Jordan | openDemocracy

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”

- Bertrand Russell

Syrian crisis now a global affair

Ahmed E. Souaiaia 12 May 2013

The outcome of the Syrian crisis, no matter what that might be, will delimit the new Middle East in a way that will affect the entire world—not just Syria and the region

Is Jordan a neo-colony?

Munir Atalla 16 April 2013

Jordan acts as a buffer with other Arab nations while they are being destroyed as in the case of Syria (and historically Iraq and Palestine) and takes in refugees from those nations so that they are not stranded at the Israeli border.

Jordan 2050: the constitutional monarchy with the solar panels?

Munir Atalla 1 April 2013

Predicting the future is a notoriously risky endeavour. My intention here is simply to challenge people to envision one potential future for Jordan (and the entire Middle East) that maybe could come true.

Nuclear Jordan: splitting atoms in a land of wind and sunshine

Munir Atalla 20 March 2013

Firmly in the “solar belt”, the area of the world with ideal conditions for solar power, Jordan should strive to become the poster child for renewable energy.

Rebuilding the walls

Jillian C. York 12 March 2013

The internet promised “shared humanity in all its messy glory”. But national governments are keen to turn back the global tide of communications.

The last camel

Munir Atalla 4 March 2013

Many Syrian refugees have every intention of going home. Meanwhile, others don’t have homes to return to; their families have been all but obliterated.

Everything boils down to… education

Munir Atalla 18 February 2013

In Jordan, the people with the lowest scores are the ones put in positions of tremendous privilege as Imams or Sheikhs of Mosques whom people turn to for guidance on extremely sensitive personal issues like sexuality, faith, and ethics.

Islam in the Arab transformations

Sami Zubaida 18 February 2013

The Shari’a is largely irrelevant to most important issues of policy and administration in the economy and in government. Its historical and symbolic locus is on family and sexuality: patriarchal rights, segregation of the sexes, enforced female modesty.

Silver lining of the Jordanian elections

Munir Atalla 28 January 2013

Jordan’s parliamentary elections were far from perfect, but a process has commenced that places an important first building block in the reform process.

Jordan’s year-long vote for regime or revolt

Que Newbill 24 January 2013

Jordan’s elections do not signal a shift towards a more open political system. They may provide a platform for opposition groups or usher in a weak government.

Winter: is it coming to Jordan?

Munir Atalla 16 December 2012

On December 10, a resolution that read, ‘This House believes Jordan is on the brink of serious political turmoil and unrest’, was passed by a narrow majority of 54%. The debate will be televised on December 19.

Jordan getting chastised: another take on the protests

Munir Atalla 26 November 2012

Jordan's allies have turned up the heat. The kettle is whistling, but has not boiled over.

Rula Quawas – Jordanian pioneer

Munir Atalla 13 November 2012

The fact that such a harmless video could cause such ramifications is disappointing.

What’s in a jihad?

Munir Atalla 29 October 2012

There is a fine line between jihadist and freedom fighter. In Jordan, we call it “the national border”.

Out with the old, in with the old, in Jordan

Munir Atalla 15 October 2012

Yes, protests have increased since the Arab Awakening, but the monarchy has its finger right on the pulse.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie is a regular contributor to 50.50

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

A new Europe can only come from the bottom up
Etienne Balibar

A social Europe must be a political Europe
Bo Stråth

As Europe is provincialized: a reply to Etienne Balibar
Sandro Mezzadra

European debate

A republican call for a basic income
Daniel Raventos and Julie Wark

Nuclear non-proliferation

Women and the Arab Spring

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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