Archive for May 4, 2011
Hizbullah TV
According to Hizbullah’s TV’s website, Al-Manar, there is only government repression in Bahrain. Only in Bahrain. They are silent on other Arab repressions. And then they wonder why Saudi Arabia is effective in labeling the part…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Robert Fisk
The credibility of Robert Fisk is so low in my eyes now that I really don’t believe his stories anymore. I really don’t. He is always inserted into the story. He now reminds me of Geraldo when he reported on foreign news. I don’…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
On sectarianism in Syria
A reader sent me this: “ I’ve been waiting to leave Syria to write you. I’m an American who has been living in Damascus for the past year. It’s been incredibly frustrating to be over there and reading blogs like…which have become…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Geronimo
“Leaders of the Onondaga Nation blasted as “reprehensible” the code name used for Osama bin Laden in the commando assault that killed him: “Geronimo.”” (thanks Sinan)
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Aljazeera
Aljazeera has now gained many new ads: Even UAE is officially buying ad time on the network that until recently was boycotted by other GCC members. It is the price of joining the Arab counter-revolution.
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Occupied Jerusalem
“The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal from an American born in Jerusalem over whether he can have Israel listed as his birthplace on his passport even though U.S. policy does not recognize the once-divided city as belonging to Israel. …
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Qatar and gas sales to Israel?
I received links to news that Qatar is offering to sell gas to Israel. Many Arab talk websites carried the story. But I could not find any reliable news story on the matter. Let me know what you know about this out there.
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
What does Dubai do?
“”An entire industry has emerged in Dubai serving people who are transiting on the way in or way out of Kabul, Kandahar or Baghdad. It seems to exist to process large groups of loud, drunk South African PSDs coming out or sad-faced contractors going…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
US and the Yemeni dictatorship
“Under the Bush and particularly the Obama administrations, the United States has been deeply implicated in Yemen, which emerged in the late 2000s as a haven and launching pad for the Arabian Peninsula branch of al-Qaeda. Especially since the Christmas…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Richard Haas on the Middle East
As is known, this man became a Middle East expert by accident: he was a Republican who worked for the Bush Sr. campaign and was rewarded with a job at the NSC although he never had any Middle East training (he will probably dispute that by saying that …
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
First the lies, then the explanation of the lies
“Bin Laden’s wife, who was with him in the room, “rushed the U.S. assaulter and was shot in the leg but not killed,” said the White House spokesman, Jay Carney, reading from the brief account, which was provided by the Defense Department.
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
US helicopters in action
Has there ever been a case when the US admitted that one of its helicopters was actually downed in Iraq or Afghanistan (or Pakistan) by enemy gunfire? It is always mechanical error. They always forget to check the oil in the helicopter befo…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Repression in Saudi Arabia=praise from Western governments
“The Saudi interior minister should immediately release Fadhil Makki al-Manasif, a human rights activist arrested on May 1, 2011, in ‘Awwamiyya in the Eastern Province for taking part in peaceful demonstrations, Human Rights Watch said today. Al-Mana…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Egypt rejects an American grant: the new Egypt
The new Egyptian government turns down a grant by the US because there are strings attached. In other news, Israeli leaders continue to weep for Mubarak. (thanks Kamal)
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Only Robert Fisk (and his driver Abed) understand Arabs
“Bin Laden sometimes stopped speaking for all of 60 seconds in order to reflect on his words. Most Arabs, faced with a reporter’s question, would say the first thing that came into their heads for fear that they would appear ignorant if they did …
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Luke Russert pontificates on the Middle East now
Luke Russert, who got a job with the network because his daddy worked for the network, now thinks that he can be cute offering observations on foreign policy too. ”Is #BinLaden using his wife as a human shield really surprising? Let’s n…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Nasser’s son
Nasser’s son, `Abdul-Hakim calls on Bashshar Al-Asad to release the Arab nationalists prisoners. (thanks Mohammad)
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
UAE repression
Human Rights Watch speaks on UAE repression. (thanks Khaled)
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Thomas Friedman
I should not bother with this guy. Look at this silly piece today. Notice that he describes Hamas leaders as “demented”. I am no fan of Hamas but would a columnist in the New York Times dare describe Israeli leaders as “demented”? &nb…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad
Comrade Bassam on Western democracy
“Q: Professor Bassam, you said the government [in Syria] being organically linked. What do you see type of governments that are evolving after the post-dictatorial period? Do you think they’ll have — they’ll be like Western-type democracy with…
Posted on May 4, 2011 by As'ad