There is a battlefield in the War on Terror that Western powers are studiously ignoring- especially the Bush administration.
Many ships, including huge tankers have been hijacked off the Horn of Africa by alleged Somali pirates- in polite company they are Frenchified and called corsairs, but not in Swahili.
So, why are these pirates ignored, not attacked or threatened? Is it because they are sort of kindred souls to the robber barons of the current administration? They are a sort of free market supply-siders, these pirates who are not really new. I recall my late father telling us long ago, when we were children on the northwestern shores of the Gulf, old tales about Somali pirates' misdeeds. At that time, even my child's wandering mind wondered if there was, right then but far away, some old Somali father telling his Somali children old tales about the fearsome pirates of the Gulf states.
Perhaps their ideology fits in perfectly with the idea of unregulated, the current word is deregulated, markets. Piracy on the high seas is the ultimate unregulated/deregulated market, the better test tube for Commercial Darwinism- better even than some corporate headquarters.
Actually I have heard reports of the Indian navy confronting some pirates, but nothing about others. Who else can confront them? The Somalis have no navy, don't even have a defined state. The Yemenis across the gateway to the Red Sea can't do much: they can't send a flotilla because they don't have a flotilla: camels don't float, not even Yemeni camels.
But help is on the way: alarabiya and other media report that Islamist militias, the al-Qaeda type Salafi groups that the US earlier urged Ethiopia to send troops into Somalia to destroy, have intervened on the side of the good guys. The network reports that the Islamists are searching for the pirates who hijacked a ship owned by an "Islamic" state, i.e Saudi Arabia. Maybe it is a turf war: maybe they want that $100 million tanker and all those Ukrainian tanks on the other freighter for themselves. Maybe they have heard that the pirates are demanding $25 million for the oil tanker.
Meanwhile, even more help is on the way, but of the dubious kind: representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan and other Arab countries have met in Cairo and announced that they will increase cooperation among them to deal with the matter and to prevent piracy from spreading into the Red Sea. King Abdul of Jordan may even send units of his crack security agents in rubber dinghies, once they learn how to swim, just to frighten the pirates away from the Red Sea. But they won't spread into the Red Sea: they'll have strong navies waiting there, including the US Navy and others.
Cheers
Mohammed
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
In this posting: Palin Wins the Afghan Grasshopper and the Pakistani Widower- A Candidate and Arab Leaders on Steroids- Kissinger As Elder Statesman?
Alaska's Sarah Palin and Iran's Ahmadinejad failed to convert other UN leaders to their respective faiths. In the Iranian's case it is hard to imagine him converting anyone to anything. He even has less charisma and makes less sense than Senator McCain. He is not as shifty-eyed, though (read the next paragraph).
Palin did win over the new president of Pakistan, the moderate state where the omnipotent ISI plays both sides of the War on Terror, straddling the fence between its former Taliban protegies and its neocon paymasters in Washington. Mr. Zardari, recent widower and former jailbird, properly corrupt in the fashion of all elected Pakistani leaders, was clearly impressed by most of her.
She may even have won over the president of metropolitan Kabul in his green grasshopper coat. Mr. Karzai seemed amused by the meeting, but unlike his Pakistani neighbor he did let go of her hand.
Why did McCain look so shifty-eyed at the first debate? He would not look at Obama, never made eye contact with him, even when they shook hands. It was likely a tactic by his advisers with the aim of making Obama look small, unimportant. It only made McCain look odd, with a silly smirk/grin/grimace pasted on his face that made him look like an advanced resident of one of those homes where they turn off the lights at 8 PM.
Someone asked me late last night as we crossed the SR-520: are politicians allowed to take steroids?
There probably are no rules against them doing so- unlike in sports. The only downside for politicians is that it shrinks their gonads (cojones) down to hazelnut size- a terrible price to pay for any man, especially one with a politician's ego (or his girlfriends).
In that case many Arab leaders should take more steroids than Viagra or Cialis or whatever it is they take. That way they can multitask adequately and, more important, equitably, as required by the rules of polygamy, while continuing to run their countries to the ground. It is not only about walking and chewing gum, nor about running a campaign and suddenly appearing to be busy at Capitol Hill.
“So he theatrically suspended his campaign and rushed back to get in the way of a bipartisan solution to the economic turmoil. When the two macho guys of the Republican Party — W. and McCain — took extreme measures not to look emasculated, they ended up emasculating themselves.” M. Dowd, NY Times.
Henry Kissinger helped open up Chinese-American relations in the early 1970s. After that it was downhill for him as a policy adviser and maker. He was wrong on Southeast Asia. He expanded the Vietnam War into Cambodia and Laos, and thus caused the US to lose all three countries instead of just one, and ushered in the era of Khmer Rouge mass genocide. That is what an elder statesman is: someone who is looked at more fondly, or at least with much less disdain, AFTER they leave office.
Watched Bill Clinton talking about Obama and McCain. This man sure holds a grudge. I can see 2012 written all over his face- but then again, 2008 was also written all over his face four years ago. How about 2016? In any case, it is almost obvious that he fervently wishes for McCain to win.
A Cairo appeals court has passed a two month prison sentence on Ibraheem Issa (Abraham Jesus) the chief editor of the opposition newspaper al-Dustour (which ironically means The Constitution). He has been convicted of spreading rumors about the health of President Mubarak, who is nearly 200 years old. I imagine the editor of the National Inquirer would be beheaded in the moderate New Middle East with its neo-democratic leaders.
Cheers
Mohammed
Alaska's Sarah Palin and Iran's Ahmadinejad failed to convert other UN leaders to their respective faiths. In the Iranian's case it is hard to imagine him converting anyone to anything. He even has less charisma and makes less sense than Senator McCain. He is not as shifty-eyed, though (read the next paragraph).
Palin did win over the new president of Pakistan, the moderate state where the omnipotent ISI plays both sides of the War on Terror, straddling the fence between its former Taliban protegies and its neocon paymasters in Washington. Mr. Zardari, recent widower and former jailbird, properly corrupt in the fashion of all elected Pakistani leaders, was clearly impressed by most of her.
She may even have won over the president of metropolitan Kabul in his green grasshopper coat. Mr. Karzai seemed amused by the meeting, but unlike his Pakistani neighbor he did let go of her hand.
Why did McCain look so shifty-eyed at the first debate? He would not look at Obama, never made eye contact with him, even when they shook hands. It was likely a tactic by his advisers with the aim of making Obama look small, unimportant. It only made McCain look odd, with a silly smirk/grin/grimace pasted on his face that made him look like an advanced resident of one of those homes where they turn off the lights at 8 PM.
Someone asked me late last night as we crossed the SR-520: are politicians allowed to take steroids?
There probably are no rules against them doing so- unlike in sports. The only downside for politicians is that it shrinks their gonads (cojones) down to hazelnut size- a terrible price to pay for any man, especially one with a politician's ego (or his girlfriends).
In that case many Arab leaders should take more steroids than Viagra or Cialis or whatever it is they take. That way they can multitask adequately and, more important, equitably, as required by the rules of polygamy, while continuing to run their countries to the ground. It is not only about walking and chewing gum, nor about running a campaign and suddenly appearing to be busy at Capitol Hill.
“So he theatrically suspended his campaign and rushed back to get in the way of a bipartisan solution to the economic turmoil. When the two macho guys of the Republican Party — W. and McCain — took extreme measures not to look emasculated, they ended up emasculating themselves.” M. Dowd, NY Times.
Henry Kissinger helped open up Chinese-American relations in the early 1970s. After that it was downhill for him as a policy adviser and maker. He was wrong on Southeast Asia. He expanded the Vietnam War into Cambodia and Laos, and thus caused the US to lose all three countries instead of just one, and ushered in the era of Khmer Rouge mass genocide. That is what an elder statesman is: someone who is looked at more fondly, or at least with much less disdain, AFTER they leave office.
Watched Bill Clinton talking about Obama and McCain. This man sure holds a grudge. I can see 2012 written all over his face- but then again, 2008 was also written all over his face four years ago. How about 2016? In any case, it is almost obvious that he fervently wishes for McCain to win.
A Cairo appeals court has passed a two month prison sentence on Ibraheem Issa (Abraham Jesus) the chief editor of the opposition newspaper al-Dustour (which ironically means The Constitution). He has been convicted of spreading rumors about the health of President Mubarak, who is nearly 200 years old. I imagine the editor of the National Inquirer would be beheaded in the moderate New Middle East with its neo-democratic leaders.
Cheers
Mohammed
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Is the Reagan 'Counter-Revolution' Dead?, Gulf Investment Blues, A Financial Banana Republic, A Financial Potemkin Republic
Was the financial crash of the past three days one more nail in a deregulated system that had spun out of control?
The system was never actually 'deregulated'. It was allowed to be 'self-regulating', which meant that it was regulated by an incestuous group of CEOs who were often recycled as they corporate-hopped, essentially changing jobs whenever they failed in one place, moving to other leadership positions in other firms as they left behind wreckage.
Some twenty years ago, at the peak of Reagan's power, market 'guru' Ivan Boesky, soon to be arrested and convicted for securities fraud, went to speak at UC Berkeley, that one time bastion of Free Speech Movement, Mario Savio, Bettina Aptheker, among others. He is reported to have started his lecture by stating that: "You know, greed is good..." And hundreds of young MBA throats cheered their approval.
Soon after, "the Russian" was in jail, proving that at some point of the greed process diminishing marginal returns kick in (but all MBAs are not that big on Econ, not even Micro-econ). But the 'revolution' from the top continued, taking on gaudy and absurd features under George W Bush and the neocons who thought they could run a country as a corporation.
In the bad old days some banana republics used to be run as corporations, they were often run by corporations or their surrogates. (Whatever happened to that Ante-bellum plantation on wheels: the United Fruit Company?). What the Reagan counter-revolution and the Bush sequel have done is to convert the US financial sector into a banana republic, albeit a very powerful one with highly productive and hard-working people. A nation more in debt to the Chinese (the rightwing loves to call them Chicoms)and oil producers.
So far, McCain has not provided any sign that he will be any different if he wins. I am not sure he knows what he will do if he wins.
Mr. Bush is flying to Houston to check on the results of the latest natural disaster, Ike. He is heading away from the bigger disaster created by his own party. And the even bigger disaster created by his re-election in 2004.
In the Persian-American Gulf region, stock markets also declined sharply (the index declined 6.5% in Saudi Arabia, 7.4% in Qatar yesterday). The Saudi market also lost the equivalent of $27.3 billion of capitalization on Monday. State investment funds are already intevening to stem the bleeding.
Many of the Gulf 'sovereign' funds have sustained huge losses in international markets as well, especially the US market. Kuwaiti media report that the US investments arm of Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), which invests for the state, had lost over $5 billion in investments in Merrill Lynch and Citigroup, and that was before the recent crash. That $5 billion loss has certainly increased greatly by now as a result of recent events and the huge decline in shares of these two financials. (I believe whoever is in charge of US investments for KIA should be looking for a new job, and soon). Only last November, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority reached agreement to purchase $7.5 billion in Citigroup. It is not clear how much that is worth now, but it is easy to calculate- you do the math. They must have followed the exhortations of that other investment genius, Prince al-Waleed Bin Talal who called Citigroup's decline a 'mere hiccup' and that was when the share was over $40. Now, it is about $15.
It is not clear how much these funds have in AIG, possibly the next Potemkin corporation to topple, or how much they have (had) in Lehman Bros. AIG under Hank Greenberg was one firm being pushed for some time by Jim Cramer of CNBC, along with CountryWide under Angelo Mazzolo. He also pushed Wachovia when it was worth about $50+. That is what happens when you decide investment policy by looking into the eyes of CEO's and seeing through to their souls- especially if they are your pals.
"According to results of survey, in which over 4,500 people participated, 75% chose McCain while only 22% preferred Obama." Jerusalem Post, Sept 16. Damn, the old codger is more popular in Israel than in Arizona or Texas. More popular than even in Alaska. That's what happens when you get more Russians than 'other' ethnics.
The Seahawks are still as wussy as ever, as their falling apart at home against the 49ers last Sunday proved. Next time they face the St Louis Rams, again at Qwest Field. This is the bottom o the barrel for this season, and if they can't scrape it...well....
Cheers
Mohammed
The system was never actually 'deregulated'. It was allowed to be 'self-regulating', which meant that it was regulated by an incestuous group of CEOs who were often recycled as they corporate-hopped, essentially changing jobs whenever they failed in one place, moving to other leadership positions in other firms as they left behind wreckage.
Some twenty years ago, at the peak of Reagan's power, market 'guru' Ivan Boesky, soon to be arrested and convicted for securities fraud, went to speak at UC Berkeley, that one time bastion of Free Speech Movement, Mario Savio, Bettina Aptheker, among others. He is reported to have started his lecture by stating that: "You know, greed is good..." And hundreds of young MBA throats cheered their approval.
Soon after, "the Russian" was in jail, proving that at some point of the greed process diminishing marginal returns kick in (but all MBAs are not that big on Econ, not even Micro-econ). But the 'revolution' from the top continued, taking on gaudy and absurd features under George W Bush and the neocons who thought they could run a country as a corporation.
In the bad old days some banana republics used to be run as corporations, they were often run by corporations or their surrogates. (Whatever happened to that Ante-bellum plantation on wheels: the United Fruit Company?). What the Reagan counter-revolution and the Bush sequel have done is to convert the US financial sector into a banana republic, albeit a very powerful one with highly productive and hard-working people. A nation more in debt to the Chinese (the rightwing loves to call them Chicoms)and oil producers.
So far, McCain has not provided any sign that he will be any different if he wins. I am not sure he knows what he will do if he wins.
Mr. Bush is flying to Houston to check on the results of the latest natural disaster, Ike. He is heading away from the bigger disaster created by his own party. And the even bigger disaster created by his re-election in 2004.
In the Persian-American Gulf region, stock markets also declined sharply (the index declined 6.5% in Saudi Arabia, 7.4% in Qatar yesterday). The Saudi market also lost the equivalent of $27.3 billion of capitalization on Monday. State investment funds are already intevening to stem the bleeding.
Many of the Gulf 'sovereign' funds have sustained huge losses in international markets as well, especially the US market. Kuwaiti media report that the US investments arm of Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), which invests for the state, had lost over $5 billion in investments in Merrill Lynch and Citigroup, and that was before the recent crash. That $5 billion loss has certainly increased greatly by now as a result of recent events and the huge decline in shares of these two financials. (I believe whoever is in charge of US investments for KIA should be looking for a new job, and soon). Only last November, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority reached agreement to purchase $7.5 billion in Citigroup. It is not clear how much that is worth now, but it is easy to calculate- you do the math. They must have followed the exhortations of that other investment genius, Prince al-Waleed Bin Talal who called Citigroup's decline a 'mere hiccup' and that was when the share was over $40. Now, it is about $15.
It is not clear how much these funds have in AIG, possibly the next Potemkin corporation to topple, or how much they have (had) in Lehman Bros. AIG under Hank Greenberg was one firm being pushed for some time by Jim Cramer of CNBC, along with CountryWide under Angelo Mazzolo. He also pushed Wachovia when it was worth about $50+. That is what happens when you decide investment policy by looking into the eyes of CEO's and seeing through to their souls- especially if they are your pals.
"According to results of survey, in which over 4,500 people participated, 75% chose McCain while only 22% preferred Obama." Jerusalem Post, Sept 16. Damn, the old codger is more popular in Israel than in Arizona or Texas. More popular than even in Alaska. That's what happens when you get more Russians than 'other' ethnics.
The Seahawks are still as wussy as ever, as their falling apart at home against the 49ers last Sunday proved. Next time they face the St Louis Rams, again at Qwest Field. This is the bottom o the barrel for this season, and if they can't scrape it...well....
Cheers
Mohammed
Saturday, August 30, 2008
"John McCain will win the war in Eyeraq and prevent Eyeran from going nuclear..."
Thus spake the Republican candidate for vice president, ex-beauty queen, ex-reformer, uber-Darwinist but only in social and economic and market matters not in matters related to the origins of the species.
"She is the governor of Alaska, and that is near Russia, so she has foreign policy experience (or something to that effect)." Steve Ducey, anchorman and commentator for Fox News TV.
Ergo: it proves that I am more ignorant and dummer than I have let on.
BTW: does this mean that anybody who lives along the US-Mexico border, including John McCain, has foreign policy experience? The fence should not reduce that foreign policy experience, since apparently the very wide Bering Strait does not.
"Der Spiegel, the German news magazine, has revealed a major scandal in the FIFA Soccer World Cup of 2006. It reporta that a Ghanian player was involved with a betting operation in Asia and may have helped Brazil win against Ghana...." Alarabiya.
So, alles klar: that is why Saudi Arabia never made it past the first round and had no chance to win the World Cup.
