Juan Cole

Arab Voting Power Makes Bachmann a Romney Liability

Arab Voting Power Makes Bachmann a Romney Liability

JUAN COLE: Remember how Florida in 2000 hung on just a few hundred votes. Well, there are over 250,000 Arab-Americans in Florida. They can all tell when someone is prejudiced.

 Richard Silverstein

Sheldon Adelson: Buying Politics, and U.S. Allegiance to Israel

Sheldon Adelson: Buying Politics, and U.S. Allegiance to Israel

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” Sheldon Adelson may not have breasts, but he sure has the money and the power.

 Christina Hebert

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

CHRISTINA HEBERT: It’s an issue that generates heated debate but what are the benefits of Gulf countries offering citizenship to foreigners?

 James M. Dorsey

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sepp Blatter, a month after opening the door to an investigation of the Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, has declared “case closed”.

 James M. Dorsey

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: In a worrying development for Qatar, the FIFA president has opened the door to a possible investigation into its successful World Cup bid.

 Common Ground News Service

Internet ‘Enables Open Debate Between Religions’

Internet ‘Enables Open Debate Between Religions’

MATTHEW SKINNER, JOSHUA STANTON, CGNEWS: People will disagree vehemently over religion but the internet provides a perfect environment for robust, honest discussion.

 Ramzy Baroud

‘Crabgrass in the Lawn’. The Darling of the Israeli Lobby

‘Crabgrass in the Lawn’.  The Darling of the Israeli Lobby

RAMZY BAROUD: It seems that there is nothing that Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will not do or say to support Israeli interests.

 Steve Royston

How Blogging Can Be Your Company’s Voice

How Blogging Can Be Your Company’s Voice

STEVE ROYSTON: “If you manage to persuade your CEO to write a blog, you’d better make sure he or she writes lively content. Otherwise their blog will have the opposite effect…”

 Steve Royston

Thoughts On Blogging – How to Start, And Why?

Thoughts On Blogging – How to Start, And Why?

STEVE ROYSTON: You could say that I’ve now entered my next career. Not a hobby – because I do earn money – but an activity entirely under my control, and in which money is not the prime motivation.

 Shabina S. Khatri

What Troubles? It’s Hard to Get Too Angry in Qatar

What Troubles? It’s Hard to Get Too Angry in Qatar

SHABINA S. KHATRI: Qatar is a welfare state that financially-speaking takes care of its people. The 350,000 nationals enjoy an average per capita income of $75,000 annually.

 Common Ground News Service

Saudi Takes Action Against ‘Preachers of Hate’

Saudi Takes Action Against ‘Preachers of Hate’

SABRIA JAWHAR: The volume of hate-filled rhetoric pouring from pulpits in Saudi Arabia has risen over the past ten years; now authorities have taken action.

 Common Ground News Service

Why Egypt’s Faith Should Hold no Fear For the U.S.

Why Egypt’s Faith Should Hold no Fear For the U.S.

DALIA MOGAHED: The majority of Egyptians want democracy and see no contradiction between the change they seek and the values to which they surrender.

 James M. Dorsey

European Clubs See Opportunity in Middle East’s Failure in Asia Cup

European Clubs See Opportunity in Middle East’s Failure in Asia Cup

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mounting criticism of Middle Eastern nations’ failure to nurture soccer talent has created a business opportunity for European clubs.

 Arianna Huffington

Facebook, Twitter Driving Change in the MidEast

Facebook, Twitter Driving Change in the MidEast

ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: No longer is our best hope for change governments. If change happens, it’s going to be social media fuelling the transformation.