James M. Dorsey

Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi: Pressures for Reform

Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi: Pressures for Reform

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sharp sectarian divides between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the Middle East constitutes the Achilles heel for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan.

 The View From Fez

Blazing Skies: Moroccan Meterorite Up for Sale

Blazing Skies: Moroccan Meterorite Up for Sale

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: A perfectly intact meteorite that was ejected from Mars 700,000 years ago and landed in the Moroccan desert last year will go on sale this Sunday

 Common Ground News Service

Cairo’s Latte Drinking Salafis: Stereotype Busters

Cairo’s Latte Drinking Salafis: Stereotype Busters

NADA ZOHDY, CGNEWS: You’ll find them at Costa or Starbucks. They’re happy to discuss rather than denounce and they’re seeking ways to build Egypt’s civil society.

 James M. Dorsey

Worker Deaths: Trade Unions Finger Point Qatar

Worker Deaths: Trade Unions Finger Point Qatar

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar has repeatedly denied it exploits foreign labour. “The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labour and it is inconceivable that such a thing exists in Qatar…”

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Springs Eternal: Evolution of a Revolution

Arab Springs Eternal: Evolution of a Revolution

JAMES M. DORSEY: The civil war in Syria dominates the news the wave of protests in the smaller cities of Arab states foretells a groundswell of mass demonstration.

 Mondoweiss

Mitt Romney: The Laughing Stock of Jerusalem

Mitt Romney: The Laughing Stock of Jerusalem

PHILIP WEISS: Shopkeepers in East Jerusalem joke about Romney’s speech. The implications of it, however, are all too serious

 David Roberts

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Olympics Opening Ceremony was striking for many reasons not the least of which was the presence of so many women leading Arab teams.

 Rob L. Wagner

Target Lebanon: A ‘Jittery’ Israel Set To Lash Out

Target Lebanon: A ‘Jittery’ Israel Set To Lash Out

ROB L. WAGNER: The changes throughout the Arab world have made Israel very nervous indeed. And a nervous Israel is a dangerous Israel.

 Common Ground News Service

Al Azhar University: The Strong Third Force in Egypt

Al Azhar University: The Strong Third Force in Egypt

COMMON GROUND NEWS: There is much discussion about the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists but there is another significant power in Egypt

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Politics Behind the Award of Literary Prizes

The Politics Behind the Award of Literary Prizes

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Whether it’s the Nobel Prize or those closer to home there’s always a bit – or more – of politics when literary prizes are awarded.

 James M. Dorsey

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

JAMES M. DORSEY: The success of the Jordanian Football Association is causing other sporting bodies to sit up and take notice.

 Mondoweiss

The Long and Tortured History of Islamophobia

The Long and Tortured History of Islamophobia

ALEX KANE, MONDOWEISS: Deepa Kumar has written a detailed study of Islamophobia which links it inextricably to the cause of Empire

 James M. Dorsey

Female Olympians? OK. Female Drivers? No.

Female Olympians? OK. Female Drivers? No.

JAMES DORSEY: It’s likely excellent news for Dalma Malhas but it’s unlikely she’ll be driving to show jumping events in the Kingdom anytime soon.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar’s Women Athletes Spotlight Religious Differences

Qatar’s Women Athletes Spotlight Religious Differences

JAMES DORSEY: The participation of Qatar’s women athletes opens up differences between it and the Islamic thinking in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

 James M. Dorsey

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

JAMES DORSEY: According to the ITUC “workers are dying in Qatar as they build World Cup stadiums, suffering large scale exploitation every day.

 Francis Matthew

Absent Middle Class Key to Gulf Stability

Absent Middle Class Key to Gulf Stability

FRANCIS MATTHEW: In all Gulf states government dominates the economy. That dependence fosters a lack of entrepreneurial motivation.

 James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

JAMES M. DORSEY: An Egyptian feminist group has challenged the fans that played a key role in toppling Mubarak to recognise women’s rights.

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Middle East looms large as FIFA’s executive committee meets against the backdrop of a call for sweeping change.

 Juan Cole

Arab League Divide: Plus Ca Change

Arab League Divide: Plus Ca Change

JUAN COLE: There’ll be some missing faces at the upcoming meeting in Baghdad but regional divisions are sharpening.