"How the old goats of petroleum practice the game of love in London nights: Every August of every year London , the land of Shakespeare, Dickens, and Wellington, among others, undergoes a great change. Rich Gulf Arabs congregate in Knightsbridge, where the British aristocracy hangs out. The method of these old rich men of the Gulf is to walk around with a retinue of sidekicks and flunkies, the larger the retinue the more importance is implied. Many are influential leaders in their countries, yet they behave recklessly where women and sex are concerned. Some do not hesitate to throw their cell phone at any woman who attracts their interest, with the expectation that she will enter her own cell number into the phone and throw it back to the petro-lover. This mini-Olympiad often ends with a meeting that involves much liquid money. Sometimes, a few of the women end up retaining a lawyer's services and threatening a lawsuit for sexual harassment, and they get some hush money. Older Gulf Arab women also have their share of adventure in the world of love, but they do it more discreetly. They often discard the abaya and hijab, and die their hair to change their identity. Unfortunately for them, these women are quickly recognized as Gulf women from the way their bodies are too full in certain parts." Elaph.
It is a wonder the old goats don't get sued for violence and assault: a thrown cell phone can be awfully painful when it meets any part of a human body. Also, I recall that the poorer ones hung around Edgeware Road.
Cheers
Mohammed
Friday, August 29, 2008
McCain, Hillary, UBL, Ahmadinejad, Qadhafi and All That
For a week or two John McCain and the Republicans were reduced to adopting one of their favorite punching bags, Hillary Clinton, as an ally. Hillary, much abused by the GOP over the past 16 years, is being used in TV ads to save the GOP from its own eight years of failed policies, both foreign and domestic. They have been essentially hiding behind her skirt, or pantsuit. Not to mention Britney Spears and Paris Hilton's whatever they wear.
Back in the real world- Arab media tour:
Arab media report that the Emir of Qatar, on a state visit to Iran, has invited President Ahmadinejad to attend the next summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Except that the summit will not be in Doha this time, it will be in Muscat, Oman. Man o' man.
The world's most famous holocaust-denier, and GOP campaign mascot, did attend the last GCC summit at Doha. The better GOP mascot would be UBL, but he represents utter Republican failure to find him, dead or alive. McCain has promised to go in wherever UBL is and find him: maybe he will do that before next November? He did say that he has a plan for that. So did Nixon once say in '68 that he had a plan to end the Vietnam War, which turned out to be the invasion of Cambodia and the resurgence of the murderous Khmer Rouge. Nixon's plan, and Kissinger's, ended with the loss of all of Indo-China.
Algerian media report that the ruling party, ruling for the past 46 years, is getting ready to nominate current president Bouteflika for an unconstitutional third term. Bouteflika, in true Arab leadership fashion, is demurring, claiming he is not convinced of it. My eiyiees (that is a southern drawl).
Bouteflika means 'father of Teflika' or 'the one with a Teflika': but no one knows wtf a Teflika is. It sounds rather Greek to me than Arabic or even Berber. Teflika has a similar ring to it as sovlaki (dare I say even ouzu?). There are other Greek words that rhyme with Teflika, but I won't mention them here.
"The Chief of the Jordanian Diabetes Center, a former Health Minister, has said that half of Jordanian women over the age of 25 suffer from at least one serious disease. (It gets more interesting now) The official also said that 62% of Jordanian men suffer from sexual impotence problems to some degree. Ouch" Al-Khabar, Jordan.
Does this explain the phenomenon of rampant 'honor' killings in the country, sort of 'if you can't join them, kill them' ? But that would be the case if the only recognizable symbol of honor is.....anatomical. Oh well.
Lebanese legal authorities have issued an order for the arrest of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qadhafi. He is suspected in the disappearnce of the former leader of the Shi'a Amal movement in 1978. Imam Moussa al-Sadr disappeared during a visit to Libya in the summer of 1978, thirty years ago. The Libyans have always denied their responsibility for the disappearnce during the years of the Lebanese civil war. Except there are no records of al-Sadr ever leaving Libya or entering another country.
"A huge Saudi-American arms deal worth billions of dollars is waiting the return of Congress....The Saudis have taken a 'take it or leave it' attitude toward some demands that the deal be adjusted to meet Israeli concerns." Elaph.
"The Saudis note that they have other options. Recently a $4 billion arms deal was negotiated with Russia by chief of Saudi National Security, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan al-Saud, (he of other controversial famous arms deals). Ooops." Elaph
Cheers
Mohammed
For a week or two John McCain and the Republicans were reduced to adopting one of their favorite punching bags, Hillary Clinton, as an ally. Hillary, much abused by the GOP over the past 16 years, is being used in TV ads to save the GOP from its own eight years of failed policies, both foreign and domestic. They have been essentially hiding behind her skirt, or pantsuit. Not to mention Britney Spears and Paris Hilton's whatever they wear.
Back in the real world- Arab media tour:
Arab media report that the Emir of Qatar, on a state visit to Iran, has invited President Ahmadinejad to attend the next summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Except that the summit will not be in Doha this time, it will be in Muscat, Oman. Man o' man.
The world's most famous holocaust-denier, and GOP campaign mascot, did attend the last GCC summit at Doha. The better GOP mascot would be UBL, but he represents utter Republican failure to find him, dead or alive. McCain has promised to go in wherever UBL is and find him: maybe he will do that before next November? He did say that he has a plan for that. So did Nixon once say in '68 that he had a plan to end the Vietnam War, which turned out to be the invasion of Cambodia and the resurgence of the murderous Khmer Rouge. Nixon's plan, and Kissinger's, ended with the loss of all of Indo-China.
Algerian media report that the ruling party, ruling for the past 46 years, is getting ready to nominate current president Bouteflika for an unconstitutional third term. Bouteflika, in true Arab leadership fashion, is demurring, claiming he is not convinced of it. My eiyiees (that is a southern drawl).
Bouteflika means 'father of Teflika' or 'the one with a Teflika': but no one knows wtf a Teflika is. It sounds rather Greek to me than Arabic or even Berber. Teflika has a similar ring to it as sovlaki (dare I say even ouzu?). There are other Greek words that rhyme with Teflika, but I won't mention them here.
"The Chief of the Jordanian Diabetes Center, a former Health Minister, has said that half of Jordanian women over the age of 25 suffer from at least one serious disease. (It gets more interesting now) The official also said that 62% of Jordanian men suffer from sexual impotence problems to some degree. Ouch" Al-Khabar, Jordan.
Does this explain the phenomenon of rampant 'honor' killings in the country, sort of 'if you can't join them, kill them' ? But that would be the case if the only recognizable symbol of honor is.....anatomical. Oh well.
Lebanese legal authorities have issued an order for the arrest of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qadhafi. He is suspected in the disappearnce of the former leader of the Shi'a Amal movement in 1978. Imam Moussa al-Sadr disappeared during a visit to Libya in the summer of 1978, thirty years ago. The Libyans have always denied their responsibility for the disappearnce during the years of the Lebanese civil war. Except there are no records of al-Sadr ever leaving Libya or entering another country.
"A huge Saudi-American arms deal worth billions of dollars is waiting the return of Congress....The Saudis have taken a 'take it or leave it' attitude toward some demands that the deal be adjusted to meet Israeli concerns." Elaph.
"The Saudis note that they have other options. Recently a $4 billion arms deal was negotiated with Russia by chief of Saudi National Security, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan al-Saud, (he of other controversial famous arms deals). Ooops." Elaph
Cheers
Mohammed
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
In this post:
Iraq: Muqtada Goes Civilian.
Tribe Defeats God in Arabia.
Salafis vs Shi'as in Egypt.
Intelligence failure in Georgia?
Hypocrisy in Africa.
Iraq:
Muqtada al-Sadr is into diversification: he has changed the bulk of his Mahdi Army into a religious and cultural unit, while keeping ad portion of it armed to 'resist the occupation'. This comes after prime Minsiter al-Maliki more than once publicly supported the idea of a timetable for American withdrawal from Iraq. Oddly, sentiment on the Iraqi street seems to have forced the neocons and the Bush administration to abandon the idea of permanent bases in Iraq, a foolish idea to start with. Iraqi opinion seems to be firmly with a timetable for withdrawal.
Out are Senator McCain's one hundred years of occupation a la Germany and Japan.
Tribe Defeats God in Arabia:
Alarabiya reports today on an unusual but all too common tribal celebration in a courtroom in Saudi Arabia. Members of one tribe became rowdy in celebrating their success in obtaining a decision to annul the marriage of a tribal woman to a man who is a 'stranger'.
'Stranger' in this case does not mean that he is a foreigner, or that he lives far away, or that he is Hindu, animist or bisexual. It means that the man is of a different tribe. Initially the father of the bride had agreed to the wedding, but other tribal 'men' objected strongly and applied strong pressure. The husband was threatened repeatedly, but refused to give up his wife.
The report says that after the court decision and the husband's agreement to end the marriage, all men of the tribe prostrated themselves in thanks to God for this decision. No strange man will penetrate that tribe, for now.
It did not say which God they prayed to: probably one of their own making, just like their pagan ancestors fifteen centuries earlier.
Salafis vs Shi'as in Egypt:
Elaph reports that Egypt has banned the annual celebrations of the birth of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and one of the most revered men to Shi'as. The media report that there is worry that there are too many Iraqi Shi'as in Egypt and that such celebrations may play into the hands of a Shia revival, whatever that means. There are active Salafi porganizations in Egypts who strongly oppose allowing Shi'a festivities, and even marriages between Shi'as and Sunnis. Leaders of these groups are men who had spent years in the Persian-American Gulf region and were closely associated with the Talibanesque Salafis of the Gulf who tend to be rabidly anti-Shi'a.
Historically Egyptians have been among the most tolerant of Arabs and there are shrines in Cairo to many historical figures revered by the Shi'as. Al-Azhar University itself was established by a Shi'a dynasty (the Fatimids) that ruled Egypt for some time.
Intelligence failure in Georgia?
The Russian incursion into Georgia is ruthless, but not as ruthless as that other earlier march through another Georgia: General Sherman's.
Still, what prompted the Georgian government to miscalculate so badly the Russian reaction to events in Ossetia? And did US intelligence not see the crisis coming to start with? Did they not predict the Russian reaction?
Hypocrisy in Africa:
The African Union which organizes inter-African official meetings and almost nothing else, has spoken about the coup in Mauritania. It has suspended Mauritanian membership. The response is good and extremely hypocritical.
Africa is full of regimes that are either unelected or organize phony elections where the leader rules for life. Look at Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, etc.
Oddly, many in the media of Arab regimes have also criticized the coup as undemocratic, which it is. The coup government is undemocratic as almost all other Arab regimes.
Cheers
Mohammed
Iraq: Muqtada Goes Civilian.
Tribe Defeats God in Arabia.
Salafis vs Shi'as in Egypt.
Intelligence failure in Georgia?
Hypocrisy in Africa.
Iraq:
Muqtada al-Sadr is into diversification: he has changed the bulk of his Mahdi Army into a religious and cultural unit, while keeping ad portion of it armed to 'resist the occupation'. This comes after prime Minsiter al-Maliki more than once publicly supported the idea of a timetable for American withdrawal from Iraq. Oddly, sentiment on the Iraqi street seems to have forced the neocons and the Bush administration to abandon the idea of permanent bases in Iraq, a foolish idea to start with. Iraqi opinion seems to be firmly with a timetable for withdrawal.
Out are Senator McCain's one hundred years of occupation a la Germany and Japan.
Tribe Defeats God in Arabia:
Alarabiya reports today on an unusual but all too common tribal celebration in a courtroom in Saudi Arabia. Members of one tribe became rowdy in celebrating their success in obtaining a decision to annul the marriage of a tribal woman to a man who is a 'stranger'.
'Stranger' in this case does not mean that he is a foreigner, or that he lives far away, or that he is Hindu, animist or bisexual. It means that the man is of a different tribe. Initially the father of the bride had agreed to the wedding, but other tribal 'men' objected strongly and applied strong pressure. The husband was threatened repeatedly, but refused to give up his wife.
The report says that after the court decision and the husband's agreement to end the marriage, all men of the tribe prostrated themselves in thanks to God for this decision. No strange man will penetrate that tribe, for now.
It did not say which God they prayed to: probably one of their own making, just like their pagan ancestors fifteen centuries earlier.
Salafis vs Shi'as in Egypt:
Elaph reports that Egypt has banned the annual celebrations of the birth of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and one of the most revered men to Shi'as. The media report that there is worry that there are too many Iraqi Shi'as in Egypt and that such celebrations may play into the hands of a Shia revival, whatever that means. There are active Salafi porganizations in Egypts who strongly oppose allowing Shi'a festivities, and even marriages between Shi'as and Sunnis. Leaders of these groups are men who had spent years in the Persian-American Gulf region and were closely associated with the Talibanesque Salafis of the Gulf who tend to be rabidly anti-Shi'a.
Historically Egyptians have been among the most tolerant of Arabs and there are shrines in Cairo to many historical figures revered by the Shi'as. Al-Azhar University itself was established by a Shi'a dynasty (the Fatimids) that ruled Egypt for some time.
Intelligence failure in Georgia?
The Russian incursion into Georgia is ruthless, but not as ruthless as that other earlier march through another Georgia: General Sherman's.
Still, what prompted the Georgian government to miscalculate so badly the Russian reaction to events in Ossetia? And did US intelligence not see the crisis coming to start with? Did they not predict the Russian reaction?
Hypocrisy in Africa:
The African Union which organizes inter-African official meetings and almost nothing else, has spoken about the coup in Mauritania. It has suspended Mauritanian membership. The response is good and extremely hypocritical.
Africa is full of regimes that are either unelected or organize phony elections where the leader rules for life. Look at Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, etc.
Oddly, many in the media of Arab regimes have also criticized the coup as undemocratic, which it is. The coup government is undemocratic as almost all other Arab regimes.
Cheers
Mohammed
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Media Tour:
"The wealthy begin to feel the pain in down economy..." Drudge Report 8/4/08
So instead of coke the celebs go back to.....ecstasy?
Besides, help is on the way: John McCain has promised to reduce their taxes some more.
I thought Paris Hilton's energy policy was better than the other two candidates for president- at least the version in her free video, no, the recent video. Her special effects were better than McCain's, especially when he looked like a mummy, and she sounded more credible, perhaps because she is not seeking elective office yet. She was, however, short on details.
"Many Iranians confront poverty while the Mullahs confront America." Middle East Online, 8/4/08
"President George W Bush has led America during two terms marked with setbacks and catastrophes. He has waged two failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has pushed the economy into a depression (probably means 'recession' here). He has burdened the federal budget with a deficit of $450 billion, after he had inherited a huge surplus from his predecessor. It is not far-fetched for Mr. Bush to respond again to recent Israeli provocations and urgings and resort to the military option against Iran in a desperate attempt to salvage a political and military legacy that has so far been full of failures and defeats." Alquds Alarabi, London.
"It was no coincidence for U.S Secratary of State Condi Rice to order all foreign minister of the moderate Arab states to meet with her at Abu Dhabi while she was en route to Asia. She made sure to bring along Mr. Burns who met the Iranians in Geneve." Alquds Alarabi, London.
"Iran is playing with fire by being uncooperative with the West. She will be attacked just as Iraq was." Libyan leader Colonel Qadhafi, on a visit to Tunisia.
"It warms my heart to see Mr. Bin Ali running for a sixth term as president of Tunisia." Colonel Qadhafi who, like all other Arab leaders has never heard of term limits or losing an election. BTW: what is an election?
Wages of Sinning by Telephone in Arabia:
A Saudi appeals court (I did not know they had those) has upheld a sentence of flogging and prison for a Saudi academic and one of his female students. He was sentenced to a flogging of 600 lashes and 8 months prison, she was sentenced to 350 lashes and 4 months in prison. They will both need to spend the months in a hospital ICU, if they survive the lashes.
He is accused of establishing an illicit relationship with her over the telephone (seriously) and encouraging her to break up her marriage. Talking over telephone with an un-related woman is considered a form of sinning in parts of the moderate New Middle East. She is accused of breaking up her marriage. All this was allegedly done through telephone conversations about her research paper.
The husband had sued after he had agreed to the divorce (for a price of Saudi Riyal -Real en Espanol- 70,000 paid by the wife to the husband for her freedom). The good husband took the money, granted the divorce, but sued one week later, after the money was safely in the bank.
The professor has declared that he refuses the sentences although it is not clear how he can stop them, unless he has access to the royal palace.
Wages of getting stoned in Arabia:
On the subject of the law and judicial justice: police in Dubai reported yesterday that they have busted a Saudi judge and his wife for possession and use of Hashish in a hotel room. Initially Saudi authorities were quick to deny that the man was a Saudi judge, the ministry of justice denied that he was on their list of judges. But now alarabiya (Saudi) reports that an attorney for the Saudi consulate in Dubai will defend his honor the judge, who turns out to be a judge after all.
The media were quick to report that the arrested wife is in fact the judge's second wife and that she is 'Moroccan'- hinting that a native Saudi woman would never be caught dead smoking Hashish, and even if she smoked she would never inhale, and even if she inhaled she wouldn't like it. In either case, she would never consent for a stoned husband.
And to prove it: they report that the man's first wife, a conventional and definitely 'square' Saudi of course, was with them at the same hotel, but staying at a different room.They had, all three of them, arrived from Cairo. I guess the judge made the rounds in the hotel, unless he was into groups.
No word yet if the first wife was the one who ratted on the blissful couple. The man's othere wives, if he has others, were not with them in Dubai.
