In The News

Explaining The Passion

Gihan Shahine April 16, 2004
It’s no surprise that Christian Egyptians, like Christians worldwide, flocked to see Mel Gibson’s recent film The Passion of the Christ. Yet the majority of Egyptian moviegoers who bought tickets to the film were Muslims. The turnout is particularly startling because Islam generally condemns representations of prophets, and Egypt itself once banned The Prince of Egypt because of its portrayal of...

The Trouble with Civilian Casualty Stories

Jefferson Morley April 15, 2004
A controversy is raging between the US military and several Arab news outlets over their coverage of the siege of Fallujah. General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command, criticized the Qatar-based Al Jazeera for portraying US military action "as purposely targeting civilians." "We absolutely do not do that, and I think everybody knows that," Abizaid said. "They...

In Mideast, Anger and Solidarity

Scott Wilson April 10, 2004
As the US started another round of military campaign in Iraq to put down insurgents, Arabs across the region are calling for stronger Muslim solidarity against the Anglo-American-led occupation, some even comparing the American operation in Iraq with Israel's actions against Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Leading Arab newspapers and TV programs in the region, including some...

Modern Mercenaries on the Iraqi Frontier

James Glanz April 4, 2004
In what appears to be a modern manifestation of old mercenary platoons, 'risk management' firms are filling the security gap in a tense Iraq. Former military men from around the world are earning large salaries to protect the development agencies and businesses that have recently entered the post-Saddam state. Though one would think that 'risk management' forces would...

Free But Not Unfettered

Niveen Wahish April 2, 2004
Inexpensive textiles from Southeast Asia and around the world will soon freely enter the Egyptian market. Though Egypt theoretically lifted its 30-year ban on textile imports when it joined the WTO in 2002, since then protectionist tariffs have effectively kept foreign textiles off the market – with mixed consequences for Egypt's domestic industry. As one expert notes, "Although we...

Arab World Risks Missing its Development Goals

Majdoline Hatoum April 2, 2004
Illiteracy, gender inequality, and unemployment plague Arab countries, despite the region's concentration of oil wealth. Arab leaders addressed these issues at a recent development conference. They proposed various plans and strategies to help Arab countries meet the Millennium Development Goal, which was signed by 189 countries in 2000 as part of the UN's Millennium Declaration. The...

OPEC Heayweights Back Production Cut

Carola Hoyos March 30, 2004
Saudi Arabia, the leading oil-producing nation, wants the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut oil production by 1 million barrels per day in April. Fears of an oversupplied market, seasonal drop in demand, and US stock-building have motivated Saudi Arabia's position. Venezuela, Algeria, Libya and other members of OPEC also support the production cut. Kuwait, however, wants...