Juan Cole

‘We Will Close Down Twitter’: Erdogan’s Attempt Fails

‘We Will Close Down Twitter’: Erdogan’s Attempt Fails

JUAN COLE: Let it be a warning to dictators around the world – a clumsy attempt to shut down Twitter in Turkey back-fires.

 Ramzy Baroud

Libyan Chaos: The Colourful Life and Times of Khalifa Hifter

Libyan Chaos: The Colourful Life and Times of Khalifa Hifter

RAMZY BAROUD: Daily life in Libya today can be easily described in one word – ‘chaos’. What are the chances that order will be soon restored?

 Common Ground News Service

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

MAROUANE BAKIT, CGNEWS: Rumor is the new currency in post-revolutionary Libya. Its effects are widespread and damaging.

 Tabsir

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For George W. Bush the phrase was ‘Mission Accomplished’. For his successor there could be another phrase that defines his foreign affair policy

 Mich Cafe

‘Charlie’ Had His ‘Angels’, Now Assad Has ‘Lionesses’

‘Charlie’ Had His ‘Angels’, Now Assad Has ‘Lionesses’

MICH CAFE: It seems to be a common theme among Arab dictators – recruiting women to front up the military in your regime.

 Editor, MEP

Gadaffi Wiretaps Reveal Nature of Man

VIDEO, AL JAZEERA: The audio files contain intercepted conversations with Gaddafi, his sons, and members of the international community.

 James Mullan

News Analysis: Gaddafi’s Daughter in ‘Call to Arms’

News Analysis: Gaddafi’s Daughter in ‘Call to Arms’

Aisha Gaddafi has issued a rallying cry to supporters of the former regime in an audio broadcast that has been played on Syrian television.

 Omar al-Issawi

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

OMAR AL ISSAWI: Playing the victim, engendering sympathy and hurling accusations of conspiracy, persecution and discrimination will only get a cause so far…

 SuhaibWebb

Libya: Memories of ‘the Summer of Pain’ Return

Libya: Memories of ‘the Summer of Pain’ Return

TASBEEH HERWEES, SUHAIBWEBB: The memories of that summer come rushing back. It was, after all, the Abu Salim families who kick-started this revolution.

 Omar Chatriwala

Qataris Rally in Support of Libya Strikes

OMAR CHATRIWALA: Scores of people rallied outside Libya’s embassy in Qatar on Sunday, calling for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go. “I want [Gaddafi] dead,” said one.

 Omar al-Issawi

Gadaffi Goes for Oil, Opposition Naivety Revealed

Gadaffi Goes for Oil, Opposition Naivety Revealed

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: We’ve got used to outrageous claims of ‘victory’ from Arab leaders, but the rebels have a little learning to do about counter-intelligence.

 Omar al-Issawi

Stalemate Threatens Redrawing of Libya Map

Stalemate Threatens Redrawing of Libya Map

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: We are potentially looking at a redrawing of the map of Libya, perhaps even the map of the Middle East.

 Steve Royston

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

STEVE ROYSTON: This post is more than a five-minute read. I apologise, but I don’t apologise: Sometimes you need more than a few hundred words.

 Omar al-Issawi

Why Gaddafi Should be Fearful of History

Why Gaddafi Should be Fearful of History

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: Omar al-Mukhtar was the leader of resistance to colonial rule in Libya eight decades ago. Born in eastern Libya, the heart of current resistance today, his words resonate strongly.

 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.