David and Goliath: How Qatar Defeated the Saudi and UAE Annexation Plot David and Goliath: How Qatar Defeated the Saudi and UAE Annexation Plot
Emir Sheikh Tamim’s refusal to even discuss the Saudi/UAE demands has made him a national hero in Qatar.
Feb 16, 2018 / Juan Cole
The Children of the Arab Spring Are Being Jailed and Tortured The Children of the Arab Spring Are Being Jailed and Tortured
Yassin Mohamed has spent much of the last seven years in prison for the crime of protesting.
Sep 18, 2017 / Scott Long
Even as ISIL Fades, States of Emergency Are Becoming Permanent Even as ISIL Fades, States of Emergency Are Becoming Permanent
From Egypt to Turkey to France, governments are exploiting the fear of terrorism to seize power.
Jul 13, 2017 / Juan Cole
How Trump Is Inflaming the Middle East’s Proxy Wars How Trump Is Inflaming the Middle East’s Proxy Wars
He has emboldened a recklessly aggressive Saudi government, which is now destroying Yemen, imposing a blockade on Qatar—and could even stumble into war with Iran.
Jun 9, 2017 / Mohamad Bazzi
Trump Embraces the Most Repressive Dictator in Modern Egyptian History Trump Embraces the Most Repressive Dictator in Modern Egyptian History
President Sisi presents himself as a faithful ally in the war on terror, so Trump will ignore the tens of thousands he’s imprisoned.
Apr 3, 2017 / Sharif Abdel Kouddous
Trump Is Just Fine With Harsh Repression in Egypt Trump Is Just Fine With Harsh Repression in Egypt
The regime of dictator Sisi is taking unprecedented measures against political prisoners, but Trump thinks he’s a “fantastic guy.”
Feb 1, 2017 / Sharif Abdel Kouddous
The Political Uses of Malcolm X’s Image The Political Uses of Malcolm X’s Image
For Muslim youth, interest in the black freedom movement is part of a larger turn toward an American conception of race—it fills a political void and offers a sense of belonging. B...
Jul 12, 2016 / Hisham Aidi
The Insufficiency of Pan-Africanism as We Know It The Insufficiency of Pan-Africanism as We Know It
The fact that many people identify, however loosely, with being African doesn’t replace the need for the services that only a government can provide.
Jul 7, 2016 / Anakwa Dwamena
Egyptian President Sisi Is Ridiculed for ‘Selling’ Islands to Saudi Arabia Egyptian President Sisi Is Ridiculed for ‘Selling’ Islands to Saudi Arabia
Even members of the usually supine elite are horrified; the dictator’s move could provoke much more widespread opposition.
Apr 11, 2016 / Juan Cole
The Biggest Winners of the Arab Spring? Dictators The Biggest Winners of the Arab Spring? Dictators
While authoritarian rule appears to provide stability over the short term, it breeds discontent and affirms the idea that violence is the only way to be heard.
Oct 9, 2015 / Mohamad Bazzi