Revolution Indonesia: An Arab World Inspiration?
SRI MURNIATI: Recent events in Tunisia will bring back memories for many Indonesians. Our transformation to a vibrant democracy should be a source of inspiration in the Middle East.
Jordan’s New Leadership: Will Jordanian’s Bakhit?
NASSEM TARAWNAH: The state needs to realize no one protesting in Jordan have been calling for regime change, but rather a change in government and real reforms.
Libya, Algeria Cut Football to Thwart Protests
JAMES DORSEY: Oil-rich Libya and gas-rich Algeria have indefinitely extended their suspension of all soccer matches with anti-government demonstrations looming.
Egypt to Usher in Brave New World the U.S. will find harder to Control
PHYLLIS BENNIS, MONDOWEISS: Do the principles on which the U.S. was founded apply to more than 300 million Arabs?
It’s the Youth Taking the Lead in Region’s ‘Renaissance’
FARAH I. ABDEL SATER: One outstanding feature of the recent turmoil in Tunisia and now in Egypt is the prominent and active role of the region’s youth.
Palestinians Losing Patience With the PA
JONATHAN COOK: Eighteen years of the so-called ‘peace process’ appear to have drawn to a close and the Palestinian people feel betrayed by their negotiators.
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.
Egypt: Where Were You on the Day When…
DAVID ROBERTS: How exactly people think things will ipso facto get better I don’t understand. You can’t eat or pay rent with democracy.
Egypt Public Opinion: Islamists or Modernizers
MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: I worry Egyptians are going to have to learn the hardest way possible – as the Iranians have – modernizers are better.
A Message for Arab Poets: Stick to the Poetry!
M.LYNX-QUALEY: According to Syrian poet, Adonis, the Arab world is affected by a great ‘apathy’ – surely a criticism that can be brought no longer…
“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The big question, of course, is ‘After Mubarak, what?’ I’m sure Mubarak feels, as did Louis XV, Après moi, le déluge.
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.
Tunisia: How We Got Here and the Task Ahead
RAMZY BAROUD: In Tunisia that ‘unprecedented anger” has reaped unprecedented results, leaving Tunisia with the great task of rebuilding a civil society.
The End of the Age of Mediocrity, the Rise of the Age of the People
OMAR AL-ISSAWI: For years I’ve observed with great sadness Arabs who glorified the achievements of a distant past while offering nothing for the future.
Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests
JAMES M. DORSEY: The involvement of organized soccer fans in Egypt’s anti-government protests constitutes every Arab government’s worst nightmare.
Egypt’s Uncontrolled and Uncontainable Tweets of Rage
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Blocking Twitter won’t stop word getting out. You’re as well to try and stop grains of sand falling through marbles.
Torches: Understanding Mohammed Bouazizi
ALEXANDER MCNABB: I find it hard to even think about what would drive a man to contemplate the act – the acrid stink of petrol, vapour shimmering, a scratch and whiff of phosphorous.
Governments Undermining MidEast Soccer
JAMES M. DORSEY: In a soccer-crazy world of authoritarian regimes, football offers one of society’s few release valves.
Evolution not Revolution To Spark Jordan Reform
NASEEM TARAWNAH: The issues bringing Jordanians onto the streets are of Jordanian origin and will be solved by Jordanians. Fundamental change is not on the agenda.
Generalizing Tunisia: What’s the (Real) Story
RAMZY BAROUD: Understanding Tunisia as just another “Arab regime”, another possible podium for al-Qaeda’s violence, is convenient but also unhelpful…