Alarabiya volunteers to share with us that the judge was a good straight man, you might say an average decent Saudi, before he married the Moroccan wife. He was just an average Saudi judge who sentenced people to such things as flogging and sentenced poor people to public beheadings for committing such crimes as murder, resorting to witchcraft, committing adultery, or smoking Hashish.
I wonder what the punishment in Dubai is for smoking Hashish with one's second Moroccan wife in a hotel suite while the first wife is in another room at the same hotel?
And so it goes in the moderate tribal New Middle East with the famous birth pangs that Condi Rice mentioned in the summer of 2006 while the Southern suburb of Beirut was burning.
Cheers
Mohammed
"The wealthy begin to feel the pain in down economy..." Drudge Report 8/4/08
So instead of coke the celebs go back to.....ecstasy?
Besides, help is on the way: John McCain has promised to reduce their taxes some more.
I thought Paris Hilton's energy policy was better than the other two candidates for president- at least the version in her free video, no, the recent video. Her special effects were better than McCain's, especially when he looked like a mummy, and she sounded more credible, perhaps because she is not seeking elective office yet. She was, however, short on details.
"Many Iranians confront poverty while the Mullahs confront America." Middle East Online, 8/4/08
"President George W Bush has led America during two terms marked with setbacks and catastrophes. He has waged two failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has pushed the economy into a depression (probably means 'recession' here). He has burdened the federal budget with a deficit of $450 billion, after he had inherited a huge surplus from his predecessor. It is not far-fetched for Mr. Bush to respond again to recent Israeli provocations and urgings and resort to the military option against Iran in a desperate attempt to salvage a political and military legacy that has so far been full of failures and defeats." Alquds Alarabi, London.
"It was no coincidence for U.S Secratary of State Condi Rice to order all foreign minister of the moderate Arab states to meet with her at Abu Dhabi while she was en route to Asia. She made sure to bring along Mr. Burns who met the Iranians in Geneve." Alquds Alarabi, London.
"Iran is playing with fire by being uncooperative with the West. She will be attacked just as Iraq was." Libyan leader Colonel Qadhafi, on a visit to Tunisia.
"It warms my heart to see Mr. Bin Ali running for a sixth term as president of Tunisia." Colonel Qadhafi who, like all other Arab leaders has never heard of term limits or losing an election. BTW: what is an election?
Wages of Sinning by Telephone in Arabia:
A Saudi appeals court (I did not know they had those) has upheld a sentence of flogging and prison for a Saudi academic and one of his female students. He was sentenced to a flogging of 600 lashes and 8 months prison, she was sentenced to 350 lashes and 4 months in prison. They will both need to spend the months in a hospital ICU, if they survive the lashes.
He is accused of establishing an illicit relationship with her over the telephone (seriously) and encouraging her to break up her marriage. Talking over telephone with an un-related woman is considered a form of sinning in parts of the moderate New Middle East. She is accused of breaking up her marriage. All this was allegedly done through telephone conversations about her research paper.
The husband had sued after he had agreed to the divorce (for a price of Saudi Riyal -Real en Espanol- 70,000 paid by the wife to the husband for her freedom). The good husband took the money, granted the divorce, but sued one week later, after the money was safely in the bank.
The professor has declared that he refuses the sentences although it is not clear how he can stop them, unless he has access to the royal palace.
Wages of getting stoned in Arabia:
On the subject of the law and judicial justice: police in Dubai reported yesterday that they have busted a Saudi judge and his wife for possession and use of Hashish in a hotel room. Initially Saudi authorities were quick to deny that the man was a Saudi judge, the ministry of justice denied that he was on their list of judges. But now alarabiya (Saudi) reports that an attorney for the Saudi consulate in Dubai will defend his honor the judge, who turns out to be a judge after all.
The media were quick to report that the arrested wife is in fact the judge's second wife and that she is 'Moroccan'- hinting that a native Saudi woman would never be caught dead smoking Hashish, and even if she smoked she would never inhale, and even if she inhaled she wouldn't like it. In either case, she would never consent for a stoned husband.
And to prove it: they report that the man's first wife, a conventional and definitely 'square' Saudi of course, was with them at the same hotel, but staying at a different room.They had, all three of them, arrived from Cairo. I guess the judge made the rounds in the hotel, unless he was into groups.
No word yet if the first wife was the one who ratted on the blissful couple. The man's othere wives, if he has others, were not with them in Dubai.
Alarabiya volunteers to share with us that the judge was a good straight man, you might say an average decent Saudi, before he married the Moroccan wife. He was just an average Saudi judge who sentenced people to such things as flogging and sentenced poor people to public beheadings for committing such crimes as murder, resorting to witchcraft, committing adultery, or smoking Hashish.
I wonder what the punishment in Dubai is for smoking Hashish with one's second Moroccan wife in a hotel suite while the first wife is in another room at the same hotel?
And so it goes in the moderate tribal New Middle East with the famous birth pangs that Condi Rice mentioned in the summer of 2006 while the Southern suburb of Beirut was burning.
Cheers
Mohammed
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
In this posting:
All quiet on the Mideast front- What an Arab king and Senator John McCain have in common: it is the liquidity, stupid- What the two Middle Easts stand for: the Old and the New- The minimum wage, bitter underemployed white men and Limbaugh's $63,000 hourly wage- Abe Linclon's take.
The drums of war have been quiet all across the Middle East, both the moderate New Middle East that stands for freedom, justice, and the American way of life (with a few absolute monarchs and life-long dictators thrown in for local flavor) and the radical Old Middle East that stands for other things. Gulf media have stopped debating the odds of a strike on Iran, and some Gulf (Persian-American Gulf) neocon editors seem withdrawn for now, almost forlorn and in need of rehab. Even Iran's noisy Ahmadinejad gave a polite interview to Brian Williams and hinted at improved relations. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, urged by his own 'handlers' also played like a John McCain fighting for his share of media attention: he chaired some obscure inter-faith meeting, safely tucked away in Europe, far away from the faithful.
The King has something in common with Senator McCain, and it is not only their age. Both the king and McCain depend on liquids for their wealth, in both cases someone else's liquid wealth. The King's wealth comes from the black liquid that really belongs to his people, and McCain's wealth comes from the cold amber liquid that belongs to his wife.
Two weeks ago Rush Limbaugh signed a deal to continue his radio show for 8 more years, at a price of $400 million, and the usual endorsement fees, etc.
Last week Limbaugh was quite angry and upset on his radio show: the reason? Congress had voted to increase the federal minimum wage by 77 cents per hour. Seventy-seven cents per hour vs $400 million for eight years (that would be $50 million a year, for the arithmatically-challenged). Limbaugh's 50 million a year translates to about $189,000 a day. That would be $62,893 for every hour he is on the air. And he does not produce anything tangible. No wonder he claims he is 'having more fun on the show than anyone should' . The poor angry underemployed white men of the rust-belt are not having nearly as much fun, even with their guns and their bibles.
Against all odds, he was trying to rile up the blue collar white folks about the 77 cents per hour raise just after he had inked his own $63,000 an hour deal. And what is odd is that he may succeed.
Was it Abe Lincoln who said something roughly to the effect that people don't remain fools for long?
Cheers
Mohammed
All quiet on the Mideast front- What an Arab king and Senator John McCain have in common: it is the liquidity, stupid- What the two Middle Easts stand for: the Old and the New- The minimum wage, bitter underemployed white men and Limbaugh's $63,000 hourly wage- Abe Linclon's take.
The drums of war have been quiet all across the Middle East, both the moderate New Middle East that stands for freedom, justice, and the American way of life (with a few absolute monarchs and life-long dictators thrown in for local flavor) and the radical Old Middle East that stands for other things. Gulf media have stopped debating the odds of a strike on Iran, and some Gulf (Persian-American Gulf) neocon editors seem withdrawn for now, almost forlorn and in need of rehab. Even Iran's noisy Ahmadinejad gave a polite interview to Brian Williams and hinted at improved relations. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, urged by his own 'handlers' also played like a John McCain fighting for his share of media attention: he chaired some obscure inter-faith meeting, safely tucked away in Europe, far away from the faithful.
The King has something in common with Senator McCain, and it is not only their age. Both the king and McCain depend on liquids for their wealth, in both cases someone else's liquid wealth. The King's wealth comes from the black liquid that really belongs to his people, and McCain's wealth comes from the cold amber liquid that belongs to his wife.
Two weeks ago Rush Limbaugh signed a deal to continue his radio show for 8 more years, at a price of $400 million, and the usual endorsement fees, etc.
Last week Limbaugh was quite angry and upset on his radio show: the reason? Congress had voted to increase the federal minimum wage by 77 cents per hour. Seventy-seven cents per hour vs $400 million for eight years (that would be $50 million a year, for the arithmatically-challenged). Limbaugh's 50 million a year translates to about $189,000 a day. That would be $62,893 for every hour he is on the air. And he does not produce anything tangible. No wonder he claims he is 'having more fun on the show than anyone should' . The poor angry underemployed white men of the rust-belt are not having nearly as much fun, even with their guns and their bibles.
Against all odds, he was trying to rile up the blue collar white folks about the 77 cents per hour raise just after he had inked his own $63,000 an hour deal. And what is odd is that he may succeed.
Was it Abe Lincoln who said something roughly to the effect that people don't remain fools for long?
Cheers
Mohammed
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Belgian Wfle Swallows the King of Beer. Campaign Myths: Obama is Muslim and McCain Wears a Diaper. Of Thanksgiving Turkeys and Arab Leaders
Of Beer and Politics:
The times, they are a-changin’. Bob Dylan was absoeffinglutely right.
A Belgian brewer (InBev) is buying Budweiser. Actually their own Stella Artois is a tasty beer, or so I understand from second or better yet third hand accounts, but still: Belgium? Belgium: a fake funny Old Europe kingdom buys out the King of Beer?
I think of all the good times I spent at Larry Blake’s (on Telegraph Ave) and other welcoming joints stretching from Manhattan, though Clemson in the Deep South all the way to the dock of 'The Bay', especially East Bay. I was following Manifest Destiny, westward from coast to shining coast with the famous welcoming sign. The King of Beer. That Bud was for me, for all I do, the King of Beer was coming through…
The main distinction of that country, that would be Belgium, is that it has a waffle named after it, for a reason that almost no one knows. A waffle of a country, a word that would make an American presidential candidate squirm as much as flip-flop.
Another questionable distinction is that the Battle of Waterloo between old Europe (Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austro-Hungary) and New Europe (Revolutionary France) was on its soil, but that depends on which side one rooted for at the time. I would probably have rooted for Nappy if only because I could not stand those stuck-up, in-bred, retentive mushrooms that were the aristocracy.
Oh, and another distinction of Belgium that I remember is that it is the country that periodically uncovers a vast network of pedophiles. I mean really nasty networks of pedophiles. But in fairness I haven’t heard of many of those in recent years.
On the other hand, the great Pacific Northwest has cured me from the King of Beer for some time now, for reasons that anyone who has been to the area would understand.
The shaikhs of Abu Dhabi have bought the Chrysler Building, a Manhattan landmark. But then again, major US oil companies are poised to control Iraq’s vast oil fields. Halliburton, of Dick Cheney fame, has already reaped massive benefits from contracts in Iraq, many with the US government, the military, and with Iraq.
At least the White House will never be for sale, no? Well, not really, maybe just for rent every four or eight years, when they start talking about something called a 'presidential library'. Not sure why they would call it 'presidential' when most of the funding and financing is done in very un-presidential fashion.
Campaign myths and Arab leaders:
The notion that Obama is a Muslim, secret or otherwise, will never go away. Maybe if he is elected and has spent some time in office the idea will be dispelled, especially after he pardons his first Thanksgiving Turkey instead of slitting its throat (incidentally, expect Bush to pardon many turkeys early next January). Actually his election in itself will put an end to that, unless he shows up to his victory rally in a turban or a checkered kaffiya.
Recently there was also a hint from someone on a cable network (definitely not FoxNews) that Senator McCain may be wearing a diaper. The pace of the campaign is grueling, but that type of information is a personal thing between a candidate and his doctor (specialist, of course).
Besides, by that measure there are many leaders who would be candidates for wearing diapers. I can think of a few in the Arab World. Let me see, one, two, three, At least three, but don’t worry: there will be more as the years go by and younger Arab leaders turn old, then very old, in office. Some die in office and that is the end of it. Others, both monarchs and presidents, continue through their progeny. Unfortunately the latter has been the trend in recent years, and look for it to continue as the moderate New Middle East and the Old Middle East enter the post-Bush, post-Cheney, post-trigger-happy era.
Cheers
Mohammed
Of Beer and Politics:
The times, they are a-changin’. Bob Dylan was absoeffinglutely right.
A Belgian brewer (InBev) is buying Budweiser. Actually their own Stella Artois is a tasty beer, or so I understand from second or better yet third hand accounts, but still: Belgium? Belgium: a fake funny Old Europe kingdom buys out the King of Beer?
I think of all the good times I spent at Larry Blake’s (on Telegraph Ave) and other welcoming joints stretching from Manhattan, though Clemson in the Deep South all the way to the dock of 'The Bay', especially East Bay. I was following Manifest Destiny, westward from coast to shining coast with the famous welcoming sign. The King of Beer. That Bud was for me, for all I do, the King of Beer was coming through…
The main distinction of that country, that would be Belgium, is that it has a waffle named after it, for a reason that almost no one knows. A waffle of a country, a word that would make an American presidential candidate squirm as much as flip-flop.
Another questionable distinction is that the Battle of Waterloo between old Europe (Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austro-Hungary) and New Europe (Revolutionary France) was on its soil, but that depends on which side one rooted for at the time. I would probably have rooted for Nappy if only because I could not stand those stuck-up, in-bred, retentive mushrooms that were the aristocracy.
Oh, and another distinction of Belgium that I remember is that it is the country that periodically uncovers a vast network of pedophiles. I mean really nasty networks of pedophiles. But in fairness I haven’t heard of many of those in recent years.
On the other hand, the great Pacific Northwest has cured me from the King of Beer for some time now, for reasons that anyone who has been to the area would understand.
The shaikhs of Abu Dhabi have bought the Chrysler Building, a Manhattan landmark. But then again, major US oil companies are poised to control Iraq’s vast oil fields. Halliburton, of Dick Cheney fame, has already reaped massive benefits from contracts in Iraq, many with the US government, the military, and with Iraq.
At least the White House will never be for sale, no? Well, not really, maybe just for rent every four or eight years, when they start talking about something called a 'presidential library'. Not sure why they would call it 'presidential' when most of the funding and financing is done in very un-presidential fashion.
Campaign myths and Arab leaders:
The notion that Obama is a Muslim, secret or otherwise, will never go away. Maybe if he is elected and has spent some time in office the idea will be dispelled, especially after he pardons his first Thanksgiving Turkey instead of slitting its throat (incidentally, expect Bush to pardon many turkeys early next January). Actually his election in itself will put an end to that, unless he shows up to his victory rally in a turban or a checkered kaffiya.
Recently there was also a hint from someone on a cable network (definitely not FoxNews) that Senator McCain may be wearing a diaper. The pace of the campaign is grueling, but that type of information is a personal thing between a candidate and his doctor (specialist, of course).
Besides, by that measure there are many leaders who would be candidates for wearing diapers. I can think of a few in the Arab World. Let me see, one, two, three, At least three, but don’t worry: there will be more as the years go by and younger Arab leaders turn old, then very old, in office. Some die in office and that is the end of it. Others, both monarchs and presidents, continue through their progeny. Unfortunately the latter has been the trend in recent years, and look for it to continue as the moderate New Middle East and the Old Middle East enter the post-Bush, post-Cheney, post-trigger-happy era.
Cheers
Mohammed
Monday, July 14, 2008
On Despots, Genocide, and the Campaign for an Islamic Pope
“I am surrounded by priests who repeat incessantly that their kingdom is not of this world, and yet they lay their hands on everything they can get” Napoleon Bonaparte
"Saudi Salafism hopes to appear more liberal at the Madrid dialog." al-Rasid, (Saudi activist Shi'a web site)
Media Tour: Hired and other Media on Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, etc.
"Don't expect much from the new government (cabinet) of Lebanon. Hizbullah and Iran have a veto power, and even Syria has a seat." Chief editor, Asharq alawsat.
Fact is, everybody has a seat at the Lebanese cabinet, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United States, and France. Lebanon's new cabinet has not been welcomed by the Saudis. If the controlled media is any indication, the cabinet in which Hizbullah and her allies now hold the veto power is clearly considered a political defeat for the Saudi side. Announcement of the cabinet had clearly stunned the media because it took them a while to report it.
Meanwhile, some Saudi mouthpieces in other Gulf states have taken to attacking Qatari rulers again for their role in the Lebanese settlement, which ended the old Ta'if deal. As the following quotes indicate, they have had their marching orders:
"Exactly one week ago, Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, Prime Minsiter of Qatar, invested US$43 million in an Israeli medical company called 'Medical Industries-D'" Columnist on last page of alwatan, Kuwait, July 12, 2008.
"On July 7, 2008, an amount of US$5 milliom was deposited in the account of the Speaker of the Lebanese parliament in Zurich. The money was received from the Qatari prime minister, and is part of regularly scheduled payments. Soon, Speaker Berri will be richer than Sa'ad Hariri." Same coumnist, same day in alwatan, Kuwait. I doubt it, Hariri will always be richer because his paymasters have deeper pockets.
