James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Militant Soccer Groups In ‘Surprising Unity Pact’

Egyptian Militant Soccer Groups In ‘Surprising Unity Pact’

JAMES M. DORSEY: Two of Egypt’s leading groups of rival fans have combined to claim ownership of the football stadia.

 James M. Dorsey

Football ‘Ultras’ At The Heart of Egypt’s Latest Unrest

Football ‘Ultras’ At The Heart of Egypt’s Latest Unrest

JAMES DORSEY: They’re trying to maintain a balance but given the fact that the regime is increasingly painting them as Islamists how long can that last?

 James M. Dorsey

Precarious Positioning: The U.S. and Mid East Freedom

Precarious Positioning: The U.S. and Mid East Freedom

JAMES M. DORSEY: To maintain its tightrope act, the Obama administration will have to draw a clear distinction between peaceful, legitimate and democratic expression of dissent and terrorism.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Egyptian Lesson: The People’s Voice Doesn’t Matter

The Egyptian Lesson: The People’s Voice Doesn’t Matter

RAMZY BAROUD: It’s a dismal, depressing conclusion to make following events over the past two weeks. But it’s clear what ‘democracy’ means for Egyptians

 James M. Dorsey

Millitant Football Fans To The Fore Again in Egypt Protests

Millitant Football Fans To The Fore Again in Egypt Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Militant football fans are arguably Egypt’s largest civic group. They’re preparing to confront President Morsi as they previously did Mubarak

 James M. Dorsey

Divide, Conquer: Attack on Egypt’s ‘Ultras’ Imminent

Divide, Conquer: Attack on Egypt’s ‘Ultras’ Imminent

JAMES M DORSEY: There appears to be a concerted plan by the Egyptian judiciary and security forces to confront militant football fans. It may, though, backfire.

 James M. Dorsey

In Israel and Egypt The Stench of Racism Grows Stronger

In Israel and Egypt The Stench of Racism Grows Stronger

JAMES DORSEY: Whether it’s Israeli football teams or Egyptian presidents accusations of racism are running rife throughout the region.

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

JAMES DORSEY: It seems that ‘ultra’ football fans in Egypt are gearing up for greater and fiercer conflict in the months ahead.

 Juan Cole

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

JUAN COLE: It’s been another extraordinary year across the Middle East. Here is my take on the most significant changes this year

 Juan Cole

Morsi’s Victory: But At What Cost to Egypt’s Future?

Morsi’s Victory: But At What Cost to Egypt’s Future?

JUAN COLE: A deeply polarized country must face the reality that Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood cadre have scored an overwhelming victory.

 Juan Cole

Flawed: Ten Reasons Why This Constitution Fails Egypt

Flawed: Ten Reasons Why This Constitution Fails Egypt

JUAN COLE: Some of the figures coming out of the constitutional referendum cause raised eyebrows at the least. But there are deeper problems.

 Juan Cole

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

JUAN COLE: From Jordan to Tunisia, from civil war to pilfered Palestinian land the Arab world is in a febrile state.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Media’s ‘Lack of Enthusiasm’ on Egypt Reporting

Saudi Media’s ‘Lack of Enthusiasm’ on Egypt Reporting

CROSSROADS ARABIA: While they could hardly not report on it, I sense a lack of enthusiasm in Saudi media’s reporting on the clash between Egyptian President Morsi and the Egyptian judiciary.

 Juan Cole

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

JUAN COLE: Achieving a ceasefire is significant but if it’s to remain in place all parties must use the gap in hostilities to secure real progress.

 Richard Silverstein

Erdogan to Gaza: The Siege Begins to Lift, Slowly

Erdogan to Gaza: The Siege Begins to Lift, Slowly

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Hard on the heels of Qatar’s high profile visit and investment in Gaza comes news that regional super-power Turkey plans a visit.

 Juan Cole

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

JUAN COLE: The Presidential candidate appears to be entirely clueless about the recent history of US involvement in the region. Heres’ some help.

 Francis Matthew

Flexibility: Islamists First Great Test in the Face of RealPolitik

Flexibility: Islamists First Great Test in the Face of RealPolitik

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Now that they have been elected into power they are being forced to demonstrate their commitment to pluralism. This is a challenge they did not plan for.

 Juan Cole

Benghazi Attack: Romney Gets It Badly Wrong

Benghazi Attack: Romney Gets It Badly Wrong

JUAN COLE: His comments were hasty, distasteful and unwise. Can we afford to have an individual with such poor judgement in the White House?

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Egyptian authorities are moving tentatively to check how radicalised football fans will react to the lifting of a ban on their attendance at matches.

 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.