Ramzy Baroud

After 17 Years Trying to Visit Gaza, I Am Home

After 17 Years Trying to Visit Gaza, I Am Home

RAMZY BAROUD: Today the border at the Rafah Crossing officially opens. It’s another significant milestone of the ‘Arab Spring’.

 Juan Cole

Top Five Arab Spring Developments This Week

Top Five Arab Spring Developments This Week

JUAN COLE: It’s been a busy few days throughout the Arab World with existing and former dictators finding the going is getting tougher.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Spirit of Freedom that Drives Gaza’s Long-Distance Runner

The Spirit of Freedom that Drives Gaza’s Long-Distance Runner

RAMZY BAROUD: Nader al-Masri sporting deeds reflect the stubborness and perseverance of the Gazan people.

 Omar al-Issawi

People of the Book: Damning the Exodus of Christians

People of the Book: Damning the Exodus of Christians

OMAR AL ISSAWI: The latest round of sectarian strife in Egypt is not about sectarian confrontation. It is about ignorance.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: UAE national observers commented in private that many names on the UAE petition calling for an elected parliament were UAE members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

 Jonathan Cook

Egypt’s Direction Unnerves Israel and the U.S.

Egypt’s Direction Unnerves Israel and the U.S.

JONATHAN COOK: The political sands are shifting a little too quickly in the Middle East for Israel and the United States. Will they be able to keep up?

 Omar al-Issawi

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

OMAR AL ISSAWI: That the PA recognizes Israel will not have escaped the attention of either Netanyahu, or for that matter Hamas.

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

JUAN COLE: The Arab Spring is still producing some positive reforms and questioning of past corrupt practices, and even major governmental change.

 Common Ground News Service

Getting Beyond ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ in Egypt

Getting Beyond ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ in Egypt

DR H.A. HELLYER, CGNEWS: The recent constitutional referendum delivered a resounding victory for the ‘Yes’ camp. Both sides, however, have a vested interest in protecting the freer, more plural Egypt that has emerged.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Oil: It’s a World, not just an American, Concern

Saudi Oil: It’s a World, not just an American, Concern

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Whenever the words ‘United States’ and ‘Saudi Arabia’ occur in the same sentence it seems inevitable that the phrase ‘dependence on oil’ will appear too.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

How the GCC Should Go About ‘Containing’ Iran

How the GCC Should Go About ‘Containing’ Iran

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Bahrain was clearly a red line for the GCC, but the challenges now facing the organisation require deft political skill.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

JAMES M. DORSEY: The calm with which Egyptians accepted defeat, contrasts starkly with riots that erupted on two continents in late 2009 when Algeria stopped Egypt making it to the 2010 World Cup.

 Steve Royston

Thoughts On Blogging – How to Start, And Why?

Thoughts On Blogging – How to Start, And Why?

STEVE ROYSTON: You could say that I’ve now entered my next career. Not a hobby – because I do earn money – but an activity entirely under my control, and in which money is not the prime motivation.

 Ramzy Baroud

For the love of Egypt: Why Besieged Gazans Danced in the Street

For the love of Egypt: Why Besieged Gazans Danced in the Street

RAMZY BAROUD: The lives of the people of Gaza have been deeply entwined with Egypt since the Palestinian Nakba of 1948. In spite of their current plight Gazans have been riveted and inspired by recent events in Egypt.

 Common Ground News Service

Democracy Gets off to ‘a Flying Start’ in Egypt

Democracy Gets off to ‘a Flying Start’ in Egypt

JASON PETRUCCI: An impressive turnout, an engaged electorate, robust debate – the constitutional referendum in Egypt has given the people a taste of real democracy in action.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Should a new Syrian government have a more hedged policy towards Iran, Turkey, GCC, US and Europe, Iran would be dealt a blow.

 Common Ground News Service

The Day My Vote Counted: A Trip Worth Making

The Day My Vote Counted: A Trip Worth Making

HODA OSMAN: How far will you go to exercise your new-found ability to vote? I’ll tell you how far – 5,621 miles which is the distance from New York to Cairo

 Omar al-Issawi

Time for Libya, Region’s Leaders, to Show Mettle

Time for Libya, Region’s Leaders, to Show Mettle

OMAR AL-ISSAWI: As Gaddafi begins to sound more and more like Saddam Hussein the rebels must now take advantage of the ‘No Fly Zone’.

 Omar Chatriwala

Qataris Rally in Support of Libya Strikes

OMAR CHATRIWALA: Scores of people rallied outside Libya’s embassy in Qatar on Sunday, calling for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go. “I want [Gaddafi] dead,” said one.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Bahrain in the Balance: How Did it Come to This?

Bahrain in the Balance: How Did it Come to This?

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Failure to engage in dialogue will prolong the political stalemate, lead to further radicalisation on both sides.