Diplomacy Undone: Rice’s Disastrous Moroccan Blunder
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: As the plot to a Hollywood movie it would have been thrown out as incredible. But fact beat fiction this week in Morocco
‘Major Boost’ for Moroccan English Language Media
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The story of English language media in Morocco is not a happy one. The arrival of a new title though is cause for hope
‘Play It Again, Issam’: The Real ‘Rick’s Cafe’ Story
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: For 60 years visitors to Casablanca were disappointed to discover there was no ‘Rick’s Cafe’. That was until Kathy Kriger stepped in.
Blazing Skies: Moroccan Meterorite Up for Sale
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: A perfectly intact meteorite that was ejected from Mars 700,000 years ago and landed in the Moroccan desert last year will go on sale this Sunday
Restoring the Glory of Fez: A ‘Capital Idea?’
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It has enjoyed a glorious past but faces a very uncertain future. There’s a case to be made for restoring Fez as Morocco’s capital city.
Asilah: The Hidden Moroccan Seaside Gem
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It doesn’t feature too highly on most tourists ‘must sees’ when they come to Morocco but it has many attractions
A Taxing Tale: Low-Cost Airlines Reject Morocco
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: First it was Ryanair, now it’s Easyjet. The outlook for Morocco’s tourism industry looks grim.
Women’s Health in Morocco: Huge Advances Made
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: A number of international programmes combined with improved education have led to significant improvements for Moroccan women
Well-Kept Secret: The Thriving Wine Industry of Morocco
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The wine industry is going from strength to strength.
‘Picture an Arab Man’: Project’s Author Speaks
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Her photography has captured the imagination of people around the Arab world and beyond. She discusses her project.
Making Mischief: The Great Moroccan Sex-Shop Mystery
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The mixture of sex, politics and conspiracy is a heady one. It’s sent Casablanca a-buzz.
Quixotic?: Morocco’s Bid for the Olympics
IBN WARRAQ, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: As a Moroccan one always approaches articles written about the country with trepidation…
From Personal Disaster to Moroccan Music Pioneer
DEREK WORKMAN, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: What should you do once your life’s work has been destroyed? Instead of brooding Nick Wilde went to Morocco…
Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The big boys from Europe are moving aggressively into the Moroccan retail space and they’re squeezing the profit margins of souk operators.
Micro-Finance ‘major boon’ for Morocco’s Poor
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The recent signing of an agreement in Casablanca launching a micro-finance initiative is good news for the poor of Morocco.
‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring
JUAN COLE: Protestors are out on Tahrir Square again, there is a television ‘debate’ in Syria about democracy, the Americans are working on Saleh while vacillating on Libya and protestors are out on the street in Morocco. A busy week in the region then.
Middle East Blogs – Ten Sites CNN Missed
STEVE ROYSTON: My only quibble about CNN’s list is that it picks up exclusively on Arab writers and – with the honourable exception of Mahmood the Bahraini Blogfather – most of the writers seem relatively young.
Morocco: ‘End Corruption’ Main Demand of Demonstrators
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Though the recent demonstrations have been peaceful there is no question about the determination of those taking to the streets to effect real change in Morocco.
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
