How much say did the people have?

Your Middle East

The results have come in from the first round of Egyptian presidential elections. The two most polarising candidates, Mohamed Morsi and Ahmed Shafiq, will face each other in a run-off. Cairenes and Alexandrians sit in cafes in heated political discussion. How, they ask themselves, could two such unpopular candidates have won?

The country with no politics finds its voice

New Statesman

A fortnight ago, Tripoli was calm and quiet. The sunny main square, scene of the recent uprisings, is where couples would go for romantic walks. The women, in colourful sequinned hijabs, would sit on heart-shaped love seats surrounded by fake flowers.

Written under pseudonym.

Islamists tasked with drugs crackdown in Tripoli

New Statesman

Libyans are facing a dilemma. Nearly two years after the 17 February uprising began, the euphoria of defeating Gaddafi and ending his 42 years of tyranny and oppression has faded. In its place is a nationwide balance sheet of significant achievements and demoralizing failures.

Men in Black: the black bloc causes trouble in Egypt

New Statesman

Masked men seed fear and confusion.

Baha’is in Egypt

Daily News Egypt

The 25 January revolution gave everyone hope for change, and the Baha’i hope for acceptance.