UK
Anzac Day: Digging beneath the myth of the unruly Australian digger
April 2019 – Despite their reputation for being undisciplined and insubordinate, Australian soldiers who fought in World War I, known as ‘diggers', were fiercely courageous and disciplined where it mattered – on the battlefield. These rebels with a cause would play a pivotal role in defining modern Australian identity.Citizenship is a universal right, even for ISIS members
March 2019 – The death of Shamima Begum's infant son underscores the injustice of depriving alleged terrorists and jihadis of their citizenship. It also sets a dangerous precedent that can come back to haunt and hurt everyone in society. The unlikely demonisation of Salman Rushdie February 2019 – Salman Rushdie made a very unlikely target for the fury of conservative Muslims, which is why the opportunistic fatwa issued by a Khomeini in serious decline took the novelist and the world by surprise. Steve Bannon is being amplified, not silenced December 2018 – By providing Steve Bannon with an uncritical solo platform, the Oxford Union has failed in its mission as a forum of free and fair debate, succumbing instead to tabloid sensationalism.In search of the lost city of Londonistan
September 2018 – Our intrepid and fearless reporter visited the fabled capital of the European Caliphate, Londonistan. What he discovered was shockingly, surprisingly, confoundingly, almost frighteningly… ordinary. Bernard Lewis and the non-existent clash of civilisations May 2018 – Bernard Lewis was the orientalist scholar for choice for American neo-conservatives. His dangerous ‘clash of civilisations' theory was not only wrong but caused enormous damage in the Middle East. Donald Trump: Universal scapegoat December 2017 – Donald Trump is possibly the worst American president in history, but that does not give the rest of the political establishment a get-out-of-jail-free card when it comes to taking responsibility for the mess the world is in. Post-ISIS Mosul, pt 1: The final death of a city? December 2017 – Its building turned to dust, its citizens traumatised and impoverished, Mosul may have been ‘liberated' from ISIS but it has become a graveyard. Can this razed and devastated city ever be free again? Unsung death on the Nile – Part II August 2017 – Arriving in Thatcherite Britain was a shock to mother's leftist, post-colonial worldview, but she adjusted, managed to admire her new home and made friends from all walks of life.
Multilingualism: The power of Babel
November 2016 – Speaking foreign languages broadens our horizons and can act as an antidote against toxic xenophobia.
March 2016 – Leaving the EU could be catastrophic for disabled Britons, yet little attention has been given to their needs or their voices.
Flying under the radar of aviation history
December 2015 – A lad from the Australian bush ended up designing and building the slickest, quickest aircraft of the 1920/30s. How come nobody has heard of him?
Saddam Hussein: Laughing in the face of tyranny
October 2015 – In light of the continuing legacy of Saddam Hussein's rule and the US invasion of Iraq, is it appropriate to stage a comedy about the former despot?
Refugees who just want to dance
October 2015 – An Iranian engineer who is seeking asylum in Europe because he wants to pursue his passion, dancing, would probably be rejected. Should he be?
A ‘War on Error' against radical anti-Islam
May 2015 – Given how many New Atheists, Christian fundamentalists and neo-cons share a distorted view of Islam and Muslims, it's high time for a War on Error.
May 2015 – Failing to acknowledge the legacy of slavery on all our modern societies makes the present an unnecessary slave to history.
War and peace in the Middle East and Europe
April 2015 – Europe's history of total war and mass displacement can help create more sympathy for today's refugees and keep hope alive in the Middle East.
December 2014 – The Islamic State's (ISIS) destruction of Mosul's ethnic diversity is more heart-breaking than the erasure of its architectural and cultural heritage.
The dangers of a political crusade against Western jihadists
September 2014 – Inflammatory rhetoric and a solely punitive approach to Western jihadists is only likely to make matters worst, and could threaten multiculturalism.
Bush, Blair en de blitzkrieg in Irak
Juni 2014 – Gezien de verreikende gevolgen van de Amerikaanse invasie van Irak, laten we het idee om Bush en Blair voor het gerecht te brengen nieuw leven inblazen.
