www.al-bab.com Brian Whitaker's blog en-gb mirabyte Feed Writer arab middle east Which 10 books give the best introduction to the region? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#middle_east_for_beginners Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:33:24 GMT Man 'described a Hadith of the Prophet as barbaric' on US-run TV channel http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#saudi_writer_accused_of_blasphemy Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:31:50 GMT President orders return of seized TV equipment http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#government_bluster_in_yemen Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:21:31 GMT Proposed law would jail abusive husbands http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#abu_dhabi_tackles_domestic_abuse Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:20:18 GMT Egyptians voice suspicions about media chief http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#murdoch_israel_and_avatar Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:38:55 GMT But is al-Qaeda the real target? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#more_airstrikes_in_southern_yemen Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:03:21 GMT Religious discrimination creates 'non-citizens' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003b.htm#baha'is_face_new_struggle_for_ID_cards Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:01:44 GMT Defence ministry says two militant leaders killed http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#yemen_airstrike_against_al-qaeda Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:43:18 GMT How a mysterious tax-haven company almost won control of Jordan's petroleum supplies http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#jordans_refinery_scandal Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:24:10 GMT 'Sixty killings can hardly be an accident' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#another_migrant_shot_on_egypt_border Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:51:02 GMT State Department attacks censorship but US technology companies facilitate it http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#helping_or_hindering_internet_freedom Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:48:51 GMT Will Algeria be the first to abolish it? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#arabs_and_the_death_penalty Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:35:02 GMT Broadcasters harassed over coverage of southern protests http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#yemen_confiscates_tv_transmitters Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:33:51 GMT Charged with homosexuality and impersonating a police officer http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#saudi_jailed_and_flogged_for_gay_video Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:47:12 GMT Man 'beaten and stripped naked' at State Security HQ http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#elbaradei_supporter_tortured Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:45:42 GMT Rupert Murdoch sees a changing media climate in the Middle East http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#the_economics_of_free_expression Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:53:52 GMT President Salih offers talks with separatists http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#an_olive_branch_for_yemens_south Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:53:27 GMT Egyptian military court backs off http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#charges_against_blogger_dropped Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:11:43 GMT Al-Qaeda suspect kills guard after claiming to be ill http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#yemen_hospital_gunfight Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:10:35 GMT Cut-off rumoured as authorities seek to monitor messages http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#saudis_to_block_blackberry Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:09:28 GMT Tribalism and lack of state institutions helps network flourish in Yemen http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#al-qaedas_tribal_roots Sun, 7 Mar 2010 08:20:13 GMT Separatist dies trying to hoist southern flag http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#yemen_flag_protester_shot_dead Fri, 5 Mar 2010 08:33:06 GMT Contrary to earlier reports, minister says no one saw security chief's murder http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#algerias_disappearing_witnesses Fri, 5 Mar 2010 08:32:10 GMT Government apologises for civilian deaths, promises compensation http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#yemen_admits_botched_al-qaeda_raids Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:14:36 GMT Yemeni separatist gets a grand title http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#an_ex-president_of_sorts Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:11:26 GMT Saudi wins 'Arab Booker' with novel about palace corruption http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#but_is_it_fiction Wed, 3 Mar 2010 07:53:25 GMT Security forces raid house, claim al-Qaeda connection http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#gun_battle_in_abyan Tue, 2 Mar 2010 19:23:11 GMT Complaint about favouritism treated as threat to national security http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#blogger_on_trial_in_military_court Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:42:38 GMT Government struggles to handle the flow of money http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1003a.htm#aid_problems_as_yemen_protests_continue Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:41:10 GMT Calls for independence as donors meet http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#wide_scale_protests_in_southern_yemen Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:02:53 GMT Domestic worker found hanged in Saudi Arabia http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#misery_of_the_housemaids_4 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:02:05 GMT 'Eleven MPs received payment from patients' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#medical_bribes_scandal_in_egypt Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:01:12 GMT Accused of distorting the image of the armed forces http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#egyptian_blogger_faces_court_martial Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:29:01 GMT What lies behind the police chief's killing? