The Layalina Review: Volume V No. 26 | 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. V No. 25: 11/20-12/3, 2009 Vol. V No. 24: 11/06-11/19, 2009 Vol. V No. 23: 10/23-11/05, 2009 Archives Subscribe to our Publications Layalina Review Staff Leon Shahabian Senior Editor Anne Hagood Managing Editor Mirna Oud Contributor Lyzz Schwegler Contributor Lorraine Jablonsky Contributor Babar Taimoor Contributor The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layalina Productions, Inc.	VOL. V NO. 26, December 4-December 17, 2009 Engagement Prevails for the Nobel Peace Prize Winner While President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize demonstrates general appreciation for his diplomatic approach to international contentious issues, some argue that he has yet to deliver on his pledge for peace. Swiss Minaret Ban a Setback for MidEast Diplomacy Switzerland's recent ban of minarets has inspired impassioned and polarized reactions on both sides of the issue, and analysts agree the ban will likely damage diplomatic outreach in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. Obama’s MidEast Diplomacy Generates Optimism Amidst Doubts President Obama’s first year was noted for his policy of engagement with the Middle East and the Muslim world. Yet the Arab world generally expresses disapproval of Obama’s policies in the region, diluting the positive response the president yielded after his speech in Cairo. Media Access Restricted After Wave of Protests in Iran Backlash continues over media restrictions surrounding recent anti-government demonstrations in Iran while detractors continuing to criticize Iranian officials for media repression. Propaganda on Arab TV: a Threat to US Security? The United States House of Representatives recently passed a bill that will brand Arab media outlets that broadcast “incitements to violence” against the US as terrorist entities. If the bill becomes law, it will also take action against satellite carriers that broadcast such networks. Egyptian-Algerian Relations Get a Yellow Card After heated words and blows were exchanged between Egyptians and Algerians, the dust appears to be settling in the aftermath of the recent Egypt-Algeria soccer matches. Politicians speak of reconciliation, although tension still remains. Women in the Arab World: Breaking New Ground? While the UN and women's rights activists strive to improve the social and economic role of women in the Arab world, recent developments are breaking new ground in the Middle East. Gulf States Summit Aims to Make Headway on Regional Issues Gulf Cooperation Council member states gather this week in Kuwait for their 30th annual summit. Leaders are enthusiastic that the council will make advancements on issues troubling the region, but detractors claim little has been achieved on previous occasions. Dubai Film Festival Offers Bridge between Cultures Dubai hosted the sixth annual Dubai International Film Festival despite the emirate's recent economic crisis. The festival is considered a link between cultures as it unites industry professionals from around the world who use the event to network and celebrate the world of film. Arab Blogging Struggles to Affect Change Bloggers in the Arab world discuss the challenges they face at recent meetings and workshops. While there is increasing awareness and use of new communication technologies in the Middle East, the pace of adoption has been relatively slow.

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. V No. 25: 11/20-12/3, 2009

Vol. V No. 24: 11/06-11/19, 2009

Vol. V No. 23: 10/23-11/05, 2009

Archives

Layalina Review Staff

Leon Shahabian
Senior Editor

Anne Hagood
Managing Editor

Mirna Oud
Contributor

Lyzz Schwegler
Contributor

Lorraine Jablonsky
Contributor

Babar Taimoor
Contributor

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

VOL. V NO. 26, December 4-December 17, 2009

Engagement Prevails for the Nobel Peace Prize Winner
While President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize demonstrates general appreciation for his diplomatic approach to international contentious issues, some argue that he has yet to deliver on his pledge for peace.

Swiss Minaret Ban a Setback for MidEast Diplomacy
Switzerland's recent ban of minarets has inspired impassioned and polarized reactions on both sides of the issue, and analysts agree the ban will likely damage diplomatic outreach in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world.

Obama’s MidEast Diplomacy Generates Optimism Amidst Doubts
President Obama’s first year was noted for his policy of engagement with the Middle East and the Muslim world. Yet the Arab world generally expresses disapproval of Obama’s policies in the region, diluting the positive response the president yielded after his speech in Cairo.

Media Access Restricted After Wave of Protests in Iran
Backlash continues over media restrictions surrounding recent anti-government demonstrations in Iran while detractors continuing to criticize Iranian officials for media repression.

Propaganda on Arab TV: a Threat to US Security?
The United States House of Representatives recently passed a bill that will brand Arab media outlets that broadcast “incitements to violence” against the US as terrorist entities. If the bill becomes law, it will also take action against satellite carriers that broadcast such networks.

Egyptian-Algerian Relations Get a Yellow Card
After heated words and blows were exchanged between Egyptians and Algerians, the dust appears to be settling in the aftermath of the recent Egypt-Algeria soccer matches. Politicians speak of reconciliation, although tension still remains.

Women in the Arab World: Breaking New Ground?
While the UN and women's rights activists strive to improve the social and economic role of women in the Arab world, recent developments are breaking new ground in the Middle East.

Gulf States Summit Aims to Make Headway on Regional Issues
Gulf Cooperation Council member states gather this week in Kuwait for their 30th annual summit. Leaders are enthusiastic that the council will make advancements on issues troubling the region, but detractors claim little has been achieved on previous occasions.

Dubai Film Festival Offers Bridge between Cultures
Dubai hosted the sixth annual Dubai International Film Festival despite the emirate's recent economic crisis. The festival is considered a link between cultures as it unites industry professionals from around the world who use the event to network and celebrate the world of film.

Arab Blogging Struggles to Affect Change
Bloggers in the Arab world discuss the challenges they face at recent meetings and workshops. While there is increasing awareness and use of new communication technologies in the Middle East, the pace of adoption has been relatively slow.