Steve Royston

Meddle in Afghanistan: The Lesson from History Is Clear

Meddle in Afghanistan: The Lesson from History Is Clear

STEVE ROYSTON: My Summer reading has been dominated by books which consider how major powers, in particular Britain, have come to grief in Afghanistan

 Juan Cole

U.S. Iran Oil Policy: Whose Interest Is It?

U.S. Iran Oil Policy: Whose Interest Is It?

Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.

JUAN COLE: Not since President Roosevelt told Japan in July 1941 that he was going to cut it off from American petroleum has the United States threatened to use oil to strangle a country so completely.

 Juan Cole

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

The Ten ‘To Dos’ That Will Guarantee Gaza Ceasefire

JUAN COLE: Achieving a ceasefire is significant but if it’s to remain in place all parties must use the gap in hostilities to secure real progress.

 Francis Matthew

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

Obama set to Disappoint Friends Around the World

FRANCIS MATTHEW:Obama failed to deliver this vision in his first term, and sadly, it is unlikely that he will use his second term to re-find his sense of purpose in the world.

 Abu Muhammed

Definitions: What Exactly Is Islam and What Is It Not?

Definitions: What Exactly Is Islam and What Is It Not?

ABU MOHAMMED: There is a great deal of misunderstanding concerning the nature and practice of Islam. Here are some key points.

 Steve Royston

Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Is He A ‘Yemeni National Treasure?’

Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Is He A ‘Yemeni National Treasure?’

STEVE DORSEY: I had the privilege recently to spend time in the company of the renowned British travel writer who lives in Sana’a. A truly impressive evening.

 Juan Cole

Malala: A Heroine Who Represents the Majority

Malala: A Heroine Who Represents the Majority

JUAN COLE: The Taliban are widely despised among the population of rural Pakistan. The biggest threat facing girls in this environment is a government that doesn’t care

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Leeds United’s negotiations for a takeover by Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House (GFH) may not give it access to the funding that has boosted the fortunes of others…

 Mondoweiss

‘A Bit Dangerous?’: My Plan to Meet Drone Victims

‘A Bit Dangerous?’: My Plan to Meet Drone Victims

PAM BAILEY, MONDOWEISS: When I inform my friends that I’m heading to Waziristan to find out about the reality of drone attacks they’re rather concerned

 Alexander McNabb

UAE To Block ‘Hate Movie’: The Right Approach?

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Internet users in the UAE will not be able to see ‘The Innocence of Muslims’ and see for themselves what a foul work it is.

 Steve Royston

Healthcare in Saudi, the US and UK: Who does it Right?

Healthcare in Saudi, the US and UK: Who does it Right?

STEVE ROYSTON: In one respect he is fortunate: Saudi has abundant resources to throw at these problems, unlike the US and the UK, where health services are competing for funds.

 mai abdul rahman

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Mary: Jewish, Mother of Jesus and Now a Peacemaker

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: I’ve written before about ‘The Mary Initiative’ but it continues to have a powerful effect when people of different faith engage.

 Crossroads Arabia

Bahrain Becomes Vatican’s Middle East HQ

Bahrain Becomes Vatican’s Middle East HQ

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Vatican is striving to improve relations with authorities throughout the Gulf

 Francis Matthew

Romney: A Return to a Black and White Foreign Policy

Romney: A Return to a Black and White Foreign Policy

FRANCIS MATTHEW: US Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is suggesting a dangerous return to a simplistic foreign policy in which foreigners are divided simply into friends and foes.

 Abu Muhammed

‘A White Wife and A White Life’: The Goal of the Colonised?

‘A White Wife and A White Life’: The Goal of the Colonised?

‘In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.’ Thurgood Marshall A recent article on the Al Jazeera News website by Sudha G. Tilak titled Whitening Cream: Fair deal for India’s Women? —took me back to the days growing up black in the US; years before the hay days of […]

 Editor, MEP

UAE Boat Shooting: India Investigation

VIDEO, AL JAZEERA: India is calling for an investigation after the US Navy opened fire on one of its fishing boats. One man was killed and three others injured in the incident off the coast of the UAE.

 Francis Matthew

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

China’s Influence Based on ‘Failure to Engage’

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Arab concerns are largely irrelevant to the Chinese as Beijing looks to reinforce its self-perception as the premier Asian power.

 Richard Silverstein

Give Iran the Bomb to Give the Region Stability

Give Iran the Bomb to Give the Region Stability

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: “By reducing imbalances in military power, new nuclear states generally produce more regional and international stability, not less…”

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Aamir Khan Uses ‘Star Power’ For Social Effect

Aamir Khan Uses ‘Star Power’ For Social Effect

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: The Bollywood superstar’s new TV show has made major waves and forced politicians to act quickly.

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