"On July 3, General Michel Oun (Christian ally of Hizbullah) received US$20 million from Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani of Qatar, which raises the total amount he has received since the Doha Agreement to US$60 million." Same columnist in alwatan, July 12, 2008.
"Reliable sources have told us that the recent border agreement signed by Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Saudi Interior MInister, among other things, and Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, Qatari prime minister, includes Qatar ceding three locations to her big neighbor. As well as an official promise that aljazeera TV will not be allowed to insult Saudi Arabia again." Same columnist in the same alwatan, July 12, 2008.
"The same reliable sources told us that Israeli prime minister Olmert has told Egyptian president Husni Mubarak recently (he must have woken up from his longgg nap) that Tel Aviv will strike at Iran." Probably wishful thinking by the same columnist in alwatan, Kuwait, July 12, 2008.
"The Arab League has announced that it will hold an urgent emergency meeting of foreign ministers on the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Basheer, without setting a date for the meeting." alarabiya. Coming to the aid of a fellow despot in trouble?
"Sudanese parties considered that the possibility of an arrest warrant against the president is a move that targets Sudan and is against its sovereignty." alalam (Iranian TV), which conveniently did not specify which parties supported Ahmadinejad's favorite despot.
"Iran promises to work toward release of four of its diplomats kidnapped in Beirut since 1982." alalam
"Iran will target 32 American bases and the heart of the 'Israeli entity' if attacked." alalam
Some Arab media speculate that the Bush administration is angry at Iraqi PM al-Maliki for defying it and rejecting the draft security agreement as it is. King Abdul of Jordan canceled a state visit, first by an Arab leader to Baghdad, soon after. Some Arabs believe that the Bush administration have talked him into canceling it, as punishment or warning to the Iraqis. Other Arabs differ: they believe that the Bush administration 'ordered' King Abdul to cancel the visit, just as they had earlier ordered him to make it.
"Ron Arad's family given new photo: Israel receives two new pictures, snippets of letters and excerpts from a diary as part of swap deal (with Hizbullah)." Jerusalem Post, July 13, 2008.
"Snoop Dogg is planning a tour in Israel , but Palestinian groups are urging him to cancel."
Prepping a Saudi Pope?:
"Huge efforts by the Saudi monarch to establish international dialog: the invitation of king ABdullah Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud for a dialog among heavenly religions, civilizations, and cultures, repersents a call to peace and coexistence among all peoples, since all Muslim countries have adopted the royal initiative, and reacted to it in such a way that proves to the whole world that Islam is the religion of peace and coexistence with others, and disproved any connection between Islam and terrorism, and that terrorism exists everywhere in the world and does not differentiate among religions......yadda, yadda, yadda, and more yadda." Elaph editorial, July 12, 2008
My own two cents:The Saudi king is sponsoring and chairing an inter-faith dialog next week that is also sponsored by the Islamic World Institute. It includes representatives of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism- Hindus, Buddhists, and Europe's vast community of agnostics and atheists need not apply. There will be shaikhs, imams, parsons, priests, and rabbis.
The catch is: it is not being held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital where the hosts rule. It is being held in Madrid, from whence Fernando and Ysabel, from their joint conjugal throne of Castile and Aragon led the reconquista in 1492.
The Saudi king might be a well-meaning man, but they are hosting the conference in Madrid- not in Riyadh! That saves them the 'embarrassment' of having rabbis with top hats and yarmulkes land in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The Saudi-controlled media, the vastest and best financed in the Middle East, have given it extensive coverage. Their in-house and hired intellectuals have tried to drum up enthusiasm. The rest of the world media have yawned and taken a pass. Most Europeans couldn't care less about interfaith matters: to them faith is mainly a private matter between a person and his chosen deity, which sounds like a reasonable arrangement.
In the kingdom of dialog, as in the Islamic republic across the Persian-American Gulf, one can lose his or her head or rot in prison if one dialogs too much, as many Sunni reformists (e.g Dr. Matrouk al-Falih) and Shi’a activists can attest.
In the kingdom of dialog, this new apparent opening to dialog is most likely the creation of some public relations firm in Washington, DC. Not necessarily on K Street, but close. Or maybe they now have local branches.
Cheers
Mohammed
"Saudi Salafism hopes to appear more liberal at the Madrid dialog." al-Rasid, (Saudi activist Shi'a web site)
Media Tour: Hired and other Media on Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, etc.
"Don't expect much from the new government (cabinet) of Lebanon. Hizbullah and Iran have a veto power, and even Syria has a seat." Chief editor, Asharq alawsat.
Fact is, everybody has a seat at the Lebanese cabinet, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United States, and France. Lebanon's new cabinet has not been welcomed by the Saudis. If the controlled media is any indication, the cabinet in which Hizbullah and her allies now hold the veto power is clearly considered a political defeat for the Saudi side. Announcement of the cabinet had clearly stunned the media because it took them a while to report it.
Meanwhile, some Saudi mouthpieces in other Gulf states have taken to attacking Qatari rulers again for their role in the Lebanese settlement, which ended the old Ta'if deal. As the following quotes indicate, they have had their marching orders:
"Exactly one week ago, Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, Prime Minsiter of Qatar, invested US$43 million in an Israeli medical company called 'Medical Industries-D'" Columnist on last page of alwatan, Kuwait, July 12, 2008.
"On July 7, 2008, an amount of US$5 milliom was deposited in the account of the Speaker of the Lebanese parliament in Zurich. The money was received from the Qatari prime minister, and is part of regularly scheduled payments. Soon, Speaker Berri will be richer than Sa'ad Hariri." Same coumnist, same day in alwatan, Kuwait. I doubt it, Hariri will always be richer because his paymasters have deeper pockets.
"On July 3, General Michel Oun (Christian ally of Hizbullah) received US$20 million from Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani of Qatar, which raises the total amount he has received since the Doha Agreement to US$60 million." Same columnist in alwatan, July 12, 2008.
"Reliable sources have told us that the recent border agreement signed by Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Saudi Interior MInister, among other things, and Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani, Qatari prime minister, includes Qatar ceding three locations to her big neighbor. As well as an official promise that aljazeera TV will not be allowed to insult Saudi Arabia again." Same columnist in the same alwatan, July 12, 2008.
"The same reliable sources told us that Israeli prime minister Olmert has told Egyptian president Husni Mubarak recently (he must have woken up from his longgg nap) that Tel Aviv will strike at Iran." Probably wishful thinking by the same columnist in alwatan, Kuwait, July 12, 2008.
"The Arab League has announced that it will hold an urgent emergency meeting of foreign ministers on the indictment of Sudanese president Omar al-Basheer, without setting a date for the meeting." alarabiya. Coming to the aid of a fellow despot in trouble?
"Sudanese parties considered that the possibility of an arrest warrant against the president is a move that targets Sudan and is against its sovereignty." alalam (Iranian TV), which conveniently did not specify which parties supported Ahmadinejad's favorite despot.
"Iran promises to work toward release of four of its diplomats kidnapped in Beirut since 1982." alalam
"Iran will target 32 American bases and the heart of the 'Israeli entity' if attacked." alalam
Some Arab media speculate that the Bush administration is angry at Iraqi PM al-Maliki for defying it and rejecting the draft security agreement as it is. King Abdul of Jordan canceled a state visit, first by an Arab leader to Baghdad, soon after. Some Arabs believe that the Bush administration have talked him into canceling it, as punishment or warning to the Iraqis. Other Arabs differ: they believe that the Bush administration 'ordered' King Abdul to cancel the visit, just as they had earlier ordered him to make it.
"Ron Arad's family given new photo: Israel receives two new pictures, snippets of letters and excerpts from a diary as part of swap deal (with Hizbullah)." Jerusalem Post, July 13, 2008.
"Snoop Dogg is planning a tour in Israel , but Palestinian groups are urging him to cancel."
Prepping a Saudi Pope?:
"Huge efforts by the Saudi monarch to establish international dialog: the invitation of king ABdullah Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud for a dialog among heavenly religions, civilizations, and cultures, repersents a call to peace and coexistence among all peoples, since all Muslim countries have adopted the royal initiative, and reacted to it in such a way that proves to the whole world that Islam is the religion of peace and coexistence with others, and disproved any connection between Islam and terrorism, and that terrorism exists everywhere in the world and does not differentiate among religions......yadda, yadda, yadda, and more yadda." Elaph editorial, July 12, 2008
My own two cents:The Saudi king is sponsoring and chairing an inter-faith dialog next week that is also sponsored by the Islamic World Institute. It includes representatives of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism- Hindus, Buddhists, and Europe's vast community of agnostics and atheists need not apply. There will be shaikhs, imams, parsons, priests, and rabbis.
The catch is: it is not being held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital where the hosts rule. It is being held in Madrid, from whence Fernando and Ysabel, from their joint conjugal throne of Castile and Aragon led the reconquista in 1492.
The Saudi king might be a well-meaning man, but they are hosting the conference in Madrid- not in Riyadh! That saves them the 'embarrassment' of having rabbis with top hats and yarmulkes land in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The Saudi-controlled media, the vastest and best financed in the Middle East, have given it extensive coverage. Their in-house and hired intellectuals have tried to drum up enthusiasm. The rest of the world media have yawned and taken a pass. Most Europeans couldn't care less about interfaith matters: to them faith is mainly a private matter between a person and his chosen deity, which sounds like a reasonable arrangement.
In the kingdom of dialog, as in the Islamic republic across the Persian-American Gulf, one can lose his or her head or rot in prison if one dialogs too much, as many Sunni reformists (e.g Dr. Matrouk al-Falih) and Shi’a activists can attest.
In the kingdom of dialog, this new apparent opening to dialog is most likely the creation of some public relations firm in Washington, DC. Not necessarily on K Street, but close. Or maybe they now have local branches.
Cheers
Mohammed
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Treaty Down the Throat:
Iraq's Nuri al-Maliki is caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock is the Bush administration that is pushing incessantly for a long-term security treaty with Iraq (only it won't be called a treaty in order to avoid Senate hearings). They want the treaty finalized before next January, preferably before next November, and the next (Democratic) president stuck with it. Who said graduates of such places as Yale, Harvard Business School, and Wyoming are not smart?
Mr. al-Maliki has taken to wearing one of those clip-on ties: he clips it on in Washington and Europe, but he pulls it off before landing in Tehran or Qom, something he did this week. Columns and editorials are being written on his tie, or non-tie.
It is that old Arab saying: when in Qom....
Hardly anybody writes in support of the long-term treaty that is not called a treaty. I have not seen an Arab column or editorial openly supporting it. There are some supporters, but they are too shy to come out for it. One editorial in Asharq alawsat managed to criticize it while making the case for some form of US-Iraqi pact. Of course none of them are likely to have read the draft, anymore than I have. Which reminds me: I better find a copy online.
With the UN "mandate" expiring later this year, the Bush admin is pushing hard for its conclusion- the treaty. It won't have to be approved by the US Senate, the Iraqi parliament, Ayatollah al-Sistani, and the militias because none of the above approves of it. It is not clear where the competing bands of former and future tribal thugs now called Awakening Councils, Sons of Iraq, or Sons of "Whatever" stand on the issue.
Th treaty will ensure that Senator McCain, in the unlikely and unfortunate event that he is elected president, will never have to surrender, my friends.
Speaking of which. Mr. McCain reiterated his idea that US troops remaining in Iraq are not a problem: it is the US casualties that matter. Again, he compared Iraq to Germany or Japan. Cherries and cacti, senator. Iraq is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, tribal place with a thin veneer of a common national history. Violence has ebbed because some of the thugs, the terrorists have been bought off. As soon as they see that the US intends to remain forever, the bullets will start flying again. The Brits tried a treaty that made Iraq seem subservient to them, and it led to continued instability, including a pro-Nazi coup in 1941 (Mr. McCain is surely unaware of that bit of history).
The price of the ETF on an Iran war has gone up again. Just a everybody had given up, and Arab media had shifted to an American-Iranian rapprochement based on perceived or suspected "common intetests" of the Mullahs in Tehran and the Mullahs in Washington.That comes after ominous statements by an Israeli minister who wants to replace the outgoing Olmert, Mr. Bush, and their brain-trust Danial Pipes.
Foreign Policy is quoted by Elaph that "Egypt and Jordan are among the most dangerous places for terrorists." This is probably true in the short term, but in the long term mismanagement, corruption, and lack of freedom tends to breed more terrorists: so, why breed them if you don't want them?
The piece says that King Abdul, de Jourdanie, deepened his ties with Sunni tribes in Iraq and has shared intelligence with the US and Israel, after the al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) bombing of a hotel in Amman that killed many people. Which means that before the attack in his own country, and so long as AQI was killing Iraqi Shi'as and American soldiers, his most tribal majesty was happy enough with the way things were going. It is not clear if that was before or after he got to address a joint session of Congress.
Desert Justice- Whipping it in Arabia:
Aafaq reports that a Saudi judge has sentenced a university professor and one of his female graduate students to jail terms and hundreds of lashes. The professor will get 600 lashes and eight months in prison, if he survives the lashes. She, being more dainty, gets 250 lashes and six months in prison, if she survives the lashes.The judge believes that the professor encouraged the woman to split with her husband.
Apparently she talked with her professor about her research paper and once talked about her marriage. Two months later she sought divorce, which her husband agreed to for the price of Rial 70, 000. After she paid him, the husband sued that the professor had talked his wife into seeking a divorce.
No evidence was presented, none was needed.
The chief of the Saudi religious militia/police (Mutawa'een) is asking for a 20% salary raise for his staff. He calls the raise a compensation for "danger". Maybe they are positioning themselves, financially, for termination of service.
In Iran, a major state-owned company has threatened its bachelor staff woith firinmg if they do not get married. The merry singles have until September 21 to meet their moral and religious responsibilities by gettingh hitched or they'll get fired.
President Hugo Chavez has offered to send a Venezulan-made bicycle to President Bush. He claims it is made in Venezuela with Iranian nuclear technology (canned laughter).
Apparently cement shortage is becoming a serious issue in the GCC Persian Gulf states. And apparently Saudi Arabia holds one key to the supply problem. Bahraini newspapers report that the Prime Minister (no less) of Bahrain has met with the Saudi Ambassador on this issue. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti media report that a caravan of trucks loaded with cement were prevented by Saudi border guards from crossing into Kuwait.
Cheers
Mohammed
Iraq's Nuri al-Maliki is caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock is the Bush administration that is pushing incessantly for a long-term security treaty with Iraq (only it won't be called a treaty in order to avoid Senate hearings). They want the treaty finalized before next January, preferably before next November, and the next (Democratic) president stuck with it. Who said graduates of such places as Yale, Harvard Business School, and Wyoming are not smart?
Mr. al-Maliki has taken to wearing one of those clip-on ties: he clips it on in Washington and Europe, but he pulls it off before landing in Tehran or Qom, something he did this week. Columns and editorials are being written on his tie, or non-tie.
It is that old Arab saying: when in Qom....
Hardly anybody writes in support of the long-term treaty that is not called a treaty. I have not seen an Arab column or editorial openly supporting it. There are some supporters, but they are too shy to come out for it. One editorial in Asharq alawsat managed to criticize it while making the case for some form of US-Iraqi pact. Of course none of them are likely to have read the draft, anymore than I have. Which reminds me: I better find a copy online.
With the UN "mandate" expiring later this year, the Bush admin is pushing hard for its conclusion- the treaty. It won't have to be approved by the US Senate, the Iraqi parliament, Ayatollah al-Sistani, and the militias because none of the above approves of it. It is not clear where the competing bands of former and future tribal thugs now called Awakening Councils, Sons of Iraq, or Sons of "Whatever" stand on the issue.
Th treaty will ensure that Senator McCain, in the unlikely and unfortunate event that he is elected president, will never have to surrender, my friends.
Speaking of which. Mr. McCain reiterated his idea that US troops remaining in Iraq are not a problem: it is the US casualties that matter. Again, he compared Iraq to Germany or Japan. Cherries and cacti, senator. Iraq is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, tribal place with a thin veneer of a common national history. Violence has ebbed because some of the thugs, the terrorists have been bought off. As soon as they see that the US intends to remain forever, the bullets will start flying again. The Brits tried a treaty that made Iraq seem subservient to them, and it led to continued instability, including a pro-Nazi coup in 1941 (Mr. McCain is surely unaware of that bit of history).
The price of the ETF on an Iran war has gone up again. Just a everybody had given up, and Arab media had shifted to an American-Iranian rapprochement based on perceived or suspected "common intetests" of the Mullahs in Tehran and the Mullahs in Washington.That comes after ominous statements by an Israeli minister who wants to replace the outgoing Olmert, Mr. Bush, and their brain-trust Danial Pipes.
Foreign Policy is quoted by Elaph that "Egypt and Jordan are among the most dangerous places for terrorists." This is probably true in the short term, but in the long term mismanagement, corruption, and lack of freedom tends to breed more terrorists: so, why breed them if you don't want them?
