Rob L. Wagner

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

The Powerful, Deep Hold of Black Magic Across the Islamic World

ROB L. WAGNER: A recent ruling by the Shoura Council in Saudi Arabia has brought the issue of black magic to the fore again. Its influence is huge.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

JAMES M. DORSEY: The people power movement has the most to lose and could find itself in the grinder as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran jockey for power.

 Tabsir

Karman’s Prize: A Better Image for Muslim Women

Karman’s Prize: A Better Image for Muslim Women

DANIEL M. VARISCO: The award of the Nobel to Tawwakul Karman represents many positive developments not least a shift in the view of Muslim women

 thehedonista

The Joys and Chores of Buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’

The Joys and Chores of Buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’

THE HEDONISTA: ‘No photos’, ‘No Fixed Price’, ‘Come back later?’ Ah yes, the recurrent phrases heard buying ‘Dubai Kitsch’. So what’s the best way to go about it?

 Tabsir

Yemen: The Desperation of Ali Abdullah Salih

Yemen: The Desperation of Ali Abdullah Salih

DANIEL M. VARISCO: It’s the ‘same old, same old’ with Yemen’s recently returned President, blather, bluster and baloney. In the words of the song ‘he just keeps hangin’ on’

 James M. Dorsey

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Their reluctance to be proactive rather than reactive has so far shielded the GCC from the revolt. The question is for how long, and what’s the price?

 Common Ground News Service

Three Key Questions for Islamist Politics

Three Key Questions for Islamist Politics

MUSTAFA HUSAYN ABU RUMMAN, CGNEWS: We’re living through a period of great political change and Islamist politicians are much in evidence. There are, though, some key questions that they need to answer

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Writing the Revolution’: Two Authors Reflect

‘Writing the Revolution’: Two Authors Reflect

JENNIFER SEARS, ARABLIT: Two leading novelists attending an event in New York reflect on the role of intellectuals on this year’s events.

 Tabsir

‘Arab Spring’ Is All About Sex, Apparently

‘Arab Spring’ Is All About Sex, Apparently

DANIEL M. VARISCO: Here we go again. ‘Orientalist Historian Takes Warped Freudian View of Entire Arab population.’ Hmm, what about all those women who were in Tahrir Square?

 The Moor Next Door

From the Front: An Encounter with Libyan Rebels

From the Front: An Encounter with Libyan Rebels

EILEEN BYRNE, TMND: Now that Qaddafi’s regime has been unseated thoughts of the men who did the fighting are turning to the nation’s immediate priorities.

 Juan Cole

Democracy: More Valued by Arabs than Americans?

Democracy: More Valued by Arabs than Americans?

JUAN COLE: Al Qaeda’s vision for the Arab World has been comprehensively rejected. It appears that Arabs – in particular, young Arabs – are prepared to put their lives on the line, not for a Caliphate, but for parliamentary democracy.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Saudi Arabian Electoral ‘Experiment’ Continues

The Saudi Arabian Electoral ‘Experiment’ Continues

ROB L. WAGNER: There has been a lot of criticism of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming municipal elections. Some groups, however, know how best to work the system.

 James M. Dorsey

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mr. Obama does not want to put at risk the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet; nor does he want to cross what is a red line for Saudi.

 Common Ground News Service

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

Lebanese Politics: More Women Needed

CGNEWS: Not a single woman was appointed to the recently unveiled Lebanese cabinet. 30 men now govern Lebanon. It’s, unfortunately, indicative of larger problems in society.

 Naseem Tarawnah

‘At least we’re not…’ Jordanians Compare Poorly

‘At least we’re not…’ Jordanians Compare Poorly

NASEEM TARAWNAH: We Jordanians have a problem. We’re always comparing ourselves to others but using the worst of the region as our benchmark.

 Juan Cole

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: Protestors are out on Tahrir Square again, there is a television ‘debate’ in Syria about democracy, the Americans are working on Saleh while vacillating on Libya and protestors are out on the street in Morocco. A busy week in the region then.

 Ramzy Baroud

Odds Stacked Against Peaceful Change in Yemen

Odds Stacked Against Peaceful Change in Yemen

RAMZY BAROUD: A brutal crackdown, a divided opposition and U.S regional strategic interests are the principal obstacles to democratic change in Yemen. A tough call then.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

JAMES M. DORSEY: Western and Arab nations have more to gain from real engagement with Mr. Assad’s opponents than from symbolic gestures and silence.

 Common Ground News Service

Women Must Claim Their Place in ‘Arab Spring’

Women Must Claim Their Place in ‘Arab Spring’

NATANA J. DELONG-BAS, CGNEWS: They have confronted Western stereotypes and achieved much – but will they actively participate actively in emerging democracies?

 Tabsir

Yemen, the Reality: ‘It Ain’t Over ‘Til it’s Over’

DANIEL M. VARISCO: He’s clearly been badly wounded and his confidence in those who surround him must have been rocked but it’s still possible Salih will try to stage a comeback.

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