James M. Dorsey

Libya, Algeria Cut Football to Thwart Protests

Libya, Algeria Cut Football to Thwart Protests

JAMES DORSEY: Oil-rich Libya and gas-rich Algeria have indefinitely extended their suspension of all soccer matches with anti-government demonstrations looming.

 Mondoweiss

Egypt to Usher in Brave New World the U.S. will find harder to Control

Egypt to Usher in Brave New World the U.S. will find harder to Control

PHYLLIS BENNIS, MONDOWEISS: Do the principles on which the U.S. was founded apply to more than 300 million Arabs?

 Common Ground News Service

It’s the Youth Taking the Lead in Region’s ‘Renaissance’

It’s the Youth Taking the Lead in Region’s ‘Renaissance’

FARAH I. ABDEL SATER: One outstanding feature of the recent turmoil in Tunisia and now in Egypt is the prominent and active role of the region’s youth.

 Jonathan Cook

Palestinians Losing Patience With the PA

Palestinians Losing Patience With the PA

JONATHAN COOK: Eighteen years of the so-called ‘peace process’ appear to have drawn to a close and the Palestinian people feel betrayed by their negotiators.

 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

The Crisis in the Arab World – The Long View

The Crisis in the Arab World – The Long View

STEVE ROYSTON: A focus on regeneration will have a longer-lasting effect than quick political fixes that will do nothing to alleviate the lot of the frustrated…

 Rob L. Wagner

Quiet Revolution: The Saudi, Female Brain Drain

Quiet Revolution: The Saudi, Female Brain Drain

ROB L. WAGNER: Saudi Arabia is sending thousands of women to foreign universities to obtain undergrad and postgrad degrees. Job prospects upon returning home are dim.

 SuhaibWebb

A View from the Street in Cairo: Fear, and Hope

A View from the Street in Cairo: Fear, and Hope

SUHAIBWEBB: The curfew is in place, police have disappeared, essential supplies are running out. With the excitement there is also a sense of fear.

 Crossroads Arabia

“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?

“Après Moi, le Déluge.” What lies post Mubarak?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The big question, of course, is ‘After Mubarak, what?’ I’m sure Mubarak feels, as did Louis XV, Après moi, le déluge.

 Steve Royston

A Message for Davos – Waste Not, Want Not

A Message for Davos – Waste Not, Want Not

STEVE ROYSTON: Taxpayers’ money that could have been spent on new hospitals, refurbished schools, or improved public transport – down the drain.

 James M. Dorsey

European Clubs See Opportunity in Middle East’s Failure in Asia Cup

European Clubs See Opportunity in Middle East’s Failure in Asia Cup

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mounting criticism of Middle Eastern nations’ failure to nurture soccer talent has created a business opportunity for European clubs.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: The involvement of organized soccer fans in Egypt’s anti-government protests constitutes every Arab government’s worst nightmare.

 Osama Al Sharif

The Palestine Papers and the Dilemma of Peace Talks

The Palestine Papers and the Dilemma of Peace Talks

OSAMA AL SHARIF: The documents underline an important fact; the Palestinian leadership today has one goal in mind – to reach a deal with Israel at any price.

 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.

 Common Ground News Service

Social Media: The Glue That Binds Us

Social Media: The Glue That Binds Us

HANI NAIM: The conclusion is no one is immune to social media. Activists, Governments, journalists are all now trying to harness its power in the Arab world.

 James M. Dorsey

Gloves Off: Blatter “Served Too Long”, Hammam

Gloves Off: Blatter “Served Too Long”, Hammam

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mohamed bin Hammam lashed out on Monday, charging that Blatter had served too long as head of soccer’s world governing body.

 Alexander McNabb

Torches: Understanding Mohammed Bouazizi

Torches: Understanding Mohammed Bouazizi

ALEXANDER MCNABB: I find it hard to even think about what would drive a man to contemplate the act – the acrid stink of petrol, vapour shimmering, a scratch and whiff of phosphorous.

 James M. Dorsey

Governments Undermining MidEast Soccer

Governments Undermining MidEast Soccer

JAMES M. DORSEY: In a soccer-crazy world of authoritarian regimes, football offers one of society’s few release valves.

 Steve Royston

419 Manipulation: Detecting the Agenda

419 Manipulation: Detecting the Agenda

STEVE ROYSTON: The aspect I latched on to was cybercrime, on the 419 scam. The talk was delivered by a former member of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service.

 Mondoweiss

Why Obama has an Obligation to Confront Israel

Why Obama has an Obligation to Confront Israel

PHILIP WEISS: The Goldstone Report lays bare the humiliations of the Gaza people. By failing to deal with this issue Obama is failing in his constitutional duty.