James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

‘Stand Up to IOC on Women’ Says Saudi Cleric

‘Stand Up to IOC on Women’ Says Saudi Cleric

EMAN AL NAFJAN: Saudi conservatives appear to be spoiling for a fight with the IOC over women’s participation in sport.

 Tabsir

War & Conflict:The Bell That Never Stops Tolling

War & Conflict:The Bell That Never Stops Tolling

DANIEL M. VARISCO: What is it about us a species that we seem to be in a state of perpetual conflict?

 Common Ground News Service

How To Secure Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

How To Secure Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

DAVID CORTRIGHT, CGNEWS: We asked Afghan women how they believed their hard won rights could be secured.

 Rania Al Malky

Politics and Egypt: In the name of God

Politics and Egypt: In the name of God

RANIA AL MALKY: Egypt is on the brink of an Islamic abyss. The Freedom and Justice Party’s tattered poker-faced mask has fallen… So they say…

 Tabsir

The Climate of Hatred That Creates ‘Snaps’

The Climate of Hatred That Creates ‘Snaps’

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Nature abhors a vacuum and so does hatred. It needs to be fed and encouraged.

 Juan Cole

U.S. ‘Tired of Afghanistan’: Disaster Looms

U.S. ‘Tired of Afghanistan’: Disaster Looms

JUAN COLE: A civil war, a playground for regional interests, the return of the Taliban – this is the horror that Afghanistan now faces.

 Susan Al Shahri

The Positives of Being a Woman in Oman

The Positives of Being a Woman in Oman

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: While it’s been a mixed year for women globally there are many advantages to being a woman in Oman

 James M. Dorsey

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

The $750,000 Guantanamo ‘Pitch’ to Cooperate

JAMES M. DORSEY: The $744,000 pitch outside a $39 million penitentiary-style building is intended to reward the most cooperative of the 120,171 inmates.

 Common Ground News Service

Afghani Quran Burning Sign of Larger U.S Failure

Afghani Quran Burning Sign of Larger U.S Failure

LISA SCHIRCH, KARIM MERCHANT, CGNEWS: There seem to be an ongoing litany of serious mistakes by the U.S in Afghanistan

 Juan Cole

Gingrich Electioneering Puts US troops At Risk

Gingrich Electioneering Puts US troops At Risk

JUAN COLE: Obama’s apology was intended to prevent more US troops from being killed. Gingrich is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

 Juan Cole

Ten Ways the Iranians Are Beating Sanctions

Ten Ways the Iranians Are Beating Sanctions

JUAN COLE: The last crackpot Neocon plan cost America $1 trillion and nearly 5,000 soldier’s lives. The latest one is meeting resistance.

 Tabsir

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The World Press Photo of the Year has been revealed. Is it the defining image of the ‘Arab Spring’?

 James M. Dorsey

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

JAMES M. DORSEY: China’s veto of the U.N’s resolution condemning Syria is a watershed moment for its involvement in the Middle East.

 Steve Royston

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

STEVE ROYSTON looks at the arts, society, education, politics, business, technology and the environment as we move into 2012, the Year of Fear’.

 David Roberts

Tension Between the United States and Iran Escalates: Is Conflict Now Inevitable?

Tension Between the United States and Iran Escalates: Is Conflict Now Inevitable?

DAVID ROBERTS: It appears that both the United States and Iran’s domestic political requirements have spun the region into a dangerous spiral.

 Juan Cole

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

JUAN COLE: Many of the dangers to which I pointed in last year’s list still exist, of course, but a whole host of new difficulties has emerged.

 Tabsir

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

DANIEL M. VARISCO: It is a picture that has sent shockwaves around the world and provoked shame throughout Egyptian society.

 Michael J. Totten

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims are increasing daily throughout Egypt. Coptic leaders are understandably cagey…

 Mondoweiss

West’s 1% salivates over spoils of the Libyan 99%

West’s 1% salivates over spoils of the Libyan 99%

MONDOWEISS, MATTHEW TAYLOR: Whatever one thinks of The West’s role in this revolution, it should not have a free pass to engage in more oil imperialism.