Rob L. Wagner

Religious Comment Plus Political Activism Equals Trouble

Religious Comment Plus Political Activism Equals Trouble

ROB L. WAGNER: His religious comments were ill-chosen but they are not the only reason that he is in serious trouble.

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Women Drivers in Saudi: A Shift in Strategy

Women Drivers in Saudi: A Shift in Strategy

AHMED AL OMRAN: It’s all been a bit quiet recently on the women-drivers front. There has, though, been an interesting development this week.

 Rania Al Malky

Egypt’s “Revolution”: With Mubarak Legally Still President, Has It Even Started Yet?

Egypt’s “Revolution”: With Mubarak Legally Still President, Has It Even Started Yet?

RANIA AL MALKY: Guess what you fools, Farid El-Deeb told the court and Egyptians, Mubarak is still the president. This court can’t even try him.

 Rania Al Malky

Egyptian Justice On Trial as Mubarak Theater of the Absurd Goes On… And on…

Egyptian Justice On Trial as Mubarak Theater of the Absurd Goes On… And on…

RANIA AL MALKY: Without a just verdict, this absurd piece of courtroom drama will join a shameful list of reminders the revolution is far from complete.

 James M. Dorsey

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

Somali Jihadists Skewed Focus on Women Sports

JAMES M. DORSEY: While Al Qaeda is attempting to portray a gentler face, distributing aid to famine victims, Al Shabab, are ensuring strict adherence to a ban on women’s sports.

 Common Ground News Service

What Shape Should “the New Libya” Take?

What Shape Should “the New Libya” Take?

DR GHASSAN MICHEL RUBEIZ: It’s understandable that there will be significant differences in how various parties see Libya’s future. There are, though, important areas where agreement is needed

 Common Ground News Service

Forces of Unity to Sweep Aside Egypt’s Agents of Division

Forces of Unity to Sweep Aside Egypt’s Agents of Division

H.A HELLYER, CGNEWS: The spirit of solidarity that was displayed by Copts and Muslims in Tahrir Square is embedded deep in Egyptian society.

 Mondoweiss

The Vital, Enduring Legacy of the Goldstone Report

The Vital, Enduring Legacy of the Goldstone Report

ADAM HOROWITZ, LIZZY RATNER, PHILIP WEISS, MONDOWEISS: The most significant achievement of the Goldstone Report is that it has re-framed the Israeli-Palestinian debate.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Hope Blossoms, Despair Lingers for Arab Women

Hope Blossoms, Despair Lingers for Arab Women

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Two corners of the Muslim world, two very different stories. On the one hand there is hope. On the other hand, despair…

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Omanis, Protests, and The Right to Pursue Success

Omanis, Protests, and The Right to Pursue Success

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: In stark — but unsurprising — contrast to the uprisings around the region, Oman’s protest did not call for the fall of its regime or even its ruler.

 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.

 Steve Royston

Bahrain Bulletin: How to Get out of the Stalemate

Bahrain Bulletin: How to Get out of the Stalemate

STEVE ROYSTON: I can’t believe that anybody in Bahrain, except possibly those who would like to see the country purged by fire, wants the economy to suffer.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Marriages: No Complication is too Bizarre…

Saudi Marriages: No Complication is too Bizarre…

CROSSROADS ARABIA: When it comes to marriages in the KSA, no complication is too bizarre. Now a cousin is able to nullify marriage on the basis of family origin.

 Osama Al Sharif

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

Religious Strife, a Huge Win for Arab Enemies

OSAMA AL SHARIF: Christians are not the only victims of sectarian terror: Mosques, shrines, religious parades have been targeted indiscriminately, affecting Sunnis, Shias and other sects…

 James M. Dorsey

Reform in Saudi Arabia: A Battle of the Fatwas

Reform in Saudi Arabia: A Battle of the Fatwas

JAMES M. DORSEY: Abdullah appears to be gaining the upper hand in his battle to push through sweeping legal reform and codification of Saudi law to meet World human rights standards.

 Matt J. Duffy

Wikileaks – Where is the UAE Media?

Wikileaks – Where is the UAE Media?

MATT J. DUFFY: I suggest that one—or preferably all—of the UAE’s press outlets compile a simple report analyzing the leaked cables. The report should be published without a byline so no single reporter can be sued.