars Palestinians and is funded entirely by Palestinian money. Welcome to ‘Omar’.

 Mondoweiss

So What Exactly Does Barack Obama Stand For?

So What Exactly Does Barack Obama Stand For?

MONDOWEISS: Is he about extracting the U.S from costly and involved foreign conflict or in favour of same? Maybe he’s the Drone Strike President?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

Arab Writers Are Stuck In A Cultural Cul-De-Sac – Dabbagh

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Unlike, say South American writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Arab writers appear to be defined by their geography and politics

 Tabsir

‘The Blood’ and ‘The Bang-Bang’: A Freelancer in Syria

‘The Blood’ and ‘The Bang-Bang’: A Freelancer in Syria

FRANCESCA BORRI, TABSIR: The demands of the editors are depressingly obvious and there is little interest in explaining context.

 Common Ground News Service

Sectarian Division Undone: Army Unifies Lebanese People

Sectarian Division Undone: Army Unifies Lebanese People

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: There have been consistent attempts by some individuals to drive wedges through Lebanese society. But we are resisting the sectarian clarion call

 Common Ground News Service

‘We Can Matter’: Young Israeli Addresses Arab Idol Winner

‘We Can Matter’: Young Israeli Addresses Arab Idol Winner

NATAN ODENHEIMER, CGNEWS: In an open letter a former IDF soldier praises Mohammed Assaf and spells out how he believes he can help unite the two communities

 Tabsir

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For George W. Bush the phrase was ‘Mission Accomplished’. For his successor there could be another phrase that defines his foreign affair policy

 Ramzy Baroud

Sunni vs Shia: This Sectarianism Is Destroying Arab Identity

Sunni vs Shia: This Sectarianism Is Destroying Arab Identity

RAMZY BAROUD: Any possibility of a Pan Arab national identity is being destroyed each day that people are being butchered in the name of a particular sect

 Common Ground News Service

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

NADIA AKL, CGNEWS: Until recently women, in spite of their clear achievements across many sectors, have been invisible in public discourse. That’s changing

 Mondoweiss

‘Sauce, Goose, Gander’: Political vs Family Ties in Public Debate

‘Sauce, Goose, Gander’: Political vs Family Ties in Public Debate

PHILIP WEISS, CGNEWS: Josh Landis’s marriage to a Syrian Alawite was judged fair game in a discussion on his views on the political situation. Why only him?

 Syria News Wire

“We Win or Die”: Syrian Conflict Is a Matter of Existence

“We Win or Die”: Syrian Conflict Is a Matter of Existence

SYRIA NEWS WIRE: A new documentary examines both sides of the conflict through the eyes of its combatants. It’s a grim story.

 Common Ground News Service

Syria’s ‘Florence Nightingales’: U.S Medics Go To Front

Syria’s ‘Florence Nightingales’: U.S Medics Go To Front

KIRAN ANSARI, CGNEWS: Tired of watching the horror unveil on television a group of American medics have decided to take direct action

 Mondoweiss

Asmaa’s Mecca Visit: Who Will Make It Happen?

Asmaa’s Mecca Visit: Who Will Make It Happen?

WALAA AL GHUSSEIN, MONDOWEISS: Asmaa lives in a densely populated area, is dangerously ill. She dreams of Mecca…

 Common Ground News Service

‘Democracy Is Doing’: Egyptians ‘Do It’

‘Democracy Is Doing’: Egyptians ‘Do It’

VANESSA BASSIL, CGNEWS: Young Egyptian aren’t waiting for ‘top down’ change. They’re taking matters to improve their lives into their own hands