Blog archive all
10th November 2009
Some important new research raises doubts about the effects of the famous "surge" in Iraq and whether it could become a model for Afghanistan.
In an article for ISN Security Watch, Claudio Guler argues that the US surge – and the troop increase in particular – was not responsible for ending the… Read more
10th November 2009
Middle East International was a unique publication, once described by Edward Said as “the best fortnightly on the region”. Sadly, it closed in 2005 but now it's back, under the editorship of the BBC's former Middle East correspondent, Gerald Butt.
Among other things, the current issue takes a… Read more
9th November 2009
Two journalists from Morocco's biggest-selling daily newspaper have been sentenced to jail for "publishing false information".
Rachid Nini, founding editor of al-Massae was given a three-month sentence and writer Said Laajal a two-month sentence in connection with a report on August 17 about the… Read more
9th November 2009
Reinvigorated after its meticulously orchestrated election victory, the Ben Ali regime in Tunisia is hard at work again.
Fatma Riahi, a 34-year-old blogger and drama teacher from Monastir, was detained last week for interrogation – along with her computer. She has since been released following a … Read more
9th November 2009
Another ludicrous parliamentary row has broken out in Kuwait - this time over a decision to include music in the core curriculum of schools.
Mohammad Hayef al-Mutairi, a tribal-Salafist MP, is seeking to grillthe prime minister (a move that can lead to impeachment) and threatening to introduce a… Read more
8th November 2009
One serious question that arises from last week’s fighting between Saudi forces and the Yemeni-based Houthi rebels is whether the “infiltrators” have any support inside the kingdom.
The Saudi authorities certainly seem to be taking no chances. Under the reassuring headline “Situation under total… Read more
7th November 2009
Saudi Arabia continued its air strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels yesterday but insisted all the attacks were confined to Saudi territory.
Similar air strikes on Thursday were widely reported to have included targets inside Yemen. Two videos posted on the internet (here and here) purport to show… Read more
6th November 2009
The UAE is likely to appoint its first government-approved female muftis by the end of next year, according to The National. Six women are currently being considered for the training programme, which last several months.
A mufti is a scholar qualified to interpret Islamic law and issue religious… Read more
5th November 2009
Mauritania's law against slavery is not being properly enforced and victims are not encouraged to come forward, according to a UN expert who has just completed a fact-finding mission to the country.
Although "significant steps" have been taken, "a comprehensive and holistic national strategy" is… Read more
5th November 2009
Saudi forces hit back relentlessly at Yemen's Houthi rebels earlier today with fighter jets and artillery.
The attack followed a border incident on Tuesday when rebels crossed into Saudi territory, killing at least one soldier, and apparently seized an area known as Jabal al-Dukhan. Saudi forces… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
