Naseem Tarawnah

The Fear Business: It’s Thriving in Jordan

The Fear Business: It’s Thriving in Jordan

NASEEM TARAWNAH: Look east, look north, look south, look west – everywhere around Jordan spells trouble with a capital ‘T’.

 Jonathan Cook

‘Oil in the West Bank’: Guess Who’s Claiming It?

‘Oil in the West Bank’: Guess Who’s Claiming It?

JONATHAN COOK: It’s clear that Israeli policy is to ensure that any possibility of a future Palestinian state being economically viable remains very remote

 Ramzy Baroud

Lines on the Map ‘Irrelevant’ in Shifting Middle East Map

Lines on the Map ‘Irrelevant’ in Shifting Middle East Map

RAMZY BAROUD: The sectarian genie that was released via the US invasion of Iraq is now running rampant around the Middle East

 Mondoweiss

So What Exactly Does Barack Obama Stand For?

So What Exactly Does Barack Obama Stand For?

MONDOWEISS: Is he about extracting the U.S from costly and involved foreign conflict or in favour of same? Maybe he’s the Drone Strike President?

 Mich Cafe

‘Help Now’: Syrian Refugee Crisis ‘Unprecedented In Its Scope’

‘Help Now’: Syrian Refugee Crisis ‘Unprecedented In Its Scope’

MICH CAFE: If Americans diverted the money they spent in a month on ice-cream to the UN Syrian refugee fund the target would be met.

 Ramzy Baroud

‘We Can Blow Things Up’: America’s Power in the Middle East

‘We Can Blow Things Up’: America’s Power in the Middle East

RAMZY BAROUD: America’s current role as impotent looker-on is unprecedented in recent Middle Eastern history. This situation won’t continue indefinitely

 Common Ground News Service

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

NADIA AKL, CGNEWS: Until recently women, in spite of their clear achievements across many sectors, have been invisible in public discourse. That’s changing

 Common Ground News Service

Syria’s ‘Florence Nightingales’: U.S Medics Go To Front

Syria’s ‘Florence Nightingales’: U.S Medics Go To Front

KIRAN ANSARI, CGNEWS: Tired of watching the horror unveil on television a group of American medics have decided to take direct action

 David Roberts

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

DAVID ROBERTS: Russia is unfazed about alienating swathes of the Middle East not to mention the majority of Syrians, believing in time their position can be reasserted

 Rob L. Wagner

Target Lebanon: A ‘Jittery’ Israel Set To Lash Out

Target Lebanon: A ‘Jittery’ Israel Set To Lash Out

ROB L. WAGNER: The changes throughout the Arab world have made Israel very nervous indeed. And a nervous Israel is a dangerous Israel.

 thehedonista

Time To Celebrate the Hidden Gem That Is Amman

Time To Celebrate the Hidden Gem That Is Amman

SARAH WALTON: Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Jerash – it’s a familiar tourist trail but don’t forget to spend some time in the capital, Amman

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 Tabsir

The Shadid Legacies: Linked by a Common Humanity

The Shadid Legacies: Linked by a Common Humanity

ANOUAR MAJID, TABSIR: The sudden demise of Anthony Shadid calls to mind the work of one of his relations.

 Steve Royston

Is Levant ‘Human Rainforest’ To Become ‘Desert’?

Is Levant ‘Human Rainforest’ To Become ‘Desert’?

STEVE ROYSTON: The diversity of faiths, races and cultures in the Levant is one of its great strengths but this diversity is under threat.

 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.

 David Roberts

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

DAVID ROBERTS: These events take place in the context of growing Shia power, encapsulated by the notion of a Shia crescent ‘enveloping’ the region…

 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.

 Steve Royston

Arabic: Why it’s Failing, What Can be Done

Arabic: Why it’s Failing, What Can be Done

STEVE ROYSTON: What troubles Arab intellectuals is that the use of the Arabic language is declining. There’s an Arabic interface for Facebook, yet 75% of Arab users prefer the English.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer: A Potential Flashpoint for Jordanian Society

Soccer: A Potential Flashpoint for Jordanian Society

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mounting tension in Jordan is unlikely to produce the same result as protests in Tunisia, but promises to make soccer an increasing flashpoint…