The piece says that King Abdul, de Jourdanie, deepened his ties with Sunni tribes in Iraq and has shared intelligence with the US and Israel, after the al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) bombing of a hotel in Amman that killed many people. Which means that before the attack in his own country, and so long as AQI was killing Iraqi Shi'as and American soldiers, his most tribal majesty was happy enough with the way things were going. It is not clear if that was before or after he got to address a joint session of Congress.
Desert Justice- Whipping it in Arabia:
Aafaq reports that a Saudi judge has sentenced a university professor and one of his female graduate students to jail terms and hundreds of lashes. The professor will get 600 lashes and eight months in prison, if he survives the lashes. She, being more dainty, gets 250 lashes and six months in prison, if she survives the lashes.The judge believes that the professor encouraged the woman to split with her husband.
Apparently she talked with her professor about her research paper and once talked about her marriage. Two months later she sought divorce, which her husband agreed to for the price of Rial 70, 000. After she paid him, the husband sued that the professor had talked his wife into seeking a divorce.
No evidence was presented, none was needed.
The chief of the Saudi religious militia/police (Mutawa'een) is asking for a 20% salary raise for his staff. He calls the raise a compensation for "danger". Maybe they are positioning themselves, financially, for termination of service.
In Iran, a major state-owned company has threatened its bachelor staff woith firinmg if they do not get married. The merry singles have until September 21 to meet their moral and religious responsibilities by gettingh hitched or they'll get fired.
President Hugo Chavez has offered to send a Venezulan-made bicycle to President Bush. He claims it is made in Venezuela with Iranian nuclear technology (canned laughter).
Apparently cement shortage is becoming a serious issue in the GCC Persian Gulf states. And apparently Saudi Arabia holds one key to the supply problem. Bahraini newspapers report that the Prime Minister (no less) of Bahrain has met with the Saudi Ambassador on this issue. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti media report that a caravan of trucks loaded with cement were prevented by Saudi border guards from crossing into Kuwait.
Cheers
Mohammed
Sunday, June 15, 2008
In This Issue:
Iraq Resists US Treaty.
Bush and his court: what a nice bi-partisan guy.
Cardiac NBC.
Fed-speak on Inflation and Wages.
Chacun a son gout: love in Third World cities.
Iraq Resists US Treaty:
Fresh from a trip to Tehran and Qom, and visiting some Arab states, Nuri al-Maliki has finally opined what he thinks of the draft US-Iraq security deal (Bush-secret, no one outside gov’t yet knows details). He seems to agree with everybody else (except perhaps Iyad Allawi) that it is a bad deal for Iraq, including: Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Muqtada al-Sadr, Ahmad Chalabi, various Sunni groups including PM al-Hashimi, as well as many Arabs and Iran’s Khamenai, et al.
AL-Maliki said that the talks have reached a dead end and that the draft agreement Mr. Bush is intent on ramming down his throat violates Iraq’s sovereignty.
"Today Muqtada al-Sadr announced that a new "Special Group" will be formed from his al-Mahdi Army to resist the American Occupation".
Meanwhile, the US premier national security expert, the potential next LBJ, Senator John McCain, has not yet opined on the matter. He is AWOL on this matter, unless his Florida hope Joe Lieberman is opining for him.
So why is the US pressing for a deal that Iraqis apparently overwhelmingly oppose because it clearly not acceptable for a sovereign state? I have not yet seen one Iraqi opinion outside Kurdistan supporting it (Mr. Allawi has not spoken yet).
Who the hell is advising them? What are they thinking? The idiots are making sure that next resurgence of terrorism in Iraq will not only be Sunnis or Shi’as, but both. They need to go back to 1920 and the years after: read up some more of the history.
"The American-Iranian partnership in the New Regional Order." alHayat columnist.
"Huge forces begin widespread operations in al-Amarah, supported with air power. The goal is to eliminate al-Mahdi army fighters from the city."
What a nice bi-partisan guy:
"Mr. Bush said that he disagrees with the Supreme Court decision about the Guantanamo detainees, but that he will abide by the ruling".
Fedspeak on Inflation and Wages:
A couple of TV analysts noted this AM that the CPI has gone up about 4+% this year, but that wages have declined. They noted that the Fed thinks this is good for the economy, because higher prices for gas, food, and medical care have not reached wages yet.That means: the average worker is getting screwed, and that is why things aren’t as bad as we think!
The analysts (on CNBC) claimed that consumers are being made to worry by all the headlines about increased prices, that the headlines may cause them to worry about inflation, and they might actually demand higher wages, and that would be real inflationary and harm the economy!
So far, they inferred, they have not sought higher wages to match the increased living costs, and that is a good thing! They also agreed that a weaker economy (perhaps they meant higher unemployment?) helps keep wages down and limits inflation, and that is a good thing!
(This is not exactly what I was taught in graduate school, but then I have not agreed with many things I was taught in school, beginning with kindergarten and summer religious school (I quit after one month) all the way through college and graduate school).
These analysts did not elaborate on who it is good for. There seems to be some agreement among various analysts this past week that price inflation is good for the economy, as long as it is not transmitted to wages. I suspect they were focusing on the effect on stock prices rather than on the national economy.
Now, talking about real world economics…
Cardiac NBC:
"NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert has died." News Agencies.
What is the matter with NBC? Why are its best public figures dying? First David Bloom in Iraq, now Tim Russert in Washington.
Chacun a son gout- In Third World cities:
"A court in Singapore has sentenced a man to 18 lashes followed by 14 years in prison. This man was original, I think, if anything : he was convicted of sexually harassing women by sniffing their armpits."
An Egyptian court has refused to approve the marriage of a 92 year old Arab man to a female who is younger by 75 years which makes her 17 years old. Usually when Egyptian media says “an Arab man” it means a man from one of the Persian Gulf states. Egyptian media quotes the Ministry of Justice that they do not approve of age differentials over 25 years, and that they frown upon trafficking in women.
Cheers
Mohammed
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Arabs, Burmese, and A Tale of Two Cities
Tale of Two Cities:
Burma (a.k.a Myanmar) News: “The ruling military junta declared that it has won a 92.3% approval of the constitutional referendum in the second statge of the referendum held in areas devastated by the hurricanes. Voter participation was put at 93% from a total of 4.5 million voters.” Florida, eat your heart out.
Cairo, Egypt News: “The Egyptian People’s Assembly has approved a two year extension of the emergency laws that have been in place since 1981.” The emergency laws allow the government to arrest people for long periods without trial, and it allows civilians to be tried in military courts (so that is why they are called military courts). Human rights organizations claim that many people in Egypt are held for ten years or longer without a trial.
The emergency rule was started when Husni Mubarak became president in 1981. Imagine, many, many Egyptians have spent all their lives not knowing any state other than a state of emergency. It is like a life sentence- with hard labor since you have to look at the leader's visage every day of your life, several times.
Soon, most Egyptians will have known only emergency rule.
Meanwhile, the country is fast moving past second rate Mideast country, and fast becoming a third rate Mideast country...third rate in the Middle East! Not an easy accomplishment. It is now the most famous sidkick of Saudi Arabia.
Isn't it great to be a citizen of the moderate New Middle East?
A Royal Jordanian gem:
King Abdul II, de Jourdanie, has stated that continuation of the Arab-Israeli dispute hampers development in the Middle East. His majesty also opined that the region will continue to suffer instability as long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved. (Damn, he should be appointed head of the IBDRD).
Whip it good:
Saudi authorities are trying to force parties to legal disputes to attend court session for their cases. Apparently absences delay rulings and crowd the courts. Now absentees may get whipped, as in flogged, for their absence. Alarabiya reports that judges may get the permission to impose prison and flogging sentences on these people.
Oil Zakat but no Chevron:
A theological committee of al-Azhar University in Cairo has recommended that a tithe tax (zakat) of 20% be imposed on oil revenues of all Islamic oil producers. It notes that Islamic law allows for one fifth tax on all Moslems.
Soon all will be cleared up when a certain phone call is made from Riyadh to Cairo. The call could as well come from Tehran, or even from Caracas for that matter. This is something that would even agitate Hugo Chavez.
Lebanon haggle:
The Lebanese are now haggling over the new cabinet, which will not be headed by either Mr. Saniora or Mr. Hariri. Saniora is certain to be gone: Arab media report that opposition ministers refused to attend a lunch invitation by the PM, which is a good indication that he can’t be the PM.
Bush vs the Potentates: A falling out?
Some Arab regimes of the moderate New Middle East are openly pissed at President Bush because he actually, for once, did the right thing. He urged increased reform and democratization, criticizing some o them. It has probably finally dawned on him that the potentates are not Jeffersonian democrats (small ‘d’), and that was his parting shot before he left the region.
The potentates and their media, will full participation from their house intellectuals, are blasting Mr. Bush. The question of a US-Iran deal to partition the region is being bandied about in the Saudi media again (they do that whenever they are miffed at the administration, and this time they have added Israel and Syria as the two sidekicks).
Maybe he is just realizing, in the waning pre-Crawford days, that some of these guys have been taking him for a ride for several years now.
Cheers
Mohammed
Tale of Two Cities:
Burma (a.k.a Myanmar) News: “The ruling military junta declared that it has won a 92.3% approval of the constitutional referendum in the second statge of the referendum held in areas devastated by the hurricanes. Voter participation was put at 93% from a total of 4.5 million voters.” Florida, eat your heart out.
Cairo, Egypt News: “The Egyptian People’s Assembly has approved a two year extension of the emergency laws that have been in place since 1981.” The emergency laws allow the government to arrest people for long periods without trial, and it allows civilians to be tried in military courts (so that is why they are called military courts). Human rights organizations claim that many people in Egypt are held for ten years or longer without a trial.
The emergency rule was started when Husni Mubarak became president in 1981. Imagine, many, many Egyptians have spent all their lives not knowing any state other than a state of emergency. It is like a life sentence- with hard labor since you have to look at the leader's visage every day of your life, several times.
Soon, most Egyptians will have known only emergency rule.
Meanwhile, the country is fast moving past second rate Mideast country, and fast becoming a third rate Mideast country...third rate in the Middle East! Not an easy accomplishment. It is now the most famous sidkick of Saudi Arabia.
Isn't it great to be a citizen of the moderate New Middle East?
A Royal Jordanian gem:
King Abdul II, de Jourdanie, has stated that continuation of the Arab-Israeli dispute hampers development in the Middle East. His majesty also opined that the region will continue to suffer instability as long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved. (Damn, he should be appointed head of the IBDRD).
Whip it good:
Saudi authorities are trying to force parties to legal disputes to attend court session for their cases. Apparently absences delay rulings and crowd the courts. Now absentees may get whipped, as in flogged, for their absence. Alarabiya reports that judges may get the permission to impose prison and flogging sentences on these people.
Oil Zakat but no Chevron:
A theological committee of al-Azhar University in Cairo has recommended that a tithe tax (zakat) of 20% be imposed on oil revenues of all Islamic oil producers. It notes that Islamic law allows for one fifth tax on all Moslems.
Soon all will be cleared up when a certain phone call is made from Riyadh to Cairo. The call could as well come from Tehran, or even from Caracas for that matter. This is something that would even agitate Hugo Chavez.
Lebanon haggle:
The Lebanese are now haggling over the new cabinet, which will not be headed by either Mr. Saniora or Mr. Hariri. Saniora is certain to be gone: Arab media report that opposition ministers refused to attend a lunch invitation by the PM, which is a good indication that he can’t be the PM.
Bush vs the Potentates: A falling out?
Some Arab regimes of the moderate New Middle East are openly pissed at President Bush because he actually, for once, did the right thing. He urged increased reform and democratization, criticizing some o them. It has probably finally dawned on him that the potentates are not Jeffersonian democrats (small ‘d’), and that was his parting shot before he left the region.
The potentates and their media, will full participation from their house intellectuals, are blasting Mr. Bush. The question of a US-Iran deal to partition the region is being bandied about in the Saudi media again (they do that whenever they are miffed at the administration, and this time they have added Israel and Syria as the two sidekicks).
Maybe he is just realizing, in the waning pre-Crawford days, that some of these guys have been taking him for a ride for several years now.
Cheers
Mohammed
Monday, May 26, 2008
Tale of Two Cities:
Burma (a.k.a Myanmar) News: “The ruling military junta declared that it has won a 92.3% approval of the constitutional referendum in the second statge of the referendum held in areas devastated by the hurricanes. Voter participation was put at 93% from a total of 4.5 million voters.” Florida, eat your heart out.
Cairo, Egypt News: “The Egyptian People’s Assembly has approved a two year extension of the emergency laws that have been in place since 1981.” The emergency laws allow the government to arrest people for long periods without trial, and it allows civilians to be tried in military courts (so that is why they are called military courts). Human rights organizations claim that many people in Egypt are held for ten years or longer without a trial.
The emergency rule was started when Husni Mubarak became president in 1981. Imagine, many, many Egyptians have spent all their lives not knowing any state other than a state of emergency. It is like a life sentence- with hard labor since you have to look at the leader's visage every day of your life, several times.
Soon, most Egyptians will have known only emergency rule.
Isn't it great to be a citizen of the moderate New Middle East?
A Royal Jordanian gem:
King Abdul II, de Jourdanie, has stated that continuation of the Arab-Israeli dispute hampers development in the Middle East. His majesty also opined that the region will continue to suffer instability as long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved. (Damn, he should be appointed head of the IBDRD).
Whip it good:
Saudi authorities are trying to force parties to legal disputes to attend court session. Apparently absences delay rulings and crowd the courts. Now absentees may get whipped, as in flogged, for their absence. Alarabiya reports that judges may get the permission to impose prison and flogging sentences on these people.
Oil Zakat but no Chevron:
A theological committee of al-Azhar University in Cairo has recommended that a tithe tax (zakat) of 20% be imposed on oil revenues of all Islamic oil producers. It notes that Islamic law allows for one fifth tax on all Moslems.
Soon all will be cleared up when a certain phone call is made from Riyadh to Cairo. The call could as well come from Tehran, or even from Caracas for that matter. This is something that would even agitate Hugo Chavez.
Lebanon haggle:
The Lebanese are now haggling over the new cabinet, which will not be headed by either Mr. Saniora or Mr. Hariri. Saniora is certain to be gone: Arab media report that opposition ministers refused to attend a lunch invitation by the PM, which is a good indication that he can’t be the PM.
Bush vs the Potentates: A falling out?
Some Arab regimes of the moderate New Middle East are openly pissed at President Bush, because he actually, for once, did the right thing. He urged increased reform and democratization, criticizing some o them. It has probably dawned on him that the potentates are not Jeffersonian democrats (small ‘d’), and that was his parting shot before he left the region.
The potentates and their media, will full participation from their house intellectuals, are blasting Mr. Bush. The question of a US-Iran deal to partition the region is being bandied about in the Saudi media again (they do that whenever they are miffed at the administration and this time they have added Israel and Syria as the two sidekicks).
Maybe he is just realizing, in the waning pre-Crawford days, that some of these guys have been taking him for a ride for several years now.
Cheers
Mohammed
Burma (a.k.a Myanmar) News: “The ruling military junta declared that it has won a 92.3% approval of the constitutional referendum in the second statge of the referendum held in areas devastated by the hurricanes. Voter participation was put at 93% from a total of 4.5 million voters.” Florida, eat your heart out.
Cairo, Egypt News: “The Egyptian People’s Assembly has approved a two year extension of the emergency laws that have been in place since 1981.” The emergency laws allow the government to arrest people for long periods without trial, and it allows civilians to be tried in military courts (so that is why they are called military courts). Human rights organizations claim that many people in Egypt are held for ten years or longer without a trial.
The emergency rule was started when Husni Mubarak became president in 1981. Imagine, many, many Egyptians have spent all their lives not knowing any state other than a state of emergency. It is like a life sentence- with hard labor since you have to look at the leader's visage every day of your life, several times.
Soon, most Egyptians will have known only emergency rule.
Isn't it great to be a citizen of the moderate New Middle East?
A Royal Jordanian gem:
King Abdul II, de Jourdanie, has stated that continuation of the Arab-Israeli dispute hampers development in the Middle East. His majesty also opined that the region will continue to suffer instability as long as the Palestinian issue is not resolved. (Damn, he should be appointed head of the IBDRD).
Whip it good:
Saudi authorities are trying to force parties to legal disputes to attend court session. Apparently absences delay rulings and crowd the courts. Now absentees may get whipped, as in flogged, for their absence. Alarabiya reports that judges may get the permission to impose prison and flogging sentences on these people.
Oil Zakat but no Chevron:
A theological committee of al-Azhar University in Cairo has recommended that a tithe tax (zakat) of 20% be imposed on oil revenues of all Islamic oil producers. It notes that Islamic law allows for one fifth tax on all Moslems.
Soon all will be cleared up when a certain phone call is made from Riyadh to Cairo. The call could as well come from Tehran, or even from Caracas for that matter. This is something that would even agitate Hugo Chavez.
Lebanon haggle:
The Lebanese are now haggling over the new cabinet, which will not be headed by either Mr. Saniora or Mr. Hariri. Saniora is certain to be gone: Arab media report that opposition ministers refused to attend a lunch invitation by the PM, which is a good indication that he can’t be the PM.
Bush vs the Potentates: A falling out?
