Susan Al Shahri

The Deep Frustration of ‘the Salalah Shuffle’

The Deep Frustration of ‘the Salalah Shuffle’

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: You’re a frequent flyer, you’ve booked your seat in advance but you know the boarding pass guarantees you nothing but annoyance.

 Susan Al Shahri

The Pointlessness of ‘The Red Ribbon Events’

The Pointlessness of ‘The Red Ribbon Events’

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: They start us young on the ‘Omani Red Ribbon Events’, and they litter our lives.

 Dhofari Gucci

Oman’s Grand Mufti Condemns Opera House

Oman’s Grand Mufti Condemns Opera House

NADIA: The Grand Mufti of Oman has deemed it unacceptable for Muslims to visit the newly opened Royal Opera House in Muscat. Much debate has ensued.

 Susan Al Shahri

Oman’s Pride: The Royal Opera House

Oman’s Pride: The Royal Opera House

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I am so proud of the progress of Oman. The opera house will take tourism to a new level, thus boosting our economy and providing more jobs to Omanis.

 Tabsir

Hostage Taking in Yemen: Rules of Engagement

Hostage Taking in Yemen: Rules of Engagement

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For many years foreigners taken hostage in Yemen had little to fear. That was until Al Qaeda killings in the mid-2000s.

 thehedonista

Eid is Just Around the Corner: So Where to Go?

Eid is Just Around the Corner: So Where to Go?

THE HEDONISTA: Eid al Adha has been my favourite – the last few years it has fallen far enough out of summer it occurs with the change of season.

 Susan Al Shahri

Enchanting Mirbat: A Paradise to be Lost

Enchanting Mirbat: A Paradise to be Lost

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The little known Mirbat is home to some of the most beautiful unspoiled white-sand beaches in Oman, while its bays are home to an incredible variety of marine life…

 David Westley

News Analysis: Saudi Best for Business. Really?

News Analysis: Saudi Best for Business. Really?

NEWS ANALYSIS: The World Bank report ignores uniqueness. Could you honestly say that Saudi Arabia is a more hospitable place than the UAE?

 Rob L. Wagner

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

ROB L. WAGNER: A recent ruling by the Shoura Council in Saudi Arabia has brought the issue of black magic to the fore again. Its influence is huge.

 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.

 thehedonista

The Joys and Chores of Buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’

The Joys and Chores of Buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’

THE HEDONISTA: ‘No photos’, ‘No Fixed Price’, ‘Come back later?’ Ah yes, the recurrent phrases heard buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’. So what’s the best way to go about it?

 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?

 Rob L. Wagner

Kick It: Women’s Football On the Rise in Kingdom

Kick It: Women’s Football On the Rise in Kingdom

ROB L. WAGNER: ‘Unseemly’, ‘undignified’ and ‘a threat to players’ virginity’ in the eyes of religious conservatives but women’s football is making major strides in Saudi Arabia.

 The View From Fez

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The big boys from Europe are moving aggressively into the Moroccan retail space and they’re squeezing the profit margins of souk operators.

 Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah

GCC Clings to ‘Comfort Blanket’ Status Quo

GCC Clings to ‘Comfort Blanket’ Status Quo

ABDULKHALEQ ABDULLAH: The situation in Bahrain has seriously unnerved other Gulf states and has significantly undermined attempts to promote democracy throughout the region.

 thehedonista

The Quiet, Undiscovered Joys of Oman

The Quiet, Undiscovered Joys of Oman

THE HEDONISTA: ‘One smile begets another’ and the people of Oman are very generous with their smiles. They’re also very keen to share their hidden gems…

 Juan Cole

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

Top Ten Arab Spring Advances this Week

JUAN COLE: The Arab Spring is still producing some positive reforms and questioning of past corrupt practices, and even major governmental change.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Entrepreneurs & Privatisation: The Future for GCC Growth

Entrepreneurs & Privatisation: The Future for GCC Growth

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: The GCC is at a crossroads – its growth requirements are in direct conflict with the needs of the world’s net consumers of oil.

 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.

 David Roberts

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

Iran: Problems on the Horizon for Gulf States

DAVID ROBERTS: These events take place in the context of growing Shia power, encapsulated by the notion of a Shia crescent ‘enveloping’ the region…