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The speculation about Amina Araf, aka Gay Girl in Damascus, reminds me of a similar episode in 2003 when many in the west were captivated by the writings of an Iraqi blogger who called himself Salam Pax.
His posts from Baghdad during and shortly before the US-led invasion became a… Read more
On Friday, after hearing of the attack inside Yemen's presidential compound, I posted a tweet which said:
"Send Saleh abroad to be treated for his injuries. Problem solved."
That has now come to pass, but I doubt that it's a result of my suggestion on Twitter. It struck me at the… Read more
This is a guest post by Dr Mona F Hashish, Assistant Professor in the Girls’ College of Arts, Dammam University, Saudi Arabia.
Theatre activities in Saudi Arabia have long been restricted for religious and political reasons. The Saudi Arabian authorities do not allow women to… Read more
A journalist in Jordan was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment on Wednesday after reporting that a billionaire businessman jailed for corruption had been allowed to leave the country.
Alaa Fazzaa, editor of a news website, khabarjo.net, was accused of "undermining the monarchy and the… Read more
The revelation that "retired" soldiers are operating in Libya with the blessing of Nato countries, under the guise of working for private security companies, has sparked new debate about the use of ground forces there.
This raises two separate issues – one legal, the other political.… Read more
The arrest and continuing imprisonment of Manal al-Sharif, the Saudi woman who was filmed at the wheel of a car, has been attracting a lot of media attention outside the kingdom – and rightly so. From an international perspective it is ludicrous that women's driving… Read more
President Saleh's position in Yemen was looking extremely precarious on Sunday amid signs that the military is beginning to turn against him.
The Associated Press reported that a brigade of the Republican Guard (commanded by Saleh's son, Ahmed) has defected to the opposition.
Meanwhile,… Read more
On Syria's 11th Friday of protest, dedicated to the spirit of the great Syrian hero Youssef al-Azmeh – who stood in Maysalun with his small band of patriotic soldiers and defied the huge might of France's colonial army, preferring death to servitude – I think of all the brave men and… Read more
Fighting has resumed in the Yemeni capital this morning.
A report in today's Guardian describes the scenes in Sana'a yesterday and Gregory Johnsen has an excellent analysis of events there over the last few days.
The US has now ordered non-essential diplomatic staff to leave… Read more
Battles between Yemen's most powerful tribal group and sections of the military have resumed in Sana'a this morning, and tribal fighters appear to control part of the capital, including the interior ministry building.
Tom Finn, who is on the spot, reported yesterday's events for the… 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