Some Arab regimes of the moderate New Middle East are openly pissed at President Bush, because he actually, for once, did the right thing. He urged increased reform and democratization, criticizing some o them. It has probably dawned on him that the potentates are not Jeffersonian democrats (small ‘d’), and that was his parting shot before he left the region.
The potentates and their media, will full participation from their house intellectuals, are blasting Mr. Bush. The question of a US-Iran deal to partition the region is being bandied about in the Saudi media again (they do that whenever they are miffed at the administration and this time they have added Israel and Syria as the two sidekicks).
Maybe he is just realizing, in the waning pre-Crawford days, that some of these guys have been taking him for a ride for several years now.
Cheers
Mohammed
Friday, May 23, 2008
Media Notes
Lebanon, Syria and Joe Lieberman:
"Lebanon: permanent solution or a temporary break?"
I say: temporary break. If not, then the Bush administration has been forced to accept a huge defeat in that country after Hizbullah and its allies got almost all what they had demanded. Something must be brewing somewhere: my Middle Eastern conspiracy-sensitive nose tells me that.
So, was Lebanon really lost this week? And how did Joe Lieberman allow that to happen? Can he reverse it if he ever fulfills his new ambition and becomes McCain's Secretary of State?
"Hariri: discussion of Hizbullah weapons was started 'effectively' at Doha." Ah-huh, sure it was 'discussed', but only effectively.
"Solution does not resolve the deep-rooted issues in Lebanon." Were they supposed to?
"Olmert willing to go far in concessions for Syria, provided it breaks with Iran and Hizbullah."
"The enemy insists that Syria break its relations with Iran and Hizbullah" al-Manar, Hizbullah TV.
'The enemy' is the term traditionally used by Arab media and leaders for Israel. It is being used much less now, as reality has set in and delusions have evaporated.
"Italy considers Hamas the source of all evil in the Middle East" Arab quote of an Italian official.
Wagging the dog: "Olmert needs a Syrian breakthrough to divert attention from his corruption investigation scandal."
Algeria: oil, poverty, and human rights:
"Algeria drowns in oil money while its people drown in povery. Oil revenues exceed $81 billion and 40% of the people are below poverty."
And they don't even have ten thousand princes and princelings to support! The forever-ruling FLN of president Bouteflika is not done with the country. There is a lot more screwing, or is that screwing up, to do.
"Algerian woman sentenced to 3 years in prison for converting to Christianity. Six others face prosecution (persecution) for converting without official permission."
So that is how it is done in the more enlightened parts of the moderate New Middle East, the ones with Condi Rice's famous birth pangs of the summer of 2006. Or maybe those were not birth pangs, just the noises made by the select ones who received the cluster bombs dropped exclusively on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In fairness, I must also mention the Hizbullah rockets that rained on civilian homes across the border in Israel, although those bombs were more 'equal opportunity' missiles and were not as 'selective' as the cluster bombs north of the Lebanese border.
Egyptians against stupidity, especially from the top:
Alarabiya reports that some Egyptians have started a new political movement aimed at reducing the "high levels of stupidity" in their country. It staretd by attacking many stupid state policies that encourage stupidity in the whole population.
They note certain patterns of stupid behavior by the general population as well, such as:
Accepting riding in an extremely overcrowded bus, rather than wait for the next one. (maybe they are not sure the next will be any better)
Not taking the time to read and understand their legal rights, which makes them easy victims for police and other state agents.
It also blames opposition parties that do not plan carefully to mobilize the people against corruption.
The movement, Citizens Against Stupidity (CAS), plans conferences, symposiums, and marches in order to reduce the level of stupidity in government decisions and policies. It also plans to coordinate with other organizations lik Citizens Against Inflation (CAI).
No report yet about what President Mubarak and his son and cabinet think of all that. I suspect they will take it personally, given that stupidity starts at the top (that is, it is a matter of the brain).
Speaking of stupidity at the top: I better check on the date of the next summit of Arab leaders.
Speaking of which, and perhaps as an intro for the next item: the media report that an Egyptian butcher was arrested this week for selling the meat of sick pigs and sick ass (as in jackass) as beef.
"Economic fears unsettle Americans. They reduce their consumption
of fuels but their appetite for food remains undiminished."
Cheers
Mohammed
Lebanon, Syria and Joe Lieberman:
"Lebanon: permanent solution or a temporary break?"
I say: temporary break. If not, then the Bush administration has been forced to accept a huge defeat in that country after Hizbullah and its allies got almost all what they had demanded. Something must be brewing somewhere: my Middle Eastern conspiracy-sensitive nose tells me that.
So, was Lebanon really lost this week? And how did Joe Lieberman allow that to happen? Can he reverse it if he ever fulfills his new ambition and becomes McCain's Secretary of State?
"Hariri: discussion of Hizbullah weapons was started 'effectively' at Doha." Ah-huh, sure it was 'discussed', but only effectively.
"Solution does not resolve the deep-rooted issues in Lebanon." Were they supposed to?
"Olmert willing to go far in concessions for Syria, provided it breaks with Iran and Hizbullah."
"The enemy insists that Syria break its relations with Iran and Hizbullah" al-Manar, Hizbullah TV.
'The enemy' is the term traditionally used by Arab media and leaders for Israel. It is being used much less now, as reality has set in and delusions have evaporated.
"Italy considers Hamas the source of all evil in the Middle East" Arab quote of an Italian official.
Wagging the dog: "Olmert needs a Syrian breakthrough to divert attention from his corruption investigation scandal."
Algeria: oil, poverty, and human rights:
"Algeria drowns in oil money while its people drown in povery. Oil revenues exceed $81 billion and 40% of the people are below poverty."
And they don't even have ten thousand princes and princelings to support! The forever-ruling FLN of president Bouteflika is not done with the country. There is a lot more screwing, or is that screwing up, to do.
"Algerian woman sentenced to 3 years in prison for converting to Christianity. Six others face prosecution (persecution) for converting without official permission."
So that is how it is done in the more enlightened parts of the moderate New Middle East, the ones with Condi Rice's famous birth pangs of the summer of 2006. Or maybe those were not birth pangs, just the noises made by the select ones who received the cluster bombs dropped exclusively on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In fairness, I must also mention the Hizbullah rockets that rained on civilian homes across the border in Israel, although those bombs were more 'equal opportunity' missiles and were not as 'selective' as the cluster bombs north of the Lebanese border.
Egyptians against stupidity, especially from the top:
Alarabiya reports that some Egyptians have started a new political movement aimed at reducing the "high levels of stupidity" in their country. It staretd by attacking many stupid state policies that encourage stupidity in the whole population.
They note certain patterns of stupid behavior by the general population as well, such as:
Accepting riding in an extremely overcrowded bus, rather than wait for the next one. (maybe they are not sure the next will be any better)
Not taking the time to read and understand their legal rights, which makes them easy victims for police and other state agents.
It also blames opposition parties that do not plan carefully to mobilize the people against corruption.
The movement, Citizens Against Stupidity (CAS), plans conferences, symposiums, and marches in order to reduce the level of stupidity in government decisions and policies. It also plans to coordinate with other organizations lik Citizens Against Inflation (CAI).
No report yet about what President Mubarak and his son and cabinet think of all that. I suspect they will take it personally, given that stupidity starts at the top (that is, it is a matter of the brain).
Speaking of stupidity at the top: I better check on the date of the next summit of Arab leaders.
Speaking of which, and perhaps as an intro for the next item: the media report that an Egyptian butcher was arrested this week for selling the meat of sick pigs and sick ass (as in jackass) as beef.
"Economic fears unsettle Americans. They reduce their consumption
of fuels but their appetite for food remains undiminished."
Cheers
Mohammed
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lebanon, Syria and Joe Lieberman:
"Lebanon: permanent solution or a temporary break?"
I say: temporary break. If not, then the Bush administration has been forced to accept a huge defeat in that country after Hizbullah and its allies got almost all what they had demanded. Something must be brewing somewhere: my Middle Eastern conspiracy-sensitive nose tells me that.
So, was Lebanon really lost this week? And how did Joe Lieberman allow that to happen? Can he reverse it if he ever fulfills his new ambition and becomes McCain's Secretary of State?
"Hariri: discussion of Hizbullah weapons was started 'effectively' at Doha." Ah-huh, sure it was 'discussed', but only effectively.
"Solution does not resolve the deep-rooted issues in Lebanon." Were they supposed to?
"Olmert willing to go far in concessions for Syria, provided it breaks with Iran and Hizbullah."
"The enemy insists that Syria break its relations with Iran and Hizbullah" al-Manar, Hizbullah TV
'the enemy' is the term traditionall6y used by Arab media and leaders for Israel. It is being used much less now, as reality has set in and delusions have evaporated.
"Italy considers Hamas the source of all evil in the Middle East" Arab quote of an Italian official.
Wagging the dog: "Olmert needs a Syrian breakthrough to divert attention from his corruption investigation scandal."
Algeria: oil, poverty, and human rights:
"Algeria drowns in oil money while its people drown in povery. Oil revenues exceed $81 billion and 40% of the people are below poverty."
And they don't even have ten thousand princes and princelings to support! The forever-ruling FLN of president Bouteflika is not done with the country. There is a lot more screwing, or is that screwing up, to do.
"Algerian woman sentenced to 3 years in prison for converting to Christianity. Six others face prosecution (persecution) for converting without official permission."
So that is how it is done in the more enlightened parts of the moderate New Middle East, the ones with Condi Rice's famous birth pangs of the summer of 2006. Or maybe those were not birth pangs, just the noises made by the select ones who received the cluster bombs dropped exclusively on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Egyptians against stupidity, especially from the top:
Alarabiya reports that some Egyptians have started a new political movement aimed at reducing the "high levels of stupidity" in their country. It staretd by attacking many stupid state policies that encourage stupidity in the whole population.
They note certain patterns of stupid behavior by the general population as well, such as:
Accepting riding in an extremely overcrowded bus, rather than wait for the next one. (maybe they are not sure the next will be any better)
Not taking the time to read and understand their legal rights, which makes them easy victims for police and other state agents.
It also blames opposition parties that do not plan carefully to mobilize the people against corruption.
The movement, Citizens Against Stupidity (CAS), plans conferences, symposiums, and marches in order to reduce the level of stupidity in government decisions and policies. It also plans to coordinate with other organizations lik Citizens Against Inflation (CAI).
No report yet about what President Mubarak and his son and cabinet think of all that. I suspect they will take it personally, given that stupidity starts at the top, that is, it is a matter of the brain.
Speaking of stupidity at the top, when is the next summit of Arab leaders?
Speaking of which, and perhaps as an intro for the next item: the media report that an Egyptian butcher was arrested this week for selling pig meat and ass meat (as in jackass) as beef.
"Economic fears unsettle Americans. They reduce their consumtion
of fuels but their appetite for food remains undiminished."
Cheers
Mohammed
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Bush visits, oil prices spike again:
Re: my maligned theory of causality between Bush-Cheney Middle East visits and crude oil prices.
Mr. Bush arrived in Saudi Arabia last week, but oil prices preceded him, upward. They moved up when he was en route and they moved up more after his arrival. With each visit, both Mr. Bush and King Abdullah, as well as a gaggle of princes, get richer. The American consumer ends up paying even more for his gasoline and for his heating gas.
And they said he is there to try and reduce crude prices. If he really wants to limit prices, he should stay put in Washington- or, better yet, go back to the ranch in Crawford.
Interesting how about a year ago a Saudi adviser threatened that his country could drown the world in oil and cut prices by half (that was when prices were close to $50-60 per barrel). The idea was that they can hurt the Iranian regime and weaken its influence in Iraq. At the time I suggested that would also hurt the Saudi regime, as they have high unemployment and need a large budget to keep their people happy. Not to mention the adverse effect on the lifestyles of the thousands of princcelings. I was right, n' est-ce pas? Oh, and that adviser was fired quickly, never to be heard from again.
Arab Media Headline Summary:
"The defeat of Hizbullah." (this is a gem, a classic doublespeak from the editor of the Saudi daily asharq alawsat.
"The legend of Hizbullah is finished."
"The leader of Hizbullah is finished."
"Eisenhower reaches Berlin. Eisenhower is finished!" That would be an equivalent 1945 headline in a German daily.
"Bush in Saudia to sign four accords about nuclear energy and protection of oil facilities."
"Hizbullah 'coup' is part of a new Middle East regional system of Iranian hegemony."
"Current Lebanese crisis has further marginalized the Christians."(That is because the Saudi media now dominating the New Middle East did its best to make the complex Lebanese political feud into a sectarian Shi'a-Sunni issue, thus marginalizing the Christians, about half of whom are allies of Hizbullah).
"Jumblatt: what happened is like a summer cloud, it will soon clear up. Concessions are needed." Now what is he up to???
"A new power equation in Lebanon that favors Hizbullah."
"Th great Iranian victory in Lebanon: our congratulations and condolences."
"Lebanon, in the State of Iran."
"The Lebanese crisis in its explosive sectarian phase."
"Washington has reservations on the solution reached to the Lebanese crisis."
"Arab solution: General Suleiman as president, and negotiations over the government."
"The Arab mediators need to return things to the way they were before May 8th." almustaqbal, the Hariri newspaper. (And how does one return all the toothpaste back into the tube? Oh, little silky one?)
"Bush celebrates the anniversary of the 'rape' of Palestine in Israel." Bahrain's Akhbar alkhaleej.
"A London restaurant offers its clients fish slaughtered according to Islamic Shri'a." So, now we have kosher fish.
Cheers
Mohammed
Re: my maligned theory of causality between Bush-Cheney Middle East visits and crude oil prices.
Mr. Bush arrived in Saudi Arabia last week, but oil prices preceded him, upward. They moved up when he was en route and they moved up more after his arrival. With each visit, both Mr. Bush and King Abdullah, as well as a gaggle of princes, get richer. The American consumer ends up paying even more for his gasoline and for his heating gas.
And they said he is there to try and reduce crude prices. If he really wants to limit prices, he should stay put in Washington- or, better yet, go back to the ranch in Crawford.
Interesting how about a year ago a Saudi adviser threatened that his country could drown the world in oil and cut prices by half (that was when prices were close to $50-60 per barrel). The idea was that they can hurt the Iranian regime and weaken its influence in Iraq. At the time I suggested that would also hurt the Saudi regime, as they have high unemployment and need a large budget to keep their people happy. Not to mention the adverse effect on the lifestyles of the thousands of princcelings. I was right, n' est-ce pas? Oh, and that adviser was fired quickly, never to be heard from again.
Arab Media Headline Summary:
"The defeat of Hizbullah." (this is a gem, a classic doublespeak from the editor of the Saudi daily asharq alawsat.
"The legend of Hizbullah is finished."
"The leader of Hizbullah is finished."
"Eisenhower reaches Berlin. Eisenhower is finished!" That would be an equivalent 1945 headline in a German daily.
"Bush in Saudia to sign four accords about nuclear energy and protection of oil facilities."
"Hizbullah 'coup' is part of a new Middle East regional system of Iranian hegemony."
"Current Lebanese crisis has further marginalized the Christians."(That is because the Saudi media now dominating the New Middle East did its best to make the complex Lebanese political feud into a sectarian Shi'a-Sunni issue, thus marginalizing the Christians, about half of whom are allies of Hizbullah).
"Jumblatt: what happened is like a summer cloud, it will soon clear up. Concessions are needed." Now what is he up to???
"A new power equation in Lebanon that favors Hizbullah."
"Th great Iranian victory in Lebanon: our congratulations and condolences."
"Lebanon, in the State of Iran."
"The Lebanese crisis in its explosive sectarian phase."
"Washington has reservations on the solution reached to the Lebanese crisis."
"Arab solution: General Suleiman as president, and negotiations over the government."
"The Arab mediators need to return things to the way they were before May 8th." almustaqbal, the Hariri newspaper. (And how does one return all the toothpaste back into the tube? Oh, little silky one?)
"Bush celebrates the anniversary of the 'rape' of Palestine in Israel." Bahrain's Akhbar alkhaleej.
"A London restaurant offers its clients fish slaughtered according to Islamic Shri'a." So, now we have kosher fish.
Cheers
Mohammed
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
(This entry is from my other web site)
Le Mufti
Mr. Bush and oil prices:
Mr. Bush is heading to the Middle East again! Which means, if past history of such visits is any indication, that oil prices will start rising. Over the past two yeas at least, every time Mr. Bush or Mr. Cheney visited the region oil prices moved up at the end of their visit. This time oil prices spiked up before the visit, as soon as it was announced. The visit was partially discounted by the market. Today it moved up and I expect a brief pullback while he is enroute or on the first day of the trip, perhaps tomorrow or the day after. After that, some time over the next week, look out, it will rise again! The veto-proof Congressional vote today about replenishing the Strategic Reserve may help.
A Mufti has an epiphany, squeals:
In the Arab countries, in fact in almost all Moslem countries, there is someone called a Mufti. he issues religious edict that get a lot of publicity. A Mufti, however, is in fact no more than a religious bureaucrat appointed by the ruler (king, emir, president-for-life, etc.). He always issues edicts that agree with whatever the current ruler's policies are. I do not recall a mufti ever issuing an edict criticizing the government, or disagreeing with its policies. A mufti's job is to support and justify the ruler's actions.
