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This article from the Global Research Center for Globalization looks at the relationship with Islam and it's negative portrayal in the media. This is an important view because it looks at this relationship from both points of view.

This article from the Global Research Center for Globalization looks at the relationship with Islam and it's negative portrayal in the media. This is an important view because it looks at this relationship from both points of view.

Is the "Arab Spring" perhaps actually the early stages of such a collapse or the beginning of a shift toward a more sustainable future?

Syrian Crisis 

This report conducted by Pew Research center presents the findings of how many are in support for gender equality in various countries. Among the countries, Egypt can be found with support for women equality being 60%.

This report conducted by Pew Research center presents the findings of how many are in support for gender equality in various countries. Among the countries, Egypt can be found with support for women equality being 60%.

Due to Libya's lack of institutional structure and weak centralized government, rival militia violence and clashes have created constant chaos leading the country towards another civil war. After the fall of Qaddafi, who obliterated institutions necessary for a functional government, Libya has been unable to manage the state. The National Transitional Council, which replaced the Qaddafi Regime, turned into the General National Congress and was given 18 months to form a democratic constitution. When the deadline passed the constitution was incomplete, which forced Congress to organize elections to a new House of Representatives. The former GNC members declared a new self proclaimed GNC, electing Omar al-Hasi as their prime minister. The new GNC is not recognized by Libya's parliament nor is it by the international community. Al Jazeera says the country literally has two parliaments and two governments, creating inconceivable instability throughout the state. The newly elected House has moved to Tobruk after armed islamic GNC militia groups overran the capital, seizing control over the major institutions in Tripoli. Due to this lack of a functional government, the rest of the state has turned to chaos. After the civil war, anti and pro Qaddafi forces branched into militias striving for power. Without a working state and government, militias had to rely on themselves to provide security, and really have no incentive to give up arms and no true government to be a part of. General Khalifa Hifter, a former Qaddafi general who later joined the Libyan rebel army in 2011, formed an anti-militia militia, targeting islamist militias like Ansar al-Sharia. Hifter is not affiliated with either of the governments, but rather strives for a military government, and supreme control of the armed forces.

NEW BOOK CHRONICLES DECADE OF CONSERVATION WORK IN EGYPT ARCE proudly announces the publication of a new book, "Preserving Egypt's Cultural Heritage: Conservation Work by the American Research Center in Egypt 1995-2005," edited by Randi Danforth.

Syria has disclosed four chemical weapon facilities including, three for research and development and one for production. There are concerns that Syria continues to hide information regarding the existence of more chemical weaponry facilities. The UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have a joint mission to eliminate the chemical weaponry in Syria.

Upon researching issues in women's rights, an issue involving forced marriage came up as an issue for Saudi Arabia. This link is about forced marriage in Saudi Arabia. The article starts with the story of a 15 year old girl that was forced to marry a 90 year old man who paid her parents $17,000 for her. The article then goes into detail about who is to blame and how it is perceived religiously.

This article was mind blowing for me. It is a report of the treatment of King Abdullah's daughters. It makes me wonder where they are now. I will try to do further research. It all started with a forced marriage and led to the ongoing torture of 4 daughters.

This article touches on an array of ideas but for the sake of my research I focused on the "Thirty Years War" section. Douglass Murray from The Spectator conveys the perspective that the Middle East is likely to be going through a similar 17th century European 30 years war, when Protestant and Catholics launched a full fledged war against one another. This means that religious war in the Middle East is so much bigger than just al-Qaeda and similar groups. The conflict will re-align the region, but also the entire religion of Islam. Douglass says the outcome would call for a Treaty of Westphalia-style solution, redrawing boundaries of a region where they've been bursting for decades.  For the time being the drivers of the conflict is a standoff between the two regional powers and their affiliated proxies, Saudi Arabia and Iran. 

It is clear that Egypt needs to take greeter actions in ensuring FGM is completely banned. Rothna Begum is a women's rights researcher who focuses on the Middle East and Africa. The doctor claims to have done the procedure other medical purposes other than FGM. 

In this Electronic Intifada article, the question of whether Israel is practicing Apartheid and Colonialism upon Palestinians in the Occupied Territories is addressed. By referencing a 300-page report generated by the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa, the answer to the above question is found to be an unequivocal yes.

In this Global Research interview, author Adri Nieuwhof speaks with Farid Esack. Esack, chairperson of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel) South Africa, speaks about his ten year history with the cause and the increasing amount of backlash he is receiving in regards to the organization's stance against Israel. Stating that the Arab Spring eroded much of the local support for Palestine, Esack calls for increased support of BDS.