Of the People, By the People, For the People
JUAN COLE: Were he alive today Rousseau would have been impressed with how his idea on ‘popular sovereignty’ has been embraced in the Middle East
The Price of Intervention: Can the U.S. Afford It?
ISSA KHALAF, MONDOWEISS: The price of military intervention always comes at a higher price than initially anticipated. Can the United States afford to intervene in Libya?
More Kosovo than Iraq: How No-Fly Zones Can Succeed
JUAN COLE: It’s clear what model the UN authorised forces should be following in enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya – the success that was Kosovo rather than the failure that was Iraq.
Saudi Women Want Support, But Not From Western Feminists
ROB L. WAGNER: Some prominent Saudi women frequently address Saudi women’s rights on Western news shows. Yet they have little traction in Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain in the Balance: How Did it Come to This?
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Failure to engage in dialogue will prolong the political stalemate, lead to further radicalisation on both sides.
A Billion Images is Worth a Trillion Words
STEVE ROYSTON: If it is possible to build a Wikipedia in ten years, is it not also possible to build a disciplined, structured resource that delivers images – both moving and static – in a similar manner?
Iran’s Next Move after Bahrain “Invasion”
DAVID ROBERTS: Without wishing to state the obvious, the longer Saudi troops are in Bahrain – the “Invaders” according to Press TV, the greater the risk of Iran’s meddling.
Syrians Protest in Front of the Ministry of Interior
ZEINOBIA: Writer Belal Fadl was right when he said yesterday that no one can appreciate how brave those who participated in the protests are, save those who know Syria.
Situation Critical for Increasingly Divided Bahrain
STEVE ROYSTON: Since the GCC forces arrived in Bahrain, the Iranian bogeyman has also surfaced with renewed vigour. The Iranians have described the CGG intervention as “interference”.
‘Brutal Attacks’ Alleged in Bahrain
The king of Bahrain has declared a state of emergency across the country for three months. Local police are now being backed up by 1,000 Saudi troops, who entered the country on Monday following weeks of political unrest. Among those wounded in violent protests are undercover police found in the Shia areas of Bahrain, where […]
Comment on Why Bahrain Trumps Dubai – Demographics by David
Not very constructive Obaid, although clearly the damage done to bahrain’s reputation is now aof a level of magnitude worse than it was. Even should the status quo remain, Bahrain is now going to be a simmering mass of anger for a long time to come, and the shia population is going to feel even more oppressed.
I do not understand why the army moved in, it seemed something positive was coming out of the troubles, an explosion of creativity. Now the future of the country looks much more uncertain, even if the state clamps down and managesnto exert it’s authority.
Bahrain has a long road ahead of it.
Comment on Sunni-Shi’a Friction Takes Sharp Turn for Worse by David
Qadaffi is obviously providing the blue print for others to follow. Lessons to be learned. 1, protests need to get to a critical mass quickly or the government regains equilibrium, 2. Protectors need to be clear on what they want otherwise there is no …
Sunni-Shi’a Friction Takes Sharp Turn for Worse
CROSSROADS ARABIA: As a state of emergency is announced in Bahrain tension between Sunni and Shi’a in the region is on the increase.
Saying No to An ‘Open Sesame’ Welfare Agenda
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: That the GCC is able to cooperate and function so well is both comforting and alarming. Comforting because it confirms the council still functions, alarming because it only does so in self-preservation mode.
Obama’s Advice to Troubled Leaders: ‘Hang on in There’
MONDOWEISS: ‘Regime alteration’ is the new buzz phrase in the Washington corridors of power. The Obama administration is advocating a ‘tortoise’ rather than a ‘hare’ strategy to those seeking change in the region. Will it resonate?
Pearl Roundabout: Explosions of Creativity
STEVE ROYSTON: Wherever we walked, we would come across evidence of an explosion of creativity that the protests seems to have sparked. Paintings, exhibitions…
Women With Men Directing Winds of Change
CARLA KOPPELL: Women’s role must be honoured in the struggle and protect against the fundamentalist push. Most importantly, their involvement will be key to enabling thriving societies
Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?
JAMES M. DORSEY: For the first time in its history, Turkey is emerging as a true bridge between East and West. Unrest elsewhere however puts Turkish aspirations to the test.
The Investment Industry: Don’t Forget the Humans
STEVE ROYSTON: Too often, financiers ignore the blindingly obvious questions. Who is this person or team in whom I am going to invest?
Omanis, Protests, and The Right to Pursue Success
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: In stark — but unsurprising — contrast to the uprisings around the region, Oman’s protest did not call for the fall of its regime or even its ruler.