Today the Mufti of Saudi Arabia (the dapper bearded gentleman in the photo above) issued a fatwa, a religious edict during a lecture that Hizbullah does not belong to Islam. He did not explain how he came upon such information, or when he had the epiphany. (In fact the mufti never believed that Shi'as of any stripe belong to Islam).
He said that Hizbullah cooperates with the "Jews", and that it prepares the ground for the entry of Jews and other heathens into the land of Islam.
The Mufti is Shaikh Abdulaziz al-Shaikh, his last name indicating that he is a descendant of Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab the founder of the Wahhabism, the very same ideology that has given us the Salafis, al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Zarqawi and UBL. He is not to be confused with the great Mohammed Abdelwahab, the late great Egyptian composer and singer who was not a Wahhabi and had nothing with such fundamentalist ideology, as far as I know.
Comments on Lebanon:
My version: The Lebanese are probably the biggest idiots in the Arab world, no mean feat. Every generation or so their warlords start another civil war for which they invariably blame outsiders. They may be right this time: part of the blame lies with the regional and foreign backers of BOTH sides.
Elaph (Saudi) agonizes over "How the Hariri militias collapsed within hours?". It headlines that "fighters assert their leaders betrayed them." It quotes the LA Times that Mr. Hariri depended on hired mercenaries from a specialized company to fight his battles for him. It notes that they surrendered quickly to Hizbullah fighters who truned them over to the Lebanese army. So much for motivation.
Others note that the cabinet will agree to a deal whereby it rescinds its decision about the airport security chief and Hizbullah cimmunications, and the Hizbullah will end the civil disobedience. Probably a non-starter. Most likely Hariri and Co. will agree with the army and rescind the cabinet decisions unilaterally.
Asharq alawsat (Saudi) agonizes over the neutrality of the Lebanese Army: "What a starnge Army!" an article headlines (To which I say: relax, it is only a typical Arab army). Except that the Lebanese Army must remain neutral, otherwise it won't be a "Lebanese army", it would break up into its factions and sects. Maybe this is what they want for it.
The Saudi al-watan editorial warns that "Time is not on our side. It is on the side of al-Qaeda and Hizbullah." Except that al-Qaeda is not related to Hizbullah: it is closer to the editor and his bosses than to Hizbullah.
Mamoun Fandy, who is close to the Saudis and is with one of the "think" tanks in Washington, writes in a Kuwaiti daily (aljareeda) warning against an "Iranian Lobby" in Egypt. Now I have heard everything: an Iranian lobby in Egypt! This is like warning of an Obama lobby in West Virginia. He reminds me of the man at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft years ago: he carried a sign that said "The End is Near".
A Jordanian writer who lives in the US has a cute take on events: the battles and the defeat of the Saniora-Hariri were part of a trap set for Hiizbullah, and it fell for it! De Nial is a river in Egypt!
Both Mr. Bush and the Lebanese leaders get some severe criticism. There are hints in the media of the moderate New Middle East (with all the birth pangs) that the rump-cabinet was betrayed by its foreign (and Arab?) friends. That they were encouraged to challenge Hizbullah and were not supported when it foolishly did so.
Cheers
Mohammed
Le Mufti
Mr. Bush and oil prices:
Mr. Bush is heading to the Middle East again! Which means, if past history of such visits is any indication, that oil prices will start rising. Over the past two yeas at least, every time Mr. Bush or Mr. Cheney visited the region oil prices moved up at the end of their visit. This time oil prices spiked up before the visit, as soon as it was announced. The visit was partially discounted by the market. Today it moved up and I expect a brief pullback while he is enroute or on the first day of the trip, perhaps tomorrow or the day after. After that, some time over the next week, look out, it will rise again! The veto-proof Congressional vote today about replenishing the Strategic Reserve may help.
A Mufti has an epiphany, squeals:
In the Arab countries, in fact in almost all Moslem countries, there is someone called a Mufti. he issues religious edict that get a lot of publicity. A Mufti, however, is in fact no more than a religious bureaucrat appointed by the ruler (king, emir, president-for-life, etc.). He always issues edicts that agree with whatever the current ruler's policies are. I do not recall a mufti ever issuing an edict criticizing the government, or disagreeing with its policies. A mufti's job is to support and justify the ruler's actions.
Today the Mufti of Saudi Arabia (the dapper bearded gentleman in the photo above) issued a fatwa, a religious edict during a lecture that Hizbullah does not belong to Islam. He did not explain how he came upon such information, or when he had the epiphany. (In fact the mufti never believed that Shi'as of any stripe belong to Islam).
He said that Hizbullah cooperates with the "Jews", and that it prepares the ground for the entry of Jews and other heathens into the land of Islam.
The Mufti is Shaikh Abdulaziz al-Shaikh, his last name indicating that he is a descendant of Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab the founder of the Wahhabism, the very same ideology that has given us the Salafis, al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Zarqawi and UBL. He is not to be confused with the great Mohammed Abdelwahab, the late great Egyptian composer and singer who was not a Wahhabi and had nothing with such fundamentalist ideology, as far as I know.
Comments on Lebanon:
My version: The Lebanese are probably the biggest idiots in the Arab world, no mean feat. Every generation or so their warlords start another civil war for which they invariably blame outsiders. They may be right this time: part of the blame lies with the regional and foreign backers of BOTH sides.
Elaph (Saudi) agonizes over "How the Hariri militias collapsed within hours?". It headlines that "fighters assert their leaders betrayed them." It quotes the LA Times that Mr. Hariri depended on hired mercenaries from a specialized company to fight his battles for him. It notes that they surrendered quickly to Hizbullah fighters who truned them over to the Lebanese army. So much for motivation.
Others note that the cabinet will agree to a deal whereby it rescinds its decision about the airport security chief and Hizbullah cimmunications, and the Hizbullah will end the civil disobedience. Probably a non-starter. Most likely Hariri and Co. will agree with the army and rescind the cabinet decisions unilaterally.
Asharq alawsat (Saudi) agonizes over the neutrality of the Lebanese Army: "What a starnge Army!" an article headlines (To which I say: relax, it is only a typical Arab army). Except that the Lebanese Army must remain neutral, otherwise it won't be a "Lebanese army", it would break up into its factions and sects. Maybe this is what they want for it.
The Saudi al-watan editorial warns that "Time is not on our side. It is on the side of al-Qaeda and Hizbullah." Except that al-Qaeda is not related to Hizbullah: it is closer to the editor and his bosses than to Hizbullah.
Mamoun Fandy, who is close to the Saudis and is with one of the "think" tanks in Washington, writes in a Kuwaiti daily (aljareeda) warning against an "Iranian Lobby" in Egypt. Now I have heard everything: an Iranian lobby in Egypt! This is like warning of an Obama lobby in West Virginia. He reminds me of the man at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft years ago: he carried a sign that said "The End is Near".
A Jordanian writer who lives in the US has a cute take on events: the battles and the defeat of the Saniora-Hariri were part of a trap set for Hiizbullah, and it fell for it! De Nial is a river in Egypt!
Both Mr. Bush and the Lebanese leaders get some severe criticism. There are hints in the media of the moderate New Middle East (with all the birth pangs) that the rump-cabinet was betrayed by its foreign (and Arab?) friends. That they were encouraged to challenge Hizbullah and were not supported when it foolishly did so.
Cheers
Mohammed
The Mufti
(This is reproduced from my other web site of last night: www.ArabiaDeserta.com):
Mr. Bush and oil prices:
Mr. Bush is heading to the Middle East again!
Which means, if past history of such visits is any indication, that oil prices will start rising. Over the past two yeas at least, every time Mr. Bush or Mr. Chebey visited the region oil prices moved up at the end of their visit. This time oil prices spiked up before the visit, as soon as it was announced. The visit was partially discounted by the market. Today it moved up and I expect a brief pullback while he is enroute or on the first day of the trip, perhaps tomorrow or the day after. After that, some time over the next week, look out, it will rise again! The veto-proof Congressional vote today about replenishing the Strategic Reserve may help.
A Mufti has an epiphany, squeals:
In the Arab countries, in fact in almost all Moslem countries, there is someone called a Mufti. he issues religious edict that get a lot of publicity. A Mufti, however, is in fact no more than a religious bureaucrat appointed by the ruler (king, emir, president-for-life, etc.). He always issues edicts that agree with whatever the current ruler's policies are. I do not recall a mufti ever issuing an edict criticizing the government, or disagreeing with its policies. A mufti's job is to support and justify the ruler's actions.
Today the Mufti of Saudi Arabia (the dapper bearded gentleman in the photo above) issued a fatwa, a religious edict during a lecture that Hizbullah does not belong to Islam. He did not explain how he came upon such information, or when he had the epiphany. (In fact the mufti never believed that Shi'as of any stripe belong to Islam).
He said that Hizbullah cooperates with the "Jews", and that it prepares the ground for the entry of Jews and other heathens into the land of Islam.
The Mufti is Shaikh Abdulaziz al-Shaikh, his last name indicating that he is a descendant of Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab the founder of the Wahhabism, the very same ideology that has given us the Salafis, al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Zarqawi and UBL. He is not to be confused with the great Mohammed Abdelwahab, the late great Egyptian composer and singer who was not a Wahhabi and had nothing with such fundamentalist ideology, as far as I know.
Comments on Lebanon:
My version: The Lebanese are probably the biggest idiots in the Arab world, no mean feat. Every generation or so their warlords start another civil war for which they invariably blame outsiders. They may be right this time: part of the blame lies with the regional and foreign backers of BOTH sides.
Elaph (Saudi) agonizes over "How the Hariri militias collapsed within hours?". It headlines that "fighters assert their leaders betrayed them." It quotes the LA Times that Mr. Hariri depended on hired mercenaries from a specialized company to fight his battles for him. It notes that they surrendered quickly to Hizbullah fighters who truned them over to the Lebanese army. So much for motivation.
Others note that the cabinet will agree to a deal whereby it rescinds its decision about the airport security chief and Hizbullah cimmunications, and the Hizbullah will end the civil disobedience. Probably a non-starter. Most likely Hariri and Co. will agree with the army and rescind the cabinet decisions unilaterally.
Asharq alawsat (Saudi) agonizes over the neutrality of the Lebanese Army: "What a starnge Army!" an article headlines (To which I say: relax, it is only a typical Arab army). Except that the Lebanese Army must remain neutral, otherwise it won't be a "Lebanese army", it would break up into its factions and sects. Maybe this is what they want for it.
The Saudi al-watan editorial warns that "Time is not on our side. It is on the side of al-Qaeda and Hizbullah." Except that al-Qaeda is not related to Hizbullah: it is closer to the editor and his bosses than to Hizbullah.
Mamoun Fandy, who is close to the Saudis and is with one of the "think" tanks in Washington, writes in a Kuwaiti daily (aljareeda) warning against an "Iranian Lobby" in Egypt. Now I have heard everything: an Iranian lobby in Egypt! This is like warning of an Obama lobby in West Virginia. He reminds me of the man at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft years ago: he carried a sign that said "The End is Near".
A Jordanian writer who lives in the US, a Mr. al-Nabulsi, has a cute take on events: the battles and the defeat of the Saniora-Hariri were part of a trap set for Hiizbullah, and it fell for it! De Nial is a river in Egypt- n'est-ce pas?!
Both Mr. Bush and the Lebanese leaders get some severe criticism. There are hints in the media of the moderate New Middle East (with all the birth pangs) that the rump-cabinet was betrayed by its foreign (and Arab?) friends. That they were encouraged to challenge Hizbullah and were not supported when it foolishly did so.
Cheers
Mohammed
(This is reproduced from my other web site of last night: www.ArabiaDeserta.com):
Mr. Bush and oil prices:
Mr. Bush is heading to the Middle East again!
Which means, if past history of such visits is any indication, that oil prices will start rising. Over the past two yeas at least, every time Mr. Bush or Mr. Chebey visited the region oil prices moved up at the end of their visit. This time oil prices spiked up before the visit, as soon as it was announced. The visit was partially discounted by the market. Today it moved up and I expect a brief pullback while he is enroute or on the first day of the trip, perhaps tomorrow or the day after. After that, some time over the next week, look out, it will rise again! The veto-proof Congressional vote today about replenishing the Strategic Reserve may help.A Mufti has an epiphany, squeals:
In the Arab countries, in fact in almost all Moslem countries, there is someone called a Mufti. he issues religious edict that get a lot of publicity. A Mufti, however, is in fact no more than a religious bureaucrat appointed by the ruler (king, emir, president-for-life, etc.). He always issues edicts that agree with whatever the current ruler's policies are. I do not recall a mufti ever issuing an edict criticizing the government, or disagreeing with its policies. A mufti's job is to support and justify the ruler's actions.
Today the Mufti of Saudi Arabia (the dapper bearded gentleman in the photo above) issued a fatwa, a religious edict during a lecture that Hizbullah does not belong to Islam. He did not explain how he came upon such information, or when he had the epiphany. (In fact the mufti never believed that Shi'as of any stripe belong to Islam).
He said that Hizbullah cooperates with the "Jews", and that it prepares the ground for the entry of Jews and other heathens into the land of Islam.
The Mufti is Shaikh Abdulaziz al-Shaikh, his last name indicating that he is a descendant of Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab the founder of the Wahhabism, the very same ideology that has given us the Salafis, al-Qaeda, Taliban, al-Zarqawi and UBL. He is not to be confused with the great Mohammed Abdelwahab, the late great Egyptian composer and singer who was not a Wahhabi and had nothing with such fundamentalist ideology, as far as I know.
Comments on Lebanon:
My version: The Lebanese are probably the biggest idiots in the Arab world, no mean feat. Every generation or so their warlords start another civil war for which they invariably blame outsiders. They may be right this time: part of the blame lies with the regional and foreign backers of BOTH sides.
Elaph (Saudi) agonizes over "How the Hariri militias collapsed within hours?". It headlines that "fighters assert their leaders betrayed them." It quotes the LA Times that Mr. Hariri depended on hired mercenaries from a specialized company to fight his battles for him. It notes that they surrendered quickly to Hizbullah fighters who truned them over to the Lebanese army. So much for motivation.
Others note that the cabinet will agree to a deal whereby it rescinds its decision about the airport security chief and Hizbullah cimmunications, and the Hizbullah will end the civil disobedience. Probably a non-starter. Most likely Hariri and Co. will agree with the army and rescind the cabinet decisions unilaterally.
Asharq alawsat (Saudi) agonizes over the neutrality of the Lebanese Army: "What a starnge Army!" an article headlines (To which I say: relax, it is only a typical Arab army). Except that the Lebanese Army must remain neutral, otherwise it won't be a "Lebanese army", it would break up into its factions and sects. Maybe this is what they want for it.
The Saudi al-watan editorial warns that "Time is not on our side. It is on the side of al-Qaeda and Hizbullah." Except that al-Qaeda is not related to Hizbullah: it is closer to the editor and his bosses than to Hizbullah.
Mamoun Fandy, who is close to the Saudis and is with one of the "think" tanks in Washington, writes in a Kuwaiti daily (aljareeda) warning against an "Iranian Lobby" in Egypt. Now I have heard everything: an Iranian lobby in Egypt! This is like warning of an Obama lobby in West Virginia. He reminds me of the man at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft years ago: he carried a sign that said "The End is Near".
A Jordanian writer who lives in the US, a Mr. al-Nabulsi, has a cute take on events: the battles and the defeat of the Saniora-Hariri were part of a trap set for Hiizbullah, and it fell for it! De Nial is a river in Egypt- n'est-ce pas?!
Both Mr. Bush and the Lebanese leaders get some severe criticism. There are hints in the media of the moderate New Middle East (with all the birth pangs) that the rump-cabinet was betrayed by its foreign (and Arab?) friends. That they were encouraged to challenge Hizbullah and were not supported when it foolishly did so.
Cheers
Mohammed
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The pro-Saudi rump cabinet of Lebanon has suffered a stinging political and military defeat this week. It was an unnecessary defeat that they walked into through blunder. Or perhaps they were trapped into it by the mouth of Walid Jumblatt, their Druze warlord ally. A good measure of the defeat is the reaction of their financiers and friends in the region to recent events in Beirut:
A pissed-off Asharq alawsat, mouthpiece of Saudi Prince Salman, said today that there are two sides in Lebanon: thugs and "respectable" ones, armed ones and civilians, outlaws and those who are law-abiding.
Even the somnolent President Husni Mubarak of Egypt (80 years this week) awoke from his long nap to assert that he will not allow a force supported by Iran to dominate Lebanon. President Mugabe Mubarak them went back to his 27 year old nap.
Aalquds alarabi notes that when Messrs Saniora, Hariri, and Jumblatt, find themselves trapped in their headquarters, this is a clear indication of where the balance of power in Lebanon lies. It specualtes that perhaps the American-Saudi-Israeli axis forced this issue in order to show Hizbullah as a militia that would use its force not just against the Israelis, but also against fellow Lebanese. In fact reaction in some Saudi media outlets seem to support this point of view.
