Behind The News

As results in the Corruptions Perceptions Index break, the Arab Springers and the region measures its great expectations against its poor results. Qatar’s corruption rating glows against other Arab members states – but it is the best of a bunch of bad eggs.

When once there were dictators flicking the on and off buttons to the region's internet, now Egyptian people-power in taking control.

Palestine had already warned those who voted against the UN bid to upgrade its status to non-member observer state that it would take measures to diminish their diplomatic relations. Who has declared themselves distinctly to be no friend of Palestine and should the Palestinian presumed statehood care much? A look at the Czech Republic, Panama and the West Pacific.

With accusations flying of Morsi being the new Pharaoh of Egypt and just another American agent in the Palestine triangle of peace, should Morsi hang his ‘hood’ (or tail) between his legs and retreat from the power limelight? Some would have him scuttle back to challenging the rulers as a member of the traditionally opposition-seated Muslim Brotherhood.

Palestine intends to re-seek UN statehood on November 29. Their hope is to secure non-member statehood.

Suddenly this weekend the media was awash with slurs on Mohammed Morsi and his supposed power greed. It seemed that Egypt needed to officially launch Round 2 of the revolution to free Egypt from the replacement dictator.

The less sophisticated Hamas rockets may not have given the Israelis and their Iron Dome a good run for its money or put the anti-missile state of the art system through its paces. While the 'Pillar of Defense' fared quite well in the face of Palestinian rocket fire, it may not come out smelling of roses against a more challenging Hezbollah rocket artillery.

After Israeli bombs injure six local journalists, Mark Regev speaks to AlJazeera in a highly charged interview.

As the bitter fighting rages on between Israel and Gaza, both sides have upped the anti on divine justifications and religious mud-slinging in a bid to turn the most recent bloodshed and destruction into a 'holy war'.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood have long since defined themselves as 'staunch supporters' of the Palestinian cause but as Israeli rockets bombarded Gaza last night, leaving its streets in ruins and children for dead, neither Morsi or the Brotherhood were anywhere to be seen.

The U.S. intelligence services are left in tatters after "inappropriate communications" from everyone from Afghanistan Generals to FBI agents are found on Lebanese lady, and social ambassador, Jill Kelley's, computer.

Found guilty of money laundering, abuse of power and embezzlement, Mohammed Dahabi faces 13 years hard labor.

When Mecca goes to Vegas - it's a movie you didn't order. Is there more to the story of a commercial takeover at stake here? The keepers of Islam's most sacred sites in Saudi Arabia are modernizing the historic pilgrimage spots in a process akin to whitewashing history. Is 'Greater Mecca' the product of Saudi's assault on the ancient democratization of Islam?

President Barack Obama has got his work cut out for him. Syria and Iran will be pressing foreign agenda concerns to top off the fiscal cliff first stumbling block.

If you thought all Arabs were for Obama - think again, says one Arab-American commentator and Romney campaigner. Why Arabs might want to consider going the Mitt Romney way. He's good for business interests and keen to understand Arabs. He's from a religious minority himself...