Alexander McNabb

Traffic Increase, Property Prices Rocket: Dubai’s ‘Groundhog Day’

Traffic Increase, Property Prices Rocket: Dubai’s ‘Groundhog Day’

ALEXANDER MCNABB: We appear to be back in the, ah, ‘glory days’ of 2006 and 2007 if recent reports are to be believed. Oh joy.

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf rivalries and the Soccer Pitch: Persian or Gulf?

Gulf rivalries and the Soccer Pitch: Persian or Gulf?

The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.

JAMES M. Dorsey: The battle between Iran and various Gulf state for the identity of the energy-rich region has spilled onto its soccer pitches. It’s the Persian Gulf League vs. the Arabian Gulf League.

 Alexander McNabb

Dubai Road Rage Incident: The Law Takes Two Courses

Dubai Road Rage Incident:  The Law Takes Two Courses

ALEXANDER MCNABB: It may have come as a surprise to the individual who filmed and loaded the video on YouTube that he was potentially breaking the law.

 Alexander McNabb

The Dubai Book Club War: Curbed In the Nick of Time

The Dubai Book Club War: Curbed In the Nick of Time

ALEXANDER MCNABB: A new regulatory authority for social clubs in Dubai has appeared. So is the humble book club included?

 Alexander McNabb

Ka-Choo! Sharjah’s Mystery Radar Shooter Still At Large

Ka-Choo! Sharjah’s Mystery Radar Shooter Still At Large

As eagle eyed observers will recall from earlier posts, Sharjah has been suffering from a mysterious and expensive spate of radar shootings. Someone has been regularly taking out the traffic radars on the Mileiha Road – the arterial route that leads from the notorious National Paints parkabout all the way out to the delightful East […]

 Alexander McNabb

Sharjah vs Dubai?: Sorry, There’s No Contest

Sharjah vs Dubai?: Sorry, There’s No Contest

ALEXANDER MCNABB: You can keep your super-malls and your skyscrapers. The back street souks of Sharjah do me fine, thanks all the same.

 Juan Cole

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

JUAN COLE: It’s well worth looking at previous situations where major powers tried to use economics to bring Iran to heel.

 Mondoweiss

Iran War Game: Pentagon Is Worried

Iran War Game: Pentagon Is Worried

ANNIE ROBBINS, MONDOWEISS: The Israelis are playing down the consequences of an attack. American ‘top brass’ aren’t buying it.

 Richard Silverstein

U.S. Warns Iran Closing the Strait of Hormuz Means War

U.S. Warns Iran Closing the Strait of Hormuz Means War

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Right now I’m thinking of that Marx Brothers line: To war! To war! Fredonia’s going to war! Except this will be far from a farce.

 David Roberts

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Wall Street Journal has published a very curious piece indeed on the relationship between Iran and Bahrain. It’s long on allegation but very short on proof.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Oil: It’s a World, not just an American, Concern

Saudi Oil: It’s a World, not just an American, Concern

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Whenever the words ‘United States’ and ‘Saudi Arabia’ occur in the same sentence it seems inevitable that the phrase ‘dependence on oil’ will appear too.

 Mondoweiss

The Price of Intervention: Can the U.S. Afford It?

The Price of Intervention: Can the U.S. Afford It?

ISSA KHALAF, MONDOWEISS: The price of military intervention always comes at a higher price than initially anticipated. Can the United States afford to intervene in Libya?

 The Moor Next Door

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

TMND: The dominant official American attitude toward democratic reform in Egypt is concerned with the possibility that the Muslim Brothers might sweep the polls.

 David Roberts

Arabian Gulf vs. Persian Gulf – Google’s Match Report

Arabian Gulf vs. Persian Gulf – Google’s Match Report

DAVID ROBERTS: I looked first, sorry my angry Iranian friends, for Persian Gulf and Arabian Gulf. Though you easily irascible fellows ought to be pleased…

 James M. Dorsey

The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger

The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger

JAMES M. DORSEY: As dark as that moment was for Casablancan rockers, the trial was a turning point setting Morocco on a path to becoming one of the Arab world’s more liberal societies when it comes to alternative lifestyles.