Juan Cole

‘Bye Bye, America, Hello, Russia’: Arab World Turns

‘Bye Bye, America, Hello, Russia’: Arab World Turns

An Egyptian delegation heading to Moscow just after the United States cut $300 million out of its aid package to Cairo to punish the July 3 military coup there has raised speculation that Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s military junta is shopping for a new superpower patron. In the 1960s at the height of the Cold […]

 Mondoweiss

The Poison of ‘Exceptionalism’: Putin and Obama Compete

The Poison of ‘Exceptionalism’: Putin and Obama Compete

MONDOWEISS: It’s come to something when Barack Obama has to take a lecture on the evils of ‘exceptionalism’ from, of all people, Vladimir Putin

 Juan Cole

Obama Telephones Putin: Regional Implications of Boston

Obama Telephones Putin: Regional Implications of Boston

JUAN COLE: It’s clear that reverberations from the Boston bombings will spread to Chechnya and beyond. How will it impact the U.S view of Syria?

 Juan Cole

Women: Pope and Muslim Brotherhood ‘Share Views’

Women: Pope and Muslim Brotherhood ‘Share Views’

The selection of the new pope was carried out by a conclave of elderly men, and the only candidates were men. The new pope is a staunch social conservative who opposes women’s ordination as priests and women’s right to control their own bodies and limit family size, key issues for women’s health and well-being. It is no wonder that the church hierarchy is so tone deaf on women’s issues, since its highest counsels are all-male.

JUAN COLE: Patriarchal religion takes a remarkably similar view of the position of women in society.

 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.

 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’.

 David Westley

News Analysis: World’s Most Powerful People

News Analysis: World’s Most Powerful People

NEWS ANALYSIS: So how does the Middle East do? Not great, but Saudi’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud is in the top 10, at number 7.

 Steve Royston

Is it Time to give Saudi Arabian Youth its Voice?

Is it Time to give Saudi Arabian Youth its Voice?

STEVE ROYSTON: Respect for the elderly is deeply ingrained in Arab society. Saudi Arabia, however, faces a major demographic challenge – a hugely youthful population.

 Ramzy Baroud

WikiLeaks Indicts, & Vindicates, U.S. Diplomats

WikiLeaks Indicts, & Vindicates, U.S. Diplomats

RAMZY BAROUD: Despite their high number, the documents raise many questions, but answer few. Since more are coming, one must wait and see…