Syria News Wire

Syrian Opposition ‘Finally Gets Its Act Together’

Syrian Opposition ‘Finally Gets Its Act Together’

NEWS FROM SYRIA: The discredited SNC has finally been subsumed by an organisation that has genuine potential to shape a new Syria

 Mondoweiss

Is Rachel Corrie the ‘Anne Frank’ Of Our Time?

Is Rachel Corrie the ‘Anne Frank’ Of Our Time?

JENNIFER LOEWENSTEIN, MONDOWEISS: Both individuals wrote diaries about their experience of oppression. Only one, however, is globally celebrated.

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

JAMES M. DORSEY: The debate about soccer is as much about politics as it is about sports. It is a debate that is likely to be fought out politically rather than on the pitch.

 Tabsir

Ramadan Epic Tale Rekindles Familiar Ire

Ramadan Epic Tale Rekindles Familiar Ire

DANIEL M. VARISCO: In its depiction of the life of the second caliph a television epic has touched a nerve while attracting huge viewing numbers

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Squeezed: Saudi Journalists Coming Under Pressure

Squeezed: Saudi Journalists Coming Under Pressure

AHMED AL OMRAN: New regulations that are coming into force in Saudi Arabia mean increased oversight of their work

 James M. Dorsey

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

JAMES M. DORSEY: The $744,000 pitch outside a $39 million penitentiary-style building is intended to reward the most cooperative of the 120,171 inmates.

 David Roberts

Examining Saudi-Qatar Relations

Examining Saudi-Qatar Relations

DAVID ROBERTS: if Qatar’s role is tempered by lack of Saudi support, the region will be without a state willing to push the boundaries of regional politics.

 Rob L. Wagner

Deadly Blaze Throws Spotlight on Saudi Girls Schools

Deadly Blaze Throws Spotlight on Saudi Girls Schools

ROB L. WAGNER: A teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there are significant differences in safety features between boys and girls schools.

 Kim Willis

How Safe Is It To Travel as a Woman in Morocco?

How Safe Is It To Travel as a Woman in Morocco?

KJ, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It’s a fascinating place but as a woman you may be worried travelling alone.What precautions should you take?

 Layla

Lingerie in Saudi: An End to the Humiliation?

Lingerie in Saudi: An End to the Humiliation?

LAYLAH: “Are you sure it’s your size, we also have them in XL…,”the man says. ‘Does my arse look that big in this abaya?’, the woman thinks to herself…

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

JAMES M. DORSEY: Western and Arab nations have more to gain from real engagement with Mr. Assad’s opponents than from symbolic gestures and silence.

 Michael J. Totten

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

MICHAEL TOTTEN: There have, according to Bashar Assad, been some ‘mistakes’. The only real mistake by Western powers however is to believe what the President tells them.

 Michael J. Totten

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Now that the Arab revolt is slamming hard into Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party in Syria, no dictator will be able to sleep without consuming copious amounts of pills.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

JAMES M. DORSEY: The calm with which Egyptians accepted defeat, contrasts starkly with riots that erupted on two continents in late 2009 when Algeria stopped Egypt making it to the 2010 World Cup.

 Tabsir

A No Fly Zone, A “CeaseFire”, but Still No End Game

A No Fly Zone, A “CeaseFire”, but Still No End Game

Daniel Varasico: Even after the “No fly zone” and the “ceasefire” there is still no more clarity on what the end game looks like in Libya.

 Steve Royston

Egypt: A Role Model for the ‘Have Nots’

Egypt: A Role Model for the ‘Have Nots’

STEVE ROYSTON: Regional fallout from the events in Tunisia and Egypt is expected. But other countries around the world have been watching.

 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…

 Stephen Corley

Dubai Madness Threatens to Make a Comeback

Dubai Madness Threatens to Make a Comeback

STEPHEN CORLEY: Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone has encouraged the incorporation of over 4,000 during the worst two years in history. Why – and how?

 James M. Dorsey

Saudi’s Succession – ‘Reading Tea Leaves’

Saudi’s Succession – ‘Reading Tea Leaves’

JAMES M. DORSEY: With King Abdullah recuperating in the United States, many of the key players who will play a part in the succession to a new generation have returned to the Kingdom.

 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.