Mich Cafe

‘Charlie’ Had His ‘Angels’, Now Assad Has ‘Lionesses’

‘Charlie’ Had His ‘Angels’, Now Assad Has ‘Lionesses’

MICH CAFE: It seems to be a common theme among Arab dictators – recruiting women to front up the military in your regime.

 Alexander McNabb

Sharjah vs Dubai?: Sorry, There’s No Contest

Sharjah vs Dubai?: Sorry, There’s No Contest

ALEXANDER MCNABB: You can keep your super-malls and your skyscrapers. The back street souks of Sharjah do me fine, thanks all the same.

 Layla

Saudi-Arabia: Roads Not Paved in Gold For All

Saudi-Arabia: Roads Not Paved in Gold For All

LAYLA: The impression that foreigners in particular have of Saudi Arabia is that it is a land bathed in unbelievable wealth. For many citizens that is not so.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Real Gains’ Being Made by Women In Saudi Arabia

‘Real Gains’ Being Made by Women In Saudi Arabia

MAHA AKEEL, CGNEWS: The appointment of 30 extremely well-qualified women to the Shura Council is just the latest in a string of recent achievements for Saudi women.

 sarah walton

My ‘Slice of Sri Lanka’: ‘Stunning South West’

My ‘Slice of Sri Lanka’: ‘Stunning South West’

SARAH WALTON: You can be ensconced in luxurious paradise just eight hours from leaving your home in Dubai. Sri Lanka’s coast offers stunning surprises.

 Crossroads Arabia

Fake Engineers Nabbed: But What Have They Built?

Fake Engineers Nabbed: But What Have They Built?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have uncovered more than 1,000 engineers who have false certificates. No word, though, on which projects they worked on.

 Alexander McNabb

‘Roll Up, Roll Up For The Sharjah Sightseeing Tour’

‘Roll Up, Roll Up For The Sharjah Sightseeing Tour’

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Oh yes, I can feel the smirks already forming on those Dubai-dwelling faces. But, honestly, there’s a lot to see in Sharjah

 David Roberts

The Kingdom of Surprises: Engaging With Saudis

The Kingdom of Surprises: Engaging With Saudis

DAVID ROBERTS: It’s a while since I’ve left Qatar but the differences between the tiny peninsula state and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are striking

 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

 Juan Cole

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

ALICE ROSS, INFORMED COMMENT: A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals the true extent of Libya’s involvement as a CIA facilitator

 Francis Matthew

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Arab concerns are largely irrelevant to the Chinese as Beijing looks to reinforce its self-perception as the premier Asian power.

 Editor, MEP

Dubai Expo 2020: Worth Fighting For

Dubai Expo 2020: Worth Fighting For

Should Dubai win Expo 2020 it would be a significant, significant boost to the city – economically, socially and in terms of global recognition.

 Common Ground News Service

Is Turkey Really the Right Model for Egypt?

Is Turkey Really the Right Model for Egypt?

MUSTAFA ANDELHALIM, CGNEWS: Egypt is creating its own narrative. There are lessons to be learned from Turkey but it’s not a complete solution

 Tabsir

The ‘New Politics of Sex.’ Really? Looks Like ‘The Old’

The ‘New Politics of Sex.’ Really? Looks Like ‘The Old’

DANIEL M. VARISCO: It’s dogmatic rhetoric and a willingness to conform to imposed tyranny that are the real enemies.

 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.

 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?

 American Bedu

Is It Time for Disneyland Saudi Arabia?

Is It Time for Disneyland Saudi Arabia?

AMERICAN BEDU: GCC residents and in particular Saudis are great fans of all things Disney. Will we see one of their parks here?

 Common Ground News Service

‘A Separation’: A Poignant Portrayal of Iranian Life

‘A Separation’: A Poignant Portrayal of Iranian Life

PERSHENG VAZIRI: The movie’s success is a source of enormous pride for Iranian artists as well as ordinary Iranians.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

JAMES M. DORSEY: Campaigning is under way for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation. The position is never far from controversy.