Iran: change and opportunity
For a change, Iran finds itself in the media spotlight for all the right reasons. The smooth and event-free presidential elections last month seem to have surprised many, including the…
At a crossroads
It is a virtual truism these days to assert that Muslim societies are at a crossroads. For the disciples of Maulana Maudoodi and Syed Qutb — the globally acknowledged fathers…
Killing highlights rift in Syrian rebel ranks
The recent killing of a senior commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) has unveiled a growing rift between relative moderates in the rebel ranks and their Islamist anti-regime…
What ails the lands of Islam?
It took Christendom a long time to get over its troubles but the Middle Ages eventually passed and the papacy lost much of its power and the Renaissance happened and…
No end to turmoil
It would be no exaggeration to say that the Muslim heartland is aflame and that in large measure the turmoil is attributable to not just a struggle against authoritarian rulers…
Qatar’s new emir faces tough balancing act
Having become Qatar's new emir in an unprecedented power transfer in the Gulf region, Tamim bin Hamad faces a tough political balancing act, analysts say, as his small emirate seeks…
Syria peace hopes dim ahead of Russia-US backed talks
The hopes for a forthcoming international conference on Syria's peace are dim, experts say, with political wrangling and Damascus's recent military gains likely to prevent the government and the opposition…
Syrians flee Houla area after massacre
Residents of a town in central Syria are fleeing after shelling attacks by government forces killed more than 90 people, activists and relatives in neighbouring Lebanon said on Saturday. "We…
Hezbollah losses laid bare after victory in Syrian town
Seven kilometres separate the Lebanese village of al Qassar from the strategic Syrian town of al-Kussair - which was captured by Syrian regime forces backed by Hezbollah fighters this week.…
Syria: proxy war
Between them, the Western countries and the Gulf kingdoms have turned the Syrian people's pro-democracy movement into an unrelenting unwinnable civil/sectarian war. As Syria continues to soak in the blood…
