Revolutionary shadows
By Norman Manea VIENNA: What happens after the euphoria of revolution fades? Today’s Eastern Europe, some two decades after the revolutions of 1989, may offer a salutary warning for today’s defiant…
Obama’s tightrope
By Joseph Nye CAMBRIDGE: According to a United States State Department official, the concept of “smart power” — the intelligent integration and networking of diplomacy, defense, development, and other tools of…
Higher education: a beacon of hope for Iraqis
By Ahmed Kadhum Fahad NASIRIYAH, Iraq: The level of education in Iraq has been declining as a result of 30 years of war and UN sanctions. Once renowned in the region…
Sexsmith hopes new disc changes narrative
Ron Sexsmith doesn't want your pity. He wants your attention. The Canadian singer-songwriter hired producer Bob Rock, known for his work with hard rock bands Metallica and Motley Crue, to…
Three lenses capture the Egyptian revolution
A group exhibition, “To Egypt with Love,” is the newest presentation organized by Safar Khan Gallery showcasing the photographic talents of three young artists: Alaa Taher, Hossam Hassan and Bassem…
Kadhafi, rebels battle on military, diplomatic fronts
TRIPOLI, : Libyan strongman Moamer Kadhafi and rebels seeking his downfall were Thursday battling each other on the military and diplomatic fronts, as government shelling rocked a rebel-held oil town.…
Yemen leader’s offer to devolve power ‘too late’
SANAA: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Thursday bowed to pressure after a month of violent protests, but his pledge to devolve power to parliament was swiftly rejected as too…
Moroccans welcome king’s reform vow, expect results
RABAT: Moroccans largely welcomed Thursday King Mohammed VI's promise of sweeping reforms, announced as uprisings rock the Arab world, but said they wanted to see if concrete changes would result.…
Quartet talks peace with Israel, Palestinians
JERUSALEM: Envoys of the Middle East Quartet were meeting with Israel's chief peace negotiator on Thursday, as the Jewish state faced growing pressure to break the logjam in talks with…
‘Phones won’t be tapped anymore’, says interior minister
CAIRO: Egypt's new interior minister vowed that private telephones will no longer be tapped, MENA news agency reported on Thursday, revealing the extent of the old regime's grip on society.…