Juan Cole

‘We Will Close Down Twitter’: Erdogan’s Attempt Fails

‘We Will Close Down Twitter’: Erdogan’s Attempt Fails

JUAN COLE: Let it be a warning to dictators around the world – a clumsy attempt to shut down Twitter in Turkey back-fires.

 Ramzy Baroud

Libyan Chaos: The Colourful Life and Times of Khalifa Hifter

Libyan Chaos: The Colourful Life and Times of Khalifa Hifter

RAMZY BAROUD: Daily life in Libya today can be easily described in one word – ‘chaos’. What are the chances that order will be soon restored?

 Common Ground News Service

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

#RumorControlLibya: Authorities Try to Seize Initiative

MAROUANE BAKIT, CGNEWS: Rumor is the new currency in post-revolutionary Libya. Its effects are widespread and damaging.

 Steve Royston

‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror

‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror

STEVE ROYSTON: The situation in Syria is so desperate, so serious and so wide-ranging that it has the potential to affect every individual living in the region

 Tabsir

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

“Game Changer”: Is This The Phrase That Will Haunt Obama?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For George W. Bush the phrase was ‘Mission Accomplished’. For his successor there could be another phrase that defines his foreign affair policy

 James M. Dorsey

Algerian Revolt: Surge in Soccer-Related Violence A Signal

Algerian Revolt: Surge in Soccer-Related Violence A Signal

JAMES M. DORSEY: Violent protest attending soccer matches has proven to be a reliable indicator of an imminent popular revolt in the Arab World. Algeria’s next then.

 Ramzy Baroud

Turkey’s Dilemma: Fence-Sitting Not A Viable Option

Turkey’s Dilemma: Fence-Sitting Not A Viable Option

'Confused’ may be an appropriate term to describe Turkey’s current foreign policy in the Middle East and Israel in particular. The source of that confusion - aside from the appalling violence in Syria and earlier in Libya – is Turkey’s own mistakes.

RAMZY BAROUD: Turkey’s attempt to re-position itself as a fulcrum between East and West has come unstuck…

 David Roberts

Qatari Silence Feeds ‘Wilder’ Foreign Policy Theories

Qatari Silence Feeds ‘Wilder’ Foreign Policy Theories

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar’s involvement in Mali is subject to some colourful speculation. It’s a familiar feeling for the peninsula state.

 Tabsir

‘You Have Two Cows…”: Alternative Take on Region

‘You Have Two Cows…”: Alternative Take on Region

KARIM SADJAPOUR, TABSIR: Politically correct it may not be but the ‘Two Cows’ version of today’s Middle East is certainly fun.

 Common Ground News Service

Corruption ‘On the Increase’ Across Arab World

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: Corruption is so deeply ingrained in societies across the Arab world that promoting transparency seems an almost hopeless task

 Tabsir

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

For ‘Tribal Areas’ Read ‘Wild West’: Myth and Reality

KHALED FATTAH, TABSIR: There is a lazy shorthand in much Western reporting on the Middle East, particularly when it comes to describing the influence of tribes

 Juan Cole

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

2012: Top 10 Developments in the Middle East

JUAN COLE: It’s been another extraordinary year across the Middle East. Here is my take on the most significant changes this year

 Juan Cole

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

The Top Ten ‘Hotspots’ in the Arab World Today

JUAN COLE: From Jordan to Tunisia, from civil war to pilfered Palestinian land the Arab world is in a febrile state.

 Syria News Wire

Drowned in Blood: It’s Time to Lower the Flag

NEWS FROM SYRIA: There was a time not too long ago when it was a symbol of our unity and of hope. Not any more.

 James M. Dorsey

Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi: Pressures for Reform

Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi: Pressures for Reform

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sharp sectarian divides between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the Middle East constitutes the Achilles heel for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan.

 Tabsir

Kansas Spooked By Sharia: ‘The Ayatollahs Are Comin”

Kansas Spooked By Sharia: ‘The Ayatollahs Are Comin”

LUKE R.E. PUBLICAN, TABSIR: Kansas legislators have opted for a ‘belt and braces’ approach to deal with any possibility of Sharia creeping into the State.

 Juan Cole

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

A Brief Middle East History Lesson for Mitt Romney

JUAN COLE: The Presidential candidate appears to be entirely clueless about the recent history of US involvement in the region. Heres’ some help.

 Richard Silverstein

Western Liberals and their ‘Problem’ with “Muslim Rage”

Western Liberals and their ‘Problem’ with “Muslim Rage”

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: We’re [Christians and Jews] above that sort of blood-letting. We solve our differences civilly through debate and the free exchange of ideas. As if…

 Juan Cole

Enough: Libyans Drive Fundamentalists Out of Benghazi

Enough: Libyans Drive Fundamentalists Out of Benghazi

JUAN COLE: The attack on the US consulate in Benghazi seems to have been a turning point for the people of Benghazi.

 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.

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