China’s democratic baby steps
By Steven Hill WASHINGTON, DC: During the state visit to the United States of Chinese President Hu Jintao, President Barack Obama pressed Hu on human rights. He probably should have…
Intelligent economic design
By J. Bradford DeLong BERKELEY: As Stephen Cohen, with whom I wrote The End of Influence: What Happens When Other Countries Have the Money, likes to say, economies do not…
The end of history comes to Tunisia
By Pierre Buhler PARIS: Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution” is still unfolding, but we can already read into it lessons about democracy and democratization that extend far beyond the Maghreb. To set…
Aflame on the Nile
By David Faris In Naguib Mahfouz’s magnificent Adrift on the Nile, written just before the June War, a group of politically and socially alienated Egyptians gather on a houseboat every…
PIONEERS: Essmat Barakat: Unsung consummate artist of photography
You’ve probably seen his work many time in different venues across Egypt, but didn't know who he was. His signature photographs hang royally in ministries, banks, airports and classrooms. Staring…
One on One with Masoud Amralla Al Ali: Part 2
By Joseph Fahim The mastermind behind the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali. Mostly known for being the patron of young Arab filmmakers, the…
Cairo International Book Fair to honor China, Naguib Mahfouz
The Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) is set to open Saturday, Jan. 29, with a packed schedule of events in honor of China and the centenary of the late Nobel…
Thousands protest across Egypt on Friday of Anger, one killed as govt. imposes curfew
CAIRO: Tens of thousands of Egyptians joined protests on what was dubbed the “Friday of Anger” calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak who imposed a curfew from…
Communication lockdown ahead of Egypt’s Friday protests
CAIRO: Mobile phone services, internet and practically all modes of communication were blocked to Egyptians on Friday morning as the Egyptian government took unprecedented measures to nip planned protests…
UN chief appeals for end to Egypt violence
DAVOS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed on Friday for Egypt's leaders and its people not to let violence escalate further, calling for respect for freedom of association and speech. "All…