The Gulf monarchies have, in recent years, invested considerable resources and efforts in finding ways to censor interactions between their...
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
What future for free speech in the new Egypt?
Egypt closed 2012 with a new constitution and opened this year with growing discontent with President Mohamed Morsi. Ashraf Khalil reflects on a tumultuous year, and looks ahead to an uncertain future
Jailed and stabbed for the crime of being an atheist in the New Egypt
A 27 year-old Egyptian blogger has been released on bail pending an appeal of his 12 December conviction for blasphemy and contempt of religion. He...
Journalist killed in anti-Morsi protest
An Egyptian journalist covering Wednesday's clashes outside the presidential palace in Heliopolis between Islamist supporters and opponents of...
Bahrain: Verdict in trial for 13 activists postponed
Bahrain's Court of Cassation today postponed issuing a verdict in the appeal of 13 opposition activists, including well-known human rights activist...
INDEX INTERVIEW: “Diplomats should be blogging”
Annette Fisher interviews Frances Guy, Senior Adviser at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and former British Ambassador to Lebanon and Yemen on the dilemmas of public service and free speech
Why is Kim Kardashian going to Bahrain?
Kim Kardashian flew into Bahrain's capital today to launch the country’s first Millions of Milkshakes shop --- but "sources" close to the reality TV...
Gaza: When is a journalist not a journalist?
OPINION “Maybe we have a discussion about who is a journalist,” said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev, in a much-publicised interview with Al...
Egypt’s constitutional battle — Liberals fear draft could lead to theocracy
The ideological battle for Egypt's soul has intensified in recent weeks. Rising tensions threaten to polarise a country wracked by deep divisions...
Egypt: Exhausted Christian convert considers going back to Islam
Maher El Gohary is a broken and defeated man who has grown tired of life on the run. After a four-year battle to have the Egyptian state recognise...