Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Nasim Ahmed
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2014 will be remembered as the year that Israel revealed itself to be an apartheid state
There is no doubt that 2014 will be remembered as one of the most tragic in Palestinian history. There are reasons to believe, though, that the year was also a game changer, not least because the international campaign for recognition of a Palestinian state and the simultaneous de-legitimisation of...
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The interest of the 'only democracy in the Middle East' is to block democracy in the Middle East
The so-called ‘Arab Spring’ has certainly reinforced the perception that the Middle East is a hotbed of intractable conflicts. Israel has never ceased to use this stereotype to its advantage, reminding the world that it is a beacon of democracy surrounded by hostile countries. The truth, however, is far...
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Why did the Arab dream turn into an Arab nightmare?
Almost four years into the so-called Arab Spring one could be forgiven for thinking that it hasn’t been worth it, judging by the death and destruction that has taken place. Moreover, one can argue quite convincingly that democracy is an alien concept to the region and thus provide a...
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Does the EU really want a two state solution?
The global campaign for recognition of Palestinian statehood is a desperate measure to resuscitate the two-state solution, which is in terminal decline. If, as many believe, such a solution is already drawing its last breath, why does the European Union keep dithering in its recognition of a Palestinian state?...
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UAE's assertive stance will not result in greater stability and prosperity
Watching political opportunism at its crudest is an ugly thing. The most audacious attempts usually generate sarcastic laughter just as easily as disbelief and anger. What is interesting about its most naked form in the latest example is the way that it unites countries and regimes that only recently...
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World War One and Palestine: does the connection still matter?
World War One was never a war to end all wars. It ended, however, with a peace to end all peace, at least for the Middle East. Every political project born out of the peace has failed to emerge into a stable country defending the rights and freedoms of...
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Campaign against UAE human rights violations gathers momentum
The early signs of a public campaign against human rights violations by the United Arab Emirates (UEA) looked to be taking shape in London yesterday evening. A public seminar organised by the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR) attracted a wide audience of people, many with...
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UAE's crackdown on democracy short-sighted
The Arab Spring appeared at first like a political contagion spreading throughout the Arab world. A fault-line between vibrant generations of youth and ossified ruling elites, as a result of underlying socio-economic discontent and pent-up feelings of deep political frustration, signalled dramatic change for the region. From the very onset,...
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To defeat ISIS we need to stop shooting in the dark and understand political Islam
This article is the fourth and final of our series on The Brotherhood vs. ISIS: MEMO reopens debate on contemporary political Islam. Read the first one here , the second one here, and third one here. The realisation that no single generation can solve a major global problem is unnerving. ISIS,...
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Demonising the Brotherhood will not help in the fight against ISIS
This article is the first of our series on The Brotherhood vs. ISIS: MEMO reopens debate on contemporary political Islam David Cameron launched his investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood by saying, ” It is an important piece of work… we will only get our policy right if we fully understand...