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#algerian_in-fighting Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:33:29 GMT Suddenly, Egyptian politics has become more interesting than at any time since the 1952 revolution http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#the_elbaradei_factor Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:56:27 GMT Arrests, riots and killings continue http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#yemens_southern_problem Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:24:08 GMT Yet another foreign domestic worker plunges to her death http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#misery_of_the_housemaids Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:32:54 GMT Poll shows large majority want to end sectarian system http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#lebanese_against_confessionalism Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:32:02 GMT Stifled initiatives in Yemen http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#civil_society_independent_or_not Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:29:29 GMT Mysterious encounter fuels speculation http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#tight_lips_as_moussa_meets_elbaradei Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:28:21 GMT The significance of heavy metal music in the Middle East http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#headbanging_against_repression Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:07:57 GMT Women will be allowed to argue cases in Saudi courts http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#breakthrough_for_female_lawyers Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:51:25 GMT Residents say Moroccan authorities ignored safety warnings http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#questions_surround_minaret_disaster Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:48:45 GMT Whether or not he runs for the presidency, former nuclear chief can shake up Egyptian politics http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#ElBaradei_has_landed Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:33:16 GMT Egypt warns against homecoming celebrations http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#dont_welcome_elbaradei Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:22:12 GMT Damascus regime has played a smart game http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#brighter_times_for_syria Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:20:44 GMT Member of Saudi religious police claims he did not know Islamic law http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#mutawa_man_had_six_wives Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:28:41 GMT Lebanese study finds ignorance in medical profession http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#homosexuality_a_disease_say_doctors Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:27:39 GMT Call to lift state of emergency and end 'systematic torture' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#UN _reviews_human_rights_in_egypt Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:31:56 GMT Jordan extends scope of press law http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#jordan_court_ruling_against_websites Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:31:18 GMT New twist in kingdom's gender battles http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#saudi_underwear_boycott Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:49:50 GMT Authorities seek to 'curb deviant behaviour' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#lesbianism_shocks_the_emirates Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:07:51 GMT TV stations line up for 'an exercise in futility' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002b.htm#is_anybody_watching Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:06:31 GMT Lebanon changed little, Syria changed a lot http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#hariri_assassination_five_years_on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:59:56 GMT Saudis celebrate in secret http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#resisting_the_valentine_ban Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:59:18 GMT Saudi ban on red roses and heart-shaped objects http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#shop_early_for_valentines_day Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:34:01 GMT Ceasefire declared but steps are needed to prevent a recurrence http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#yemens_houthi_war_is_over Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:32:52 GMT Disaffected Arabs are not looking to opposition parties or mass movements to solve their problems http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#the_do_it_yourself_revolution Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:27:18 GMT None of them wants another Somalia, but the idea of a stable, prosperous Yemen is something they also find rather scary http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#can_gulf_states_really_help_yemen Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:25:50 GMT Fighting goes one as rebels talk of 'reservations' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#yemen_ceasefire_sticking_points Tue, 9 Feb 2010 08:17:05 GMT Jailed Mauritanian journalist was victim of smear http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#character_assassination_mauritania Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:25:37 GMT Why Yemeni separatist is flying the American flag http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#from_jihad_to_the_stars_and_stripes Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:23:48 GMT Demonstrators call on Egyptian government to implement law against FGM http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#female_circumcision_declining Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:22:07 GMT Government presents rebels with timetable for ending war http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#yemen_ceasefire_hopes_rise Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:43:18 GMT 'The international community’s options are very limited' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#a_yemeni_view Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:26:08 GMT Mauritanian editor to spend two more years in jail http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#mauritania_journalist Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:25:30 GMT Video shows beatings of suspects http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#saudis_torture_houthi_rebels Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:32:01 GMT 'Modernity is a package deal and not an à la carte menu' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#arabs_gay_rights_and_modernity Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:01:18 GMT Separatist leader hoists US flag in Yemen http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#land_of_the_free_home_of_the_brave Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:39:11 GMT Government prepares revised law for municipal councils http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#new_elections_in_saudi_arabia Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:42:01 GMT With so many authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, why is there so much disorder and indiscipline? