Obama’s Advice to Troubled Leaders: ‘Hang on in There’
MONDOWEISS: ‘Regime alteration’ is the new buzz phrase in the Washington corridors of power. The Obama administration is advocating a ‘tortoise’ rather than a ‘hare’ strategy to those seeking change in the region. Will it resonate?
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.
New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day
NASEEM TARAWNAH: We have seen just what happens at the hands of the Internet. We have witnessed the possibilities and seen them realized in countries like Tunisia and Egypt…
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.
Egypt: Time for Cool Heads and Hard Work
RABAB FAYAD, CGNEWS: Though the attention of the world has moved from Egypt to the strife in Libya there is a lot to be done to ensure the ideals of the revolution are fully realised.
Women With Men Directing Winds of Change
CARLA KOPPELL: Women’s role must be honoured in the struggle and protect against the fundamentalist push. Most importantly, their involvement will be key to enabling thriving societies
Countdown to the International Prize for Arabic Fiction
M. LYNX QUALEY: The award has stirred controversy this year as other years, with authors such as Gamal al-Ghitani and Radwa Ashour refusing to be nominated.
The ‘Is It All Back to Normal?’ Test: Is the Footy On?
JAMES M. DORSEY: Tunisian and Egyptian reluctance to restart football reflects the changing role of soccer and the sense of empowerment felt by fans.
Libya: The West Must Make Its Decision Now
OSAMA AL SHARIF: The Libyan revolution could easily slip into a prolonged civil war – the worst outcome for all. Lawlessness, Humanitarian crisis…
Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?
JAMES M. DORSEY: For the first time in its history, Turkey is emerging as a true bridge between East and West. Unrest elsewhere however puts Turkish aspirations to the test.
Labour: The GCC’s Most Dangerous Addiction
STEVE ROYSTON: Low-paid migrant workers keep their host countries running by doing the jobs that the locals refuse to do. Their presence is resented by many.
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.
Comment on Why What Worked in Egypt, Will Not Trip Up Iran by Mohannad Saaed
I believe the most important difference is economical. Egypt received economical aid from the US and Libya and Iran do not receive aid from US. Also. we are not the only supper power any more. It is like we are a powerful man and do not have money any …
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.
6 Things Never To Say to a Divorced Person
AMAL KILLAWI, ZARINAH NADIR, SUHAIWEBB: Divorce is not easy, but it’s reality for 60% of Saudi couples, while a divorce occurs every 6 minutes in Egypt.
Rebuilding Business Confidence the Next Battleground
ANDREW MACKAY: Countries across the Middle East and Africa need to examine the damage done to their reputations, and rebuild vital revenue streams from inward investment and tourism.
Arab Revolutions Throw Spanner Into Israeli Propaganda Machine
RAMZY BAROUD: The Arab people who have taken to the streets to demand democracy are not playing to Israeli caricatures.
Dictatorship: The Ultimate ‘Boys Only’ Club
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Adeptness in brutal suppression and torture are characteristics demanded of all dictators. One other vital characteristic is also required – maleness.
Comment on Why What Worked in Egypt, Will Not Trip Up Iran by Joe P
It is a wonderful article but we have also to put in to context that US has been trying to overthrow Iranian government for the past 32 years. This and Iranians experience of operation Ajax means that any sympathy from nationalistic quarters in Iran must be with the government. Also I have to say that the most powerful force in a nation state is the power of nationalism and religion. Combine these two and you get a very powerful elixir which Iranians have unleashed. It is so powerful that it has stood up the history’s most super power for the past 32 years. Despite the large amount of propaganda going around against Iran in western media the truth is different. Almost all scientific polls conducted by western polling agencies and available on internet show that majority of Iranians support their current form of government and even favor being more powerful internationally to the point of even being ready to accept more international pressures in order to have nuclear bombs. That is the wishes of the people of Iran measured by independent western organizations. So Iranian state is very much comfortable with its position and just afew thousand opposition mostly propped up by 150 satellite channels bankrolled by US and beamed into Iran will not make Iranian state unstable. If anything it just makes their actions more justifiable for the majority of Iranians who support them.
One little fact which almost never gets mentioned is that the revolutionary government of Iran in the past decades had invested heavily in education and healthcare boosting its indicators tremendously. Today Iran has the world’s fastest growth rate in science and technology and according to some reports this progress in science and technology is due to Iran Iraq war which was itself due to the revolution. So out of true great revolutions come out also progress in science and technology, as was the case with French, Russian and Chinese revolutions. This does not happen in fake revolutions (read coups or color “revolutions”) like the one in Egypt.
Why What Worked in Egypt, Will Not Trip Up Iran
KUSHA SEFAT, INFORMED COMMENT: The international conditions for revolution were ripe in Tunisia and Egypt. This is simply not the case in Iran.
