Leader’s request deepens Obama’s Yemen dilemma
HONOLULU: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's request to visit the United States presents President Barack Obama with a new dilemma born in the snake pit of fast-shifting Arab politics. US…
Presidential elections debate continues despite Advisory Council announcement
CAIRO: Political powers offered different suggestions and continued the debate about presidential elections and transition scenarios even after the Advisory Council said shortening the transitional period is off the…
Arab Spring ushers in bright future despite worry
The euphoria sparked by the Arab Spring is giving way to disquiet over political instability and the growing influence of Islamists, but the democratic process still looks unstoppable, experts believe.…
Egypt Islamist party says wants to boost tourism
CAIRO: The Muslim Brotherhood's party, leading in a parliamentary election, wants to boost tourist numbers to Egypt and will not take steps that would harm the industry, a party official…
IMF says expects January talks with Egypt
CAIRO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday it planned to meet with Egyptian authorities to discuss the country's economic problems but added that any funding would have to…
Best 25 films of 2011
By Joseph Fahim Real-life drama overshadowed everything shown at the movies in 2011. The Arab Spring captivated the attention of the whole world, gluing viewers the world over to their…
A world of gray
By Gareth Evans CANBERRA: Václav Havel, the Czech playwright and dissident turned president, and North Korean despot Kim Jong-il might have lived on different planets, for all their common commitment to…
Endeavor defies turbulent economy, adds 8 companies to its network
CAIRO: Despite one of the most turbulent years for Egypt's businesses, Endeavor, a global movement which aims to catalyze long-term economic growth for entrepreneurs, selected eight high-impact companies to join…
Containing Russia
By Ivan Krastev SOFIA: The post-Cold War order in Europe is finished, with Vladimir Putin its executioner. Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty of Conventional Forces, its deliberate efforts to block the…
Good times down Latin America’s way
By Jorge G. Castañeda MEXICO CITY: For Latin America, 2011 was, in Frank Sinatra’s terms, a very good year — and 2012 doesn’t look like being so bad either. For a…