Tabsir

Satire in the Arab World: Getting to the Crux of Issues

Satire in the Arab World: Getting to the Crux of Issues

TABSIR: Jon Stewart’s recent appearance on Bassem Youssef’s Egyptian show underscores the power that satirists have to unsettle holders of power

 Juan Cole

Ten Good Reasons NOT To Arm Syrian Rebels

Ten Good Reasons NOT To Arm Syrian Rebels

JUAN COLE: Mitt Romney is flip-flopping on whether ‘Muslims Are Bad’ or that the U.S should supply them with sophisticated weapons.

 Juan Cole

Romney’s Middle East: So, Who is the Enemy, Mitt?

Romney’s Middle East: So, Who is the Enemy, Mitt?

JUAN COLE: Romney clearly doesn’t have the slightest idea what he is talking about, and seems intent on alienating 1.5 billion Muslims

 Juan Cole

Democracy: More Valued by Arabs than Americans?

Democracy: More Valued by Arabs than Americans?

JUAN COLE: Al Qaeda’s vision for the Arab World has been comprehensively rejected. It appears that Arabs – in particular, young Arabs – are prepared to put their lives on the line, not for a Caliphate, but for parliamentary democracy.

 Tabsir

How NOT to Educate Children About 9/11

How NOT to Educate Children About 9/11

DANIEL M. VARISCO: “We Shall Never Forget” is a masterpiece in truth-twisting and bigotry. The bad news is that it’s a coloring book aimed at U.S. children.

 Tabsir

Threats to the ‘Arab Spring’ Growing by the Day

Threats to the ‘Arab Spring’ Growing by the Day

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Where there was once optimism of fundamental change taking hold as a spirit of freedom swept the region, there is now growing pessimism.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News

Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News

JAMES M. DORSEY: Embattled regimes have failed in their effort to choke off independent reporting to ensure that their version of events dominates the news.

 Andrew Mackay

Bin Laden: A Study in News Management

Bin Laden: A Study in News Management

ANDREW MACKAY: Even the BBC’s Washington correspondent noted how adroitly the US administration had trod the line between triumphalism and glee at bin Laden’s death.

 Steve Royston

Bin Laden: “He Must Have Longed for Death…”

Bin Laden: “He Must Have Longed for Death…”

STEVE ROYSTON: For a man who so craved attention to spend his final years locked up in that villa must have felt like a living death.

 The Moor Next Door

The (In)Significance of Bin Laden’s Death

The (In)Significance of Bin Laden’s Death

TMND: Bin Laden’s death will have an important psychological affect on Americans (particularly given the popular and public response) and their overall view of the War on Terrorism.

 Omar al-Issawi

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

Niqab Ban Lifts Veil on Problems East and West

OMAR AL ISSAWI: Playing the victim, engendering sympathy and hurling accusations of conspiracy, persecution and discrimination will only get a cause so far…

 Steve Royston

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

STEVE ROYSTON: Add to the mix pressure on borders from poorer neighbouring countries, and you can predict immigration will be on the agenda for years.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Less Roar, more Whimper: Saudi’s Day of Mild Annoyance

Less Roar, more Whimper: Saudi’s Day of Mild Annoyance

EMAN AL NAFJAN: Division, governmental communications, heavy security – there are many reasons why protest failed to ignite in Saudi last Friday.