James M. Dorsey

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran

 James M. Dorsey

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is following in the footsteps of deposed autocrats by associating himself with one of Iran’s greatest passions: soccer.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 Juan Cole

‘Supreme Leader’ Ali Khamenei: Look at the Title

‘Supreme Leader’ Ali Khamenei: Look at the Title

JUAN COLE: Forget Ahmadinejad, the real force in Iranian politics is Ali Khamenei. Shouldn’t we listen to what he has to say?

 Rob L. Wagner

“Three Months at Most”: How Long Could Iran Close Straits of Hormuz?

“Three Months at Most”: How Long Could Iran Close Straits of Hormuz?

ROB L. WAGNER: As tensions increase all parties are beginning to make calculations regarding the effect of a possible conflict in the Arabian Gulf.

 Michael J. Totten

Life Imitates ‘The Onion’: Al Qaeda and U.S. Agree

Life Imitates ‘The Onion’: Al Qaeda and U.S. Agree

MICHAEL TOTTEN: You couldn’t make it up but conspiracy theories have a way of making odd bedfellows. Take Al Qaeda and the U.S in opposition to Iran. It’s true.

 James M. Dorsey

Qaddafi Sons: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Qaddafi Sons: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

JAMES M. DORSEY: At face value, Saadi and Saif’s different positions appear to be at best a surprising reversal of roles with Saadi, described as “notoriously ill-behaved”.

 Steve Royston

How Blogging Can Be Your Company’s Voice

How Blogging Can Be Your Company’s Voice

STEVE ROYSTON: “If you manage to persuade your CEO to write a blog, you’d better make sure he or she writes lively content. Otherwise their blog will have the opposite effect…”

 Michael J. Totten

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

Assad: Now We Know Exactly Who We’re Dealing With

MICHAEL TOTTEN: There have, according to Bashar Assad, been some ‘mistakes’. The only real mistake by Western powers however is to believe what the President tells them.

 Michael J. Totten

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

No Big Sleep for the MidEast’s Remaining Thugs

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Now that the Arab revolt is slamming hard into Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party in Syria, no dictator will be able to sleep without consuming copious amounts of pills.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

Soccer vs. Islam: The Battle for Egypt’s Future

JAMES M. DORSEY: The calm with which Egyptians accepted defeat, contrasts starkly with riots that erupted on two continents in late 2009 when Algeria stopped Egypt making it to the 2010 World Cup.

 Common Ground News Service

Women With Men Directing Winds of Change

Women With Men Directing Winds of Change

CARLA KOPPELL: Women’s role must be honoured in the struggle and protect against the fundamentalist push. Most importantly, their involvement will be key to enabling thriving societies

 James M. Dorsey

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

JAMES M. DORSEY: For the first time in its history, Turkey is emerging as a true bridge between East and West. Unrest elsewhere however puts Turkish aspirations to the test.

 Steve Royston

Egypt: A Role Model for the ‘Have Nots’

Egypt: A Role Model for the ‘Have Nots’

STEVE ROYSTON: Regional fallout from the events in Tunisia and Egypt is expected. But other countries around the world have been watching.

 James M. Dorsey

Iran Postpones Tehran Football Matches

Iran Postpones Tehran Football Matches

JAMES DORSEY: Iran’s Football Federation has postponed league matches in Tehran to prevent celebrations of the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic revolution turning into anti-government protests.

 James M. Dorsey

Iran Bans Women from Cinemas Showing Cup

Iran Bans Women from Cinemas Showing Cup

JAMES M. DORSEY: Khamenei and other hard-line government officials and clerics argue that the presence of women at men’s sporting events violates Islamic law.

 Juan Cole

Oil Price Rise means a Happy 2011 in Tehran

Oil Price Rise means a Happy 2011 in Tehran

JUAN COLE: While U.S consumers bemoan oil price rises it’s smiles all round in Iran. The OPEC chair is in no hurry to do anything about spiraling costs.

 David Roberts

He Who Got Slapped: Ahmadinejad

He Who Got Slapped: Ahmadinejad

DAVID ROBERTS: Under a section titled ‘He who got slapped’ someone from the US Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan reported the confrontation…

 Osama Al Sharif

Urgent: Fresh Arab Approach towards Iran, Palestine

Urgent: Fresh Arab Approach towards Iran, Palestine

OSAMA AL SHARIF: Focus on Iran or Afghanistan should not be at the expense of the Palestine Question, which remains crucial to peoples of the region.