Category Archives: Politics

The Sad Affairs of the British Left

Posted on December 2, 2015 by nervana111

  ( Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn  via BBC)   A stormy debate erupted when the British PM David Cameron announced his plans to join the anti-Isis coalition. While Mr. Cameron has passionately argued that Britain can no longer “sub-contract” its … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Politics, Syria | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The world’s failed war on terrorism

Posted on November 28, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram       This Cartoon by Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune sums up my thoughts about our disunity in fighting terrorism   Sinai, Beirut, Paris, Bamako, and Tunis: the latest terror attacks across three continents are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Islam, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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

The cultural challenges of the Syrian refugee crisis

Posted on September 19, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram When refugees embark on the dangerous, often deadly, trip towards Europe, many of them are consciously aware that the price of settling in the Western world will include accepting different laws and ways of life. The … Continue reading →

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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

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…

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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

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

Muslims and Charlie Hebdo

Posted on January 16, 2015 by nervana111

( Photo via Twitter) A depiction of the Prophet Mohammed crying and holding a “Je suis Charlie” sign under the words, “Tout Est Pardonné” (“All is forgiven.”) on the new cover of the French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo is ironically, … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Islam, Middle East, Politics, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments