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.