Tabsir

One Middle East Certainty: The Blood Keeps Flowing

One Middle East Certainty: The Blood Keeps Flowing

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Whether it’s Syria or Yemen the bloodshed just seems to go on. It’s always been so.

 Mondoweiss

Iran: It’s War in 2013, Says Former Diplomat

Iran: It’s War in 2013, Says Former Diplomat

IRA GLUNTS, MONDOWEISS: War, according to Aaron Miller, is inevitable unless something extraordinary happens in the next year.

 American Bedu

It’s Wedding Season in Saudi: So What Happens?

It’s Wedding Season in Saudi: So What Happens?

AMERICAN BEDU: The month before Ramadan tends to be a hectic one for weddings in the Kingdom.

 Tabsir

The Salafist Question: Who Exactly Are They?

The Salafist Question: Who Exactly Are They?

HAROON MOGHUL, TABSIR: With their recent electoral success in Egypt there’s a lot being written about Salafists not all of it illuminating.

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 Juan Cole

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

JUAN COLE: It’s well worth looking at previous situations where major powers tried to use economics to bring Iran to heel.

 Common Ground News Service

Is Laughter the Middle East’s ‘Best Medicine’?

Is Laughter the Middle East’s ‘Best Medicine’?

SADIA ASHRAF, CGNEWS: What impact have the group of Arab comedians who emerged post 9/11 really had?

 Mondoweiss

The ‘Alien Spiritual Claims’ Heaped on Jews

The ‘Alien Spiritual Claims’ Heaped on Jews

PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: I will not allow meaning to be defined by fantasies about someone else’s olive trees thousands of miles away

 Tabsir

The Myth That is Values-Based Analysis

The Myth That is Values-Based Analysis

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The U.S should only support regimes that believe in ‘our values’, says Tom Friedman. Really?

 Richard Silverstein

Iran, Israel: Obama’s Dangerous Game

Iran, Israel: Obama’s Dangerous Game

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Israel could severely bloody the Iranians, but it would still not be able to deliver a knock-out blow against its nuclear capability.

 Rob L. Wagner

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

ROB L. WAGNER: They played a leading role in the early stages of the Arab Spring. But have women seen concrete benefits yet?

 Crossroads Arabia

U.S.: Damned If It Does Act, Damned If It Doesn’t

U.S.: Damned If It Does Act, Damned If It Doesn’t

CROSSROADS ARABIA: ‘Where are the Americans?’ is a question that’s being asked in Syria at the moment.

 Mondoweiss

Obama and Bibi: Temperature Getting Cooler

Obama and Bibi: Temperature Getting Cooler

PHILIP WEISS: They’re both keeping their cards close to their chest but the atmosphere was distinctly frosty between both leaders.

 Rachel McArthur

Ragheb Alama: Learning from Arab Idol

Ragheb Alama: Learning from Arab Idol

RACHEL MCARTHUR: Ragheb has been praised by critics for his fairness, but it has not been clear if he was going to return for the next season – until now.

 Ramzy Baroud

U.S., China: A Cold War in Warm Waters

U.S., China: A Cold War in Warm Waters

RAMZY BAROUD: Leaders of adjacent countries might find themselves forced to choose sides in a conflict over resources and military presence.

 Abu Muhammed

Saudi Women Driving: A Counter View

Saudi Women Driving: A Counter View

ABU MUHAMMED: Opening the door to a situation without fully considering the consequences and preparing for them is likely to cause more harm than good.

 Tabsir

The Shadid Legacies: Linked by a Common Humanity

The Shadid Legacies: Linked by a Common Humanity

ANOUAR MAJID, TABSIR: The sudden demise of Anthony Shadid calls to mind the work of one of his relations.

 SuhaibWebb

“You Don’t Understand the Price of Freedom”. I Do Now.

“You Don’t Understand the Price of Freedom”. I Do Now.

HAJAR ABDUL RAHIM, SUHAIBWEBB: My parents fled Syria to avoid jail, torture and possible death. I have begun to appreciate truly the price they paid.

 Common Ground News Service

The U.S. and Muslim Brotherhood: A Match Made in Heaven?

The U.S. and Muslim Brotherhood: A Match Made in Heaven?

MOHAMED EL-SAYED, CGNEWS: A very unlikely relationship indeed is beginning to take shape.

 Richard Silverstein

U.S., Israel Iranian Delusions Continue

U.S., Israel Iranian Delusions Continue

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: What if we can’t find alternates? What if Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Libya can’t fill the gap? What if the oil price goes through the roof?