Government

“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” Edward R. Murrow

 Naseem Tarawnah

Melancholy Meets Impotence: Being An Arab In the Middle East

Melancholy Meets Impotence: Being An Arab In the Middle East

NASEEM TARAWNAH: It’s curious watching while other countries decide what to do with the place where you live.

 Ramzy Baroud

Gaza and Ramallah, Apart: Fragmentation of Identity

Gaza and Ramallah, Apart: Fragmentation of Identity

RAMZY BAROUD: The physical distance between Gaza and Ramallah belies the significant issues surrounding Palestinian identity today.

 Common Ground News Service

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

MAROUANE BAKIT, CGNEWS: Rumor is the new currency in post-revolutionary Libya. Its effects are widespread and damaging.

 The View From Fez

‘Isolated and Abandoned’: Morocco’s Islamists On the Ropes

‘Isolated and Abandoned’: Morocco’s Islamists On the Ropes

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Two years after sweeping to power Morocco’s ruling party is living on borrowed time, it seems

 Juan Cole

Ghost of Iraq Comes Back to Haunt US/UK Syria Plans

Ghost of Iraq Comes Back to Haunt US/UK Syria Plans

The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by the Bush administration and the Blair government in 2002-2003 came back to haunt the Anglo-American alliance on Thursday when the British parliament voted 285 to 272 not to authorize a military strike on Syria.

JUAN COLE: The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by Bush, Blair governments came back to haunt the alliance on Thursday when parliament voted not to authorize a military strike on Syria.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar’s World Cup: Striking While it’s (Very) Hot

Qatar’s World Cup: Striking While it’s (Very) Hot

Activists have stepped up calls for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup if Qatar fails to bring conditions for its majority foreign work force in line with international labor standards.

JAMES M. DORSEY: Activists have stepped up calls for a boycott of the 2022 World Cup if Qatar fails to bring conditions for its majority foreign work force in line with international labor standards.

 Common Ground News Service

“I Say Yemen, You Say…” A Word Association Test

“I Say Yemen, You Say…” A Word Association Test

ABUBAKR AL SHAMAHI, CGNEWS: One word seems to be inevitably linked in the common mind to the beautiful, complex land of Yemen – terrorism

 Ramzy Baroud

‘Arab Spring’ or ‘Islamic Winter’? Simplification Not Useful

‘Arab Spring’ or ‘Islamic Winter’? Simplification Not Useful

RAMZY BAROUD: in the words of Victor Hugo ‘to simplify is to be an idiot’ and when assessing the turmoil affecting the Middle East there is a lot of simplified commentary

 Juan Cole

Death Toll Rises in Egypt’s Descent into Emergency

Death Toll Rises in Egypt’s Descent into Emergency

Some early reports spoke of 120 dead in the first 40 minutes, including two policemen (9 policemen were said to have been wounded). Alarabiya was still only reporting 5 dead several hours after the push against the squares began.

JUAN COLE: Early reports spoke of 120 dead in the first 40 minutes, including two policemen. Alarabiya was still only reporting 5 dead several hours after the push against the squares began.

 mai abdul rahman

America and Islam: Ignorance of ‘the Other’ No Option

America and Islam: Ignorance of ‘the Other’ No Option

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: American Muslims do not understand why the U.S. government and military chose to publicly try Hasan on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr celebrations.

 Ramzy Baroud

Is Egypt Heading For an Algerian-Style Catastrophe?

Is Egypt Heading For an Algerian-Style Catastrophe?

RAMZY BAROUD: The parallels between the two countries are uncannily similar. What route will the Egyptian people choose?

 Mondoweiss

Do Israelis *Really* Want a Palestinian State?

Do Israelis *Really* Want a Palestinian State?

It’s peace process time again--and with it comes the trope that Israelis are ready for a two-state solution. That sentiment is accompanied by polls showing the same: that Israelis support the principle of two states for two peoples. But an examination of Israeli polls shows that nothing like a viable Palestinian state that would be acceptable to the Palestinian population is on the table.

MONDOWEISS: It’s peace process time again, and with it comes the trope Israelis are ready for a two-state solution. However, examination of polls shows that nothing like a viable Palestinian state is actually on the table.

 Tabsir

Ponder or Pander? The Point of Writing A Blog

Ponder or Pander? The Point of Writing A Blog

DANIEL M. VARISCO: When you make the big decision to write a blog you are faced with a number of important choices

 Juan Cole

‘Inhumanity’, Not ‘Sexting’, Is Anthony Weiner’s Real Problem

‘Inhumanity’, Not ‘Sexting’, Is Anthony Weiner’s Real Problem

JUAN COLE: Weiner’s been caught out again. The really big deal about him though is his unwavering support for virulently anti-Palestinian policies

 Common Ground News Service

Urgent To Do’s: A New Constitution and Reconciliation Programme

Urgent To Do’s: A New Constitution and Reconciliation Programme

MOHAMED EL SAYED, CGNEWS: Whatever your views about what has happened recently in Egypt it’s clear where we need to go from here.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Egyptian Lesson: The People’s Voice Doesn’t Matter

The Egyptian Lesson: The People’s Voice Doesn’t Matter

RAMZY BAROUD: It’s a dismal, depressing conclusion to make following events over the past two weeks. But it’s clear what ‘democracy’ means for Egyptians

 Common Ground News Service

No Triumphalism: ‘We Should Reach Out to Morsi Supporters’

No Triumphalism: ‘We Should Reach Out to Morsi Supporters’

NADINE EL SAYED: I supported the demonstrations that have helped topple President Morsi but I’m acutely aware of the feelings of his supporters

 Tabsir

Democracy and Revolutions: Drawing a Line Is Not Easy

Democracy and Revolutions: Drawing a Line Is Not Easy

HANI SHURKALLAH, TABSIR: How could the people of Egypt support the parody of democracy that the Muslim Brotherhood had established?

 Ramzy Baroud

Palestinian Division: It’s Real, It’s Deep, It’s Destructive

Palestinian Division: It’s Real, It’s Deep, It’s Destructive

RAMZY BAROUD: In spite of all of the talk about unity among Palestinians the fissures that divide Hamas and Fatah supporters are too deep

 Tabsir

‘A Mental Defect’, Mr Brooks? Try Looking in the Mirror.

‘A Mental Defect’, Mr Brooks? Try Looking in the Mirror.

DANIEL M. VARISCO: David Brooks is taking a dangerous road by ascribing what he calls ‘mental deficiencies’ to the Egyptian people.