Kidnapping Stirs Malaysian Debate about Saudi-Inspired Ultra-Conservatism

by James M. Dorsey Allegedly kidnapped, forty-three-year old Malaysian activist Amri Che Mat, a foreign exchange trader and mountain climber, has not been heard of since he went missing in November 2016. An inquiry into his disappearance coupled with an assertion… Continue Reading

Gulf Crisis Turns Qatar into “Region’s Israel”

by James M. Dorsey Prominent US constitutional lawyer and scholar Alan M. Dershowitz raised eyebrows when he described Qatar as “the Israel of the Gulf states.” Known for his hard-line pro-Israel views, Dershowitz drew his conclusion following an all-expenses paid trip to… Continue Reading

Salafi mission calls into question Saudi concept of moderation

by James M. Dorsey Plans to open a Salafi missionary centre in the Yemeni province of Al Mahrah on the border with Oman and Saudi Arabia raise questions about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s concept of a moderate form of Islam.… Continue Reading

Gulf Crisis Expands into the Horn of Africa

by James M. Dorsey The six-month-old Gulf crisis has expanded to the Horn Africa, potentially fuelling simmering regional conflicts. Renewed fears of heightened tension in the Horn, a region pockmarked by foreign military bases that straddles key Indian Ocean trade… Continue Reading