Archive for June 3, 2011
Syrian uprising in the eyes of Lebanon
My weekly article in Al-Akhbar: ”The Syrian Uprising in the Eyes of Lebanon (which Lebanon?)”
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
72 killed in Hamah alone
A source in Syria confirms that 72 have been killed in Hamah alone today.
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Doug Feith on Makiya
Norman Finkelstein sent me this: ”In re your Makiya comment, the other day I came across this passage in Douglas Feith’s WAR AND DECISION: Inside the Pentagon at the dawn of the war on terrorism: Makiya warned that Iraqi politics would n…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
breaking news on Syrian regime TV
Syrian regime TV has this breaking news flash: ”Armed people block the roads in Nazihin quarter in Homs and set government buildings on fire, and attack the people.” On the one hand, “life is normal”–they keep reporting, and then they air …
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
This is from a "democracy" that the US constructed for us
“raqi security forces arrested more than a dozen activists here over the past week in a sweep that rights groups called a pre-emptive strike to prevent a flickering reform movement from springing back to life.”
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
a new definition of freedom
Now they are talking on Syrian regime TV about the “real” conception of freedom. They say that the notion of freedom as championed by people is not really freedom.
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Lies of the Syrian regime
Now there is no question, that AlJazeera has now become nothing less than a full propaganda voice for NATO and the Arab counter-revolution. Its reports are more sermons and preachments and calls for mobilization than standard journalism which the…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Press (non)Freedoms in Qatar
“The preliminary draft of the media law suggests that journalists will be free to write on issues except those concerning national security and friendly countries.” (thanks Gregg)
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Uncovered repression
“Moroccan authorities must not use excessive force against protesters, Amnesty International said today, as activists called for renewed pro-reform demonstrations across the country on Sunday. Scores of protesters in Morocco have been ph…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
A Jordanian official at AIPAC conference
Samy sent me this (I cite with permission): ”So I was listening to AIPAC’s roll call of attendees at their conference. I was surprised to hear a Jordanian representative in attendance. His name is Sufyan Qudah (forward to 7:07 at link below). S…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Maids in the Middle East
“DUBAI — Six men, who were allegedly involved in selling a runaway maid for sexual exploitation, were charged with human trafficking on Wednesday. The trial of the six Indians, including a driver, two jobless men, a cook, a visitor and a bu…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Let them just take bribes
“Formula One is expected to rule today on Bahrain’s attempt to stage a coveted Grand Prix this season despite police arresting and abusing one quarter of the local staff during a crackdown against pro-democracy protests.” (thanks Khaled)
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
The Libyan Transitional Council and Israel
I detest the Libyan Transitional Council but I detest even more Bernard-Henri Lévy, and find him to be fabricator of the first order. Regarding claims he has made about a message from the lousy Libyan Transitional Council to Israel, I was s…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Counter-revolution in Yemen
“”What you need to do is get beyond this impasse and get to a post-Saleh era in Yemen,” Hull said. “I hope it happens sooner [rather] than later because time is not an ally here. The longer it takes to do that, the more ungoverned space Al Qaeda wil…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
This is in Europe–not the Middle East–so it won’t get much attention
JC translated this: ”Madrid, (EUROPA PRESS) .- A committee of feminism Camped on Sun(plaza del Sol) has reported in the general assembly on Thursday that they have suffered “sexual assault” and that for this reason, it will overnight in the cen…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
I share his reading of Obama’s speech
“As I listened to the president’s speech on the Middle East, I heard him reaffirm his strong commitment to Israel’s safety, security and prosperity. He said the U.S. relationship with Israel is unshakable. He said that the conflict cannot be res…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Former Mossad chief and Saudi King
“In his remarks to a Tel Aviv leadership conference at Tel Aviv University, Thursday (June 2), Dagan called on Israel to adopt the Saudi peace initiative, which outlines normalisation of relations with Arab countries in return for Israel’s withdrawa…
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Oil and tribe in Yemen
“It also put at risk an alliance between Arcadia and its “local agent” in Yemen, tribal leader Hamid al-Ahmar, the cable says. Arcadia, in an interview, denied the allegations in the cable, saying it did not employ al-Ahmar as an agent, although it …
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
This is for you, Obama
“In a move that comes as gesture of deep gratitude, the Israeli government permitted an extreme rightwing Israeli association to name a new settlement Obama.” (thanks Farah)
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad
Stand by our potentate
“Saudi Arabia granted $400 million to support Jordan’s economy and ease its budget deficit, the Jordanian state-run news agency Petra said, citing Finance Minister Mohamed Abu Hammour.”
Posted on June 3, 2011 by As'ad