Common Ground News Service

Young Egyptians ‘Take Grassroots Action’ To Build Nation

Young Egyptians ‘Take Grassroots Action’ To Build Nation

RANDA GHAZY, CGNEWS: Refusing to be bowed by pressure to choose one side or the other young Egyptians are trying to take hold of their own future

 Tabsir

‘The Blood’ and ‘The Bang-Bang’: A Freelancer in Syria

‘The Blood’ and ‘The Bang-Bang’: A Freelancer in Syria

FRANCESCA BORRI, TABSIR: The demands of the editors are depressingly obvious and there is little interest in explaining context.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Forza Arabia’: Italians Show Growing Interest in Arabic Literature

‘Forza Arabia’: Italians Show Growing Interest in Arabic Literature

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Diving in the Red Sea is not the only pleasure from this region that is proving appealing to Italians. There is a growing interest in its literature.

 Common Ground News Service

El Kef: The Thriving Centre of Tunisian Theatre

El Kef: The Thriving Centre of Tunisian Theatre

AMINA BENKHLIFA, CGNEWS: Often associated with harsh weather and difficult economic conditions El Kef, my hometown, has a deep theatrical heritage

 James M. Dorsey

Palestinian Footballer Relives Horror of Detention

Palestinian Footballer Relives Horror of Detention

ANDREA LUCHETTA: Mahmoud Al Sarsak’s detention became an international cause celebre. He has recounted his experience in Israeli jail

 The View From Fez

Fasting: The Challenges Facing Muslims This Ramadan

Fasting: The Challenges Facing Muslims This Ramadan

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Whether it’s the longer daylight hours or because you’re an Olympic athlete there are particular challenges for Muslims this Ramadan

 Francis Matthew

NATO: A North American Strike Force?

NATO: A North American Strike Force?

FRANCIS MATTHEW: It is sad young Arabs and Muslims see NATO as an expeditionary force striking at the convenience of the White House

 Steve Royston

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

STEVE ROYSTON: There was a bit of commotion about the King of Bahrain’s attendance at a recent lunch in the UK. I was struck by another issue

 Common Ground News Service

“Love, InshAllah”: Muslim Women Tell Their Stories

“Love, InshAllah”: Muslim Women Tell Their Stories

MARWA HELAL, CGNEWS: A collection of stories about Muslim women’s love lives has struck a global chord.

 Juan Cole

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

JUAN COLE: It’s well worth looking at previous situations where major powers tried to use economics to bring Iran to heel.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Israel Loves Iran’: An Iranian Perspective

‘Israel Loves Iran’: An Iranian Perspective

SAHAR NAMAZIKHAH, CGNEWS: It’s certainly garnered plenty of headlines but does the campaign have substance?

 James M. Dorsey

Football Fans Unite To Resist Egyptian Crackdown

Football Fans Unite To Resist Egyptian Crackdown

JAMES M. DORSEY: It looks like there’s been a sea-change in Egypt’s football politics – Ultras White Knights and Ultras Ahlawy have united.

 James M. Dorsey

‘Peep, Peep, Peep’: EFA To Blow Final Whistle on Season?

‘Peep, Peep, Peep’: EFA To Blow Final Whistle on Season?

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s looking increasingly likely that the Egyptian Football Association will cancel the rest of the season.

 The View From Fez

A Work of Art: The Football Maker of Marrakech

A Work of Art: The Football Maker of Marrakech

DEREK WORKMAN, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It’s a complicated inside-out puzzle and only a few people around the world now practice the art.

 Tabsir

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The World Press Photo of the Year has been revealed. Is it the defining image of the ‘Arab Spring’?

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Deaths Boost Egypt’s Soccer ‘Army’

Port Said Deaths Boost Egypt’s Soccer ‘Army’

JAMES M. DORSEY: Growing sentiment that the brawl in which 74 people were killed was provoked is putting wind in the sails of militant soccer fan groups.

 Juan Cole

Israel in Race With Time: ‘Give Peace a Chance?’

Israel in Race With Time: ‘Give Peace a Chance?’

JUAN COLE: The maths speaks for itself – a country of 7.5 million people is surrounded by 400 others with whom it seems to be at constant odds.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer Fans to Fore Again in Egyptian Protests

Soccer Fans to Fore Again in Egyptian Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s looking likely that the authorities will, for the second time this year, postpone or suspend professional soccer leagues.

 The Moor Next Door

From the Front: An Encounter with Libyan Rebels

From the Front: An Encounter with Libyan Rebels

EILEEN BYRNE, TMND: Now that Qaddafi’s regime has been unseated thoughts of the men who did the fighting are turning to the nation’s immediate priorities.

 Ramzy Baroud

Forget the Bombs, Africa Needs Food. Now.

Forget the Bombs, Africa Needs Food. Now.

RAMZY BAROUD: Maybe it’s time to save a few bombing runs on Libya and donate the proceeds to the humanitarian catastrophe that’s unfolding in the Horn of Africa?