Criminally reckless in Iraq June 2014 – The US invasion and occupation caused Iraq to implode into anarchy and then explode into civil war. For that reason, its architects must be prosecuted. How iSlam made the West cool May 2013 – Those who fear Muslim influence should raise a glass to the Sultan of Style when they freshen up, don the latest fashions or enjoy dining out. Hitler: Arab hero or villain May 2013 – A shop called Hitler in Egypt raises some uncomfortable questions about Arab perceptions of the Nazi dictator. A brief history of Western ‘jihadists' April 2013 – From Guy Fawkes and Lord Byron to Ernest Hemingway and George Orwell, Westerners have an ancient tradition of doing ‘jihad' in foreign lands. Gay pride (and prejudice) through the ages February 2013 – Historic examples of homosexuality being tolerated by Judaism, Christianity and Islam can help overcome homophobia and reinvent these faiths. The Arab world's missed opportunities November 2012 – Early Arab rejectionism and division unwittingly helped to build Israel and to lose Palestine, with the Palestinian people paying the heavy price. The Mubarak regime's legalised robbery September 2012 – Since the ‘Mubarak mafia' were not outlaws but were the law, proving that Egypt's lost billions were ill-gotten is an elusively difficult challenge. Spartan Olympics August 2012 – In an era of economic austerity, we must revive the idea of a permanent venue for the Olympics, which would also help to de-politicise the games. The last word in music July 2012 – It was the last word in music, and turned words into music. The WORD, which defied the decline in print media with wit, edge and artistry, is no more. David Miliband: revolution v extremism July 2011 – Britain's former foreign minister David Miliband has high hopes for the Arab revolutions. Not so simply red December 2010 – The Simply Red lead singer's admission that he slept with thousands of women shatters one longstanding ginger stereotype, but discrimination against redheads goes way back. The rise of far-right politics on both sides of the Atlantic November 2010 – On KALW's weekly media round table, Khaled Diab took part in a radio debate on the rise of far-right politics on both sides of the Atlantic. The Arab man's burden November 2010 – Some in the west are more likely to believe in elves in Middle Earth than in Arab men in the Middle East who are secular and do not oppress women. For a questionable cause October 2010 – Should organisations raising money for foreign militaries or to perpetuate occupations enjoy charitable status? A shop window on Egyptian history September 2010 – The buyers of Harrods are reportedly planning to take over Egypt's oldest department store, Omar Effendi, whose story mirrors Egypt's modern history. Europe's hidden terror menace July 2010 – The fifth anniversary of the 7 July attacks has refocused attention on Islamist terrorism, but the neo-Nazi threat goes largely unnoticed. Making globalisation pay February 2010 – Big corporations are using the banking crisis as an excuse for exploiting cheap labour. Is it time for a global minimum wage? What a queer language January 2010 – From ‘gay girls' to ‘shagging flies', the changing meaning of English words causes no end of confusion. Tis the season to be sociable December 2009 – The British are famously reserved, but so are the Belgians. Let's break the ice and make the public sphere more friendly. Bugging the culinary operating system September 2009 – Elevating food to celebrity status has turned the theory of motivation upside. It's time to stick one up the foodies.Faith and desire in Albert Square
August 2009 – EastEnders is breaking new ground on gay issues by exploring what happens when Muslim boy meets boy – but marries girl.
August 2009 – Tougher naturalisation laws are counterproductive. What we need is to redefine our understanding of citizenship.
TV's desperate Muslim romantics
August 2009 – Sexual relationships among ethnic minorities offer richer dramatic pickings than cliched stories about arranged marriage.
What about the Western warlords?
July 2009 – Cherie Blair's chastisement of the African Union for not co-operating with the International Criminal Court is pretty rich coming from the wife of a man many believe is a war criminal.
Equality: not even in death July 2009 – Tragic as the deaths of young British soldiers in Afghanistan are, why is the media not mourning Afghan civilian casualties? Losing the plot July 2009- Wacky conspiracy theories cause damage by drawing attention away from the real plots being hatched by our governments. All continents on the Western Front November 2008 – It is time European countries acknowledged the part soldiers from their former colonies played in the First World War.
