The Arab world’s intifada
By Phyllis Bennis The "Arab spring" may have started in early 2011 when a young Tunisian fruit seller, in a desperate response to disempowerment and despair, immolated himself in the streets…
Lebanon: the risks of a wider Syrian conflict
By Nizar Abdel-Kader The dilemma Syria faces at present is to choose between the Arab League initiative to create favorable conditions for dialogue with the regime's opponents on the one hand,…
Seeming green
By Bjørn Lomborg COPENHAGEN: When Denmark’s new government ministers presented themselves to Queen Margrethe II last month, the incoming development minister established his green credentials by rolling up to the palace…
Hail to the technocrats
By Fabrizio Tassinari COPENHAGEN: Is the European Union’s supposed “democratic deficit” now spreading to individual European countries in the wake of the sovereign-debt crisis? The rise of unelected technocrats to political…
Parties mum on changes to controversial constitutional principles charter
CAIRO: Following a meeting with Cabinet members, representatives of political parties said they’ll withhold their opinion on the amendments made to a controversial constitutional principles charter until they discuss them…
Arab League meets Assad foes after 69 die in Syria
CAIRO: The Arab League, stung into action by months of bloodshed in Syria, met opponents of President Bashar Al-Assad on Tuesday, a day after violence in his country claimed 69…
Families of revolution martyrs, injured begin Tahrir sit-in
CAIRO: More than 50 family members of those martyred or injured during the revolution began Tuesday a sit-in, setting up two tents in Tahrir Square, and announced their boycott of…
Gulf states oppose Arab summit on Syria
RIYADH: The six Gulf Cooperation Council states said on Tuesday that they oppose a Syrian request for an emergency Arab summit on the bloody crisis in the country. The GCC…
Military prosecution summons more activists in Maspero case
CAIRO: The military prosecution summoned Tuesday for the second time activist Bahaa Saber for his alleged involvement in the Maspero violence last month. Saber had refused to be interrogated by…
Reality TV show lifts veil on Muslim Americans
WASHINGTON: It's been a decade since the September 11 attacks and many Americans still don't know quite what to make of their 2.75 million Muslim compatriots. Could a reality TV…