Archive for July 24, 2009

Saudi Arabia and Israel

My weekly article in Al-Akhbar: “Saudi Arabia and Israel: The Unannounced Alliance”

Posted by As'ad at 10:43 AM 07/24/09

The New York Times on Kyrgyzstan

“It is not a police state, and in general, only those who overtly challenge the government are hounded by the security services.”

Posted by As'ad at 10:40 AM 07/24/09

John Burns on Anthony Blunt

“He describes coming under intense pressure from Burgess — depicted in histories of the period as a heavy-drinking, show-stealing egoist but in the memoir as “an extraordinarily persuasive person” — to join him in working for Soviet intelligenc…

Posted by As'ad at 10:33 AM 07/24/09

Zelaya

“Who had hope under Zelaya? Neglected black Hondurans” (thanks Nir)

Posted by As'ad at 10:29 AM 07/24/09

Racism and anti-Semitism in the New York Times

First notice that the word enclave is reminiscent of classic anti-Semitic writings. Secondly, notice how many times the New York Times felt the need to inform the readers in this one article that they are Jews from Syria (lest the White Man think that…

Posted by As'ad at 10:24 AM 07/24/09

Israeli propaganda campaign: Ethan Bronner assisted by Taghreed

““What did the rockets do for us? Nothing,” Mona Abdelaziz, a 36-year-old lawyer, said in a typical street interview here.” Taghreed is back: providing propaganda quotations for the propaganda pieces of Ethan Bronner. Notice that the word “typic…

Posted by As'ad at 10:21 AM 07/24/09

Row

“An Australian Muslim woman has sparked a row after claiming a Sydney bus driver told her she couldn’t board because she was wearing a veil, AFP reported.” (thanks Nabeel)

Posted by As'ad at 10:20 AM 07/24/09

The exemplary police state of Tunisia

“Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard wrote to Tunisian justice minister Béchir Tekkari yesterday calling for human rights activist Khedija Arfaoui’s conviction to be quashed. On 4 July, a Tunis court sentenced her to…

Posted by As'ad at 10:19 AM 07/24/09

Tribute

“Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki paid symbolic tribute to US soldiers killed in Iraq, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Virginia’s Arlington National Cemetery.” The Iraqi puppet thinks that they died for his installation.

Posted by As'ad at 10:17 AM 07/24/09

Still missing in Gaza

“Ma’an news agency had this disturbing report today, in which it listed the names of 59 Gazans still missing since last december’s Israeli assault on the Strip, and presumed still buried under the estimated 1.5 million tons of rubble still left uncl…

Posted by As'ad at 10:16 AM 07/24/09

Facebook tools about Israel

“The realization that young people are increasingly living life through their Facebook accounts recently gave birth to a new and potentially powerful tool in the fight for Israel’s image. Observing this phenomenon, a group of 23 students from Jerusa…

Posted by As'ad at 10:08 AM 07/24/09

Lashing out

“Opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi was prime minister under the Islamic Republic’s founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. “The site of public demonstrations by the thousands against their leaders …troubles all Arab leaders,” AbuKhalil said, point…

Posted by As'ad at 10:07 AM 07/24/09

Hamid Dabashi (and Angry Arab) in Campus Watch

Hamid Dabashi winning high praise in Campus Watch. (thanks Jack)

Posted by As'ad at 10:06 AM 07/24/09

4200 Israeli violations of the UNSC 1701

4200 Israeli violations of the UNSC 1701, according to a Lebanese count.

Posted by As'ad at 10:03 AM 07/24/09