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.