James M. Dorsey

Author: James M. Dorsey

Owner of Saint German football club, Nasser al-Khelaifi and Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attend a training session in Doha, 2012 (photo: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

Soft power and football

Qatar vs. UAE: The not-so-beautiful game

In the race to buy influence, garner soft power and win over hearts and minds, those involved in the three-month old Gulf crisis are hell-bent on raising the stakes. Commentary by James M. Dorsey More

World Cup 2022 and Qatari reforms: So much hot air Qatar's foreign policy: Little emirate, big ambition Gulf State economies: The expat bonus

Saudi women waiting to be picked up by their drivers (photo: Getty Images/AFP/F. Nureldine)

Saudi health reforms and women′s rights

Still a sore point

A Saudi decision to license the kingdom′s first women-only gyms over the coming weeks constitutes progress in a country in which women′s rights are severely curtailed. Yet it also reveals the limitations of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman′s plan to rationalise and diversify the kingdom′s economy. By James M. DorseyMore

Women's rights in the Arab World: Are Saudi women next?Woman in Saudi Arabia: ''A golden age for Saudi women''Cultural policy in Saudi Arabia: Ushering in an era of change?Women in Saudi Arabia: Breaking barriers

Symbolic image of World Cup 2022 to be hosted by Qatar

World Cup 2022 and Qatari reforms

So much hot air

In a world where human rights are increasingly being put on the backburner, fears are growing among rights and trade union activists that Qatari promises of labour reform and greater liberalism are just that – mere promises. By James M. DorseyMore

Oil and development in the Middle East: A two-edged sword Gulf State economies: The expat bonus Qatar's foreign policy: Little emirate, big ambition

Thousands of demonstrators protested the hanging of Qadri, convicted of assassinating former Punjab governor Salman Taseer in 2011

Saudi influence in Pakistan

A perilous road

Saudi-supported ultra-conservative worldviews, abetted by successive Pakistani governments, are changing the very nature of Pakistani society. By James M. DorseyMore

Pakistan and sectarianism: The enemy within Saudi Arabia and Iran: Defeat Islamic State - or become it Spate of murders in Bangladesh: See no evil, hear no evil

Pakistan police escort Maliq Ishaq, leader of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi to the High Court in Lahore (photo: Getty Images/AFP/Str)

Pakistan and sectarianism

The enemy within

Pakistan′s generals blame their country′s cycle of political violence, including a recent bombing in the Baluch capital of Quetta, on groups in Afghanistan. The focus on external enemies complicates efforts to reduce political violence, ease inter-communal strains and facilitate easing of tensions with Pakistan′s neighbours. By James M. DorseyMore

Pakistan′s struggle with sectarianism: Enough is enough Top Pakistani religious body rules women's protection law 'un-Islamic'Pakistani crime writer Omar Shahid Hamid: A nexus of crime Saudi Arabia and Iran: Defeat Islamic State - or become it

Egyptian Al Ahly football supporter (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Football fan protests in Turkey and Egypt

Closed ranks

Battles for control of stadiums and other public spaces in Turkey and Egypt have pitched militant football fans against authoritarian leaders. By James DorseyMore

Egyptian football stadium deaths: Black day for the "White Knights"The Port Said football tragedy: Violence was not accidental Egyptian football star Mohammed Aboutreika: Bridging a deep divide

Protesting corruption in Iraq (photo: Deutsche Welle)

Popular unrest in the Middle East

Who says popular demand for change is off the agenda?

Recent protests in Beirut against government corruption and incompetence highlight a growing revival of non-violent dissent across the Middle East and North Africa. As well as an end to corruption, protesters in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon have been taking to the streets demanding improvement in basic public services such as waste management, accountability and transparency. By James M. DorseyMore

Politics and religion: The instrumentalisation of religion Six lessons learned from Tunisia's recent elections: "Religion is God's, but democracy belongs to everyone!"Egyptian football star Mohammed Aboutreika: Bridging a deep divide

Mohammed Aboutreika cheering after a goal during the Super Cup in 2010 (photo: Khaled Desouki/afp/Getty Images)

Egyptian football star Mohammed Aboutreika

Bridging a deep divide

Few are able to bridge Egypt's deeply polarising divide between supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2013 military coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi. Mohammed Aboutreika, Egypt's most celebrated and storied soccer player, is proving to be either the exception that proves the rule or an indication of shifting attitudes. By James M. DorseyMore

Palestinian FA to Press for Fifa Ban on Israel Egyptian soccer stadium deaths: Black day for the "White Knights"The Port Said soccer tragedy: Violence was not accidental

Egyptian protester march to denounce the deadly clashes that occurred after a soccer match, in Cairo, Egypt, 2 February 2012. Thousands marched downtown Cairo towards the interior ministry to show their anger against the interior ministry following deadly clashes that erupted after a soccer match and left 71 people killed (photo: EPA, dpa)

Soccer Ultras and National Protest in Egypt

Demands for Civilian Rule

The tragedy of Port Said in which 74 people died has given protests against the influence of the military council new momentum. But soccer ultras and youth groups will only be able to exploit this if they are able to bridging their street tactics with an engagement in traditional politics. By James M. DorseyMore

The Port Said Soccer Tragedy: Violence Was Not Accidental Anniversary of the Egyptian RebellionEgypt's Protesters: Ready for the Next Revolution

Author: James M. Dorsey

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