Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
Algeria: Independence Day A Legacy Surging Forward Algerians will keep fighting for their full independence to free their minds and bodies from political denial and acculturation. By Abdennour Toumi On the eve of Independence Day in Algeria, Algerian drums this year celebrate the end of the Bouteflika system and its removal from the center of…
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Waves Burst from Time to Time Modern history teaches us to believe that revolutions are led by the masses, despite the good intentions of the idealist elite. By Abdennour Toumi The political Tsunami that swept the Arab lands from Manama to the shores of Tripoli, finally came to rest in Algiers’ harbor eight years ago….
Palestinian human rights activist publishes memoir on Arab Spring A Rebel in Gaza: Behind the Lines of the Arab Spring is a critical memoir documenting years of upheaval presents a compelling personal view of life in Gaza for progressive youth; Gaza has always been rebellious . . . stubborn, addictive. I’m her daughter, and I look…
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Tunisia in transition with hope and challenges, UN expert says Tunisia has continued to make progress on democracy since the revolution more than seven years ago, including a Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights for all Tunisians, but there is still a lot to do, says a UN human rights expert. “Tunisia still faces numerous challenges, including…
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New Book: “Burning Country” – New edition, Syrians in Revolution and War by authors Robin Yassin-Kassab and Leila Al-Shami Paperback | 20th February 2018 | 9780745337821 | 320pp | £14.99 In 2011, many Syrians took to the streets of Damascus to demand the overthrow of the government of Bashar al-Assad. Today, much of Syria has become a war…
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Despite End of World fear mongering, Embassy move not likely President Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric came to an abrupt halt this past week on many issues including one that Arab activists who have been asleep at the wheel for the past eight years have now grasped as an electrical charge for their protests, screams and continued…
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Tunisia Quartet commit to partnership with EU The representatives of Tunisian civil society, winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, reminded of their commitment to close cooperation with civil society in the European Union’s countries Five years after the Jasmin Revolution that toppled an authoritarian regime and its President, the representatives of the “Tunisian quartet” presented…
Tunisia five years after the revolution: Was it worth it? International Institute for Management (IMD) Professor Tawfik Jelassi discusses the country’s progress and challenges At the five-year mark after the Arab Spring uprisings, IMD Professor and former Tunisian minister Tawfik Jelassi talks about Tunisia today in an interview: What comes to your mind when you think…
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Egyptian law enforcement authorities and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), in a reflection of fears that stadia in Egypt could once more emerge as platforms for anti-government protest, have extended a ban on spectators attending matches that has been in place for much of the last five years.
By James M. Dorsey A series of recent mass protests in several Arab countries have called into question suggestions that civil wars, brutal crackdowns and military coups and interventions have quelled popular willingness to stand up for rights in the Middle East. The protests, although focussed on specific social and economic demands, fundamentally have the…
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By James M. Dorsey A shadowy group of militant soccer fans that has largely lied low since it participated in mass anti-government protests in 2013 that led to the military overthrow of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has claimed responsibility for a car bomb near a Cairo security building that injured at least six policemen. Whether…
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Since the Arab Spring crashed into Cairo’s Tahrir Square in 2011, Egypt has been on a roller coaster. Once the cornerstone of secularism in a world of growing religious extremism, Egypt could use some excesses to protect itself from the Islamic extremists. But in recent years, Egypt has not been discretionary in how it deals…
Voices are rising slowly against the growing injustices and undemocratic tyranny that claims to be wrapped in Democracy. But increasing death sentences handed down by Egypt’s politically driven judicial system and oppressive government are putting Democracy and freedom to shame. Among the condemned is Dr. Emad Shahin, visiting professor of public policy at Georgetown University in…
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Do Arabs in the Middle East and Arab World have an apathetic attitude towards life and the pursuit of happiness? The growing problem of litter throughout is one sign they don’t care much about their societies at all By Abdennour Toumi Ankara, Turkey — Spring is here! It brings the aroma of fresh flowers, mowed grass and…
Three-day International Symposium held in Ankara, Turkey explores the challenges facing Syria, its history, politics, and foreign policy, hosted by the SDE Institute of Strategic Thinking in collaboration with Yildirim Beyazit University. Also explored, the Armenian Massacre, the Western divisions of the Arab World, and the Kurdish movement for statehood By Abdennour Toumi Ankara, Turkey —…
When the West created the Arab States after their colonization and occupation of the Middle East region after World War I, did they abandon their promises of implementing Democracies? Today’s Arab countries are not Democratic and have never been in a large part because of the failures of the Democratic West. By Abdennour Toumi Ankara, Turkey…
By Abdennour Toumi Ankara, Turkey — The Bardo Museum massacre shocked Tunisians who thought they were safe from ISO dystopia. Years ago a dynamic change took place in the streets of Tunisia that launched a concerted struggle that is still taking place, whether in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt or Yemen. But this change is obstructed by solid…
Muslims and Christians have a long history of friendship and respect that can’t be broken by recent events involving terrorism and violence by a few. Christianity and Islam have close ties that should not be destroyed by stereotypes and lack of knowledge. Government leaders should remember that. By Abdennour Toumi Paris – France — In the early…
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