Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Death Row: 45 Foreign Maids To Be Executed

Saudi Death Row: 45 Foreign Maids To Be Executed

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi authorities have faced a firestorm of international criticism following the execution of a Sri Lankan maid. It might only be the beginning.

 James M. Dorsey

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

JAMES M. DORSEY: Palestinians of all ages are huge fans of the Spanish football giants Barcelona FC. When Hamas called for a boycott of their match this week it fell on deaf ears.

 Mich Cafe

Rape: The Culture of Impunity That Exists in Syria

Rape: The Culture of Impunity That Exists in Syria

MICH CAFE: The catalogue of brutal rapes and sexual assaults of women, men and children grows by the day. A new documentary makes grim viewing

 James M. Dorsey

Worker Deaths: Trade Unions Finger Point Qatar

Worker Deaths: Trade Unions Finger Point Qatar

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar has repeatedly denied it exploits foreign labour. “The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labour and it is inconceivable that such a thing exists in Qatar…”

 Juan Cole

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

ALICE ROSS, INFORMED COMMENT: A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals the true extent of Libya’s involvement as a CIA facilitator

 James M. Dorsey

Female Olympians? OK. Female Drivers? No.

Female Olympians? OK. Female Drivers? No.

JAMES DORSEY: It’s likely excellent news for Dalma Malhas but it’s unlikely she’ll be driving to show jumping events in the Kingdom anytime soon.

 Susan Al Shahri

Crackdown on Omani Online Community

Crackdown on Omani Online Community

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: A number of individuals have been arrested but it’s not clear what they’ve done and what the boundaries actually are.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar 2022: Report Puts Focus on Worker’s Rights

Qatar 2022: Report Puts Focus on Worker’s Rights

JAMES M. DORSEY: The publication of a new report examining worker conditions in Qatar ups the ante for the authorities.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar’s Women Athletes Spotlight Religious Differences

Qatar’s Women Athletes Spotlight Religious Differences

JAMES DORSEY: The participation of Qatar’s women athletes opens up differences between it and the Islamic thinking in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

JAMES M. DORSEY: An Egyptian feminist group has challenged the fans that played a key role in toppling Mubarak to recognise women’s rights.

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Middle East looms large as FIFA’s executive committee meets against the backdrop of a call for sweeping change.

 Rob L. Wagner

Finally: Saudi Olympic Breakthrough For Women

Finally: Saudi Olympic Breakthrough For Women

ROB L. WAGNER: It was a very welcome surprise – the announcement that Saudi Arabia will have at least one woman at the Olympics

 Mich Cafe

Arab Spring: “Learn From Iran”, Says Ebadi

Arab Spring: “Learn From Iran”, Says Ebadi

MICH CAFE: When Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi speaks it is always worth listening. She has been reflecting on what the Arab Spring means to women

 Rob L. Wagner

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

Arab Spring ‘Good For Women’? The Jury’s Out

ROB L. WAGNER: They played a leading role in the early stages of the Arab Spring. But have women seen concrete benefits yet?

 Mich Cafe

“No Women Allowed”: Saudi’s Unsporting Message

“No Women Allowed”: Saudi’s Unsporting Message

MICH CAFE: Human Rights Watch have just published a report that highlights the deep discrimination against women in Saudi Arabia.

 James M. Dorsey

Saudi Condemned for Women’s Sport Restrictions – HRW

Saudi Condemned for Women’s Sport Restrictions – HRW

JAMES M. DORSEY: Saudi accused of kowtowing to conservative Muslim clerics who claim female sports are “steps of the devil” – Human Rights Watch.

 Rania Al Malky

25 Days: The Countdown to the Anniversary of Egypt’s Uprising Has Begun…

25 Days: The Countdown to the Anniversary of Egypt’s Uprising Has Begun…

RANIA AL MALKY: Over the past two weeks, SCAF has turned this cause for celebration to a potential apocalypse, casting a dark shadow of fear…

 Syria News Wire

The Dramatic ‘Volte-Face’ of Syria’s Bloggers

The Dramatic ‘Volte-Face’ of Syria’s Bloggers

NEWS FROM SYRIA: The former Chairman of the Syria Computer Society, a certain Bashar Assad, had a lot of support from the blogosphere in his first decade. Not any more.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

JAMES M. DORSEY: The people power movement has the most to lose and could find itself in the grinder as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran jockey for power.

 James M. Dorsey

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

JAMES M. DORSEY: Irrespective of his motives, King Abdullah has made a major contribution to the ending of the bloodletting in Syria.