Archive for June 6, 2007
“When I lived in Kabul a couple of years ago, it seemed unimaginable that the Taliban could return. The regime was considered a spent force and generally disliked by Afghans. Mullah Omar gathered his associates, told them they were on their own and fled on his motorcycle. Today there are reports of Taliban attacks as [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
In US presidential politics, this is a sure sign that he will run: “Fred Thompson, US presidential hopeful and former star of the hit television series “Law & Order,†is scheduled to make his first visit to Israel in the coming days. Thompson, who is said to have a fair chance of winning the Republican [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stopped short earlier this week of blaming Iran, saying the U.S. did not have evidence “of the involvement of the Iranian government in support of the Taliban.” But an analysis by a senior coalition official, obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com, concludes there is clear evidence of Iran’s involvement.” So [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“Mortar and rocket attacks on the Green Zone are nothing new, but people who live and work in the complex — a walled compound of about five square miles on the banks of the Tigris River that is headquarters to the Iraqi government and U.S. forces — say that the strikes are becoming more frequent, [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“At the Republican debate last night, almost all the candidates said that they would not rule out a nuclear attack on Iran as a means to prevent it from getting its own nuclear weapons. Only one of these knuckleheads would say that attacking Iran — indeed even threatening to nuke Iran — is not the [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“The world sees Israel as an occupier”. No way. Really? I wonder why? Wait. Are they just picking on Israel?
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“Avraham Burg, former Knesset speaker and former head of the Jewish Agency says “to define the State of Israel as a Jewish state is the key to its end. A Jewish state is explosive. It’s dynamite.” In an interview in Haaretz Weekend Magazine, he said that he is in favor of abrogating the Law of [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Human Rights First says: “Anti-semitism, a particularly pernicious form of racism and religious intolerance.” I agree, and you should agree too. But are other forms of racism and religious intolerance less pernicious? Are they benign? Is that what Human Rights First is saying? (thanks Yasmine)
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Do you need any more evidence of the conspiracy? And when people talk about “Arabs-killing-Arabs” remind them that “outsiders” seem to be arming and financing the warring factions. “Senior Fatah officials in the Gaza Strip have asked Israel to allow them to receive large shipments of arms and ammunition from Arab countries, including Egypt. The [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“At around 2am yesterday, a squad of Israeli soldiers raided the house belonging to Yehya Isaq al-Jabari, 67. According to his sons and daughters, who were in the house at the time, the soldiers ran into the house and pushed one son to the floor. Mr Jabari then began a scuffle with the soldiers. “My [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Prince Bandar: “We didn’t invent corruption.” No, you did not. But you sure have perfected it.
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“A series of payments from the British firm was allegedly channelled through a US bank in Washington to an account controlled by one of the most colourful members of the Saudi ruling clan, who spent 20 years as their ambassador in the US. It is claimed that payments of £30m were paid to Prince Bandar [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Does anybody know the origin of the name of the Egyptian dessert, Um `Ali?
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
“The Imperialist World System”
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Al-Quds Al-`Arabi is reporting that Suha `Arafat (who has not been receiving millions from Ramallah as of late) is protesting the TV documentary about the life of her late husband. The documentary is being produced and managed by Nasir Al-Qidwah, `Arafat’s nephew. Apparently, Suha–among other reason–is not happy that the documentary will tackle a topic [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
An anti-corruption Kuwaiti committee announced that half of all members of parliament are “involved” in corruption.
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
We need to buy Samah Idris a blender because he hurt the feelings of Adonis. Here, Adonis complains about the criticisms that Samah has made in the last editorial in Al-Adab about Adonis’ book on Muhammad Ibn `Abdul-Wahab. Adonis here resorts to his typical (and really lame) Dhanovian look at things (the title of his [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
Who? Those guys? Oh, don’t be alarmed. They work for the US-supported Sanyurah government. Oh, yeah. Yes, they are part of the fanatical Salafi group, `Usbat Al-Ansar, but they are funded by the Hariri family. Would the Hariri family ever fund bad guys (or gals)? They just asked them to keep the peace in the [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
How ironic. I have written about the coverage of Al-Arabiya TV in favor of Lebanese Army attacks on Nahr Al-Barid refugee camp. Yesterday, the Lebanese Army arrested two correspondents of Al-Arabiya (one of them is a cheerleader for the Lebanese Army).
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad
” Ghadry’s upcoming visit will not be his first time in Israel. “I was in Israel on a business trip in 1996. Then, it was a trip that no one knew about. This time it will be a visit of a few days, and will include meetings with Israeli decision makers and research institutes,” Ghadry [...]
Posted on June 6, 2007 by As'ad