Wikileaks, Jordan and the ‘Tentacles of Iran’
NASEEM TARAWNAH: One particular cable is a rather clear reflection of its stance and growing concerns regarding Iran – “Beware the Iranian Tentacles … and Cut Them Off,” reads the summary…
Top 10 Twitter Users in Saudi Arabia
AHMED AL-OMRAN: Twitter’s swept the world but has it made serious inroads into Saudi Arabia? Yes! And here’s my personal ‘Top Ten’ countdown of the Kingdom’s leading Twitter users.
Saudi’s Succession – ‘Reading Tea Leaves’
JAMES M. DORSEY: With King Abdullah recuperating in the United States, many of the key players who will play a part in the succession to a new generation have returned to the Kingdom.
Obama – Surrendering Palestinian Rights
RAMZY BAROUD: It looks like President Obama will finish his term having secured no advance in Arab-Israeli negotiations. The Israelis do the talking, Washington does the listening. And the giving…
The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger
JAMES M. DORSEY: As dark as that moment was for Casablancan rockers, the trial was a turning point setting Morocco on a path to becoming one of the Arab world’s more liberal societies when it comes to alternative lifestyles.
The UAE and the UK – a Special Relationship
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Today, there are approximately 240,000 British citizens living in the UAE, with another one million plus visiting the country every year and up to 40,000 Emiratis visiting Britain annually.
Obama’s Bribe – Palestinians the Losers … Again
JONATHAN COOK: This concession and the outlines of a previous US peace proposal under Clinton hint at Washington’s most likely strategy. East Jerusalem will be divided, with the large settlement blocs, handed over to Israel…
Entrepreneurs to leave mark for next generation
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Arab governments need to understand that without pan-Arab initiatives, true prosperity will not be achieved. We must capitalise on our strengths as a region with a population larger than the United States…
The Biggest Bonus of them all, & How to Spend it
JAMES MULLAN: The journalist was inspired. After he left I turned to the client to congratulate him on conducting such a wonderful interview. He was grim faced. ‘You know what this means, James? Slavery. There will be no place where you can escape work, no time when you will not be expected to work. It’ll be hell on earth for most people.’ Within two years the guru had retired from the IT business and embarked on a successful career as a rock musician.
“Hug a Muslim” – Restoring Sanity in America
SUSAN KOSCIS: Looking around I saw signs reflecting this spirit: “Be Excellent to Each Other,” “Nice is The New Cool,” “Civilization Requires Civility,” and one that perhaps we could all agree with: “More Chocolate Please.”
Sad day for UAE as Last ‘Founding Father’ Dies
This really is the passing of an era rather than one man, the passing of the last of the men who brought this country from a scattered land of tribal peoples to become a modern nation.
Should U.S. citizens fear Islam? – Senator
No serious journalist would ask a random black guy with a briefcase on the street to explain the pathology of an African American criminal because of the coincidence of shared skin colour…
Saudi Education – A Fight to Enter the 21st Century…
The ministry has big plans for education but also mountainous challenges. The religious establishment, in control for so long, are in almost every office… This control goes way back to 1960 when girls were allowed to get an education.
Sponsorship for Sale – Why the Practice Should End
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: The sponsorship system does more harm than good, and the authorities should take the brave, but unpopular (amongst locals) step of ending it.
To be at the Show, Or not be. That’s the question
Many reasons are given for putting on and attending exhibitions but perhaps they’re not the right ones. The reason that events such as GITEX continue to exist is they fulfill a basic human need to meet with your peers.
Frenemies, NBFs, Snatch Squads…
President throws stone, new ‘best friends forever’ hang out, Obama snubbed, ‘The Elders’ regional tour kicks off. A week is, indeed, a long time in Middle East politics
Forget Our Differences, Let’s Just Shop
Stop talking about politics and extremism and go shopping. It’s what made the Islamic world great (and rich) after all…
Abu Dhabi’s rise as a knowledge based economy
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: By reaching out to others, Abu Dhabi’s knowledge hubs can function as musical instruments that, when played together, create a harmonious symphony.
The number ’9? car plate could be worth much more than the 10m paid for it
10 million dirhams was paid last Saturday at auction in Abu Dhabi for the number 9 plate, but its value could be much more if the cash was put to good use.
World Cup jammers reveal lack of imagination
Standing in the midst of a group of embarrassed Dutch supporters enduring the final I would have been glad of any interruption or diversion…
