The Western media has been predicting the fall of Bashar al Assad for the past year. An externally induced civil war is on the cards but the collapse of the regime has not materialized.
West sets up the war within Islam
When the US, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan got into a scrum to launch a programme of manufacturing triple distilled mujahideen Islam in Afghanistan to fight the Soviets the seeds were sown for a conflict within Islam as well.
For love of democracy West prefers Islamisation in Syria
The negative media focus on Syria in recent months has erased from minds the continuing reality: the country is among the few remaining parts of the Arab world where elegant, gracious living is still possible.
Win in Libya and lose the Arab Spring
The shaken monarchies and the remaining dictatorships have rallied around the US and Europe to protect themselves.
Arab Spring’s global linkages
Like Osama bin Laden, Ratkin Mladic was clearly helped in escaping arrest so far.
China and the Arab Spring
China’s response to the recent protests for democratic change in North Africa and the Arab world has been one that has mixed caution with aggressive diplomacy.
Commissions, omissions in Obama’s speech
Since Obama names almost every Arab country which is reforming or needs reform, the omission of Riyadh places Saudis beyond all critical examination as the perfect society.
Cairo Diary: Misr, a syncretic cream
It is pointless to resist participating in one gigantic bash, which is what Egypt is these days. The party has shifted from Tahrir Square to sidewalk cafes on the Nile corniche.
New Egypt trumps Israel on peace process
Winds of change in the Arab world left Israel initially distraught with the fall of Mubarak. But then the mood changed. Changes elsewhere were seen as popular quest for empowerment in which, for once, Arab-Israeli peace (or its obverse) was not the centre piece.