Francis Matthew

Iraq 10 Years On: The Benefit of Hindsight

Iraq 10 Years On: The Benefit of Hindsight

The attempts by President George W. Bush to justify the American-led invasion of Iraq followed so many wildly different reasons with no coherent link that the liveliest of conspiracy theories have flourished. This has been fuelled by the obvious political failure that has caused no pain to Bush and his neo-conservative allies who launched the war, while the companies with links to those same neo-conservatives have taken a significant share in the billions spent in reconstructing Iraq.

In the aftermath of the terrible attack on the World Trade Centre on 9/11, the first reason given was that Saddam Hussain supported Al Qaida, although Saddam had been ruthless in suppressing Islamists. Then Bush and Blair used Saddam’s alleged plan to manufacture and prepare to use weapons of mass destruction. When eventually this reason [...]

 mai abdul rahman

An ‘Israeli Spring’ for Palestine? The Call Is Out

An ‘Israeli Spring’ for Palestine? The Call Is Out

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: It’s a bold move and one that is sure to cause much aggression and derision to be directed his way. What’s the story behind the brutality?

 Common Ground News Service

Corruption ‘On the Increase’ Across Arab World

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: Corruption is so deeply ingrained in societies across the Arab world that promoting transparency seems an almost hopeless task

 Susan Al Shahri

Female Genital Mutilation: Still Major Issue in Oman

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The last time I raised this issue publicly the reaction was overwhelming but ‘woman with the incense burner’ still prowls hospitals in Dhofar

 Common Ground News Service

Climate Change: The Arab World Has ‘Finally Got It’

Climate Change: The Arab World Has ‘Finally Got It’

WAEL HMAIDAN, CGNEWS: The striking sight of people demonstrating in the street in Doha in favour of climate regulation is a sign of significant change

 Common Ground News Service

The Fear Business: Listening & Speaking Break Cycle

ARIEL KATZ, CGNEWS: It’s much easier to attack ‘the other’ when you don’t hear their stories and don’t see their pain.

 Tabsir

Thomas Friedman: PR Guy for the Israeli Government?

Thomas Friedman: PR Guy for the Israeli Government?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Another one eyed piece from Mr Friedman. Is it too much to ask that he simply recognises the realities of Palestinian life?

 Common Ground News Service

Drugs Having ‘Profound Effect’ on Tunisian Youth

Drugs Having ‘Profound Effect’ on Tunisian Youth

JIHED FREDI, CGNEWS: The recent chaos in Tunisia has allowed drug traffickers to gain a hold and they’re targetting the young with disastrous consequences

 mai abdul rahman

UN Palestinian Vote Heralds ‘Birth of New World Order’

UN Palestinian Vote Heralds ‘Birth of New World Order’

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: It’s not just the scale of the victory but it’s what it tells us about a new, emerging world order that is important.

 Alexander McNabb

Telcos Looking for ‘Cash Cow’s Charter’ at Dubai Meet

Telcos Looking for ‘Cash Cow’s Charter’ at Dubai Meet

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Sit back, contribute nothing and tax the innovative. Yes, the ITU proposals are an attractive proposition.

 Juan Cole

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

JUAN COLE: From Jordan to Tunisia, from civil war to pilfered Palestinian land the Arab world is in a febrile state.

 mai abdul rahman

The PLO’s UN Bid Will ‘Change the Political Landscape’

The PLO’s UN Bid Will ‘Change the Political Landscape’

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: It’s a date laden with meaning and today another chapter will be written in Palestinian history – a chapter that is a potential game-changer.

 Juan Cole

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

JUAN COLE: Achieving a ceasefire is significant but if it’s to remain in place all parties must use the gap in hostilities to secure real progress.

 Francis Matthew

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

FRANCIS MATTHEW:Obama failed to deliver this vision in his first term, and sadly, it is unlikely that he will use his second term to re-find his sense of purpose in the world.

 Richard Silverstein

Erdogan to Gaza: The Siege Begins to Lift, Slowly

Erdogan to Gaza: The Siege Begins to Lift, Slowly

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Hard on the heels of Qatar’s high profile visit and investment in Gaza comes news that regional super-power Turkey plans a visit.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab World Puts Palestine on Backburner: Not for Long

Arab World Puts Palestine on Backburner: Not for Long

JAMES M. DORSEY: Many Arab countries are now preoccupied with their own internal issues which has seen Palestine slip down the agenda.

 mai abdul rahman

‘No’ To Democracy, ‘Yes’ To Racism. What Hope for Israel?

‘No’ To Democracy, ‘Yes’ To Racism. What Hope for Israel?

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: A recently released survey makes deeply disturbing reading. But the reasons are not difficult to find. Both Israelis and Palestinians are fighting back.

 Tabsir

There’ll Never Be a ‘Right’ President for Palestine

There’ll Never Be a ‘Right’ President for Palestine

NADIA HIJAB, TABSIR: Palestinians have finally realised that they themselves will determine their own fate not some idealised notion of a U.S President.

 Jonathan Cook

How Israel Starves Gaza: The Facts Revealed

How Israel Starves Gaza: The Facts Revealed

JONATHAN COOK: Evidence has recently emerged of the programme that Israel initiated to manufacture further Palestinian despair.

 Mondoweiss

The Demographic Timebomb of Palestinians in Israel

The Demographic Timebomb of Palestinians in Israel

SAM BAHOUR, MONDOWEISS: While the world’s attention is focused on Gaza and the West Bank Palestinian citizens of Israel present unique issues.

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