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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
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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
President Salih has ordered Yemen's military to "put an end to the battles with the Houthi insurgents within 10 days",according to the Yemen Post.
Whether this is a realistic prospect, or whether it will simply open an even more bloody phase in the conflict, remains to be seen. In a… 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
