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Fires and politics in Doha, a worrying combination
No smoke without fire? Events in the Arab world are becoming more and more interlinked, and more and more - sectarian tensions cloud thinking. The recent tragic fire that struck Doha’s Villagio mall...
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Is Qatar becoming the new Dubai?
Dubai’s failure to maintain its culture is not something most Qataris wish to repeat; the key is balancing modernisation with westernisation, taking the good and filtering out the bad.Recently much has...
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This week's window on the Middle East - July 9, 2012
Arab Awakening's columnists offer their weekly perspective on what is happening on the ground in the Middle East. Leading the week: Rita from Syria tells a harrowing tale of narrowly escaping death and...
View ArticleUK firms face unsightly reality of Qatar's global ambitions
The challenge for UK firms is a serious one - how to conform to the industry’s best practices which they preach in a country where the standard practice is so poor?As British and Qatari Royals...
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The day Syria came to Doha
Whatever the agenda of Al Jazeera as it pertains to the Syrian crisis, one thing is for certain, there was no agenda in Fahad’s tears, nor in the embraces of his colleagues.Events in Syria this week...
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What does Qatar want in Syria?
The ruling Emir is putting his money where his mouth is, and opposition fighters in Syria are receiving the benefits.Even after 17 months the Syrian conflict continues to elicit shock and concern. The...
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Syria: silent war in the Gulf
The military conflict becomes more domestic and parochial, while the war of ideas spreads further afield and takes root in countries far outside Syria’s borders. This ideational war is the ‘Silent...
View ArticleThe failure of democracy under Islamism
The fall of autocratic regimes in the Arab world have led to the inevitable rise to power of Islamist groups who have had no real competition. These groups however are ill-equipped to tackle the...
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Qatar and protest: a difficult combination
There is a marked difference however in the way khaleejis and especially in this case, Qataris expressed their anger and displeasure at the film, with very little anger outside the electronic...
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Qatar’s Plan B for Syria: a wise choice?
Although Saudi forces are largely untested in war it is doubtful Assad’s forces could withstand a full scale Saudi offensive launched from Jordan. This may well be the key to understanding what Qatar...
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Standing up for unity: building bridges through comedy in the Gulf
Whilst there are inevitable irritants to living in such a multicultural society, these are far outweighed by the positive aspects of the interactions that everyone has to experience in their daily...
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US elections and the Gulf States
Do the Gulf States expect anything at all from the next president of the US? It won’t come as a surprise to many to learn that the US presidential elections are a secondary and perhaps even a tertiary...
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Shuttle diplomacy: Qatar playing politics in Palestine
The Palestinians rolled out the red carpet for Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the first head of state to officially set foot on the territory under Hamas' control. The visit...
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Concern and frustration in the Gulf
America is still the Gulf states' indispensable ally, but the indecisiveness of Obama's policy in the Middle East is starting to foster frustration and concern in the Gulf capital cities. This is where...
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Syrians in the Sheraton; a lesson in time wasting
Riad Seif is quietly impressive, and will no doubt play a positive role in a post-war Syria. But he exudes none of the characteristics of a leader everyone can unite behind.Two days last week, I put my...
View ArticleWhy do Arab rulers want a ceasefire in Gaza but not in Syria?
The rulers of Saudi Arabia and Qatar insist that Bashar Assad step down or be removed by force because the Syrian people want him gone. Yet, they ignore the fact that the Arab peoples want them all...
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How Qatar is using Gaza to isolate Iran
Qatar has seen an opportunity to distance Tehran and Gaza, while strengthening the links between the Palestinian Islamist movement and the emirate. A recent episode in the diplomatic saga of Qatar was...
View ArticleQatar intervening in northern Mali?
If the presence of Qatar in Mali is confirmed, it is difficult to establish how the emirate is trying to change the political and strategicsituation. However,despite the lack of proof of Qatari...
View ArticleAfter Doha: rejecting dystopia by default
Fear and insecurity is filling the void left by our governments' inaction on climate change. But framing Climate Change as a security problem, rather than one of justice or human rights, may only...
View ArticleBRICS, a new cooperation model?
One of the criticisms made of the emerging economies is that they are using cooperation to gain markets, political influence and access to natural resources. But that is what the countries of the North...
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