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Category - middle east

  • 14 Jan 2012
    The 'Arab spring' in historical perspective

    How will the popular uprisings in the Arab world affect the future of states and regimes in the region? All possible outcomes are shadowed by the fate of the contending ideologies and movements - nationalism and socialism, secularism and Islamism, dynasticism and liberal constitutionalism - that have dominated the Arab political landscape in recent decades, says Sami Zubaida. His overview of their rise and fall both illuminates a complex history and indicates the scale of the challenge facing democratic reformers today.

  • 14 Jan 2012
    Foreign intervention would compromise popular uprising in Syria

    Foreign intervention in Syria would drive the country into a full- fledged civil war, give the regime the excuse to continue the crackdown on dissent, alienate the undecided, and invite destructive groups to fuel turmoil, argues Middle East commentator Ghassan Michel Rubeiz. In joining the uprising, defecting soldiers should not use their arms against the national army. To win a battle of wills a country could be lost.

  • 14 Jan 2012
    Catholic leaders appeal to politicians over Holy Land

    The final communiqué of the 2012 Holy Land Coordination, which concluded in Jerusalem recently, has been issued. The closing statement concludes the Catholics bishops’ four-day meeting. It reads as follows:

  • 14 Jan 2012
    Saudi government under pressure over death of protester

    The Saudi Arabian authorities have been urged to launch an independent investigation into the death of a Shi’a protester in the country's Eastern Province.

  • 12 Jan 2012
    From Vietnam to Palestine: A crime of silence?

    Palestine remains politically inert despite the artificial fireworks of a UN application for statehood or membership of UNESCO, observes Dr Harry Hagopian. So why is Palestine faced with such a thunderous crime of silence? After all, over the past year, we have been witnessing popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa region. Where is the disconnect here?

  • 11 Jan 2012
    Middle East protest and repression set to continue, says Amnesty

    Repression and state violence is likely to continue to plague the Middle East and North Africa in 2012 unless the world acts, warns a new report.

  • 31 Dec 2011
    First anniversary of the 'Arab Spring': An assessment
  • 31 Dec 2011
    Radio discussions: The Arab Awakening?

    Middle East specialist and Ekklesia associate Dr Harry Hagopian is appearing on BBC and Premier Radio programmes over the New Year period, analysing the dramatic changes which have taken place in the region over the past year.

  • 21 Dec 2011
    Assessing change in the Middle East and North Africa

    The new story in the Middle East and North Africa region is only one year young and it will take a long time before we can pass any definitive judgments about its successes and failures, says regional commentator Dr Harry Hagopian. Here he reviews the recent House of Lords debate initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, adding further commentary and elucidation for observers, journalists and policy-makers.

  • 30 Nov 2011
    Developments in Syria, Egypt and beyond

    My latest Middle East Analysis pod-cast is a two-parter whose chief foci this time round are the fast-moving developments in Syria and Egypt.