Juan Cole

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: Protestors are out on Tahrir Square again, there is a television ‘debate’ in Syria about democracy, the Americans are working on Saleh while vacillating on Libya and protestors are out on the street in Morocco. A busy week in the region then.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Three Books That WON’T Help You Understand Iraq

Three Books That WON’T Help You Understand Iraq

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It’s one of those lists again. You know it’s designed to gain a reaction and you can’t help yourself so here I go with my reaction to books on Iraq.

 Juan Cole

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

Libyan Conflict: People – It’s NOT About Oil…

JUAN COLE: To suggest that the West has cooked up a war against Qaddafi to steal Libyan oil is to demean the bravery of the Libyan people.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Top 100 – and Five – Arabic Novels

The Top 100 – and Five – Arabic Novels

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The Arab Writers Union has listed the Top 100 Arabic novels. Puzzling, annoying, lists such as this are nevertheless fun.

 Tabsir

Plus ca change: Boom time for arms dealers in the Middle East

Plus ca change: Boom time for arms dealers in the Middle East

TABSIR: As missiles and bullets rain down from the skies of Libya they are falling on materiel provided by the countries whose pilots are enforcing the ‘no fly zone’. As ever, it’s a win-win for the arms dealers.

 Juan Cole

Qaddafi Threatens West With Al Qaeda Alliance

Qaddafi Threatens West With Al Qaeda Alliance

JUAN COLE: As the unfolding disaster in Japan distracts the world’s attention Qaddafi’s re-conquest of Libya rolls on. There will be scores to settle…

 Michael J. Totten

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Two years ago I spent time in Libya. It seems like a good time to revisit my experience of a kind people but an overarching, clamping presence.

 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.

 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.

 Steve Royston

Islamaphobia and the Clash of Civilizations

Islamaphobia and the Clash of Civilizations

STEVE ROYSTON: If I was advising the UK on a strategy to contain Islamophobia, it would be to communicate the distinction between faith and behaviour.

 James M. Dorsey

Money Talks: Qatar’s WC Bid Fits SWF Strategy

Money Talks: Qatar’s WC Bid Fits SWF Strategy

JAMES M. DORSEY: Flush with cash, Qatar spared no cost in its campaign to win the bid the World Cup. But are there ethical questions here?

 David Roberts

Qatar World Cup in Jan? No Surprise There…

Qatar World Cup in Jan?  No Surprise There…

DAVID ROBERTS: So Sepp Blatter has begun the softening up for the first ever Winter World Cup. It makes sense, you know….

 Joharah Baker

Familiar Enemies: Entwined Lives of Israelis & Palestinians

Familiar Enemies: Entwined Lives of Israelis & Palestinians

JOHARAH BAKER: We know what buttons to press to evoke an immediate reaction from each other. Proximity and hostility does strange things.

 Ramzy Baroud

WikiLeaks Indicts, & Vindicates, U.S. Diplomats

WikiLeaks Indicts, & Vindicates, U.S. Diplomats

RAMZY BAROUD: Despite their high number, the documents raise many questions, but answer few. Since more are coming, one must wait and see…