The National Conversation

Commentary, analysis and debate about key issues in the UAE, the Middle East and further afield.

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Iraqi society fragments while the politicians squabble

Iraqi people risked their lives to vote for those in the seat of power. But where is the state? Where is the security? Where are all the promises? Read article Iraqi society fragments while the politicians squabble

Hadeel Al Sayegh

Today's Comment

New kind of terror poses a great challenge to Britain
All sections of society – Muslims, Christians and those of no faith – need to work together to isolate the extremists and prevent such incidents as the Boston Bombing and UK attack from happening. Read article

Alan Philps

Related: Soldier hacked to death in London 'terrorist incident'

Iran's presidential candidates offer no hope for change
Finding no hope in the election, Iranians deem it as illegitimate, superficial and a sham that has turned into a revolving door mechanism between the inner and gilded circle of the Islamic republic. Read article

Majid Rafizadeh

Related: Ahmadinejad vows to fight poll ban on his chosen heir

Iraqi society fragments while the politicians squabble
Iraqi people risked their lives to vote for those in the seat of power. But where is the state? Where is the security? Where are all the promises? Read article

Hadeel Al Sayegh

Related: How Iraq can pull back from the brink

Showing 11 - 20 articles of 3438

Comment

Federalism could help ease Iraq's dangerous pressures

Even if Sunni Iraqis agreed on governing themselves, Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki remains ready to strike down any such proposal. Karim Kadim / AP Photo

May 22, 2013

Sunni-majority areas of Iraq, squeezed hard by the central government, are ready to explode. Some form of federalism could greatly ease the pressure. Read Article Federalism could help ease Iraq's dangerous pressures

Hassan Hassan

Comment

Al Maliki to blame for Iraq violence

May 22, 2013

Thanks to Mr Al Maliki's policy of power-hogging, says an Arab writer, various sects, ethnic groups and political figures in Iraq feel disenfranchised, including members of his own sect. Other digest topics: Libya, Syria Read Article Al Maliki to blame for Iraq violence

Arabic News Digest

Comment

To nurture human potential, invest in vocational training

May 21, 2013

Serious efforts are being made to cope with youth unemployment around the Gulf, and beyond. But the challenge is enormous. Read Article To nurture human potential, invest in vocational training

Khalid Al Ameri

Comment

If Hadi wants Yemen whole, he must talk to the South

May 21, 2013

There is a political war brewing in south Yemen. Abdrabbu Mansur Hadi must take the possibility - and dangers - of southern secession seriously Read Article If Hadi wants Yemen whole, he must talk to the South

Faisal Al Yafai

Comment

Tribal and Islamist clashes in Syria reveal deep divisions

May 21, 2013

Radical groups in Syria have long sought to avoid alienating the public, but clashes are increasingly unavoidable as disputes become more complex. Read Article Tribal and Islamist clashes in Syria reveal deep divisions

Abdalnaser Al Ayd

Comment

States are fragile and sectarianism knows no borders

May 21, 2013

The Middle East and North Africa are already in a regional civil war, an editor warns gloomily. Other opinion pieces deal with Iraq's crisis and Bashar Al Assad's endurance. Read Article States are fragile and sectarianism knows no borders

Arabic News Digest

Comment

China's model is future for democracy

May 20, 2013

An Arab writer argues that China's torrid growth has challenged the established notion that democracy is the best way to development. Other digest topics: Syria, Arab intellectuals. Read Article China's model is future for democracy

Arabic News Digest

Comment

With a 'pundit' husband, you might as well join the fun

May 20, 2013

The problem with puns is that they exclude. The person who delivers the pun feels clever, but the listeners may feel like fools if they don't catch on. Read Article With a 'pundit' husband, you might as well join the fun

Shoba Narayan

Comment

Cultural sensitivity can increase risk of cervical cancer

May 20, 2013

More awareness campaigns are needed in the UAE to break down the cultural barriers that prevent women from attending cervical cancer screenings and being vaccinated against it. Read Article Cultural sensitivity can increase risk of cervical cancer

Ayesha Almazroui

Comment

Lawless Libya needs to build new, democratic institutions

May 20, 2013

Libya¿s transition is behind schedule, and the absence of shared values and political rules of engagement aggravates insecurity. Read Article Lawless Libya needs to build new, democratic institutions

Larbi Sadiki

Editor's Picks

Clumsy Syrian National Coalition needs to prove it is made of the right stuff

Something of a miracle will be needed for the coveted unity and effectiveness of the Syrian opposition to materialise. Analysis by Phil Sands from the SNC's Istanbul summit Clumsy Syrian National Coalition needs to prove it is made of the right stuff

UAE rugby hope the kids are all right

JJ Fanucci of Dubai Exiles during the Jebel Ali Sevens Rugby at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence, Jebel Ali on the 16th November 2012. Credit: Jake Badger for The National

Freshly relegated, no better time for a youth movement than the present, writes Paul Radley. UAE rugby hope the kids are all right

Global shift in North American sport

A Nintendo DS Lite portable game system is displayed at Safeco Field in Seattle, Friday, June 29, 2007, prior to an MLB baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. Nintento is making a pitch to use its portable DS Lite to allow fans to order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores and play trivia, from their seats during the game. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

In 1992, Major League Baseball commissioner Fay Vincent initially opposed an effort by a Japanese mogul to purchase the Seattle Mariners. Expect more to come. Global shift in North American sport

Flying cars roar into reality

The Terrafugia Transition lets you fly over traffic and point-to-point between more than 5,000 community airports around the United States. Courtesy Terrafugia

The flying car concept took a while to become reality but in America a company is on the verge of offering a version to the public. While the cost may be high, so is confidence that there is a viable market. Flying cars roar into reality

Mashallah: what it means, when to say it and why you should

With Muslim families, you must say "mashallah" with every compliment lest someone think you are jealous and have the evil eye. Mashallah: what it means, when to say it and why you should