Discovering MENA and other thoughts

Today may be a key day for Egypt's future. My heart and my mind are with you, my beloved Egyptians. Be brave, stay safe and don't let anybody stand in your way (again)! And Egypt, of course, delivered (although the MB were not so sure about that...) Loved this interactive map

It seems the new Syrian coalition is having a huge success and is making strides in what has already been called the "Doha Process". The UK has been the ninth country to grant the group full recognition, together with the Gulf States, Turkey, France and Italy. Other international actors have stopped short of recognising the group as a Government in-waiting or the sole representative of the Syrian opposition: that has been the stance chosen by both the EU and the United States. Qatar, France and the UK have even asked the opposition to appoint an ambassador to the country, a perfect first step towards an enhanced representation throughout the world. Why some authorities have doubts when it comes to give the final push to the body? First of all, probably because it is still too soon: recognition comes hand in hand with responsibilities, and the group hasn't still achieved anything near of coordinated military action. The new authorities have been accused of being to...

Weeks ago, I wrote an introduction on what was happening in Jordan. Apparently, I still have further things to elaborate on... Widespread protests keep taking place despite the Police's promise to crackdown on any incitement to violence. Demonstrations first broke out as a result of an announcement that has been considered the last straw: a future spike in prices of fuel and gasoline, staples that have been subsidized over the years in order to ease the burden on the population and to thus guarantee an artificial stability (as several Arab countries do). This decision has been justified citing an imposition of the IMF and the need to forestall a fiscal crisis, even though some pundits believe it won't really represent huge savings for the Treasury, and will actually worsen an already difficult economic situation the current rulers seem to disregard and that won't be solved merely handing out cash payments to ease the pain. It seems King Abdullah II is facing ...

   Only time (hours? days? weeks? months? hopefully years!) will tell... Apparently, one Palestinian has already been killed . Maybe it was just a matter of hours... Meanwhile, there go several links which may help us building a more comprehensive analysis (Plus the ones I posted before the ceasefire ) Lluis Basset's assesses the agreement's regional consequences (El Pais - in Spanish) NYT 's main article (and its Editorial ) How Hamas won the war  (FP) also here (Haaretz)  Or not? (Al Ayyam) also here  (Foreign Affairs) Half victory, half defeat  (Al Ayyam) Israel's gamble (Foreign Affairs) More on the winners and losers of the conflict (Le Monde - in French) The Economist's forecast Al Jazeera's coverage Has Israel been talking to all the region?  (Al Monitor) Same text, different result?  (Haaretz) The day after  (Haaretz) Insightful background of the negotiations (Al Hayat) Bibi'...

It's that time of the week! I of course welcome any additional link. Links on the conflict in Gaza The new Rais' Constitutional Declaration  (text and related here )  Egyptian judges have accused him of putting in jeopardy balance of power , even though some don't quite agree with this accusation His controversial Revolution Protection Law may fail ME nuclear talks won't take place soon Arafat's body will be exhumed on Tuesday (introduction here ) Iran warns the U.S. Karzai starts setting the tone for the handover of power Charges against the Christian girl in Pakistan have finally been dropped , even though her and her family are still at risk (I talked about it here ) Courageous youth in Iran Additional burdens for Saudi women Syrian refugees gear up for a dire winter Turkey and the EU: irreconcilable differences? Syria's unveiled woman's huge controversy Extremism is Egyp's real main challenge Egypt's "new/old" role in...

"Morsi today usurped all state powers and appointed himself Egypt's new pharaon" Mohamed El Baradei (as I already admitted, one of my heroes). The text (via Al Ahram) Article I: Reopen the investigations and prosecutions in the cases of the murder, the attempted murder and the wounding of protesters as well as the crimes of terror committed against the revolutionaries by anyone who held a political or executive position under the former regime, according to the Law of the Protection of the Revolution and other laws. Article II: Previous constitutional declarations, laws, and decrees made by the president since he took office on 30 June 2012, until the constitution is approved and a new People’s Assembly [lower house of parliament] is elected, are final and binding and cannot be appealed by any way or to any entity. Nor shall they be suspended or canceled and all lawsuits related to them and brought before any judicial body against these decisions are annulle...

I have promised myself I won't write about what's currently happening in Gaza. Too many emotions, too many friends I love and respect, too afraid to say something that could be missunderstood. Those of you who know me, know how I feel towards the occupation. I don't think I should state it or post it on my FB wall. I will however post several links I've found most interesting. Please feel free to add more. Sami Nair's take (in Spanish): he is so good, it may deserve a translation Other (journalist, therefore much more reliable than me) friends' takes: Ismael Monzón  Francesca Cicardi Ricard Gonzalez Conflict in Gaza tests alliances Morsi's little room for maneuver   Running an errand during a ceasefire can be dangerous Jebari's killing from a brave neutral point of view The conflict' effect on Morsi's clout regarding Israel Hamas in jeopardy?  Where do the missiles come from?  + another take  (in Spanish) On the Iro...