Omar al-Issawi

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

Israel Irked as Palestinians Move to Reconcile

OMAR AL ISSAWI: That the PA recognizes Israel will not have escaped the attention of either Netanyahu, or for that matter Hamas.

 David Roberts

Oh No… Doha enters Tallest Building Competition

Oh No… Doha enters Tallest Building Competition

DAVID ROBERTS: We’ve managed to avoid the worst of Dubai’s excesses – until now. Yes, Doha is set to enter the region’s competition to build the world’s tallest tower.

 Steve Royston

Is it the Right Time For a New Bahraini Flag?

Is it the Right Time For a New Bahraini Flag?

STEVE ROYSTON: It may not seem a high priority item at this particularly sensitive point in Bahrain’s history but flags play a pivotal role in defining a nation’s sense of identity.

 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.

 Steve Royston

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

STEVE ROYSTON: Add to the mix pressure on borders from poorer neighbouring countries, and you can predict immigration will be on the agenda for years.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Opportunity Knocks in the Saudi Oil Conundrum

Opportunity Knocks in the Saudi Oil Conundrum

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Unlike an Emirati or Qatari, a Saudi doesn’t have delusional expectations of financial entitlement and pre-deserved stature at the marketplace. A Saudi is glad to find a job at all.

 Matt J. Duffy

Newspapers Inconsistent Over Blogger Arrests

Newspapers Inconsistent Over Blogger Arrests

MATT J. DUFFY: The question all UAE, and indeed regional, newsrooms ask is what is the responsible approach. A responsibility to reporting the facts, or to safeguard their future.

 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…

 Tabsir

Stakes Getting Higher by the Day in Bahrain

Stakes Getting Higher by the Day in Bahrain

GENIEVE ABDO, JASIM HUSAIN, TABSIR: While the mainstream opposition in Bahrain distances itself from Iran, the noises from Tehran are becoming more strident and belligerent

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

A Call to the GCC: ‘Together You Can Save Yemen’

A Call to the GCC: ‘Together You Can Save Yemen’

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Yemen’s problems could be solved, in part, by the GCC coming together with member countries taking what they are best at, and imparting know-how to the Gulf’s poorest country.

 David Roberts

Qatar 2022: Fake Clouds, Solar Powered Shades

Qatar 2022: Fake Clouds, Solar Powered Shades

DAVID ROBERTS: Summer in Qatar is, as all of us who’ve experienced it know, not pleasant and the ideas to make it more amenable are pure science fiction.

 Rob L. Wagner

Saudi Women Want Support, But Not From Western Feminists

Saudi Women Want Support, But Not From Western Feminists

ROB L. WAGNER: Some prominent Saudi women frequently address Saudi women’s rights on Western news shows. Yet they have little traction in Saudi Arabia.

 Omar Chatriwala

Qataris Rally in Support of Libya Strikes

OMAR CHATRIWALA: Scores of people rallied outside Libya’s embassy in Qatar on Sunday, calling for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go. “I want [Gaddafi] dead,” said one.

 James M. Dorsey

Palestinian Emerges as Israeli Soccer Star

Palestinian Emerges as Israeli Soccer Star

JAMES M. DORSEY: Soccer is the one of the few things that lets Palestinians and Israelis at times look beyond their daily confrontations.

 James M. Dorsey

Foreign Players Threaten to Turn Backs on Egypt

Foreign Players Threaten to Turn Backs on Egypt

JAMES M. DORSEY: Several Ittihad players failed to show up for training last week after the club had been unable to pay their housing rents. Cameroonian striker Edet Otobong was evicted from his home.

 Shabina S. Khatri

What Troubles? It’s Hard to Get Too Angry in Qatar

What Troubles? It’s Hard to Get Too Angry in Qatar

SHABINA S. KHATRI: Qatar is a welfare state that financially-speaking takes care of its people. The 350,000 nationals enjoy an average per capita income of $75,000 annually.

 Whither Censorship in Qatar? | Arabic Literature (in English)

Comment on Peninsula Journalism Attack Resonates Regionally by Whither Censorship in Qatar? | Arabic Literature (in English)

[…] UAE commentators Sultan al Qassemi and Mishaal Al Gergawi both tweeted their surprise at The Peninsula’s Saturday report on Qatar’s media, and others expressed the hope that […]

 Matt J. Duffy

Peninsula Journalism Attack Resonates Regionally

Peninsula Journalism Attack Resonates Regionally

MATT J. DUFFY: The ‘fourth-estate’ is crippled by lack of legal protection, and journalists unwilling to deal with the consequences of being critical argues the Peninsula – to almost universal agreement.

 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.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

How Reform Fever is Revealing the Differences Between Gulf Nations

How Reform Fever is Revealing the Differences Between Gulf Nations

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: The different characteristics of Gulf countries are being revealed in how demands for reform are being made, and in the reaction.