Omar al-Issawi

Gadaffi Goes for Oil, Opposition Naivety Revealed

Gadaffi Goes for Oil, Opposition Naivety Revealed

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: We’ve got used to outrageous claims of ‘victory’ from Arab leaders, but the rebels have a little learning to do about counter-intelligence.

 Obaid Karki

Comment on Why Bahrain Trumps Dubai – Demographics by Obaid Karki

he is right about:
you might think that I’ve been drinking the same tea as Colonel Gadaffi

 Omar al-Issawi

Stalemate Threatens Redrawing of Libya Map

Stalemate Threatens Redrawing of Libya Map

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: We are potentially looking at a redrawing of the map of Libya, perhaps even the map of the Middle East.

 Steve Royston

Why Bahrain Trumps Dubai – Demographics

Why Bahrain Trumps Dubai – Demographics

STEVE ROYSTON: This is not intended as a fluffy message of support. Bahrain has simply travelled further than any of its neighbours down the path of open-mindedness. And it’s a ‘real’ country.

 James M. Dorsey

Gadaffi Son a Study in using Sport for Politics

Gadaffi Son a Study in using Sport for Politics

JAMES M. DORSEY: Gadaffi’s controversial soccer-playing son, Saadi, offers a study in the use of soccer by authoritarian Arab regimes to distract attention from real issues.

 Steve Royston

Politics, Meddling and Al Jazeera’s Independence

Politics, Meddling and Al Jazeera’s Independence

STEVE ROYSTON: At one time or another, Al Jazeera has made enemies of Bahrain, Kuwait, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Iraq, but is that just the price of reporting ‘the truth’?

 Michael J. Totten

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Two years ago I spent time in Libya. It seems like a good time to revisit my experience of a kind people but an overarching, clamping presence.

 Omar al-Issawi

Why Gaddafi Should be Fearful of History

Why Gaddafi Should be Fearful of History

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: Omar al-Mukhtar was the leader of resistance to colonial rule in Libya eight decades ago. Born in eastern Libya, the heart of current resistance today, his words resonate strongly.

 James M. Dorsey

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

JAMES DORSEY: Gaddafi intends the opening of the Benghazi stadium to be a show of popular support, but activists fear it could become the setting for clashes.

 Osama Al Sharif

Sudan: How the South was Lost

Sudan: How the South was Lost

OSAMA AL SHARIF: The modern history of Sudan is dominated by immature political and religious agendas that ignored the country’s racial, religious and economic complexities.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Sarkozy’s Rabbit Chasing: The Wikileaks Trivia that Fascinates…

Sarkozy’s Rabbit Chasing: The Wikileaks Trivia that Fascinates…

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMMED: We secretly love the utterly trivial gossip that even diplomats exchange. My favourite? Sarkozy’s rabbit chasing…