The Layalina Review: Volume VII No. 2 | Layalina Productions, Inc.

The Layalina Review

	The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media. Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors. Published 26 times per year, the review is free to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats. The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.
Statistic of the Week The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study. PDF RSS Twitter Facebook Recent Issues Vol. VII No. 1: 01/01-01/13, 2011 Vol. VI No. 26: 12/17-12/30, 2010 Vol. VI No. 25: 12/03-12/16, 2010 Archives Subscribe to our Publications Layalina Review Staff Leon Shahabian Senior Editor Anne Hagood Managing Editor Noura Ismail Contributor Jessica Simon Contributor Lorraine Jablonsky Contributor The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.	VOL. VII NO. 2, January 14- January 27, 2011 An Uncertain Future After Tunisia Experts and citizens alike are all abuzz following the overthrow of Tunisian President Ben Ali, offering different observations and predictions about the region's future. However, all eyes have now turned to Egypt, where political and press repression may provide the stage for the next citizen uprising. Social Media Revolution or Not? Following the Tunisian revolution, social media advocates claim that the internet played a large role in the uprising. Meanwhile, skeptics continue to question attributing a popular uprising to new media, pointing out that other conditions may have been more relevant factors. Reforms in the Middle East and the Rise of Islamists Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publically chastised Arab governments for their lack of reforms and rampant corruption, while expressing her concerns about rising Islamists. Analysts echoed her concerns, although some are arguing a democratic change would mean legitimizing their presence. Islamophobia Revisited According to pundits, ten years after 9/11, Islamophobia and negative perception of Muslim communities have not assuaged in America, with a growing number of attacks or acts of discrimination. A Confusing Foreign Policy A number of political analyst are denouncing President Obama’s foreign policy as ambiguous, reproaching his position on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. While some feel that he has put foreign policy on the backburner, others believe Mr. Obama’s efforts have been undermined by unwilling partners. Al-Jazeera’s Role in Jasmine Revolution Sinner or saint? A number of viewpoints are debated regarding Al-Jazeera’s role in social movements and uprising, such as happened in Tunisia. Is the Qatari channel’s reporting controversial or rather the only accurate one in a region where censorship is the rule? Cyber Al-Qaeda Scholars are increasingly concerned that Al-Qaeda will be able to capitalize upon a generation of disillusioned, tech-savvy youths. The proposed solution exhorts schools and families to play an active role in monitoring and raising awareness. Women Find Voice on Facebook A group of women in Saudi Arabia established a political group entitled “Baladi” (Arabic for my country), in which they are campaigning for a more active role in municipal elections through the popular networking site Facebook.

The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media

The Layalina Review is a peerless bi-weekly source for monitoring developments in the spheres of public diplomacy and Arab media.

Its readers include academics, Foreign Service Officers, students, members of Congress and their staffs, foreign diplomats, and professionals in both the private and public sectors.

Published 26 times per year, the review is free to subscribers and available in PDF, HTML, and RSS formats.

The Layalina Review is brought to you thanks in part to a grant from The Dr. Scholl Foundation of Illinois.

Statistic of the Week
The UAE is the 'most connected' Arab country, followed by Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, in a new study.

Recent Issues

Vol. VII No. 1: 01/01-01/13, 2011

Vol. VI No. 26: 12/17-12/30, 2010

Vol. VI No. 25: 12/03-12/16, 2010

Archives

Layalina Review Staff

Leon Shahabian
Senior Editor

Anne Hagood
Managing Editor

Noura Ismail
Contributor

Jessica Simon
Contributor

Lorraine Jablonsky
Contributor

The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.

VOL. VII NO. 2, January 14- January 27, 2011

An Uncertain Future After Tunisia
Experts and citizens alike are all abuzz following the overthrow of Tunisian President Ben Ali, offering different observations and predictions about the region's future. However, all eyes have now turned to Egypt, where political and press repression may provide the stage for the next citizen uprising.

Social Media Revolution or Not?
Following the Tunisian revolution, social media advocates claim that the internet played a large role in the uprising. Meanwhile, skeptics continue to question attributing a popular uprising to new media, pointing out that other conditions may have been more relevant factors.

Reforms in the Middle East and the Rise of Islamists
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publically chastised Arab governments for their lack of reforms and rampant corruption, while expressing her concerns about rising Islamists. Analysts echoed her concerns, although some are arguing a democratic change would mean legitimizing their presence.

Islamophobia Revisited
According to pundits, ten years after 9/11, Islamophobia and negative perception of Muslim communities have not assuaged in America, with a growing number of attacks or acts of discrimination.

A Confusing Foreign Policy
A number of political analyst are denouncing President Obama’s foreign policy as ambiguous, reproaching his position on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. While some feel that he has put foreign policy on the backburner, others believe Mr. Obama’s efforts have been undermined by unwilling partners.

Al-Jazeera’s Role in Jasmine Revolution
Sinner or saint? A number of viewpoints are debated regarding Al-Jazeera’s role in social movements and uprising, such as happened in Tunisia. Is the Qatari channel’s reporting controversial or rather the only accurate one in a region where censorship is the rule?

Cyber Al-Qaeda
Scholars are increasingly concerned that Al-Qaeda will be able to capitalize upon a generation of disillusioned, tech-savvy youths. The proposed solution exhorts schools and families to play an active role in monitoring and raising awareness.

Women Find Voice on Facebook
A group of women in Saudi Arabia established a political group entitled “Baladi” (Arabic for my country), in which they are campaigning for a more active role in municipal elections through the popular networking site Facebook.