Juan Cole

Conspiracy: The Irrational Fear That Drives SCAF

Conspiracy: The Irrational Fear That Drives SCAF

JUAN COLE: There seems to be no rational explanation why SCAF has moved now against parliament. That leaves only the irrational.

 Editor, MEP

Dubai Expo 2020: Worth Fighting For

Dubai Expo 2020: Worth Fighting For

Should Dubai win Expo 2020 it would be a significant, significant boost to the city – economically, socially and in terms of global recognition.

 Francis Matthew

Another Way Needed for Syria: Annan Plan DOA

Another Way Needed for Syria: Annan Plan DOA

FRANCIS MATTHEW: If the opposition wants to win over the army or security forces, it must distinguish between supporters of Al Assad’s regime, and Alawites in general.

 Editor, MEP

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

JAMES DORSEY: Critics are asserting Qatari building standards are shoddy and cast doubt on the safety standards of stadiums…

 Richard Silverstein

Flame Virus a product of Israeli ‘Cyber Warfare’

Flame Virus a product of Israeli ‘Cyber Warfare’

RICHARD SILVERSTEIN: Zionism decrees Israel should be a “light unto nations.” Israel’s cyberwarriors are making the country a “flame” unto the nations.

 Francis Matthew

NATO: A North American Strike Force?

NATO: A North American Strike Force?

FRANCIS MATTHEW: It is sad young Arabs and Muslims see NATO as an expeditionary force striking at the convenience of the White House

 Mondoweiss

Iran Talks Progress: Guess Who’s Unhappy?

Iran Talks Progress: Guess Who’s Unhappy?

ANNIE ROBBINS, MONDOWEISS: The meeting between the P5+1 countries to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme has gone surprisingly well.

 Juan Cole

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

JUAN COLE: It’s well worth looking at previous situations where major powers tried to use economics to bring Iran to heel.

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Middle East looms large as FIFA’s executive committee meets against the backdrop of a call for sweeping change.

 Crossroads Arabia

U.S.: Damned If It Does Act, Damned If It Doesn’t

U.S.: Damned If It Does Act, Damned If It Doesn’t

CROSSROADS ARABIA: ‘Where are the Americans?’ is a question that’s being asked in Syria at the moment.

 David Roberts

Syria: The Argument Against intervention

Syria: The Argument Against intervention

DAVID ROBERTS: Working out exactly what must be done is fiendishly difficult; anyone who says they have a solution is grossly underestimating the complexities.

 Tabsir

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

The Image That ‘Speaks For’ The Arab Spring?

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The World Press Photo of the Year has been revealed. Is it the defining image of the ‘Arab Spring’?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

“Your Guns,Tanks and Missiles Are Killing My People”

“Your Guns,Tanks and Missiles Are Killing My People”

M. LYNX-QUALEY: An impassioned open letter from one of Syria’s leading authors calls on Russia, China and Iran to stop supporting ‘genocide’.

 James M. Dorsey

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

China Gets It Wrong in MidEast. Again.

JAMES M. DORSEY: China’s veto of the U.N’s resolution condemning Syria is a watershed moment for its involvement in the Middle East.

 Naseem Tarawnah

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

NASEEM TARAWNAH: With 100,000 active personnel, nearly 65,000 in reserve , and household sizes of 5.4 that’s 891,000 people linked to the army’s payroll.

 Juan Cole

The Signs Are Ominous for Assad: Even Russia is Wobbling Now

The Signs Are Ominous for Assad: Even Russia is Wobbling Now

JUAN COLE: The departure of the Arab League delegation has led to an uptick in repression by the authorities. Will Assad’s friends now desert him.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar World Cup 2022: Sponsorship versus Principle – To Serve or not to Serve?

Qatar World Cup 2022: Sponsorship versus Principle – To Serve or not to Serve?

JAMES M. DORSEY: The outcome of FIFA’s dispute with Brazil and Russia is certain to shape the soccer body’s certainly forthcoming debate with Qatar.

 Steve Royston

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

STEVE ROYSTON looks at the arts, society, education, politics, business, technology and the environment as we move into 2012, the Year of Fear’.

 Steve Royston

Kingmakers, Invention of the Modern Middle East

Kingmakers, Invention of the Modern Middle East

STEVE ROYSTON: Book Review: Here you’ll find the Britons and Americans – proconsuls, agents provocateurs, spies, politicians – that shaped the Middle East.

 James M. Dorsey

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sepp Blatter, a month after opening the door to an investigation of the Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, has declared “case closed”.