Bastakiya, Bur Dubai: Dubai’s Lost Souls
SARAH WALTON: Possibly Bur Dubai is the soul. At least it is the heart – geographically it sits smack in the middle of the city and without it, Dubai could very possibly be a robot.
Goodbye Bin Laden. Now It’s Time to Exit Iraq
JUAN COLE: Post Osama, President Obama should do us all a favour and now remove U.S. troops from Iraq.
The Battle to Reform Saudi Education System
CROSSROADS ARABIA: With high youth unemployment and growing population Saudi Arabia urgently needs reform.
The #1 Victim of Al Qaeda Attacks? Muslims
HUSSEIN ABDALLAH, GGNEWS: Al Qaeda’s strategy of violence has made them less and less relevant to the people effecting change throughout the Arab world.
Arab World Democratists, Meet Thomas Jefferson
JUAN COLE: I am hopeful that the book will find an eager reception in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries yearning for democracy in the Arab world.
Laughter: Is it Really the Best Medicine?
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMMED: Dictators are particularly sensitive to the corrosive effects of humour. They’ve always taken it very seriously indeed…
Syria: It’s Crunch Time for President Assad
OMAR AL-ISSAWI: He has support among sections of society in Syria but Assad needs to show resolute leadership if he is to avoid his country spinning into turmoil.
Saudi Elections: Too Soon, And Too Little?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Arab News reports that the government has set a date for the second municipal elections. It does not report women cannot take part.
Time for Hamas to Rethink Charter, Offer Hope
RAMZY BAROUD: Hamas should now re-think its charter of 1988, which will always be used in the interests of those seeking to discount Hamas’ credibility.
Heavy Handed Action Fans Flames in Syria
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: There is a great danger that in failing to recognise local grievances, Syrian authorities will set in motion a movement that takes its inspiration from Tunisia and Egypt.
More Kosovo than Iraq: How No-Fly Zones Can Succeed
JUAN COLE: It’s clear what model the UN authorised forces should be following in enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya – the success that was Kosovo rather than the failure that was Iraq.
Syrians Protest in Front of the Ministry of Interior
ZEINOBIA: Writer Belal Fadl was right when he said yesterday that no one can appreciate how brave those who participated in the protests are, save those who know Syria.
Qaddafi Threatens West With Al Qaeda Alliance
JUAN COLE: As the unfolding disaster in Japan distracts the world’s attention Qaddafi’s re-conquest of Libya rolls on. There will be scores to settle…
Comment on Sunni-Shi’a Friction Takes Sharp Turn for Worse by David
Qadaffi is obviously providing the blue print for others to follow. Lessons to be learned. 1, protests need to get to a critical mass quickly or the government regains equilibrium, 2. Protectors need to be clear on what they want otherwise there is no …
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?
Comment on Realpolitik: Leaders Fiddle While Libyans Burn by oblomov
The important question is “who are the rebels ?”
Are they like the demonstrators in Tunisia, basically educated, lucid citizens seeking a democratic solution to dictatorship, corruption and repression?
Or are they simply a group of clans seeking to replace Gaddafi and rule over his side?
The images we see on tv of demented tribesmen shooting in all directions (mostly in the air) seem to indicate the latter scenario.
Its quite possible that in the end, if no action is taken, “forgive and forget” will prevail, as it did for Lockerbie and the UTA bombings.
Obama’s Advice to Troubled Leaders: ‘Hang on in There’
MONDOWEISS: ‘Regime alteration’ is the new buzz phrase in the Washington corridors of power. The Obama administration is advocating a ‘tortoise’ rather than a ‘hare’ strategy to those seeking change in the region. Will it resonate?
Less Roar, more Whimper: Saudi’s Day of Mild Annoyance
EMAN AL NAFJAN: Division, governmental communications, heavy security – there are many reasons why protest failed to ignite in Saudi last Friday.
New Urgency For Anti Cyber Censorship Day
NASEEM TARAWNAH: We have seen just what happens at the hands of the Internet. We have witnessed the possibilities and seen them realized in countries like Tunisia and Egypt…
The Rise of the Arabs, the Fall of Colonialism
RAMZY BAROUD: Arabs are ripping up the humiliating caricatures of the region imposed by the West, as they tear down authoritarian regimes, and begin to build truly civilized, and free societies.
