On July 13, 2010, formerly imprisoned Egyptian democracy activist, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, wrote:   "A small group of activists in the Middle East have attacked CyberDissidents.org because some of its members are Israeli.  I serve as an advisory board member to this marvelous organization and I am saddened by the attacks on it.  CyberDissidents.org promotes freedom of...

BAHRAIN 2301 King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa announced on March 20, 2012, that “significant progress” has been made in implementing democratic reforms demanded by protesters during the Bahraini uprising last year, though the Kingdom’s opposition parties doubt that the future holds justice for the thousand-plus protesters who were imprisoned over the course of the past year. Prior to the...

BAHRAIN Bahrain’s Ambassador to the U.S., Houda Nonoo, provoked anger among activists after commending the the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Baha`i in the Gulf Kingdom. Regarding last year’s events, the ambassador said: “Bahrain’s government is committed to reform, and to implementing progressive policies that will help achieve...

CNN Dialouges: The Arab ‘Spring’: A Path to Democracy? A singular protest by a Tunisian street vendor ignited rebellion, resistance and regime change that spurred a tumultuous year across the Arab world. Now, armed with new media, fresh and vibrant voices are emerging all across the region to challenge old political control and some cultural traditions. What is often called the...

In the civilized world, riot police might disperse an illegal demonstration that uses violence by spraying them with water.  In Yemen, non-violent protesters demonstrating legally are sprayed with acid-laced water - which leaves burn marks on the bodies of the activists. On Wednesday, January 11th in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa,  Activist Ali Al Shami was sleeping in his tent at a...