The World Cup: A Mixed Blessing for Qatari Soft Power
This open access article was published by the Middle East Journal Review Article by James M. Dorsey Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Politics, Controversy, Change, by Paul Michael…
Starving the terrorists of cash
by Neville Teller It was as far back as October 2021 that Israel accused six Palestinian civil society groups of funneling donor aid to militants, in particular the PLFP (the…
The geopolitical minefields of a Turkic world
By James M. Dorsey Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have…
Lebanon-Israel maritime talks still all at sea
by Neville Teller Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, in power for 30 years, faces an acute dilemma. On the one hand, Hezbollah cannot possibly endorse the formal negotiations now in progress…
Betting on the wrong horse: The battle to define moderate Islam
By James M. Dorsey Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have…
Saudi crown prince shifts into high gear on multiple fronts
By James M. Dorsey Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have…
Muslim piety in Southeast Asia mirrors increased religious traditionalism in the Middle East
By James M. Dorsey To watch a video version of this story on YouTube please click here. A podcast version is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Spreaker, and Podbean. In a mirror image of recent polling…
Morocco-Israel friendship flourishes
by Neville Teller Beach Sambo is a little-known martial art that engenders huge enthusiasm among its adherents. This year the World Beach Sambo Championships, incorporating contests in eight weight…
Public opinion surveys challenge the image Arab leaders like to project
By James M. Dorsey Thank you to all who have demonstrated their appreciation for my column by becoming paid subscribers. This allows me to ensure that it continues to have…
Debating religion’s role in infusing politics with values, morals, and ethics
By James M. Dorsey US President Joe Biden’s pledge to return values, morals and ethics to politics and policies is 18 months into his presidency more of an aspiration than…