Media Freedom Prerequists For Jordan

Daoud Kuttab, 12.28.2009

Palestinian journalist residing in Jerusalem and Amman.

Reforming and regulating Jordan's media appears to be one of the priorities of the administration of Samir Rifai.

Social Media as a Platform for Dialogue in the Middle East

David Saranga, 12.16.2009

Former Consul for Media and Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York

Unlike the past, when transparency and accountability were demanded of democratic leaders by their voters, today many leaders are also involved in dialogue with international public opinion and with a global citizenry.

"Model Prisoner" at Guantanamo, Tortured in the "Dark Prison," Loses Habeas Corpus Petition

Andy Worthington, 12.15.2009

Journalist and author of "The Guantanamo Files"

Al-Madhwani joins eight other prisoners in a legal netherworld, no longer regarded as "enemy combatants" by the administration, but still detained indefinitely as though they were.

Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanians Unite for Green Blogging Workshop in Amman

Karin Kloosterman, 12.15.2009

Editor, GreenProphet.com

The UN climate change meeting in Copenhagen is putting a lot of pressure on oil-producing nations in the Middle East; but the reality is that most cou...

Thomas Friedman -- Hasbara GrandMaster Or Elitist Dupe?

Sharmine Narwani, 11.30.2009

Sharmine Narwani is a Senior Associate at St. Anthony's College, Oxford University

My mouth is fixed in a gape -- unable to correct itself after Thomas Friedman's pronouncement that for two decades, U.S. foreign policy has been dedicated to rescuing Muslims or freeing them from tyranny. Where does one begin, pray tell?

This Is The World We Live In: A New Chapter

Levi Felix, 11.24.2009

Chieft Activist Officer at Causecast.org and ThisIsTheWorldWeLiveIn.com

For the next 6-9 months, I will be traveling around the world capturing stories of leadership and heroism, learning about communities in need, and connecting them with the support of those looking to give it.

No Toilets or Air For "Forgotten Prisoners"

Betwa Sharma, 10.29.2009

Betwa is the NY/UN correspondent for the Press Trust of India.

Prison conditions worldwide are worse than the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture could have imagined. Jails without air, toilets and food are not rare.

Jordanians' Public Broadcasting Challenge

Daoud Kuttab, 11.23.2009

Palestinian journalist residing in Jerusalem and Amman.

Despite winning the license to privatize, Jordan has failed to create a legal environment or introduce traditions that encourage and improve public service broadcasting.

Three Cheers for Israel?!

Amitai Etzioni, 11.21.2009

Author of "Security First: For a Muscular, Moral Foreign Policy"

Throughout the Middle East, water is running out. Israel and Jordan have moved jointly to address this problem.

Iraq, Afghanistan: Lessons From the Pros

Martin Varsavsky, 10.21.2009

Tech Entrepreneur, Professor at IE

Failed policies in the Middle East could be reshaped by learning from those who have managed to do surprisingly well for themselves: the Israelis, the Iranians and the Afghan drug lords.

Building Hope: What Yahoo!'s Acquisition of Maktoob.com Means

Faisal Ghori, 10.18.2009

Principal at Middle East Ventures, a strategy consultancy

The acquisition signifies that the Middle East has now for the first time become relevant in the eyes of American Internet giants, and with their attention, the region has become globally relevant for its technology-based entrepreneurship.

The 'One-state Solution' Only Stokes Palestinians Self-Delusion

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, 09.19.2009

Associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance

Until the Palestinians eager to bury the Jewish state finally recognize the legitimate national aspirations of 5.7 million Jews, there may not be peace. But there will always be an Israel.

Jordanian Parliament is Back on Air... Indirectly

Daoud Kuttab, 08.10.2009

Palestinian journalist residing in Jerusalem and Amman.

Two and a half years after being taken off the air, Radio Al Balad was able to broadcast live during the afternoon session of Parliament on July 6, 2009.

Video Blogging Jordan Turns Citizens Into Journalists

Daoud Kuttab, 07.18.2009

Palestinian journalist residing in Jerusalem and Amman.

Vblogging has empowered citizen journalists who are fighting to prove that they can use technology to change their own lives.

The Student of History Needs to Go to Summer School

Mark Levine, 07.07.2009

Historian of the Middle East

For all its well-intentioned rhetoric, President Obama's speech was, sadly, conceptually flawed, empirically challenged, and politically blind to the daily realities that drive hundreds of millions of Muslims to increasing despair.

After Trauma, Iraqi Refugees Look for Healing

Catholic Relief Services, 07.04.2009

For thousands of Iraqis, kidnapping is a nightmare they cannot wake up from. Between 2004 and 2007, hundreds of children and adults were abducted, tortured and often killed.

Spurred by Iran, Arab World Witnesses Nuclear Renaissance

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, 06.27.2009

Multimedia Journalist, most recently for the New York Times

As North Korea restarts its main nuclear plant and Iran continues to flex its nuclear muscles, a less publicized nuclear renaissance is underway in the Middle East.

Pope to Arab Christians: Keep the Faith

Don Belt, 06.15.2009

Senior editor, "National Geographic"

In a land of bitter conflict, Arab Christians have always been the go-betweens, the human bridge between the Islamic world and the Christian West. Their exodus now would leave a huge void.

Swine Flu Prompts Israel, the PA, and Jordan Authorities to Spring to Action

Karin Kloosterman, 06.09.2009

Editor, GreenProphet.com

The 2,000-mile border between Mexico and the United States is nothing compared to the short distances of about 100 miles between the cities in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

Business as Usual for Obama in the Middle East Will Doom the Chances for Peace or Stability

Mark Levine, 06.05.2009

Historian of the Middle East

Mideast Envoy Mitchell's remarks send a signal, both to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and to the peace activists in both communities struggling desperately against their policies, that business will continue as usual under the Obama Administration.

Rima Maktabi: Al Arabiya's Stunning, Substantive, War-Tried Anchor

Magda Abu-Fadil, 05.20.2009

Director of Journalism Training Program at the American University of Beirut

Fearless, dedicated, yet emotional about conflicts ripping into her country, Rima Maktabi knows when to suppress tears and get on with her job as a professional journalist.