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.

 Zeinobia

The Nakba Revolution: The People Want to Return Home

I do not remember that the anniversary of Nakba was as hot and as intense as today seriously. The people want the right of the return, the people want to return back to Palestine.   The big surprise of the day comes from Golan heights , yes the Golan heights specifically Majdal Shams where a […]

 Omar al-Issawi

People of the Book: Damning the Exodus of Christians

People of the Book: Damning the Exodus of Christians

OMAR AL ISSAWI: The latest round of sectarian strife in Egypt is not about sectarian confrontation. It is about ignorance.

 Ramzy Baroud

Egypt’s Back, Palestinians Unified. Israel Worried

Egypt’s Back, Palestinians Unified. Israel Worried

RAMZY BAROUD: With Egypt reaching out to Israeli foes and the Palestinian agreement to work together Israel’s policy of division is in tatters.

 Rachel McArthur

Lebanon’s Hottest New Act… Mashrou Leila

Lebanon’s Hottest New Act… Mashrou Leila

RACHEL MCARTHUR: Remember the name Mashrou Leila (Leila’s Project), because we guarantee this band will become a household name very soon.

 American Bedu

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s a topic that seems, more often than not, to generate more heat than light but here’s my attempt to define a Muslim.

 Mich Cafe

Lebanese Entrepreneurial Spirit Strikes Again

Lebanese Entrepreneurial Spirit Strikes Again

MICH CAFE: It works for pizza, why not for shisha? An enterprising Beirut businessman spotted a gap in the market and has a Vespa equipped staff to fill it.

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

JUAN COLE: The Arab Spring is still producing some positive reforms and questioning of past corrupt practices, and even major governmental change.

 Juan Cole

Saif ‘Admits’ Qaddafis are Brutal Foreign Occupiers – of Libya

Saif ‘Admits’ Qaddafis are Brutal Foreign Occupiers – of Libya

JUAN COLE: This slick interview with the glib comparisons is typical of the way they think they can get away with anything, anything at all.

 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.

 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.

 Ramzy Baroud

“Disgraceful”: The Term for Goldstone’s Moral Collapse

“Disgraceful”: The Term for Goldstone’s Moral Collapse

RAMZY BAROUD: Eighteen months of relentless pressure by the Israeli authorities eventually bore fruit with the publication of Goldstone’s now notorious op-ed. Cheers can only be heard in Tel Aviv.

 Common Ground News Service

Secular Movement Gains Momentum in Lebanon

Secular Movement Gains Momentum in Lebanon

RITA CHEMALY: There have been a series of demonstrations in Beirut against the country’s so-called ‘confessional system’, in favour of a secular society.

 Juan Cole

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s speech last night demonstrated clearly the qualities of leadership that those who seek to challenge him simply do not possess.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Should a new Syrian government have a more hedged policy towards Iran, Turkey, GCC, US and Europe, Iran would be dealt a blow.

 Alexander McNabb

Ambition, Inspiration a Heady Scent at ArabNet

Ambition, Inspiration a Heady Scent at ArabNet

ALEXANDER MCNABB: I went to the event with high expectations and they were, in the main, met, matched and knocked out of the field. This is now a crucial regional event.

 Omar al-Issawi

Syria: It’s Crunch Time for President Assad

Syria: It’s Crunch Time for President Assad

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: He has support among sections of society in Syria but Assad needs to show resolute leadership if he is to avoid his country spinning into turmoil.

 Juan Cole

Of the People, By the People, For the People

Of the People, By the People, For the People

JUAN COLE: Were he alive today Rousseau would have been impressed with how his idea on ‘popular sovereignty’ has been embraced in the Middle East

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Bahrain in the Balance: How Did it Come to This?

Bahrain in the Balance: How Did it Come to This?

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Failure to engage in dialogue will prolong the political stalemate, lead to further radicalisation on both sides.

 Michael J. Totten

What if Qaddafi Wins? Thinking the Unthinkable

What if Qaddafi Wins? Thinking the Unthinkable

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: With the West refusing to be drawn into the conflict it looks increasingly like Qaddafi could prevail against the rebels. What will be the consequences?