Top Ten Reasons Why Americans Should Care About Egypt
JUAN COLE: Recent events in Egypt don’t seem to hold much appeal for the major news corporations in the U.S but all Americans have a stake in what happens there
Scams and Expense Hitting Mecca Pilgrims in Morocco
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: There has been a marked increase in the number of scams as well as increased cost, two factors hitting religious pilgrims in Morocco
The Good, Bad and Interesting of Life in Jeddah
ABU MOHAMMED: Life’s more expensive than the capital, Riyadh, but Jeddah provdes a haven of outdoor art and it’s close to the sacred sites.
Jeddah: The Sculptural Capital of the Arab World
SUSIE OF ARABIA: It’s a little known fact but the original work of some of the world’s most famous sculptors is scattered throughout the Saudi port city.
Saudis’ Water Consumption ‘Unsustainable’
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Advances in solar power and nuclear plants will help Saudis address their energy issues but water consumption is a major issue.
Underground Rail Next Stop for Jeddah
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The challenge building underground where water can be inches below the surface is considerable, but not insurmountable… given enough money.
Thuwal Beach: An Eldorado for Jeddah Citizens
ABU MOHAMMED: Finding a pleasant, uncluttered, litter free beach near Jeddah seemed impossible. Then a friend pointed me in the right direction
Finding Nemo in the Kingdom: Red Sea Wonder
SUSIE OF ARABIA: Did I have the stamina for snorkelling in the Red Sea? Yes and it was so worth the trip.
Yemen: Vital To Address Economic Ills Quickly
ABUBAKR AL-SHAMAHI, CGNEWS: A limited window of opportunity has opened for Yemen’s new government.
“Three Months at Most”: How Long Could Iran Close Straits of Hormuz?
ROB L. WAGNER: As tensions increase all parties are beginning to make calculations regarding the effect of a possible conflict in the Arabian Gulf.
The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012
JUAN COLE: Many of the dangers to which I pointed in last year’s list still exist, of course, but a whole host of new difficulties has emerged.
Christmas in Saudi Arabia: Quietly Festive
ROB L. WAGNER: If you’re subtle you can enjoy a surprisingly festive Christmas in the Kingdom. Many Saudis also quietly acknowledge Christian friends’ celebration.
Israel’s ‘Nice Little War’: Gaza, Egypt in Range of Fire
RAMZY BAROUD: Why is Israel bent on discrediting Egypt, exploiting the most sensitive period of its modern history, and destabilizing the border area?
Saudi Domestic Violence: Men Victims Too
CROSSROADS ARABIA: No-one disputes that domestic violence is a serious issue but there is evidence that incidents of female on male violence are increasingly prevalent in the Kingdom.
Old Jeddah: UNESCO Can’t Save it, so who will?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s been rejected by UNESCO as a ‘World Heritage Site’ due to neglect. Will the authorities rescue ‘Old Jeddah’?
After the Deluge: The Spirit of Jeddah that Endures
STEVE ROYSTON: I’ve been visiting Jeddah for more than 20 years but haven’t been there since the floods. I was curious to know if it had changed.
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.
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.
An Encounter with the True Meaning of Ashura
STEVE ROYSTON – In the two hours I listened, I couldn’t begin to understand the intricacies. But I was struck by the gentle emotion, and parallels to Easter.
The next battleground: Water more important than oil for Middle East peace
People often associate the Middle East with oil. But in the region’s cities, villages and farms, access to a different resource is becoming rather problematic: water. Finding a solution here may also reveal another – the path to peace.
