Last look inside

Enormous spaces, newly renovated, very impressive in many ways - but hopefully less sterile once open.

Along the Mu'izz

Approaching the Khan el-Khalili, the street is still as suggestive.

Gulf expert blog

American Gulf expert Gary Sick has started a blog! Only 2 posts so far, but am full of hope for interesting reading to come!

Lights in the mosque

The indoor lighting was spectacular - of course.. (need I say?).

Inside madrassas and mausoleums along shari' al-Muizz

In the dark, I am not even sure which of the mosques and mausoleums along the Shari' al-Muizz this was - embarrassingly... All of the 2-3 we entered were magnificent and newly renovated.

Ascension weekend reading

This is a long weekend in Sweden, starting with Ascension day on Thursday. I have a normal weekend, though - and the week has as usual been filled with interesting reading!

"Af-pak"
Dagens Nyheter reports on the Swedish Committee for Afghanistans conclusion that the situation of women has improved significantly, after all.

The National reports on the international anti-taliban coalition in Pakistan.

Asia Times looks at the coming role of US-Afghan Zalmay Khalilzad in Kabul.

Asia Times discusses the Taliban movement in Pakistan, too.

Iran and beyond
Washington Times reports on the release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi from prison in Tehran. Eurasianet looks at the Iran-USA game of politics, as shown by the release of Saberi.

Jonathan Spyer of GLORIA has written of Irans stake in Afghanistan and what it tells us of regional security issues. Greg Gause writes for the National on fear and relations between the GCC states and Iran. Nicole Stracke from GRC writes for the National on Iran's nuclear ambitions and their regional security implications. RAND has published a study on Iran as a regional power and the challenges tied to it regionally.

Open Democracy looks at women's rights in Iran.

Aftonbladet tells the story of Swedish photo journalist Sanna Sjöswärd finding her Tehran family.

A Eurasianet photo essay on the ISAF support functions in Central Asia, here exemplified by French in Dushanbe.

BBC meets with Tajik brides in a legal limbo.

Gulf
Sultan al Qassemi argues in the National for moving the Arab League to the Gulf.

Paul Handley writes for Middle East Online on reform in Saudi-Arabia.

Human Rights Watch have studied labour rights in the construction of the Abu Dhabi Culture district. BBC comments here and Emirati media here and here.

The National writes about the ancient traditions of Shehhi weddings in Ras al-Khaimah.

Lubna Qassim writes for the National on Emiratis in the workforce and the challenges presented in this field.

Gulf News meets Marcel Khalife visiting Dubai.

BBC reports on jobless expats in Dubai.

Other Middle East (misc)
The Swedish Institute has explored the views on Sweden in the Middle East, giving rather a bleak picture.

Michael Oren lists 7 existential threats against Israel for Commentary Magazine - interesting list!

Radio Free Europe reports on blogger arrests in Baku.

BBC shows a photo essay on Somali refugees arrived in Yemen.

BBC meets Bedouin in Jordan, talking about lifestyle and future.

Turkey
Ahmet Davutoglu speaks to Today's Zaman on Turkey's EU-process.

Freya Stark visited Turkey and Antalya in the 50's, tracking Alexander the Great, as described by Today's Zaman.

Vaults along the Mu'izz

Walking further along shari' al-Muizz, also some beautiful vaults and portals can be seen.

A must-read?

I have still yet to lay hands on a copy of this book, or even read a review - but the title says all! A long-time mystery and discussion object solved - in sooo many words!

Thursday update: I bought a copy! Promise to come back to you on the topic once its delivered and I've found time to read...

Mu'izz minarets

Continuing along the night-lit street down towards the Khan, these fabulous sights meet the eye.

Back on Shari' al-Muizz

Some assorted street views, from the amazing stretch of Shari' al-Muizz.

Last Suhaymi interiors

A last look at the interior of the Beit Suhaymi, before continuing further down the street.

Interior tiling

The ottoman-esque interior also displayed some wuite nice tiling work!

Reading links from May

As usual I share somewhat unsorted reading recommendations - this first one I want to especially highlight to you:
Eric Davis blogs about "10 conceptual sins in analyzing the Middle East" - very thoughtworthy!

BBC visits Basra, looking at the situation in the city in the wake of British presence. Here a British officer tells his story from Basra.

For the UAE, international media attention for the so-called torture tape affair has been periodically heavy - here the BBC.

The National takes a historic look at infrastructure and development in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi's cultural scene is growing, reports the BBC. Sultan Al-Qassemi writes for the National on how to further Emirati heritage.

The UN are alarmed at the situation in Gaza, still months after the war, reports Dagens Nyheter.

Erdogan reshuffled his cabinet in Ankara, promoting Babacan and giving Davutoglu formal foreign minister status. Bitte Hammargren portrays him for Svenska Dagbladet. He also surprisingly received the normally recluse Moqtada Sadr on a visit to Ankara. Bitte Hammargren blogs for Svenska Dagbladet about the meeting.

Svenska Dagbladet reviews Arabic literature in translation to Swedish - I note happily that more and more is coming.

Emile Hokayem writes for the National on Iran-watching in dire times.

Dagens Nyheter has met Trita Parsi in Washington.

Anna Dahlberg writes for Expressen about women in Afghanistan. Per Ahlin writes for Dagens Nyheter on the policy challenges of AfPak, especially centered on the nuclear aspects of Pakistan. Anna Dahlberg of Expressen writes about the war in Afghanistan.

Flu scares in Egypt, especially, have centered around actual pigs, leading to mass-cullings with severe social consequences.

MERIP writes on Shi'ites in Saudi-arabia.

Dagens Nyheter looks at the illegal antiquities trade.

Svenska Dagbladet follows Telia's Eurasian business deals.

Swedish Radio looks at Sipri findings about synchronized deliveries of aid and weapons to conflict zones.

Alexandrian poet Cavafy is featured in the National.

Ottoman plumbing

Quite advanced water carrying systems were displayed as usual - always fascinating!

Beit Suhaymi courtyard

Mystique dominated the skilfully lighted and shadowed courtyard in the evening.

Lamps!

The lamps were amazing works of art of course.

Interior details of the Suhaymi

Still walking around inside the amazingly decorated Ottoman house off Shari' al-Muizz.