Steve Royston

Reasons For, and Against, Working in the MidEast

Reasons For, and Against, Working in the MidEast

STEVE ROYSTON: One year ago I wrote the 10 good reasons to work in the Middle East. I would not change one of them. I have, however, added 10 reasons you may not want to.

 David Roberts

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

DAVID ROBERTS: These events take place in the context of growing Shia power, encapsulated by the notion of a Shia crescent ‘enveloping’ the region…

 Juan Cole

Arab World Democratists, Meet Thomas Jefferson

Arab World Democratists, Meet Thomas Jefferson

JUAN COLE: I am hopeful that the book will find an eager reception in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries yearning for democracy in the Arab world.

 Mich Cafe

Picture Perfect: Dubai Sheikha’s Likeness to Her Mom

Picture Perfect: Dubai Sheikha’s Likeness to Her Mom

MICH CAFE: I saw Sheikh Mohammed holding Sheikha Al Jalila on the night of the Dubai World Cup. It immediately reminded me of the 1978 photo of her mother in the arms of her uncle.

 Naseem Tarawnah

The Day My World Was Turned Upside Down

The Day My World Was Turned Upside Down

NASEEM TARAWNAH: I joined the March 24th group’s sit-in with little expectation. What I witnessed has changed my view of my homeland.

 Syria News Wire

Heavy Handed Action Fans Flames in Syria

Heavy Handed Action Fans Flames in Syria

SYRIA NEWS WIRE: There is a great danger that in failing to recognise local grievances, Syrian authorities will set in motion a movement that takes its inspiration from Tunisia and Egypt.

 Jonathan Cook

Global Unpopularity Wearing Down Israel

Global Unpopularity Wearing Down Israel

JONATHAN COOK: Benjamin Netanyahu’s advisers conceded last week that the Israeli prime minister is more downcast than they have ever seen him.

 Naseem Tarawnah

New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day

New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day

NASEEM TARAWNAH: We have seen just what happens at the hands of the Internet. We have witnessed the possibilities and seen them realized in countries like Tunisia and Egypt…

 Naseem Tarawnah

Jordan: Patriotism used as Weapon to Stifle Debate

Jordan: Patriotism used as Weapon to Stifle Debate

NASEEM TARAWNAH: We have hit a road bump attempting to silence debate. Assumptions have been made that anyone who is critical of the status quo is to be considered disloyal.

 Syria News Wire

The Vogue-Assad Controversy: A View from Syria

The Vogue-Assad Controversy: A View from Syria

SYRIA NEWS WIRE: Vogue has responded to the controversy caused by its profile of Asma al-Assad. There’s hypocrisy in the charges being laid at her door.

 Juan Cole

Why What Worked in Egypt, Will Not Trip Up Iran

Why What Worked in Egypt, Will Not Trip Up Iran

KUSHA SEFAT, INFORMED COMMENT: The international conditions for revolution were ripe in Tunisia and Egypt. This is simply not the case in Iran.

 Syria News Wire

Bad Timing For Vogue’s Syrian First Lady Splash

Bad Timing For Vogue’s Syrian First Lady Splash

NEWS FROM SYRIA: As the region seethes Vogue magazine provides us all with a moment of diversion. It’s unlikely to do the Assads any favours.

 American Bedu

Now More Than Ever, It’s Time to ‘Reach Out’

Now More Than Ever, It’s Time to ‘Reach Out’

AMERICAN BEDU: With regimes falling, and a new order being created out of disorder, there has never been a better time to promote better understanding across faiths.

 Juan Cole

MidEast Protesters Target Unfinished Business

MidEast Protesters Target Unfinished Business

JUAN COLE: Progress has been made, but across the Middle East protesters are pushing for governments to follow through on the demands they have made.

 Mondoweiss

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

ALI GHARIB, MONDOWEISS: Two Iranian warships pass through the Suez Canal and the Israelis howl in protest. The U.S administration quickly falls into line…

 Alexander McNabb

An Inflection Point for Arab Entrepreneurialism

An Inflection Point for Arab Entrepreneurialism

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Seeing this level of digital entrepreneurialism in the region is a delight and, rightly or wrongly, I see ArabNet as an inflection point.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Tahrir and The ‘Liberation’ of Arabic Literature

Tahrir and The ‘Liberation’ of Arabic Literature

M.LYNX QUALEY: “We had a psychological barrier – what I call ‘the policeman inside us’. That policeman was killed” on Tahrir Square.”

 James M. Dorsey

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

JAMES DORSEY: Gaddafi intends the opening of the Benghazi stadium to be a show of popular support, but activists fear it could become the setting for clashes.

 Steve Royston

Bulletin From Bahrain: Wisdom in Demand

Bulletin From Bahrain: Wisdom in Demand

STEVE ROYSTON: The protesters of Bahrain are sailing with the winds of Tahrir behind them. The next few days will show where those winds take them.

 Mondoweiss

George W: Inspiration of Egypt’s Revolution?

George W: Inspiration of Egypt’s Revolution?

DAVID SAMEL, MONDOWEISS: It will seem outrageous to Egyptians who risked life in pursuit of democracy but, according to U.S. neo-cons, they owe a debt to the former President.