The End of Paternalism: Assessing the “Arab Spring” Three Years On

From its inception, the expression “Arab Spring” always appeared to be on rhetorically weak ground.

Coup or whatchamacallit, Egypt is not Algeria, Pakistan, or any ‘stan

The “deep divisions” between secular and Islamist Egyptians are now being superseded by the yawning gap between the “it’s coup” and “it’s not a coup” camps. That’s all a matter of semantics. But one thing’s for sure, it’s not Algeria.

Why Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, and its Opponents, Denounce the United States

Beyond the army’s dramatic intervention, Egypt’s near-term political evolution will be impossible to predict.

Egypt’s Jon Stewart ‘insults’ Pakistan, ‘cools’ Qatari relations: The show goes on…

Egyptian prosecutors are probing new complaints against TV satirist Bassem Youssef for “insulting Pakistan” just days after some critics warned that his skit lampooning Qatar would affect Egyptian-Qatari relations.

Meagrely getting by on back door diplomacy

This week Israel carried out key two diplomatic moves in the region. Both moves share one thing in common: the need to show an intention to normalise relations without giving in to anyone’s demands.

The bumpy road ahead...

Each month, this blog will feature examples of the continuing threat to press freedom around the world as well as stories from the African continent.

How to lose friends and alienate people

On a collision course with the Palestinians ahead of their UN statehood bid, Israel has paid little attention to its deteriorating relations with its regional allies. Even before next week's vote, Israel's Mideast diplomacy is at a low ebb.
Tags for all blogs :

Why Mexico has not yet have its Arab spring?

The terrible state that Mexico stands currently, deserves, without any doubt a peaceful social uprising, not just because of the violence that has stirred up since president Calderon launched the war on drugs on December of 2006...

Egyptian star Amr Waked on why he’s boycotting the screening of his own film

A controversy has been brewing around “18 Days”, a series of short films by Egyptian directors – some of whom had ties to former President Hosni Mubarak. We spoke to one of the stars of the film, Amr Waked, who is boycotting its Cannes screening.

Calling Tehran on Skype; Iranian Diaspora's initiative

Iran's green movement supporters outside the country creatively use Skype to inform their compatriots inside the country on the protest to be held today 14 February (25 Bahman) as Green Movement leaders are incommunicado.