Archive for March 30, 2010
Angry Arab on Iran developments: the Revolution Ages
Saja kindly translated an article I had written on Iran for Al-Akhbar.”The Revolution is Aging: Iran Faces ItselfAs’ad Abu KhalilIt has been amusing to follow events in Iran, both on Arab and western media outlets. Saudi media has been fit for listin…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
The Syrian-Saudi-Turkish plot in Iraq
The return of Allawi is the product of an evil plot (not that Nuri Al-Maliki is less evil). (thanks Hassan)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Between Egypt and Israel
“Israel has an increasing problem with foreigners. Many enter legally but outstay their permits and settle there. But also growing in numbers are asylum seekers from Africa, mostly refugees from Sudan and Eritrea. And nearly all come in through Sina…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
This is why you should throw all those rankings out of the window
I mean, who come up with those rankings? “Jordan ranked first and Saudi Arabia last in a new report card on the state of democratic reforms in the Arab world. The Arab Democracy Index was released Monday in Paris.” (thanks Abbas)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Just look at this Israeli headline
“Israel allows clothes, shoes into blockaded Gaza for first time”
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
The Lebanese budget
The Lebanese state paid for the visit of the wealthiest man in the world, Carlos Slim. Why not? Lebanon’s public debt is only $55 billion. (thanks Nada)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
I Call On You
From the poem I Call On You by Palestinian poet Tawfiq Zayyad (my translation):“I call on youI press your handsI kiss the ground under your feetand I say: I sacrifice myself for youI give you as a giftthe light of my eyesand the warmth of heart, I gi…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Land day
“A Palestinian teenager was killed and 12 people were wounded, including children, as Israeli troops opened fire at “Land Day” demonstrators near the Gaza border on Tuesday, Palestinian medics said.” (thanks Sarah)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Good news at last. Good news at last. Best news from Lebanon.
The cedars of Lebanon are in danger. The cedars of Lebanon are in danger. This is the best news I have delivered in ages. If it is in my powers, I would uproot all the cedars of Lebanon and replace them with potato trees. (thanks Hussein)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Shame on the BBC
Look how this news item is phrased in such a way as to make the shooting of the teenager a mystery: “A Palestinian teenager has died in a clash near Gaza’s southern border, according to medical sources. Muhammad al-Faramawi, 15, was killed at a prote…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Is there a police force anywhere around the world that does not beat the Mossad?
“Algerian authorities have arrested an Israeli Mossad agent carrying a fake Spanish passport in the city of Hassi Messaoud near an Egyptian office providing service for oil companies, Algerian Ennahar El Djadid newspaper reported on Tuesday.” Hell….
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
law and order (another name for collaboration)
“Palestinian journalists in Bethlehem will strike Tuesday, in response to Palestinian Authority security forces’ decision to prevent press from covering protests in the city a day earlier.”
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Christians with weapons
This is an American formula. Christian with weapons=militia. Muslim with weapons=terrorism. (thanks Phil)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
The Lebanese Forces in Denmark
The Lebanese Forces are bragging about their ties to a right-wing party in Denmark. (thanks Imane)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Arab summitry
My article on Arab summits, in Spanish. (thanks Olivia)
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Why I hate Lebanon: let me count the ways
I of course detest the very idea of Lebanon and I have always been of the opinion that the entity should be dissolved in a larger one. Think about it: if there is a decent Syrian regime (once this regime is overthrown), there can be a nice larger enti…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad
Mara Karlin preaches to the Lebanese about their military
“From the start, the United States strived to build Lebanon’s armed forces in a prudent and appropriate manner by providing it with the capabilities it required. When the program first began, a thorough assessment of the army’s needs demonstrate…
Posted on March 30, 2010 by As'ad