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#chaos_and_the_arab_state Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:11:42 GMT More on the great spelling debate http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#junblatt_versus_jumblatt Tue, 2 Feb 2010 06:48:37 GMT Cash incentives to promote polygamy http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#family_values_in_iraq Tue, 2 Feb 2010 06:48:08 GMT Does spelling really matter? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#arabic_and_the_roman_alphabet Mon, 1 Feb 2010 08:40:55 GMT Both sides say it's up to the other to make the first move http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1002a.htm#yemens_non-ceasefire Mon, 1 Feb 2010 08:40:14 GMT Houthi rebels accept government conditions, but will it lead to anything? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#yemen_ceasefire_talk_again Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:16:52 GMT Supreme Court overturns overturns 'tribal incompatibility' divorce http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#saudi_couple_get_their_marriage_back Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:14:37 GMT UN official criticises record on human rights and counter-terrorism http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#tunisia_damned_with_faint_praise Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:58:31 GMT Saudis claim victory as rebels withdraw http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#end_of_the_saudi_houthi_war Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:14:25 GMT Yemen faces 'many urgent problems' – and Saleh's regime is one of them http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#saving_yemen Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:10:37 GMT Syrian plan to promote 'citizen participation' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#syria_civil_society Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:21:14 GMT Tunisia's little joke http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#tunisia_laughter_week Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:20:28 GMT Egypt pays tribute to its police force with a public holiday http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#egypt_national_torture_day Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:06:05 GMT Yes, censorship is a problem but the real issue is citizenship http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#clinton_arabs_and_the_internet Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:21:03 GMT Filipina woman could face 100 lashes for 'illicit relationship' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#rape_victim_jailed_in_saudi_arabia Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:19:03 GMT Visit by Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#UN_to_scrutinise_tunisia Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:16:41 GMT Has he quarrelled with the Saudi king? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#prince_bandar_disappears Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:14:47 GMT Peril of focusing too much on al-Qaeda seems to be sinking in http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#US_senate_discusses_yemen Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:13:55 GMT Inmates and staff injured; unprecedented investigation launched http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#riot_in_saudi_womens_prison Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:34:49 GMT International 'crisis' conference expected to be very short http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#two_hours_to_save_yemen Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:47:56 GMT Jordanian protester held in jail http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#arrested_for_insulting_mubarak Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:46:56 GMT Mother seeks to annul marriage http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#saudi_man_80_weds_girl_aged_12 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:46:21 GMT US criticises detention of bloggers and activists in Egypt http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001b.htm#why_were_they_arrested Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:17:20 GMT Authorities arrest bloggers and activists http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#condolence_mission_halted_in_egypt Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:15:57 GMT Websites blocked by popular demand http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#saudi_internet_censorship Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:15:20 GMT Female genital mutilation 'has been proven by experts to be detrimental' http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#mauritanian_fatwa_against_FGM Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:14:09 GMT Was suspect killed in Yemen really an al-Qaeda leader? http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#al-qaeda ... or not? Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:50:22 GMT Menacing caller claimed to be working for the government http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#death_threat_to_yemeni_editor Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:46:37 GMT Rumpus at start of university exams http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#more_niqab_protests_in_egypt Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:44:32 GMT Battered domestic worker accused by her Jordanian employer http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#plight_of_a_sri_lankan_maid Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:42:38 GMT Justice ministry considers setting 18 as minimum age for brides http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#saudi_move_to_end_child_marriages Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:57:37 GMT UN says war has made 200,000 homeless http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#yemen_humanitarian_crisis_deepens Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:56:14 GMT Recognition at last for Moroccan cultural diversity http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#morocco_first_berber_TV_station Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:43:31 GMT Egyptian students attempt to circumvent ban on face veils http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#from_niqab_to_surgical_masks Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:01:05 GMT President is part of the problem, not the solution http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#yemen_the_salih_factor Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:50:54 GMT Egyptian rights group says segregation is a backward step http://www.al-bab.com/blog/blog1001a.htm#opposition_to_women-only_taxis Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:39:35 GMT