Francis Matthew

Flexibility: Islamists First Great Test in the Face of RealPolitik

Flexibility: Islamists First Great Test in the Face of RealPolitik

FRANCIS MATTHEW: Now that they have been elected into power they are being forced to demonstrate their commitment to pluralism. This is a challenge they did not plan for.

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Egyptian authorities are moving tentatively to check how radicalised football fans will react to the lifting of a ban on their attendance at matches.

 Ramzy Baroud

Syrian Sectarianism Threat to Wider Region

Syrian Sectarianism Threat to Wider Region

RAMZY BAROUD: The recent massacre of civilians in Syria marks the beginning of a spiral of horror which could engulf the whole region

 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.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He is arguably Egypt’s leading public intellectual and every week he holds public salons whose numbers have swelled hugely over the past year.

 Rania Al Malky

Egypt Elections: What a Difference 365 Days Makes

Egypt Elections: What a Difference 365 Days Makes

RANIA AL MALKY: A year on bitterness has given way to gratitude. Had the elections not been so rigged, the uprising might have never have happened.

 James Mullan

News Analysis: Tunisia Goes to the Polls

News Analysis: Tunisia Goes to the Polls

NEWS ANALYSIS: With their erstwhile leader rattling around a presumably luxurious villa in Jeddah, Tunisians have had their first shot at genuine democracy.

 James M. Dorsey

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

JAMES M. DORSEY: While Al Qaeda is attempting to portray a gentler face, distributing aid to famine victims, Al Shabab, are ensuring strict adherence to a ban on women’s sports.

 Mondoweiss

The Ultimate Target of Palestinian Demonstrators

The Ultimate Target of Palestinian Demonstrators

ALEX KANE, MONDOWEISS: The Israelis have pursued the classic colonial strategy in the Palestinian territories. It’s this strategy that the March 15 protesters have in their sights.

 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.

 Michael J. Totten

Egypt Public Opinion: Islamists or Modernizers

Egypt Public Opinion: Islamists or Modernizers

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: I worry Egyptians are going to have to learn the hardest way possible – as the Iranians have – modernizers are better.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Forget Our Differences, Let’s Just Shop

Forget Our Differences, Let’s Just Shop

Stop talking about politics and extremism and go shopping. It’s what made the Islamic world great (and rich) after all…