Common Ground News Service

Hip Hop: The Music that Inspired the ‘Arab Spring’

Hip Hop: The Music that Inspired the ‘Arab Spring’

ROSE HACKMAN, CGNEWS: Arabic ‘hip-hop’ with a political twist has been the soundtrack of the revolutions over the past eight months

 The View From Fez

Early Moroccan Elections, Fears Over Security

Early Moroccan Elections, Fears Over Security

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The good news is that we’re going to have elections earlier than anticipated. The bad news is that security forces are taking an increasingly hard line.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

What Kind of Leader Do Young Arabs Want?

What Kind of Leader Do Young Arabs Want?

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Whether it’s Mubarak, ben Ali or bin Laden it’s clear what sort of leadership Arabs don’t want. It’s far less clear however what they are looking for in their leaders.

 The View From Fez

Yusuf Islam Reflects on Morocco, Islam and the Arab Spring

Yusuf Islam Reflects on Morocco, Islam and the Arab Spring

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The ‘artist formerly known as Cat Stevens’ is appearing at the Mawazine Festival, in Rabat, Morocco this week. In interview he was in reflective mood.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

JAMES M. DORSEY: Emerging markets are demanding that the heads of major international institutions be chosen on the basis of merit…

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudis in ‘Tug of War’ Over Women’s Vote

Saudis in ‘Tug of War’ Over Women’s Vote

ROB L. WAGNER: Guaranteeing rights for women has taken a backseat to what the government sees as the more pressing issue of economic stability…

 Alexander McNabb

For Real News Tweet All About It…

For Real News Tweet All About It…

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Presumably GN felt it couldn’t use the word ‘Jewish’, but I do feel misled… Context and analysis? I’d rather trust Twitter…

 Steve Royston

Middle East Blogs – Ten Sites CNN Missed

Middle East Blogs – Ten Sites CNN Missed

STEVE ROYSTON: My only quibble about CNN’s list is that it picks up exclusively on Arab writers and – with the honourable exception of Mahmood the Bahraini Blogfather – most of the writers seem relatively young.

 American Bedu

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s a topic that seems, more often than not, to generate more heat than light but here’s my attempt to define a Muslim.

 Common Ground News Service

Of the People, By The People, For the People

Of the People, By The People, For the People

MAHMOUD AMIN HISHMEH, CGNEWS: For too long Arabs have listened to the views of outsiders on what a ‘new Middle East’ should look like. Now they’re creating it for themselves.

 The View From Fez

Morocco: ‘End Corruption’ Main Demand of Demonstrators

Morocco: ‘End Corruption’ Main Demand of Demonstrators

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Though the recent demonstrations have been peaceful there is no question about the determination of those taking to the streets to effect real change in Morocco.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Top 100 – and Five – Arabic Novels

The Top 100 – and Five – Arabic Novels

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The Arab Writers Union has listed the Top 100 Arabic novels. Puzzling, annoying, lists such as this are nevertheless fun.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

Syria’s Fork of a Future, Where it Could Take Us

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Should a new Syrian government have a more hedged policy towards Iran, Turkey, GCC, US and Europe, Iran would be dealt a blow.

 Juan Cole

Of the People, By the People, For the People

Of the People, By the People, For the People

JUAN COLE: Were he alive today Rousseau would have been impressed with how his idea on ‘popular sovereignty’ has been embraced in the Middle East

 Mondoweiss

Obama’s Advice to Troubled Leaders: ‘Hang on in There’

Obama’s Advice to Troubled Leaders: ‘Hang on in There’

MONDOWEISS: ‘Regime alteration’ is the new buzz phrase in the Washington corridors of power. The Obama administration is advocating a ‘tortoise’ rather than a ‘hare’ strategy to those seeking change in the region. Will it resonate?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Countdown to the International Prize for Arabic Fiction

Countdown to the International Prize for Arabic Fiction

M. LYNX QUALEY: The award has stirred controversy this year as other years, with authors such as Gamal al-Ghitani and Radwa Ashour refusing to be nominated.

 James M. Dorsey

The ‘Is It All Back to Normal?’ Test: Is the Footy On?

The ‘Is It All Back to Normal?’ Test: Is the Footy On?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Tunisian and Egyptian reluctance to restart football reflects the changing role of soccer and the sense of empowerment felt by fans.

 Andrew Mackay

Rebuilding Business Confidence the Next Battleground

Rebuilding Business Confidence the Next Battleground

ANDREW MACKAY: Countries across the Middle East and Africa need to examine the damage done to their reputations, and rebuild vital revenue streams from inward investment and tourism.

 Michael J. Totten

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

Libya: People are People, Even When World’s Apart

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Two years ago I spent time in Libya. It seems like a good time to revisit my experience of a kind people but an overarching, clamping presence.