Francis Matthew

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

FRANCIS MATTHEW:Obama failed to deliver this vision in his first term, and sadly, it is unlikely that he will use his second term to re-find his sense of purpose in the world.

 Juan Cole

Benghazi Attack: Romney Gets It Badly Wrong

Benghazi Attack: Romney Gets It Badly Wrong

JUAN COLE: His comments were hasty, distasteful and unwise. Can we afford to have an individual with such poor judgement in the White House?

 Francis Matthew

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Arab concerns are largely irrelevant to the Chinese as Beijing looks to reinforce its self-perception as the premier Asian power.

 Tabsir

When Will West Have Its ‘Road to Damascus’ Moment?

When Will West Have Its ‘Road to Damascus’ Moment?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The only narrative seems to be ‘we can’t get involved in Syria because we’ll create another Iran’. There are alternative scenarios

 mai abdul rahman

Israel’s Moral Crisis ‘Is Driving Its Youth Away’

Israel’s Moral Crisis ‘Is Driving Its Youth Away’

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: The recent case of a young Israeli who has given up citizenship highlights a crisis of faith among its youth.

 Mondoweiss

Azerbaijan: Israel’s Airfield for Iran Attack

Azerbaijan: Israel’s Airfield for Iran Attack

PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: Israel’s bought a country to attack Iran and it’s called Azerbaijan.

 Juan Cole

Israel in Race With Time: ‘Give Peace a Chance?’

Israel in Race With Time: ‘Give Peace a Chance?’

JUAN COLE: The maths speaks for itself – a country of 7.5 million people is surrounded by 400 others with whom it seems to be at constant odds.

 Michael J. Totten

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

The Real Issues Facing Egypt’s Christians: A Religious Leader Speaks Out

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims are increasing daily throughout Egypt. Coptic leaders are understandably cagey…

 Ramzy Baroud

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

RAMZY BAROUD: The American ambassador to Syria has established an ‘up and at ’em’ reputation. But what is the bigger picture for the United States in Syria at the moment?

 mai abdul rahman

The Loss of the U.S Ideal of Fairness, Freedom

The Loss of the U.S Ideal of Fairness, Freedom

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: Muslim Americans are also mourning the loss of our belief in the ideal of a country that would protect our constitutional rights.

 mai abdul rahman

Palestinians Chart Own Path to Self Determination

Palestinians Chart Own Path to Self Determination

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: The consistent failure of American intervention to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli issue has led Palestinians to take matters into their own hands. This strategy is paying off.

 Mondoweiss

The Hateful Ideology Behind the Norway Massacre

The Hateful Ideology Behind the Norway Massacre

ALEX KANE, MONDOWEISS: Many of the ideas that apparently inspired the deranged, mass killer Anders Breivik are, unfortunately, held by people who appear regularly on mainstream media.

 Mondoweiss

‘Drop Dead’: Message to U.S Gaza Flotilla

‘Drop Dead’: Message to U.S Gaza Flotilla

PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: The American Gaza flotilla protesters have received some helpful advice from the U.S. State Department. They could be shot by Israeli forces.

 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.

 Juan Cole

Goodbye Bin Laden. Now It’s Time to Exit Iraq

Goodbye Bin Laden. Now It’s Time to Exit Iraq

JUAN COLE: Post Osama, President Obama should do us all a favour and now remove U.S. troops from Iraq.

 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.

 Mondoweiss

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

Israeli ‘muscle flexing’ could harm U.S Interests

ALI GHARIB, MONDOWEISS: Two Iranian warships pass through the Suez Canal and the Israelis howl in protest. The U.S administration quickly falls into line…

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Muddled US Policy Reflected in Footy ‘Friendly’

Muddled US Policy Reflected in Footy ‘Friendly’

JAMES DORSEY: The USSF’s reluctance to cancel the match contrasts starkly with the Egyptian Football Association’s decision on Thursday to cancel all premier league matches…

 Naseem Tarawnah

Jordan ‘Uneasy’ On Palestine Papers Revelations

Jordan ‘Uneasy’ On Palestine Papers Revelations

NASEEM TARAWNAH: The Palestine Papers may not reveal earth-shattering facts, they have, though, given us insights into the main characters.