From religion to politics, a steady isolation of Saudi Arabia

Read this article translated into Indonesian and French. In the waning days of August, 200 or so Sunni clerics and scholars from Egypt, Continue reading →

Arabs, Beware the “Small States” Option

This article can also be read in Turkish here. At the heart of all politics lies cold, hard opportunism. New Continue reading →

Mideast Backlashes Yet to Come

By Sharmine Narwani The Middle East is treading water these days. Two years of rhetoric about ousting dictators, revolution, freedom, Continue reading →

The Highly Dubious Arab League Vote on Syria

By Sharmine Narwani The ongoing diplomatic tug of war between Syria and the Arab League took an unexpected turn Monday Continue reading →

Pentagon Game to Divide Iranians and Arabs

By Sharmine Narwani Analysts and pundits have spent the past two weeks puzzling over the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Continue reading →

“Irhal Amreeka”

By Sharmine Narwani Note: The Arabic “Irhal,” which means “Leave” or “Go away,” is the most powerful slogan of the Continue reading →

Rats, Roaches and Shiites

By Sharmine Narwani I’m not arguing that Shiites have a lot in common with rodents and insects. But you wouldn’t Continue reading →

Three Mideast Stink Bombs

By Sharmine Narwani Popular revolts may be spinning through the Arab world with a fervor and determination not seen in Continue reading →