Editor, MEP

Jordan Facing Food Price Rises

VIDEO: Last year as protests spread across the Arab world, people in Jordan also protested about the price of food. It is still an issue in Amman.

 The View From Fez

‘Show of Force’ By Islamists in Morocco

‘Show of Force’ By Islamists in Morocco

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The march was in support of Palestine but there was no doubting the underlying message.

 Syria News Wire

365 Days That Changed Syria Forever

365 Days That Changed Syria Forever

SYRIA NEWS WIRE: It began with a small demonstration by young people in Deraa. The flames have spread and now engulf the nation.

 Dhofari Gucci

The Arab Spring in Salalah: A Success Story

The Arab Spring in Salalah: A Success Story

DHOFARI GUCCI: It’s a year since the Arab Spring hit Salalah and the results have been impressive.

 Naseem Tarawnah

Jordan Poll: Don’t Protest Unless Overthrowing Government

Jordan Poll: Don’t Protest Unless Overthrowing Government

NASEEM TARAWNAH: Even after a year of demonstrations, the overwhelming majority still believe they cannot criticize the government openly.

 Rania Al Malky

Psychological Warfare: ‘External Forces Are Behind Protests – SCAF ‘Leaked’ Report

Psychological Warfare: ‘External Forces Are Behind Protests – SCAF ‘Leaked’ Report

RANIA AL MALKY: What SCAF did not take into consideration deploying its “Clockwork Orange” conditioning scheme, was the vigilance of new Egyptians.

 Juan Cole

Egyptian Protesters Demand Military Step Down in Wake of ‘Blue Bra’ Beating

Egyptian Protesters Demand Military Step Down in Wake of ‘Blue Bra’ Beating

JUAN COLE: If the military can depict the youth as wild men to the middle classes, it thinks it might remain in power, with a fig leaf of elections.

 Mich Cafe

Edgy Damascus: Jesuit Priest Asked to Leave Syria

Edgy Damascus: Jesuit Priest Asked to Leave Syria

MICH CAFE: A fortnight ago, Fr. Paolo posted a Christmas message on the monastery’s web site. The message did not go down well in Damascus.

 David Roberts

‘Arab Spring’ Map: Not to be Taken too Seriously

‘Arab Spring’ Map: Not to be Taken too Seriously

DAVID ROBERTS: The author clearly has, how should we put it?, an incomplete knowledge of the region but it’s an amusing take on recent regional events.

 The Ajnabi

Flash Mobs: The Changing Tactics of Syria’s Protesters

Flash Mobs: The Changing Tactics of Syria’s Protesters

THE AJNABI: With the sustained and brutal crackdown on opposition protests continuing, Syrian activists have had to adopt new tactics.

 James M. Dorsey

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mr. Obama does not want to put at risk the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet; nor does he want to cross what is a red line for Saudi.

 The Ajnabi

The Chants for Change Reach Loyalist Damascus

The Chants for Change Reach Loyalist Damascus

THE AJNABI: It’s a cry that’s familiar from viewing images of Tahrir Square, Yemen and Hama but it’s the first time I’ve heard it in a wealthy, Damascus suburb.

 The Ajnabi

The Slightly Creepy Pro-Government Damascus Carnival – Colourful, And Forced

The Slightly Creepy Pro-Government Damascus Carnival – Colourful, And Forced

THE AJNABI: When I say encouraged, I mean it in the mukhabarat’s sense of the word. School children and government employees were bussed in…

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Bahrain Sportspeople Arrested, Sacked for Protests

Bahrain Sportspeople Arrested, Sacked for Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Bahraini sports clubs have dismissed at least 12 sports people and executives because they participated in anti-government demonstrations.

 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.

 Steve Royston

Situation Critical for Increasingly Divided Bahrain

Situation Critical for Increasingly Divided Bahrain

STEVE ROYSTON: Since the GCC forces arrived in Bahrain, the Iranian bogeyman has also surfaced with renewed vigour. The Iranians have described the CGG intervention as “interference”.

 The Moor Next Door

Tunisia – Battle moves to Media for Hearts & Minds

Tunisia – Battle moves to Media for Hearts & Minds

TMND: These groups believe it has been exaggerated. Opposition elements and a shameless Al-Jazeera, they seem to say, have blown the whole thing out of proportion

 The Moor Next Door

Suicide Sparks Unrest, Spreads throughout Tunisia

Suicide Sparks Unrest, Spreads throughout Tunisia

THE MOOR NEXT DOOR: Following the suicide of a young, unemployed man in Sidi Bouzid, demonstrations have broken out all over Tunisia.