James M. Dorsey

Arab League Exhibits Its Impotence (Again)

Arab League Exhibits Its Impotence (Again)

JAMES M. DORSEY: The AL’s newly appointed secretary general, denounced the Obama administration for declaring the Syrian leader had lost legitimacy.

 Michael J. Totten

First Impressions Again: An American Re-visits Cairo

First Impressions Again: An American Re-visits Cairo

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: It’s my first trip back to the ‘Capital of the Arab World’ for a while and though much remains as ever there have been striking changes since the revolution.

 Juan Cole

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

PAUL NOTAR, INFORMED COMMENT: He’s always been a skilful player of ‘the Palestinian Card’ but as the region changes his hold on that particular narrative is no longer exclusive.

 Michael J. Totten

Assad Woes: ‘The Times, They Are a Changin’

Assad Woes: ‘The Times, They Are a Changin’

MICHAEL TOTTEN: Walid Jumblatt, Lebanon’s so-called political weathervane, is on the move again. Bad weather on the horizon for Bashar al-Assad, then?

 Mondoweiss

The Damage Done by the ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ Hoax

The Damage Done by the ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ Hoax

ELEANOR K, MONDOWEISS: Finally we know the truth. Not Syrian, not female, not gay but a middle-aged American living in Scotland. There are consequences which the hoaxer, it appears, hasn’t considered.

 David Roberts

Lesbian Syrian Bloggers & (Incorrect) Assumptions of Truth

Lesbian Syrian Bloggers & (Incorrect) Assumptions of Truth

DAVID ROBERTS: While blogging is good and all, it doen’t come remotely close to the rigour of a good newspaper…

 Syria News Wire

People Strike Back: Syrian Activists Take Up Arms

People Strike Back: Syrian Activists Take Up Arms

NEWS FROM SYRIA: Syrian forces are facing armed resistance for the first time. Will this provide the government with an opportunity to ‘divide and conquer’?

 Khaled Akbik

Syria: Fear Versus Hope on a Knife Edge

Syria: Fear Versus Hope on a Knife Edge

KHALED AKBIK: The notion that stability and security only comes if oppression is practiced is a notion I deeply disagree with.

 Michael J. Totten

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

MICHAEL TOTTEN: There have, according to Bashar Assad, been some ‘mistakes’. The only real mistake by Western powers however is to believe what the President tells them.

 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.

 Omar al-Issawi

The Rise and Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood

The Rise and Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: The radical jihadist agenda seems to have been rejected and it’s clear whose star is rising throughout the Middle East…

 Zeinobia

The Nakba Revolution: The People Want to Return Home

I do not remember that the anniversary of Nakba was as hot and as intense as today seriously. The people want the right of the return, the people want to return back to Palestine.   The big surprise of the day comes from Golan heights , yes the Golan heights specifically Majdal Shams where a […]

 Crossroads Arabia

Facebook: The Medium of Choice for Saudi Gripes

Facebook: The Medium of Choice for Saudi Gripes

CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s fingers on the keyboard rather than ‘feet on the street’ that are exercised by Saudis fed up with their lot.

 Ramzy Baroud

Egypt’s Back, Palestinians Unified. Israel Worried

Egypt’s Back, Palestinians Unified. Israel Worried

RAMZY BAROUD: With Egypt reaching out to Israeli foes and the Palestinian agreement to work together Israel’s policy of division is in tatters.

 Omar al-Issawi

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

OMAR AL ISSAWI: That the PA recognizes Israel will not have escaped the attention of either Netanyahu, or for that matter Hamas.

 James M. Dorsey

U.S. bets on EU, Turkey to Add Sting to Syria Sanctions

U.S. bets on EU, Turkey to Add Sting to Syria Sanctions

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Obama administration has been working hard behind the scenes to enlist the EU and Turkey in efforts to isolate Syria.

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

JUAN COLE: The Arab Spring is still producing some positive reforms and questioning of past corrupt practices, and even major governmental change.

 Omar al-Issawi

The Day the Death Knell Rang for Syria’s Regime?

The Day the Death Knell Rang for Syria’s Regime?

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: The Syrian authorities have made their decision – it’s to be full-scale repression. The choice threatens to tear the country apart.

 Michael J. Totten

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Now that the Arab revolt is slamming hard into Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party in Syria, no dictator will be able to sleep without consuming copious amounts of pills.

 Syria News Wire

Reaction to ‘The King’s Speech’: ‘Disappointment’

Reaction to ‘The King’s Speech’: ‘Disappointment’

NEWS FROM SYRIA: Expectation was high in advance of the speech delivered by President Assad yesterday. By the time he had finished speaking I was left with a sense of confusion, anger, depression but most of all disappointment.