The media is still trying to learn details about the latest arrest of a Westerner in the Middle East for the exercise of free speech. The 25-year-old woman was reportedly arrested in Abu Dhabi for insulting the United Arab Emirates. This allegedly occurred while waiting for a taxi at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The National, a state-owned newspaper, reports that the woman has already appeared in Federal Supreme Court and has been jailed since February 23rd. Two months in jail for saying something insulting about a country. This is one of our closest Middle Eastern allies. While we often (and rightfully) denounce countries like Iran for their denial of basic liberties and extremist religious views, we tend to ignore the actions and laws of our own allies.

The UAE is apparently so fragile that people cannot even utter criticism of the country or government as a whole. It is a problem rampant among many Muslim nations which have waged an ongoing war against free speech and the free exercise of religion.

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