Steve Royston

Meddle in Afghanistan: The Lesson from History Is Clear

Meddle in Afghanistan: The Lesson from History Is Clear

STEVE ROYSTON: My Summer reading has been dominated by books which consider how major powers, in particular Britain, have come to grief in Afghanistan

 Francis Matthew

They Were Unexpected Heroes. We Should Remember Them

They Were Unexpected Heroes. We Should Remember Them

As the Muslim world celebrates Eid Al Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan, some Muslims in Jalalabad in Afghanistan will find it very hard to celebrate anything. These will include the wives and children of the Afghan policemen who died while successfully stopping three cars of suicide bombers trying to attack the Indian consulate. These will include the families of the eight children who were killed by the bombers while at a Quran class in a nearby mosque.

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Muslims in Jalalabad in Afghanistan will find it very hard to celebrate anything this Eid, especially the wives and children of the policemen who died stopping the cars of suicide bombers.

 Juan Cole

Clinton Tries To Set Up Obama As ‘Patsy to The Hawks’

Clinton Tries To Set Up Obama As ‘Patsy to The Hawks’

JUAN COLE: Bill Clinton has criticised President Obama for not providing stronger military support for the Syrian opposition. His own record on military intervention isn’t so good.

 mai abdul rahman

‘Child Soldiers’ or ‘Cadets’. No Label, Respect Children.

‘Child Soldiers’ or ‘Cadets’. No Label, Respect Children.

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: On occasion depending on the nature of the particular conflict a discussion fires up related to child soldiers. With Mali it’s here again.

 Juan Cole

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s inauguration speech is sure to trigger panic among the ‘we must have war’ crowd. But does he really mean it?

 Tabsir

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

KHALED FATTAH, TABSIR: There is a lazy shorthand in much Western reporting on the Middle East, particularly when it comes to describing the influence of tribes

 Juan Cole

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

JUAN COLE: It’s been another extraordinary year across the Middle East. Here is my take on the most significant changes this year

 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.

 mai abdul rahman

Re-Election: The Arab-Americans Obama Has To Thank

Re-Election: The Arab-Americans Obama Has To Thank

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: Single women and Latinos had a key role to play in re-electing Barack Obama but Arab-Americans played a major part as well.

 Juan Cole

Afghanistan vs Affair: What Should We Be Concerned About?

Afghanistan vs Affair: What Should We Be Concerned About?

JUAN COLE: It was David Petraeus’s conduct of counter insurgency in Afghanistan rather than his evening activities that I was interested in

 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.

 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.

 Juan Cole

Malala: A Heroine Who Represents the Majority

Malala: A Heroine Who Represents the Majority

JUAN COLE: The Taliban are widely despised among the population of rural Pakistan. The biggest threat facing girls in this environment is a government that doesn’t care

 Juan Cole

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

JUAN COLE: The Presidential candidate appears to be entirely clueless about the recent history of US involvement in the region. Heres’ some help.

 Mondoweiss

‘A Bit Dangerous?’: My Plan to Meet Drone Victims

‘A Bit Dangerous?’: My Plan to Meet Drone Victims

PAM BAILEY, MONDOWEISS: When I inform my friends that I’m heading to Waziristan to find out about the reality of drone attacks they’re rather concerned

 Richard Silverstein

Western Liberals and their ‘Problem’ with “Muslim Rage”

Western Liberals and their ‘Problem’ with “Muslim Rage”

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: We’re [Christians and Jews] above that sort of blood-letting. We solve our differences civilly through debate and the free exchange of ideas. As if…

 Abu Muhammed

Islam and America: There’s Always Been A Problem

Islam and America: There’s Always Been A Problem

ABU MOHAMMED: If you look back over the last thirty years or so you’ll see that Islam has always been a problem for Americans.

 Rob L. Wagner

Is It A ‘Right to Free Speech’ Or A ‘Right to Incite’?

Is It A ‘Right to Free Speech’ Or A ‘Right to Incite’?

ROB L. WAGNER: The makers of the film have been clear about their intentions in making it – to incite violence. What rights should they have?

 Steve Royston

Healthcare in Saudi, the US and UK: Who does it Right?

Healthcare in Saudi, the US and UK: Who does it Right?

STEVE ROYSTON: In one respect he is fortunate: Saudi has abundant resources to throw at these problems, unlike the US and the UK, where health services are competing for funds.

 mai abdul rahman

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

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