Mich Cafe

When the Lebanese Woman Shed the Veil

When the Lebanese Woman Shed the Veil

MICH CAFE, F. NAJIA: The Lebanese woman’s journey from “the age of the veil” to the relative freedom of “the age of the bikini” was a fairly quick one, but the path to ‘freedom’ was paved not by “circumstances” alone.

 Jonathan Cook

Global Unpopularity Wearing Down Israel

Global Unpopularity Wearing Down Israel

JONATHAN COOK: Benjamin Netanyahu’s advisers conceded last week that the Israeli prime minister is more downcast than they have ever seen him.

 Osama Al Sharif

Libya: The West Must Make Its Decision Now

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…

 James M. Dorsey

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

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.

 Mondoweiss

Why Hillary Clinton Has Become an Al Jazeera Fan

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.

 Dave G

Comment on Logan Assault a Symptom of Mubarak’s Egypt by Dave G

Thoughtful article. Nevertheless, if current trending continues Islamic parties are going to take over the arab mideast. Europe is becoming Eurabia. In 10 to 20 years, the alliance of crazed Moslems and leftists will have the remaining good people in…

 Mondoweiss

Frustration with U.S on Palestine Catalysing More Direct Measures

Frustration with U.S on Palestine Catalysing More Direct Measures

DAVID SCHWARTZMAN, MAI ABDUL, MONDOWEISS: The Middle East peace process is going nowhere fast and interested parties are giving up on the U.S.

 Steve Royston

Middle East Turmoil – Questioning Assumptions

Middle East Turmoil – Questioning Assumptions

STEVE ROYSTON: Amid the frenzy in the Middle East and beyond about the future of Egypt, many people seem to be working on a set of assumptions that are worth questioning.

 The Moor Next Door

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

Why the West Supports Autocracy & Democracy

TMND: The dominant official American attitude toward democratic reform in Egypt is concerned with the possibility that the Muslim Brothers might sweep the polls.

 Steve Royston

The Crisis in the Arab World – The Long View

The Crisis in the Arab World – The Long View

STEVE ROYSTON: A focus on regeneration will have a longer-lasting effect than quick political fixes that will do nothing to alleviate the lot of the frustrated…

 Steve Royston

Islamaphobia and the Clash of Civilizations

Islamaphobia and the Clash of Civilizations

STEVE ROYSTON: If I was advising the UK on a strategy to contain Islamophobia, it would be to communicate the distinction between faith and behaviour.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Social Media is Catalysing Arab World Change

Social Media is Catalysing Arab World Change

EMAN AL-NAFJAN: Leaders throughout the Arab World are suspicious of new media. Their citizens are using tools not simply to communicate concerns, but campaign for change.

 James M. Dorsey

MidEast Nations Fight For FIFA Tournaments

MidEast Nations Fight For FIFA Tournaments

JAMES M. DORSEY: Middle Eastern nations are competing to stack up successful bids to host major soccer events in an effort to position themselves as regional hubs for sport.

 Hisham Wyne

Tunisia is a Wake Up Call, but for the Pundits

Tunisia is a Wake Up Call, but for the Pundits

HISHAM WYNE: Tunisa’s revolution has little to do with the ideals of democracy. It’s a simple cry for better quality of life.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Gains Upper Hand in Battle for FIFA

Qatar Gains Upper Hand in Battle for FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar is flexing its muscle, rejecting calls by Sepp Blatter to move the tournament to winter or co-host it with other Gulf states.

 The Moor Next Door

Making Sense of Algeria’s Riots: Why, What Next?

Making Sense of Algeria’s Riots: Why, What Next?

TMND: Many Algerians today feel just as their parents and siblings did in 1988: there are two castes in the country, the official and the unofficial.

 Steve Royston

Building Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

Building Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

STEVE ROYSTON: Creating an entrepreneurial culture in a country, as Professor Daniel Isenberg pointed out, requires determination, and a lot of money

 Steve Royston

Could the Middle East Revitalise the Fading Charm of British Airways?

Could the Middle East Revitalise the Fading Charm of British Airways?

STEVE ROYSTON: At what stage does the market value of British Airways become so depressed that it becomes an attractive takeover target for the likes of Qatar, Emirates or Etihad?

 Marium Sattar

1001 Inventions Challenge Western Sterotypes

1001 Inventions Challenge Western Sterotypes

MARIUM SATTAR: An exhibition showcasing the discoveries of Islam’s ‘Golden Age’ has attracted visitors in the hundreds of thousands, and helped overturn some pervasive prejudices.

 Suzan El-Ajou

So what does ‘Fair Trade’ mean for Muslims?

So what does ‘Fair Trade’ mean for Muslims?

SUZAN EL-AJOU: One fifth of the world’s population identifies itself as Muslim and many of that number are active in business with the other four fifths. What aspects of the Fair Trade Model are in harmony with Islam?