Common Ground News Service

Anti-Boycott Law: Israel, A Democracy? Really?

Anti-Boycott Law: Israel, A Democracy? Really?

MAIRAV ZONSZEIN, CGNEWS: The recently passed Anti-Boycott law effectively erases the distinction between Israel and the Occupied Territories.

 Common Ground News Service

Saudi Youth Points The Way for Arab Civil Society

Saudi Youth Points The Way for Arab Civil Society

LULUA ASAAD, CGNEWS: The Young Initiative Group, founded in Saudi Arabia in 2010, has already had a significant impact in effecting positive change within the Kingdom.

 Ramzy Baroud

Is the ‘Turkish Model’ the one to follow in region?

Is the ‘Turkish Model’ the one to follow in region?

RAMZY BAROUD: It has endured some punishing attacks but the democratic experience in Turkey is presented as a model for the region to follow. How useful is it, however?

 Tabsir

‘Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls, Ali Abdullah Salih’

‘Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls, Ali Abdullah Salih’

TABSIR: It looks like Yemen’s President has finally reached the end of the road but he’s giving new definition to the phrase ‘clinging to power’.

 The Moor Next Door

Obama’s Speech: The Key Points Made

Obama’s Speech: The Key Points Made

THE MOOR NEXT DOOR: There was little new in Obama’s ‘Arab Spring’ speech. Nervous light criticism of Bahrain, no reference to Gulf allies and a minor poke of Israel.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: UAE national observers commented in private that many names on the UAE petition calling for an elected parliament were UAE members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

 Common Ground News Service

Non-Violent Resistance Winning in Palestine

Non-Violent Resistance Winning in Palestine

NATALIA SIMANOVSKY, CGNEWS: In September the United Nations will vote on whether to recognise a Palestinian state.

 Common Ground News Service

Getting Beyond ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ in Egypt

Getting Beyond ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ in Egypt

DR H.A. HELLYER, CGNEWS: The recent constitutional referendum delivered a resounding victory for the ‘Yes’ camp. Both sides, however, have a vested interest in protecting the freer, more plural Egypt that has emerged.

 Mondoweiss

The Vital, Enduring Legacy of the Goldstone Report

The Vital, Enduring Legacy of the Goldstone Report

ADAM HOROWITZ, LIZZY RATNER, PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: The most significant achievement of the Goldstone Report is that it has re-framed the Israeli-Palestinian debate.

 Tabsir

Stakes Getting Higher by the Day in Bahrain

Stakes Getting Higher by the Day in Bahrain

GENIEVE ABDO, JASIM HUSAIN, TABSIR: While the mainstream opposition in Bahrain distances itself from Iran, the noises from Tehran are becoming more strident and belligerent

 Common Ground News Service

Secular Movement Gains Momentum in Lebanon

Secular Movement Gains Momentum in Lebanon

RITA CHEMALY: There have been a series of demonstrations in Beirut against the country’s so-called ‘confessional system’, in favour of a secular society.

 James Mullan

Algeria: A Quiet Revolution In Civil Society Takes Hold

Algeria: A Quiet Revolution In Civil Society Takes Hold

N. HAFID, CGNEWS: The Algerian revolution appeared to be stopped in its tracks but forces for change have been released and are making an impact on Algerian society.

 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.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Rise of the Arabs, the Fall of Colonialism

The Rise of the Arabs, the Fall of Colonialism

RAMZY BAROUD: Arabs are ripping up the humiliating caricatures of the region imposed by the West, as they tear down authoritarian regimes, and begin to build truly civilized, and free societies.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Omanis, Protests, and The Right to Pursue Success

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.

 Mondoweiss

Why Hillary Clinton Has Become an Al Jazeera Fan

Why Hillary Clinton Has Become an Al Jazeera Fan

ISSA KHALAF, MONDOWEISS: Satellite and cable owners refuse to carry Al Jazeera for something other than the false explanation of competition, and that is fear of “real news” about Israel.

 Common Ground News Service

Tawakkul Karman: The Woman Leading Yemen’s Protests

Tawakkul Karman: The Woman Leading Yemen’s Protests

ALICE HACKMAN: She has been profiled by leading international publications but long before the world discovered Tawakkul Karman she was battling fearlessly in support of human rights.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Women’s Rights’ Must Be Secured in ‘New Bahrain’

‘Women’s Rights’ Must Be Secured in ‘New Bahrain’

SANA’ MOHAMMAD BIN HAMOUD: Women’s rights campaigners have made impressive advances in Bahrain. However protesters should push further.

 Mondoweiss

Democracy: U.S. Speaks With a ‘Forked Tongue’

Democracy: U.S. Speaks With a ‘Forked Tongue’

PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: Fine words in Cairo almost two years ago are forgotten when the Israeli lobby makes a call for a vote on illegal West Bank settlements…

 The Moor Next Door

Algerian Authorities Well Positioned to ‘Tough Out’ Protests

Algerian Authorities Well Positioned to ‘Tough Out’ Protests

TMND: With a divided leadership and worries among the populace regarding their motives the protest movement in Algeria faces considerable challenges.