James M. Dorsey

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran

 Juan Cole

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s inauguration speech is sure to trigger panic among the ‘we must have war’ crowd. But does he really mean it?

 James M. Dorsey

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is following in the footsteps of deposed autocrats by associating himself with one of Iran’s greatest passions: soccer.

 Juan Cole

Bachmann: Muslim Brotherhood Secret Agent?

Bachmann: Muslim Brotherhood Secret Agent?

JUAN COLE: Could it be the ultimate double bluff? The woman who is charging that the U.S government is infiltrated by the MB could be an agent herself?

 Editor, MEP

Iran Threat Neutered as UAE Pipeline Starts Pumping

Iran Threat Neutered as UAE Pipeline Starts Pumping

In the short term the new pipeline is likely to increase the already high levels of distrust between the UAE (and Gulf in general) and Iran.

 Mondoweiss

Iran: It’s War in 2013, Says Former Diplomat

Iran: It’s War in 2013, Says Former Diplomat

IRA GLUNTS, MONDOWEISS: War, according to Aaron Miller, is inevitable unless something extraordinary happens in the next year.

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 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

 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.

 Common Ground News Service

Is Laughter the Middle East’s ‘Best Medicine’?

Is Laughter the Middle East’s ‘Best Medicine’?

SADIA ASHRAF, CGNEWS: What impact have the group of Arab comedians who emerged post 9/11 really had?

 Mondoweiss

Obama and Bibi: Temperature Getting Cooler

Obama and Bibi: Temperature Getting Cooler

PHILIP WEISS: They’re both keeping their cards close to their chest but the atmosphere was distinctly frosty between both leaders.

 David Roberts

Examining Saudi-Qatar Relations

Examining Saudi-Qatar Relations

DAVID ROBERTS: if Qatar’s role is tempered by lack of Saudi support, the region will be without a state willing to push the boundaries of regional politics.

 Juan Cole

Ten Ways the Iranians Are Beating Sanctions

Ten Ways the Iranians Are Beating Sanctions

JUAN COLE: The last crackpot Neocon plan cost America $1 trillion and nearly 5,000 soldier’s lives. The latest one is meeting resistance.

 Richard Silverstein

U.S., Israel Iranian Delusions Continue

U.S., Israel Iranian Delusions Continue

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: What if we can’t find alternates? What if Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Libya can’t fill the gap? What if the oil price goes through the roof?

 David Roberts

Syria: The Argument Against intervention

Syria: The Argument Against intervention

DAVID ROBERTS: Working out exactly what must be done is fiendishly difficult; anyone who says they have a solution is grossly underestimating the complexities.

 Ramzy Baroud

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

RAMZY BAROUD: History repeats itself, when we fail to learn its lessons. Israel might want to take such chances, but why should the rest of the world?

 Rob L. Wagner

Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Designs: Revived But Relevant to Whom?

Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Designs: Revived But Relevant to Whom?

ROB L. WAGNER: The Abu Dhabi authorities surprisingly announced the resurrection of their three-museum project. Who’s it for, though?

 Mondoweiss

Israel’s Push for War with Iran is ‘Relentless’

Israel’s Push for War with Iran is ‘Relentless’

ALEX KANE, MONDOWEISS: The Israelis are doing all in their power to scuttle ‘back channel’ discussions to ease tension between the U.S and Iran.

 David Roberts

Tension Between the United States and Iran Escalates: Is Conflict Now Inevitable?

Tension Between the United States and Iran Escalates: Is Conflict Now Inevitable?

DAVID ROBERTS: It appears that both the United States and Iran’s domestic political requirements have spun the region into a dangerous spiral.

 Juan Cole

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

JUAN COLE: Many of the dangers to which I pointed in last year’s list still exist, of course, but a whole host of new difficulties has emerged.

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