The View From Fez

Phew! Morocco Avoids Formula One ‘Catastrophe’

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: I’ve watched as Bernie Ecclestone’s F1 ‘circus’ has brought Valencia to its knees. Morocco can count its lucky stars that it will avoid the same fate

 Steve Royston

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

STEVE ROYSTON: You would have thought that the role of a respected Bahrain financial house in the purchase of an English football team would have been cause for celebration

 James M. Dorsey

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

JAMES DORSEY: According to the ITUC “workers are dying in Qatar as they build World Cup stadiums, suffering large scale exploitation every day.

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 Steve Royston

The Bahrain Grand Prix Furore: It’s Only A Race

The Bahrain Grand Prix Furore: It’s Only A Race

STEVE ROYSTON: There seems to be an unnatural degree of emotion surrounding this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix. A sense of perspective?

 James M. Dorsey

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Military court sentences goalkeeper, plus two other sportsmen, despite pledge by the King to move trials to civilian courts.

 Steve Royston

23rd November: A Red Letter Day for Bahrain

23rd November: A Red Letter Day for Bahrain

STEVE ROYSTON: Tomorrow sees the publication of a report into the events of February and March of this year. Could it draw a line under those tragic events?

 James Mullan

The Formula 1 Con Trick: There are Alternatives…

The Formula 1 Con Trick: There are Alternatives…

JAMES MULLAN: It’s F1 week in Abu Dhabi and don’t we know it. Everywhere you look the hype is louder than the F1 engines for the 3-day bore-fest.

 thehedonista

The Pros and Cons of Being an Expat in Dubai

The Pros and Cons of Being an Expat in Dubai

THE HEDONISTA: Written from an Australian perspective – Vegemite and Tim Tams feature – I think there’s enough here to give everyone a flavour of what they’ll gain and lose as an expat in Dubai.

 cupofcardamom

‘Roll Up for Assad’s Magical Mystery Buses’

‘Roll Up for Assad’s Magical Mystery Buses’

CUPOFCARDAMOM: Buses are a common, unremarkable sight in virtually every city in the world but in Damascus recently they’ve become a signal of fear and impending violence.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

GCC Cooperation Key to Tomorrow’s Challenges

GCC Cooperation Key to Tomorrow’s Challenges

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Recently I attempted to capture some of these aspirations. On Twitter, I asked: “What do Gulf citizens want from the summit?”