It looks like the Lebanese cabinet, what is left of it, has just lost a battle of nerves, wills, and arms with the oppposition led by Hizbullah. Mr. Hariri, the real leader of the pro-government and Saudi Arabia's man in Beirut, called on the army to arbitrate. The army did just that yesterday: it rescinded the cabinet decision to fire the chief of airport security and to dimantle the Hizbullah communications network.
It is not clear why the cabinet took its earlier decision, right after Druze warlord Jumblatt unexpectedly called for such measures. Speculation is that the rump-cabinet was promised support, otherwise it would not have the guts to act on its own in such a provocative way. Presumably, some Arab media hint, it was encouraged by its Saudi-American paymasters.
Mr. Hariri returned recently from somewhere outside of Lebanon, materializing right before the crisis. He owns homes in Saudi Arabia and Paris, among other places. He was doing a Muqtada (as in al-Sadr) by vanishing among his foreign and regional friends in times of crisis. This time, after Hizbullah routed the militias of the rump-cabinet, the neutral Lebanese army has spoken, and it has handed the pro-cabinet forces a stinging political defeat to match their military defeat.
al-Manar TV, mouthpiece of Hizbullah, claims that Hariri returned with strong Saudi prmises of support. It also claims that the Bush administration has promised to increase pressure on the Syrian regime through massing naval forces and bringing up the issue of a possible nuclear program. It also reports that Hariri has sent a delegation including 11 Shi'as to Washington, with the goal of proving to Congressmen that all Lebanese Shi'as do not support Hizbullah. Now we know that at least 11 of them do not.
The pro-cabinet media charges that Iran is trying too reach the Mediterranean through Lebanon. The opposition charges that the Saudis are trying to extend their influence to the shores of the Mediteranean through Mr. Hariri and Mr. Saniora in Lebanon. Both are partly right and they know it. The situation in Lebanon is more complex than the mere Shi'a-Sunni and Iranian-American conflict. At least half of Lebanon's Christians are siding with Hizbullah and Amal, as do some prominent Sunnis. even though the Saudi media tries hard to make it into a sectarian conflict and sharpen the lines.
Cheers
Mohammed
A pissed-off Asharq alawsat, mouthpiece of Saudi Prince Salman, said today that there are two sides in Lebanon: thugs and "respectable" ones, armed ones and civilians, outlaws and those who are law-abiding.
Even the somnolent President Husni Mubarak of Egypt (80 years this week) awoke from his long nap to assert that he will not allow a force supported by Iran to dominate Lebanon. President Mugabe Mubarak them went back to his 27 year old nap.
Aalquds alarabi notes that when Messrs Saniora, Hariri, and Jumblatt, find themselves trapped in their headquarters, this is a clear indication of where the balance of power in Lebanon lies. It specualtes that perhaps the American-Saudi-Israeli axis forced this issue in order to show Hizbullah as a militia that would use its force not just against the Israelis, but also against fellow Lebanese. In fact reaction in some Saudi media outlets seem to support this point of view.
It looks like the Lebanese cabinet, what is left of it, has just lost a battle of nerves, wills, and arms with the oppposition led by Hizbullah. Mr. Hariri, the real leader of the pro-government and Saudi Arabia's man in Beirut, called on the army to arbitrate. The army did just that yesterday: it rescinded the cabinet decision to fire the chief of airport security and to dimantle the Hizbullah communications network.
It is not clear why the cabinet took its earlier decision, right after Druze warlord Jumblatt unexpectedly called for such measures. Speculation is that the rump-cabinet was promised support, otherwise it would not have the guts to act on its own in such a provocative way. Presumably, some Arab media hint, it was encouraged by its Saudi-American paymasters.
Mr. Hariri returned recently from somewhere outside of Lebanon, materializing right before the crisis. He owns homes in Saudi Arabia and Paris, among other places. He was doing a Muqtada (as in al-Sadr) by vanishing among his foreign and regional friends in times of crisis. This time, after Hizbullah routed the militias of the rump-cabinet, the neutral Lebanese army has spoken, and it has handed the pro-cabinet forces a stinging political defeat to match their military defeat.
al-Manar TV, mouthpiece of Hizbullah, claims that Hariri returned with strong Saudi prmises of support. It also claims that the Bush administration has promised to increase pressure on the Syrian regime through massing naval forces and bringing up the issue of a possible nuclear program. It also reports that Hariri has sent a delegation including 11 Shi'as to Washington, with the goal of proving to Congressmen that all Lebanese Shi'as do not support Hizbullah. Now we know that at least 11 of them do not.
The pro-cabinet media charges that Iran is trying too reach the Mediterranean through Lebanon. The opposition charges that the Saudis are trying to extend their influence to the shores of the Mediteranean through Mr. Hariri and Mr. Saniora in Lebanon. Both are partly right and they know it. The situation in Lebanon is more complex than the mere Shi'a-Sunni and Iranian-American conflict. At least half of Lebanon's Christians are siding with Hizbullah and Amal, as do some prominent Sunnis. even though the Saudi media tries hard to make it into a sectarian conflict and sharpen the lines.
Cheers
Mohammed
Thursday, May 08, 2008
(This entry is from my web site):
The Rice and Bush Oil Effect:
Crude prices passed $122 this morning, which proves my theory of a strong causality between the movements of Air Forces One & Two and oil prices. Anyone remember my often stated theory that oil prices are directly related to visits by high US officials to the Middle East? How visits by President Bush and Mr Cheney are immediately followed by crude price hikes? Now we can add Condi Rice to the list of oil price movers.
Only last week there was serious talk of oil going down below $100, perhaps back to $80 or less, the wild Nigerian guerrillas and striking oil workers nontwithstanding. The bullish predictions of Professor Economides were pooh poohed by market 'analysts', even though he has been right more often than most of them.
Then it was announced that Secretary Rice is going to the Mddle East in order to, get this, prepare the ground for yet ANOTHR Bush visit. I was out of town two days ago and missed the implications. I missed the spike in prices that followed the next day. I could kick myself for missing the sure signals to make some money, if I could, that is.
It looks like Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and Ms. Rice will manage to keep oil prices robust for the rest of their term. Now, if Cheney has Halliburton holdings in some kind of a lockbox, then the lockbox will be unlocked come January and, voila! It sure beats having bought property in California’s Inland Empire or along Florida’s geriatric strip. And if there is to be a third Bush term under John McCain...
A Long Hot Summer:
Things are heating up in the old and New Middle East. It looks like like it is possible to have more of Condi Rice’s famous bang-bang birth pangs before the end of the year, either in Iraq, Iran, or over Lebanon.
In Lebanon, the frustrated rump cabinet (of part of Beirut) has transferred the general who is chief of airport security for being too soft on Hizbullah. The rump cabinet accused Hizbullah of operating its own communications systm (is that like Verizon?) and installing spy cameras around the airport. Imagine, spying on your political, and potential military, rivals. What is Lebanon coming to.
The issue came to head after Druze warlord Jumblatt was assigned the role of raising it noisily as is his style, and he called for removal of the airport security chief. The opposition, including Hizbullah, retorted that this is part of a plan to internationalise Beirut Airport and its surroundings and place them under foreign control. I am not sure what foreign country will want to place its troops anywhere near Beirut airport, even if they are under UN command. The area had a tragic history during the 1980s. Lebanese alliances are notoriously unstable and treacherous- just look at General Oun and Waleed Jumblatt.
Hizbullah has rejected the charges and refuses to dismantle its communications network. The cabinet considers the network as impinging on its authority, but the opposition does not recognize that authority. This network has been talked about in the media of the moderate New Middle East for over a year now, which means that something may be brewing for the summer.
Of course the selection of a Lebanese president has been postponed again. With the economy moving along as it is doing, does anybody other than the rival warlords really care? It may get postponed indefinitely, until either the Second Coming or until the Mahdi reappears, whichever comes first.
Iran is back in the crosshairs, this time for both the nuclear issue and for things it may be doing in Iraq against US soldiers with its devices. The question of who will “take out” the mullahs is being bandied about in some Gulf newspapers. Some newspapers seem to think that once the United States, or Israel, bomb some sites in Iran, probably the worng sites, then everything will be just fine on the shores of our Gulf: all the potentates will hold hands and sing Kumbaya forever.
But wasn’t that what we thought when Saddam was in the crosshairs? And years before that when the earlier mullahs were in Saddam's crosshairs? And years before that when the shah was in Khomeini's crosshairs? As Pete Seeger said "Oh, when will they ever learn"?
Family Awards and Blue-Collar Kings
This has been a month of more awards in the Arab world.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has received the Abu Bakr Award (Abu-Bakr, the Second Caliph, no less) of the first class from the Arab Organization for the Red Crescent and Red Cross. This was in appreciation of his humanitarian efforts. This is the third or fourth award his majesty has received so far this year. And how many has Bush received? For that matter: how many did Mother Teresa receive?
Princess al-Jawhara (the Jewel, or is it the Gem) has received an ward from the King of Bahrain for aiding (and abetting?) the Arabian Gulf University and establishing a medical research center.
The one award that was not within the family was largely ignored by the local press. It was given to a Saudi human rights activist, an independent one not of those sanctioned and appointed by the rulers. He is A. al-Lahim and the award is from the American Bar Association. But he won’t have a gaggle of princes to fete him. He is banned from traveling and has been disbarred to boot. So, no schnapps at the zwolf-apostelkeller for him next July, that is if he is so inclined.
Mr. al-Lahim was gracious enough to state that the award is a crowning achievement for human rights in his country. He may yet get to Vienna, but only with a “magnanimous” kingly decision (that is, a decision by the king). Arab potentates love doing this type of theatrics: at the last minute they pardon someone who was never guilty. They can teach Hillary Clinton a few things about public politicking- but she has them beat in one respect:they can never claim to come from blue-collar roots. Whatever color they are, they are not blue.
Cheers
Mohammed
The Rice and Bush Oil Effect:
Crude prices passed $122 this morning, which proves my theory of a strong causality between the movements of Air Forces One & Two and oil prices. Anyone remember my often stated theory that oil prices are directly related to visits by high US officials to the Middle East? How visits by President Bush and Mr Cheney are immediately followed by crude price hikes? Now we can add Condi Rice to the list of oil price movers.
Only last week there was serious talk of oil going down below $100, perhaps back to $80 or less, the wild Nigerian guerrillas and striking oil workers nontwithstanding. The bullish predictions of Professor Economides were pooh poohed by market 'analysts', even though he has been right more often than most of them.
Then it was announced that Secretary Rice is going to the Mddle East in order to, get this, prepare the ground for yet ANOTHR Bush visit. I was out of town two days ago and missed the implications. I missed the spike in prices that followed the next day. I could kick myself for missing the sure signals to make some money, if I could, that is.
It looks like Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and Ms. Rice will manage to keep oil prices robust for the rest of their term. Now, if Cheney has Halliburton holdings in some kind of a lockbox, then the lockbox will be unlocked come January and, voila! It sure beats having bought property in California’s Inland Empire or along Florida’s geriatric strip. And if there is to be a third Bush term under John McCain...
A Long Hot Summer:
Things are heating up in the old and New Middle East. It looks like like it is possible to have more of Condi Rice’s famous bang-bang birth pangs before the end of the year, either in Iraq, Iran, or over Lebanon.
In Lebanon, the frustrated rump cabinet (of part of Beirut) has transferred the general who is chief of airport security for being too soft on Hizbullah. The rump cabinet accused Hizbullah of operating its own communications systm (is that like Verizon?) and installing spy cameras around the airport. Imagine, spying on your political, and potential military, rivals. What is Lebanon coming to.
The issue came to head after Druze warlord Jumblatt was assigned the role of raising it noisily as is his style, and he called for removal of the airport security chief. The opposition, including Hizbullah, retorted that this is part of a plan to internationalise Beirut Airport and its surroundings and place them under foreign control. I am not sure what foreign country will want to place its troops anywhere near Beirut airport, even if they are under UN command. The area had a tragic history during the 1980s. Lebanese alliances are notoriously unstable and treacherous- just look at General Oun and Waleed Jumblatt.
Hizbullah has rejected the charges and refuses to dismantle its communications network. The cabinet considers the network as impinging on its authority, but the opposition does not recognize that authority. This network has been talked about in the media of the moderate New Middle East for over a year now, which means that something may be brewing for the summer.
Of course the selection of a Lebanese president has been postponed again. With the economy moving along as it is doing, does anybody other than the rival warlords really care? It may get postponed indefinitely, until either the Second Coming or until the Mahdi reappears, whichever comes first.
Iran is back in the crosshairs, this time for both the nuclear issue and for things it may be doing in Iraq against US soldiers with its devices. The question of who will “take out” the mullahs is being bandied about in some Gulf newspapers. Some newspapers seem to think that once the United States, or Israel, bomb some sites in Iran, probably the worng sites, then everything will be just fine on the shores of our Gulf: all the potentates will hold hands and sing Kumbaya forever.
But wasn’t that what we thought when Saddam was in the crosshairs? And years before that when the earlier mullahs were in Saddam's crosshairs? And years before that when the shah was in Khomeini's crosshairs? As Pete Seeger said "Oh, when will they ever learn"?
Family Awards and Blue-Collar Kings
This has been a month of more awards in the Arab world.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has received the Abu Bakr Award (Abu-Bakr, the Second Caliph, no less) of the first class from the Arab Organization for the Red Crescent and Red Cross. This was in appreciation of his humanitarian efforts. This is the third or fourth award his majesty has received so far this year. And how many has Bush received? For that matter: how many did Mother Teresa receive?
Princess al-Jawhara (the Jewel, or is it the Gem) has received an ward from the King of Bahrain for aiding (and abetting?) the Arabian Gulf University and establishing a medical research center.
The one award that was not within the family was largely ignored by the local press. It was given to a Saudi human rights activist, an independent one not of those sanctioned and appointed by the rulers. He is A. al-Lahim and the award is from the American Bar Association. But he won’t have a gaggle of princes to fete him. He is banned from traveling and has been disbarred to boot. So, no schnapps at the zwolf-apostelkeller for him next July, that is if he is so inclined.
Mr. al-Lahim was gracious enough to state that the award is a crowning achievement for human rights in his country. He may yet get to Vienna, but only with a “magnanimous” kingly decision (that is, a decision by the king). Arab potentates love doing this type of theatrics: at the last minute they pardon someone who was never guilty. They can teach Hillary Clinton a few things about public politicking- but she has them beat in one respect:they can never claim to come from blue-collar roots. Whatever color they are, they are not blue.
Cheers
Mohammed
Monday, May 05, 2008
The Martian, Iraq, and Iran:
Is the war in Iraq still going on? Or has the mission been finally accomplished? That may be the impression a proverbial Martian would get from watching cable news channels: Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc.
(Of course if he watched Fox News every day, he would wonder if it is not about time to start a new overdue war with some place called Iran, which confuses him).
The Martian and Polygamy:
He, the Martian, or she the Martianette would think that a retired black pastor with a small moustache and a smirk for the deserving cable TV cameras is the main problem facing the planet Earth.
Had the Martian landed last week, he would have thought that a desert compound for a polygamist sect was the main problem facing the planet Earth. He would note with amusement the location of the compound in a place called Texas eerily resembling some of the arid lands near Valles Marineris.
He hears that this Texas place is supposed to be renowned for its steers and beers, among other things. He is surprised that they are still not sure who won in the elections in Texas, but he thinks it funny that people in another place called Florida do not seem able to organize a smooth vote.
Hill, Bill, cojones and chest hair:
A labor official pushed Hillary Clinton's candidacy today by stating that the country needs a president with "testicular fortitude" a.k.a balls, cojones. In that case perhaps Mrs. Clintoin can enjoy the benefits of a good niche Lebanese film called "Caramel". The film evolves around women in a salon that specializes in hair removal: they use the sweet sticky brown stuff and they munch on it. But the film is almost a chick flick, which may be dangerous territory for the recently macho New York Senator. It certainly will not put any hair on her chest.
No, Rocky Balboa never made it to that salon in Beirut, but maybe Rambo did, which puts it right up the alley of the self-annointed obliteratrix.
The Martian and Democrats:
Somewhere in between these two weeks, the Martian would have thought that the whole planet was concerned with the strenuous efforts of an affable white-haired man, elegantly dressed, in offering up his wife who apparently likes to wear pantsuits. He would not know what he is offering her for. Is she for sale? Is she offered as a sacrificial non-virgin for some peculiar god? Is he trying to get rid of her in order to buy a new wife?
He would hear about someone named Obama and hear questions about whether he has distanced himself enough from something or someone named 'the reverend'. He would conclude that this Obama is some sort of evil spirit that threatens the planet. That is, if Martians believe in evil spirits.
He would hear the same reports and the same mantra repeated all days, for many days, and he wonders why. Then it dawns on him that perhaps these Earth people are either natural slow learners, or perhaps the news anchor people are as dumb as those distant Mercurians he had met. He notes that some of them, including a loud famous radio commentator, pride themselves on coming from a place called the "show me state", which reinforces his conviction that they are too dull to imagine, and that they need to be shown everything.
The Martian would also wonder about some unseen super-creatures so powerful that he cannot imagine what they look like. Creatures that apparently no ordinary human can see, let alone a humble Martian. Creatures only whispered about in the repetitive cable TV newsrooms and in the other corridors of power. And he would wonder: who the hell are these super-delegates?
Cheers
Mohammed
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