Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF When Arab revolutions started, there were high hopes that Arab countries will be freed from dictatorships and corrupt rulers, and there will be democratisation, rule of law and peaceful transition of power.  This optimism, however, has waned because of the developments in Arab Spring countries, as many of them are embroiled in conflicts ov

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF In a lecture by Mohammed Hassanein Heikal on ‘The Gulf: The Day after Tomorrow” at Qatar National Convention Centre on Sunday, which was attended by H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the famous Egyptian journalist talked about the Gulf and the international conflicts. Heikal raised

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF   There is confusion among Gulf citizens about the role of Iran and its intervention in their domestic affairs, and the role of Muslim Brotherhood, or what is called political Islam, which is dominating the Arab Spring states.   With the uprising in Syria in its third year, it is clear for any observer that Iran has spread i

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Iraqi government of Nouri Al Maliki agreed last week to provide Egypt with about four million barrels of oil. The development comes after the visit of Egyptian PM Hesham Gendel to Iraq, which was the first by a top Egyptian official in thirty years. The Iraq-Jordan pipeline, that ends at Al Aqaba port, will be used to supply the crude oil. Egyp

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On February 24, John Kerry is expected to launch his first official tour abroad since he took office at the US State Department. His tour will cover nine countries in Europe and the Middle East, among them four Arab states: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Israel and the Palestinian territories have been excluded from this

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Islamists have taken power in most Arab Spring countries following the revolutions that toppled autocrats. Islamists now rule in Egypt and Tunisia, where previous regimes had banned them.  People are divided over Islamist rule. While some are sceptical, saying Islamists are against democracy, others welcome their rise as ‘a shield

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Yemeni government last week officially demanded that Tehran provide an explanation for an arms shipment seized from a ship, ‘Jehan’, last month in Yemen’s territorial waters. This is not the first time a finger of accusation has been pointed at Iran for its involvement in attempts to destabilise the security and stability o

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF What is happening in Arab Spring countries now is confusing and raises many questions. Why should civilians be beaten, dragged on the road and even be killed? Are there some people who still view the uprisings in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen as different forms of chaos, not revolts aiming at bringing citizens more freedoms and dignity?&

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is meeting in Cairo under the slogan: The Islamic world — New challenges and opportunities. The current session assumes great significance as it’s being held under tight security and in the backdrop of protests and violence.  It also comes at a time when the Arab region is

  Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Most analysts expect Iran’s economy to collapse before the presidential election as the US widens sanctions, blacklisting more Iranian companies. Earlier this month, The Washington Post quoted a US official as saying: “While some previous US sanctions targeted individuals and firms linked to Iran’s nuclear industry, the

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi declared a 30-day state of emergency on Sunday in riot-hit areas of Suez, Port Said and Ismailiah. The announcement came after violent protests swept the country, which left 46 people dead. Mursi had imposed a night curfew in three other cities earlier. What is surprising is that the decision to im

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The crisis gripping Mali is nothing but the result of a struggle for political influence between France and the US. France is doing its best to maintain domination over a region which is rich in oil, gas, and uranium.  France is Mali’s former colonial ruler. Many big French companies prosper on the African West coast.  Frenc

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The New York Times reported on January 19 that the world should recall the words of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi — during the days of uprising against him — that the downfall of his regime would bring chaos and terrorism into Libya.  The world now remembers Colonel Gaddafi’s words as a crisis rages in Mali, pitt

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tomorrow, Friday, January 25, Egypt marks two years since its revolution, with President Mohammed Mursi facing two major challenges: One of a crisis of governance and national dialogue with the opposition, and another of a critical economic situation. Before the uprising, Egypt’s GDP was growing at five percent, but it declined from four

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF When the Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, addressed a conference on ‘Geostrategic Changes within the Context of Arab Revolutions’ in Doha last month, he had a clear message. He stressed that turning external support for revolutions into intervention in the affairs of the countries where revolutions had taken place

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Al Jazeera Media Network bought the US TV channel Current which was facing financial problems. The deal will allow Al Jazeera to enter millions of American homes using Current’s network.  Al Jazeera, launched in 1996, made its mark as the first successful pan-Arab news channel. The channel rose to the pinnacle of success at the begin

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF   US defence secretary Leon Panetta signed a document at the end of 2011 ending the war in Iraq. However, there was no jubilation in Iraq after the departure of the last US tank. One reason could be that after the US invasion and Saddam Hussein’s ouster, Iraq came under the control of Iran. What Washington did was actually hand over th

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF   The 33rd GCC Supreme Council summit which concluded in Manama on Tuesday adopted an amended version of the security agreement signed by interior ministers in their 31st meeting on November 13. According to social media networks, the agreement includes six chapters and 45 articles to maintain security and stability in the Gulf count

The Arab Spring has brought drastic changes in our region. Among the most important is Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s exit from Damascus after the revolution started in Syria. Also, Hamas came out of Iran’s control. Another important development is the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s visit to Gaza to break the blockade of Israel. Other changes too took place i

Khalid Al Sayed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF It cannot be denied that apart from economic factors (unemployment, poverty and inflation), corruption and lack of transparency, lack of freedom of expression contributed to the Arab Spring uprisings. The freedom to express one’s opinions freely and without fear is a fundamental right of every human being. This freedom exists at various le