Qatar | openDemocracy

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

- Bertrand Russell

Syrians in the Sheraton; a lesson in time wasting

Michael Stephens 12 November 2012

Riad Seif is quietly impressive, and will no doubt play a positive role in a post-war Syria. But he exudes none of the characteristics of a leader everyone can unite behind.

Concern and frustration in the Gulf

Muath Al Wari 1 November 2012

America is still the Gulf states' indispensable ally, but the indecisiveness of Obama's policy in the Middle East is starting to foster frustration and concern in the Gulf capital cities. This is where Romney might have a card to play.

Shuttle diplomacy: Qatar playing politics in Palestine

Michael Stephens 29 October 2012

The Palestinians rolled out the red carpet for Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, the first head of state to officially set foot on the territory under Hamas' control. The visit essentially legitimized Hamas as the de facto controller of the Gaza Strip.

US elections and the Gulf States

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi 23 October 2012

Do the Gulf States expect anything at all from the next president of the US?

Standing up for unity: building bridges through comedy in the Gulf

Michael Stephens 15 October 2012

Whilst there are inevitable irritants to living in such a multicultural society, these are far outweighed by the positive aspects of the interactions that everyone has to experience in their daily lives.

Qatar’s Plan B for Syria: a wise choice?

Michael Stephens 1 October 2012

Although Saudi forces are largely untested in war it is doubtful Assad’s forces could withstand a full scale Saudi offensive launched from Jordan. This may well be the key to understanding what Qatar is doing.

Qatar and protest: a difficult combination

Michael Stephens 16 September 2012

There is a marked difference however in the way khaleejis and especially in this case, Qataris expressed their anger and displeasure at the film, with very little anger outside the electronic sphere.

The failure of democracy under Islamism

Samir Yousif 7 September 2012

The fall of autocratic regimes in the Arab world have led to the inevitable rise to power of Islamist groups who have had no real competition. These groups however are ill-equipped to tackle the economic, social and political problems that these countries face today.

Syria: silent war in the Gulf

Michael Stephens 19 August 2012

The military conflict becomes more domestic and parochial, while the war of ideas spreads further afield and takes root in countries far outside Syria’s borders. This ideational war is the ‘Silent war’.

What does Qatar want in Syria?

Michael Stephens 5 August 2012

The ruling Emir is putting his money where his mouth is, and opposition fighters in Syria are receiving the benefits.

The day Syria came to Doha

Michael Stephens 22 July 2012

Whatever the agenda of Al Jazeera as it pertains to the Syrian crisis, one thing is for certain, there was no agenda in Fahad’s tears, nor in the embraces of his colleagues.

UK firms face unsightly reality of Qatar's global ambitions

Nicholas McGeehan 12 July 2012

The challenge for UK firms is a serious one - how to conform to the industry’s best practices which they preach in a country where the standard practice is so poor?

This week's window on the Middle East - July 9, 2012

Arab Awakening 8 July 2012

Arab Awakening's columnists offer their weekly perspective on what is happening on the ground in the Middle East. Leading the week: Rita from Syria tells a harrowing tale of narrowly escaping death and the lesson she learned in the process.

Is Qatar becoming the new Dubai?

Michael Stephens 8 July 2012

Dubai’s failure to maintain its culture is not something most Qataris wish to repeat; the key is balancing modernisation with westernisation, taking the good and filtering out the bad.

Fires and politics in Doha, a worrying combination

Michael Stephens 25 June 2012

No smoke without fire? Events in the Arab world are becoming more and more interlinked, and more and more - sectarian tensions cloud thinking.

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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Mary Kaldor on Human security

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