New, Independent Media Empowering Women
JOSEPH MAYTON: Our main supporters are women… The women who want to write – and read -about “real” news stories…
Breaking News: Explosions in Egypt – Updated
ZEINOBIA, BREAKING: Huge explosion heard, according to early media reports it took place in front of the All saints church at the Khalil Hamda street. Many dead – media reports.
Democracy Performance Review : Could do Better
STEVE ROYSTON: The concept of government for the people and by the people – is as far from a reality at the end of 2010 as it ever was.
Is it Time to give Saudi Arabian Youth its Voice?
STEVE ROYSTON: Respect for the elderly is deeply ingrained in Arab society. Saudi Arabia, however, faces a major demographic challenge – a hugely youthful population.
Incubation City: Missing Piece of the UAE puzzle
DAVID WESTLEY: Over the years Dubai has started a host of cities acting as hubs. What it has failed to do is start something as simple as “Incubation City”.
Al Jazeera Kuwait Closure – Stormy Times Ahead
DAVID ROBERTS: Once again Kuwaiti authorities have responded to perceived bias in Al Jazeera’s coverage of its political upheaval by closing its office.
Has the Arabic Booker Had Enough of Egyptians?
M. LYNX-QUALEY – Miral El-Tahawy’s wonderful novel “Brooklyn Heights” has been showered with praise. Is it, however, to be the subject of anti-Egyptian bias?
Qatar WC 2022: A Middle East Game Changer?
JAMES M. DORSEY: So deep-seated is soccer passion that governments would be acting at their own peril and would likely conclude that they have no alternative but to allow their teams to play Israel.
Facebook, Twitter Driving Change in the MidEast
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: No longer is our best hope for change governments. If change happens, it’s going to be social media fuelling the transformation.
Controversial Nubian author, Idris Ali, dies aged 70
M. LYNX-QUALEY: Self taught novelist Idris Ali experienced many highs and lows but always wrote with conviction. He died this week aged 70.
Qatar and Her Neighbours in the Cablegate Releases
DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar maintains a close relationship with Iran to safeguard its “trillions of dollars of potential wealth”. Nevertheless, the Head of the Army noted that “we’re neighbours, we’re not friends…”
Al Ahram’s New English Portal ‘gets bookish’
M. LYNX-QUALEY: The Arab world’s highest circulating daily newspaper goes live with a beta version of its new English portal. There’s a strong focus on ‘the intellectual arena’.
Ahdaf Soueif – The writer who reveals Cairo’s Soul
YASMIN ALBARADIE: I resisted the lure of Ahdaf Soueif’s writing for too long. The books were too big… too stuffy… Then one day I reached for ‘The Map of Love….
The Booming Voice of Pent-Up Middle East Anger
JAMES M. DORSEY: As dark as that moment was for Casablancan rockers, the trial was a turning point setting Morocco on a path to becoming one of the Arab world’s more liberal societies when it comes to alternative lifestyles.
Why the U.S. Should Push for Democracy in Egypt
JAMES M. DORSEY: Repression of the opposition, intimidation of the media and electoral restrictions may guarantee Mubarak’s win. But for the U.S., the perception it is perpetuating authoritarian rule may outweigh any benefits.
Saudi Arabia: A Saudi Mother Speaks Out
American Bedu interviews a Saudi woman who is a mother of three active children. She lives in Saudi Arabia although spent time outside of the Kingdom. She has kindly agreed to answer some questions about her life, views and perspectives.
A Monument of Tolerance in the Heart of Dubai
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Nestled in one of Bur Dubai’s older districts is one of the emirate’s best kept architectural secrets: the Ismaili Centre of Dubai.
Is There or Ain’t There Arabic Science Fiction?
I am hardly a sci-fi expert, but there do seem to be stirrings on the Arabic science fiction horizon. Of course there is the very popular Egyptian sci-fi author Ahmed Khaled Tawfiq, who has written more than 200 books…
Frenemies, NBFs, Snatch Squads…
President throws stone, new ‘best friends forever’ hang out, Obama snubbed, ‘The Elders’ regional tour kicks off. A week is, indeed, a long time in Middle East politics
