Juan Cole

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s inauguration speech is sure to trigger panic among the ‘we must have war’ crowd. But does he really mean it?

 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

 Crossroads Arabia

‘Waitresses Are Prostitutes’: Saudi Media Firestorm

‘Waitresses Are Prostitutes’: Saudi Media Firestorm

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The obstacles facing women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia are exemplified by a row which has broken out via social media.

 David Roberts

Clear Motive: What’s Qatar Really Up To In France?

Clear Motive: What’s Qatar Really Up To In France?

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar’s plan to invest a large sum of money into one of Paris’s poorest areas has led to attacks from left and right. So what’s happening?

 Steve Royston

Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Is He A ‘Yemeni National Treasure?’

Tim Mackintosh-Smith: Is He A ‘Yemeni National Treasure?’

STEVE DORSEY: I had the privilege recently to spend time in the company of the renowned British travel writer who lives in Sana’a. A truly impressive evening.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Springs Eternal: Evolution of a Revolution

Arab Springs Eternal: Evolution of a Revolution

JAMES M. DORSEY: The civil war in Syria dominates the news the wave of protests in the smaller cities of Arab states foretells a groundswell of mass demonstration.

 David Roberts

U.S Power: The Ultimate Guarantor for Gulf States

U.S Power: The Ultimate Guarantor for Gulf States

DAVID ROBERTS: The Saudi authorities have been actively promoting a union of Gulf states but with little success. There’s a clear reason why.

 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.

 Juan Cole

Arab Spring Update: Significant Developments

Arab Spring Update: Significant Developments

JUAN COLE: Not that you’d know from watching American TV news but there have been important developments in the Arab world recently

 Juan Cole

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: So much that is misinformed, over-hyped and simply plain wrong has been written about the Arab Spring. So let’s sort the wheat from the chaff.

 David Roberts

The Bahrain Bomb: Measured Response Required

The Bahrain Bomb: Measured Response Required

DAVID ROBERTS: It was a small, amateur-ish device causing little damage and no injuries. Authorities should investigate thoroughly before acting.

 James M. Dorsey

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Military court sentences goalkeeper, plus two other sportsmen, despite pledge by the King to move trials to civilian courts.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

JAMES M. DORSEY: The people power movement has the most to lose and could find itself in the grinder as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran jockey for power.

 David Roberts

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Wall Street Journal has published a very curious piece indeed on the relationship between Iran and Bahrain. It’s long on allegation but very short on proof.

 James M. Dorsey

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Their reluctance to be proactive rather than reactive has so far shielded the GCC from the revolt. The question is for how long, and what’s the price?

 Juan Cole

Obama Further Tarnished Over UN ‘Hypocrisy’

Obama Further Tarnished Over UN ‘Hypocrisy’

JUAN COLE: Obama has squandered the positives by pandering to the right wing forces in Manama and Tel Aviv. This is change the Arab youth won’t be able to believe in.

 The Moor Next Door

Obama’s Speech: The Key Points Made

Obama’s Speech: The Key Points Made

THE MOOR NEXT DOOR: There was little new in Obama’s ‘Arab Spring’ speech. Nervous light criticism of Bahrain, no reference to Gulf allies and a minor poke of Israel.

 Steve Royston

Reasons For, and Against, Working in the MidEast

Reasons For, and Against, Working in the MidEast

STEVE ROYSTON: One year ago I wrote the 10 good reasons to work in the Middle East. I would not change one of them. I have, however, added 10 reasons you may not want to.

 James M. Dorsey

Bahrain Sportspeople Arrested, Sacked for Protests

Bahrain Sportspeople Arrested, Sacked for Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Bahraini sports clubs have dismissed at least 12 sports people and executives because they participated in anti-government demonstrations.