Category Archives: Middle East

Reading list: Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s Disappearance

Posted on October 15, 2018 by

13 days ago, prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. His case has provoked a global outcry. Here is a collection of articles, which I think are worth reading about his mysterious disppearance  … Continue reading →

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Turkish citizenship is for sale, but will Arabs buy in?

Posted on September 24, 2018 by

    If you are rich and want to acquire Turkish citizenship, then congrats, your wish has come true. Turkey has significantly eased requirements for acquiring Turkish citizenship. The new regulations reduce the limits for fixed capital investments to acquire Turkish citizenship, … Continue reading →

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How Did Iran Win in Syria?

Posted on August 20, 2018 by

  Photo via Reuters   It is over – the Syrian revolution has ended. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took full control of the province of Deraa, the birthplace of the 2011 protests. Now Assad has regained control … Continue reading →

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The Arab audience that claps with one hand for Erdogan

Posted on July 18, 2018 by

    “You have a big heart, you shower us with your blessing and kindness. In your wisdom we are in awe, as you mirror our civilization.” I could not help but remember these lines from the classic Egyptian adaptation … Continue reading →

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The myth of “the deal of the century”

Posted on June 16, 2018 by

Here is an English version of my latest Arabic piece in Al-Hurra on how imaginative plots have been weaponised and used to demonise certain Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.   Photo from latest protests in Jordan- via … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Middle East, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, UAE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iran Deal and the Empowerment of Islamism

Posted on May 16, 2018 by

Here is an English version of my latest piece in Al-Hurra on Iran nuclear deal, which I have rejected since 2015. You can read the Arabic version here   “The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions … Continue reading →

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Qatar crisis: Why Qatar is obsessed with the UAE

Posted on April 27, 2018 by

Here is an English version of my latest for Al-Hurra, you can read it in Arabic here It has become increasingly clear that Qatar’s diplomatic crisis with its neighbours will not be solved anytime soon. When the dispute began in June 2017, … Continue reading →

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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE: A Collaborative Trio

Posted on March 20, 2018 by

  Photo via Reuters Here is an English version of my latest piece for Al-Hurra  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has embarked on his first overseas tour. This tour will attract attention to Saudi Arabia and its new leadership. Importantly, … Continue reading →

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Twitter Thread: Iraqi newspaper and Arab’s racism towards Kurds

Posted on September 28, 2017 by

I wrote in my latest piece on how I encountered racism against Kurds during my travel in the region. Here is  the latest example of this ugly racism. #Iraqi paper uses picture of five men in boxers and one young … Continue reading →

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Why I support Kurdistan’s independence referendum

Posted on September 25, 2017 by

Here is an English version of my latest article in Al-Hurra   ( photo via the Guardian)   In 838, a Kurdish leader based in Mosul named Mir Jafar Dasni revolted against the Caliph Al-Mu’tasim. After a series of armed confrontation between … Continue reading →

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