James M. Dorsey / The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

We live in a volatile and confusing world. The Middle East is in flames. Its political transition is volatile, bloody and never ending. Its a process of two steps forward, three steps backwards with a generation of autocratic, civilisationalist leaders willing to go to any length to maintain power. Middle Eastern leaders don't operate in a vacuum. They are part of a global trend: the rise of illiberal, authoritarian and autocratic civilisationalist leaders who think in civilizational rather than purely national terms. Leaders like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Victor Orban and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agree on principles of governance that undermine human, women's and minority rights and are likely to shape a new world order with Eurasia at its core. The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer seeks to make sense of this all with sharp, fact-based, uncompromising analysis. I launched the column eight years ago. The column has since won awards, is widely read, frequently quoted and has proven to have real impact. When I started the column, I looked at fault lines through the prism of soccer and the relationship of sports and politics. I still do but that has become one aspect as I increasingly began writing far broader geopolitical analysis. This has and remains a self-funded work of love. I passionately believe that the column helps understand the world around us. Patrons will help deepen and broaden my reporting and analysis that stretches across a swath of land from China to the Atlantic coast of Europe and Africa and looks at global geopolitical trends that shape our lives. Patrons will benefit not only from my columns and podcasts but also from private consultations on request. The purpose of the exercise is to help people and organizations make informed judgments and decisions. It is meant to be a service. Thank you and please get and stay in touch.

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