Viewpoints
World economy no longer trails U.S.
Usually when the U.S. economy slides, so slides the rest of the world. Commentator Robert Reich says that's not going to happen this time, thanks to China and the Middle East.
Peace through business?
In his most recent book, "The War of the World," Harvard historian Niall Ferguson says economic instability leads to conflict but viable market economies can end it -- especially in the Middle East. He spoke with Kai Ryssdal.
New paper hopes to be read all over
Abu Dhabi is about to launch an English-language newspaper that it plans to make into the Gulf's paper of record. Kai Ryssdal talked with its Deputy Editor Hassan Fattah, formerly of The New York Times.
Modernity and Islam go together
When you see a woman in Dubai covered in black from top to bottom, including her face, but sporting hot-pink stilletto heels, you might assume some kind of disconnect between Islam and the present day. Commentator Samer Shehata says that's not the case at all.
A talk with Middle East media mogul
The Middle East Broadcasting Company runs the Al Arabiya news channel, a competitor to Al Jazeera. It's run by a member of the Saudi royal family, Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim. Kai Ryssdal spoke with him at his office in Dubai's Media City.
Stay in America or return to Egypt?
While workers from around the world are striving to get to jobs in the Middle East, human capital is a big export for some countries in the region as well. Commentator Mona Eltahawy says the decision to leave comes with mixed emotions.
What to do about labor imbalance?
While Dubai is booming, the Gulf region's overall unemployment is near 15%. Kai Ryssdal spoke with labor consultant Kito de Boer about what leaders can do to address disparities between the local population and visiting workers.
Tech start-ups booming in Israel
Israel's tech sector is teeming with start-ups and helping the national economy thrive. Scott Jagow talks about the boom and the country's economic concerns with Manuel Trajtenberg, head of Israel's National Economic Council.
Book club's ex-pats tell Dubai story
There's a women's only, ex-pat book club that gets together in Dubai the first Wednesday of every month. Its members are from Turkey, Yemen, Spain, Venezuela and Afghanistan. They say they'd like to get to know more locals. But that, and other things in Dubai, are hard.
Will Dubai be just for the 'haves'?
Six Flags, Busch Gardens and Sea World are planning to build amusement parks in Dubai. If all that reminds you of a certain American city also built in the desert, well, join the club, says commentator and Arab media producer Jamal Dajani.
Middle East meets Middle America
Middle Eastern governments are pouring money into the U.S. -- from Citibank to Church's Chicken. Tess asks Mahmoud El-Gamal about the future of this relationship.
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Getting Personal
In this special Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about rearranging finances before an move overseas, Middle Eastern index funds and tax policy for income earned abroad.
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Islamic mutual funds
Sharia law restrictions on stock picking can making investing difficult for Muslims. Tess talks to Monem Salam about special Islamic mutual funds that do the research for you.
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Where Egypt meets U.S. work culture
Egypt and the U.S. practice business very differently, but mobile phone company CEO Alex Shalaby mixes the two work cultures to his advantage. Scott Jagow interviews the head of Mobinil.
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Economies need more than just oil
For many Americans, the Middle East all boils down to oil. But commentator Dennis Ross notes development lags in Middle Eastern countries. To solve the problem, they're seeking to diversify their economies.
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Egypt's newfound labor movement
Textiles are a huge employer in Egypt, but workers have started protesting their wages. In an unusual move, the government met the demands of thousands of strikers last year. Scott Jagow asks American University's Joel Beinin why.
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Middle Eastern TV goes interactive
At an Egyptian cafe you'll find men sipping tea, smoking tobacco in water pipes, and watching satellite TV. The satellite dish has changed the Middle East as much as any technology. Commentator Marwan Kraidy says Arabic television has come a long way.
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Natural riches are blessing and curse
So Egypt wants to start a new gold rush. Commentator Robert Reich says there's a cost to striking it rich.
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The cost of the Iraq war
How much is the Iraq war costing? The U.S. government predicted $60 billion in 2003. But the authors of a new book say it's now $3 trillion. Host Scott Jagow asked Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard Professor Linda Bilmes about their calculation.
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Can Cairo afford globalization?
Egypt's capital is severely overcrowded and its economy seriously lags other Middle East urban centers. Diane Singerman, co-editor of "Cairo Cosmopolitan," talks with Scott Jagow about the ancient city's struggle with growth and modernity.
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Cairo cab ride with a backseat writer
Khaled Al Khamissi spent a year riding in Cairo taxis, talking to the drivers. Then he wrote a book to tell the stories of a frustrated working class. Scott Jagow hopped into a cab with him to hear more and see the city.
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An unclear view
My lasting memory of Dubai is going to be its incompleteness. Not just physically, although that for sure. But also because for all the building and booming, its place in the global economy still isn't a sure thing. Too many people here are being left behind. Read more.
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The cost of spinning sand into gold
AUDIO SLIDE SHOW: Ambition might be Dubai's most obvious attribute. But there really aren't natural resources to back it up. Sam Eaton reports.
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Emirates Airlines enjoys more thrust
On his trip to Dubai, Kai Ryssdal flew on Emirates Airlines, one of the top 10 airlines in the world measured by passengers carried and miles flown. But it's not operated like other airlines. Here's his report.
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Modernity and Islam go together
When you see a woman in Dubai covered in black from top to bottom, including her face, but sporting hot-pink stilletto heels, you might assume some kind of disconnect between Islam and the present day. Commentator Samer Shehata says that's not the case at all.
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