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.

 Ramzy Baroud

Hamas: Between Politics and Principles

Hamas: Between Politics and Principles

RAMZY BAROUD: Hamas might be reinventing itself, or it may simply be trying to weather the storm. Either way, it is quickly leaving its traditional home.

 James M. Dorsey

Algeria: Football Ban to Lead to Street Protest?

Algeria: Football Ban to Lead to Street Protest?

JAMES M. DORSEY: The ban on football matches taking place during election week deprives Algerians of a useful pressure valve

 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’?

 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.

 Common Ground News Service

Assassination By Drone: Time for A Re-Think of US Policy

Assassination By Drone: Time for A Re-Think of US Policy

KEN BALLEN, CGNEWS: ‘You can kill extremists but you don’t kill extremism with missiles’. Perhaps the U.S should look at new policies.

 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.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Alcohol Ban Underlines Internal Tensions

Qatar Alcohol Ban Underlines Internal Tensions

JAMES M. DORSEY: Alcohol has been banned on the Pearl Qatar, dubbed the ‘Arab Riviera’. It’s the latest manifestation of internal discord.

 Juan Cole

The Top Five Foreign Policy Changes That Face the United States in 2012

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.

 Juan Cole

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: So much that is misinformed, over-hyped and simply plain wrong has been written about the Arab Spring. So let’s sort the wheat from the chaff.

 James M. Dorsey

It’s Official: A Revolution Improves A Country’s Football Performance

It’s Official: A Revolution Improves A Country’s Football Performance

JAMES M. DORSEY: A study has revealed that 5 North African nations experiencing upheaval in 2011 have seen football teams improve markedly.

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt and Yemen: Protestors Being ‘Marginalised’

Egypt and Yemen: Protestors Being ‘Marginalised’

JAMES M. DORSEY: Powerful forces are at work in both Egypt and Yemen to mould the emerging political landscape to benefit these particular players.

 Tabsir

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

DANIEL M. VARISCO: It is a picture that has sent shockwaves around the world and provoked shame throughout Egyptian society.

 Common Ground News Service

Saleh’s Finally Gone: Where Now for Yemen?

Saleh’s Finally Gone: Where Now for Yemen?

ABUBAKR AL-SHAMAHI, CGNEWS: The incoming government in Yemen have a very long ‘to do’ list. What, though, should be their immediate priorities?

 Common Ground News Service

Urgency for the Rule of Law Rises for Fledgling Post-Arab Spring Governments

Urgency for the Rule of Law Rises for Fledgling Post-Arab Spring Governments

NASSER AL SARAMI, CG NEWS: There is a relationship between the region’s new electoral experiments and the need to establish the rule of law.

 James M. Dorsey

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

Own Goal: Bahrain National Goalkeeper Imprisoned over Role in Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: Military court sentences goalkeeper, plus two other sportsmen, despite pledge by the King to move trials to civilian courts.

 Juan Cole

Democratic Progress Despite Arab Upheavals

Democratic Progress Despite Arab Upheavals

JUAN COLE: Events are moving quickly in the region, and here are some notable developments with implications for democracy in the Middle East.

 Tabsir

Hostage Taking in Yemen: Rules of Engagement

Hostage Taking in Yemen: Rules of Engagement

DANIEL M. VARISCO: For many years foreigners taken hostage in Yemen had little to fear. That was until Al Qaeda killings in the mid-2000s.

 Rania Al Malky

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

Arab Spring: All Pain, No Gain, Just the Same?

RANIA AL MALKY: Is it logical that the ousted Mubarak, responsible for the disintegration of Egypt’s institutions is now living in a five-star hospital suite…

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

The Nobel Women: Changing the World Masterclass

The Nobel Women: Changing the World Masterclass

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: I am sure her award will have detractors who claim that it is a conspiracy to “westernise” Muslim women…