Common Ground News Service

Obama and the ‘D’ Word: A Tale of Two Speeches

Obama and the ‘D’ Word: A Tale of Two Speeches

DALIA MOGAHED, CGNEWS: In Cairo two years ago there was not a single mention of it. This time around it featured nine times – the word is ‘democracy’.

 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.

 Common Ground News Service

Time for Muslims to Re-Discover their Voices

Time for Muslims to Re-Discover their Voices

SYDNEY SMITH: Most Muslims, it appears, are relieved that bin Laden is gone but how do they deal with the prejudice and suspicion engendered by his deeds?

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News

Arab Leaders Losing Battle to Control the News

JAMES M. DORSEY: Embattled regimes have failed in their effort to choke off independent reporting to ensure that their version of events dominates the news.

 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.

 Common Ground News Service

Israel, U.S. Players Recognise Urgency Of Peace Agreement

Israel, U.S. Players Recognise Urgency Of Peace Agreement

MICHAEL FELSEN, CGNEWS: The Israeli Peace Initiative which was unveiled in April has an ambitious goal, namely the resolution of all claims.

 Mondoweiss

Dangerous Bloodlust Bin Laden Has Unleashed

Dangerous Bloodlust Bin Laden Has Unleashed

BRIAN VAN SLYKE, MONDOWEISS: Far from drawing the curtain on the ‘War on Terror’ the assassination of bin Laden has given it a boost.

 Allan Biggar

Social Media: Are Brands Getting the Revolution?

Social Media: Are Brands Getting the Revolution?

ALLAN BIGGAR: The path is now open for a consumer revolution where a new generation will be more influenced by their social-network contacts than by traditional marketing messages.

 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.

 Juan Cole

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s speech last night demonstrated clearly the qualities of leadership that those who seek to challenge him simply do not possess.

 Michael J. Totten

What if Qaddafi Wins? Thinking the Unthinkable

What if Qaddafi Wins? Thinking the Unthinkable

MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: With the West refusing to be drawn into the conflict it looks increasingly like Qaddafi could prevail against the rebels. What will be the consequences?

 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

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.

 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.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Gadaffi Son a Study in using Sport for Politics

Gadaffi Son a Study in using Sport for Politics

JAMES M. DORSEY: Gadaffi’s controversial soccer-playing son, Saadi, offers a study in the use of soccer by authoritarian Arab regimes to distract attention from real issues.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Fall

The Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Will Not Fall

ROB L. WAGNER: Western analysts are engaging in wishful thinking that Saudi Arabia is ripe for a revolution. The Kingdom is no Egypt or Tunisia.

 Steve Royston

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

STEVE ROYSTON: This post is more than a five-minute read. I apologise, but I don’t apologise: Sometimes you need more than a few hundred words.

 James M. Dorsey

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

New Libyan Stadium Sets Stage for Confrontation

JAMES DORSEY: Gaddafi intends the opening of the Benghazi stadium to be a show of popular support, but activists fear it could become the setting for clashes.

 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.