Democracy and Revolutions: Drawing a Line Is Not Easy
HANI SHURKALLAH, TABSIR: How could the people of Egypt support the parody of democracy that the Muslim Brotherhood had established?
‘Why Bother?’: Election ‘Turns Off’ Palestinian-Israelis
JONATHAN COOK: The overwhelming reaction of most Palestinian-Israelis to the upcoming Israeli election can be summed up in one word – apathy.
U.S. Democracy: The Billionaires Only Game
JUAN COLE: After Nicolas Sarkozy lost the presidency in France, SWAT teams went into his house looking for evidence that he had received $50,000 illicitly from the L’oreal heiress. $50,000? Our politicians get that in their sleep.
Morsi Wins: Is Now The Rise of a Pluralist Egypt?
JUAN COLE: One problem for Mursi is mollifying the Egyptians who are terrified of him, fearing he wants to turn their fun-loving country into a grim Saudi Arabia.
Sustained Criticism Leaves Netanyahu Unmoved
RAMZY BAROUD: He’s been pummelled by leading political, intelligence and military heavyweights but polls still put him in the lead
Egypt: A Long Road to the Starting Point
RANIA AL MALKY: Egypt is approaching full circle, masterminded by SCAF: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Algeria: Football Ban to Lead to Street Protest?
JAMES M. DORSEY: The ban on football matches taking place during election week deprives Algerians of a useful pressure valve
The Kuwaiti Elections: Tribal and Bitter
DAVID ROBERTS: Until these groups can come together bitter arguments, recriminations and stalled political and economic sectors will typify Kuwait.
A Divided Egypt: Outside Cairo Concerns Mount Over Tahrir Protests
JOSHUA MARICICH: Travelling outside Cairo I’ve seen first-hand the frustration of people that democratic gains may be taken away as a result of the protests.
UAE Gears Up for Elections – But Will the Voters Show Up?
ALEXANDER MCNABB: Gulf News’ editor Abdul Hamid Ahmad points out not all Dubai candidates have been active. “They do not have the motivation..”
Positive Signs in UAE Election Campaign
MATT J. DUFFY: Some concerns have been raised about the stringency of the rules relating to public discourse in the UAE elections. Comments from a senior official, however, seem to have assuaged these concerns.
Emirati Voting Numbers: It’s How You Look At It…
DAVID ROBERTS: Around 129,000 or 14% of Emiratis will be eligible to vote, 1.6% of the entire population, but a lot more than the 7,000 eligible to vote in the last elections…
Saudi Elections: Too Soon, And Too Little?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Arab News reports that the government has set a date for the second municipal elections. It does not report women cannot take part.
Muslim Brotherhood No Threat to the West
ROB L. WAGNER: Both the United States and Israel are nervously anticipating what role the Muslim Brotherhood will play in the future of Egypt. But Western leaders can rest easy…
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.
