Category Archives: Middle East

Turkey’s Erdogan and the Ankara bombing

Posted on October 21, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan You reap what you sow. There are many reasons behind the current polarised, divided Turkey, all of which can be traced to one man, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Indeed, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Middle East, Politics, Turkey | 2 Comments

Iran Deal: A potential kiss of death for liberalism in the Middle East

Posted on July 21, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram. After 12 years of diplomatic proposals and 20 months of tough negotiations, theocratic Iran and world powers have reached a nuclear deal that, regardless of its potential advantages, is undoubtedly a victory for smart illiberalism and … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Iran, Middle East, Politics, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Violent Islamism: Our amazing disgrace

Posted on July 3, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram Friday’s carnage on three continents, in which scores of people died in Tunisia, Kuwait, and France has appalled the global community and reinforced international condemnation of the Islamic State (IS), which has claimed responsibility for them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Israel and al-Nusra

Posted on June 24, 2015 by nervana111

A tank on the Israeli side of the border in the Golan Heights, near Majdal Shams. BAZ RATNER/REUTERS Until last week, against the backdrop of the ongoing civil war in Syria, the Israeli-annexed part of the Golan Heights had been … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Middle East, Syria | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What Will Happen After Turkey’s Elections on Sunday

Posted on June 4, 2015 by nervana111

Originally posted on Ottomans and Zionists:
When Turkish voters go to the polls this Sunday, it will mark the end of what has been an interminable 15 month long election cycle in Turkey encompassing municipal elections, a presidential election, and…

Posted in Middle East, Politics, Turkey | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Egypt’s heated religious debates

Posted on April 27, 2015 by nervana111

Last week, the privately owned Egyptian satellite channel Al-Qaherah wal Nas decided to pull the controversial talk show “With Islam” at Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh’s request. The show’s host, Islam al-Behery, is a controversial figure in Egypt because of his candid … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Islam, June30, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“New” Turkey has blocked my tweet

Posted on April 4, 2015 by nervana111

Yesterday, I received a notice of withholding from the Twitter legal team via e-mail. My understanding from the e-mail, which was written in Turkish, is that one of my tweets was banned in Turkey by a court ruling. Twitter gave … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lessons for Sinai from Yemen

Posted on February 10, 2015 by nervana111

(Egyptian air force chief adel Hafez with air force pilots in Yemen. 1964. wikimedia photo)  I wrote this piece for The Atlantic Council’s Egypt Source, hope you like it Following the recent major attacks by militants that killed at least twenty-seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Gaza, Israel, Middle East, Sinai, Yemen | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egyptian Courts Take on FGM, But Can They Uproot the Practice Altogether?

Posted on January 30, 2015 by nervana111

I wrote this piece for the Harvard Journal of Middle East Politics and policy, hope you enjoy it. (Victim of FGM, 13-year-old Egyptian girl Suhair al-Bataa- Photo via AP) In a landmark verdict handed down last Monday, an Egyptian doctor was convicted … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Islam, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

El-Sisi and Human Rights in Egypt

Posted on January 20, 2015 by nervana111

  (Photo via Reuters) In a change of tune, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi acknowledged on Tuesday that Egypt’s police committed human rights abuses after the overthrow of his predecessor, but said they were expected given the “exceptional” security threats … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Middle East | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment