In this weekend Lebanon remembers two major events: the tragic death of Hariri, and those who were with him, and the Cedars Revolution. It is a time for reflection as well as action. The Revolution entered a comatose state, but it is not yet dead. As preparations for the fourth commemoration of the assassination of […]
While Israel asserts a victory in Operation Cast Lead, the state lost a number of intelligence agents in the conflict. Due to the use of intelligence to focus attacks and prevent civilian casualties, the loss of these individuals could result in increased death tolls in the event of another strike. Meanwhile, even though Israel failed […]
Coalition building continues with Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu offering Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who received a plurality of votes, significant cabinet positions such as defense alongside the foreign ministry. However, Livni still intends to attempt to form a coalition after receiving support from left-wing voters intent on preventing a Netanyahu victory. Meanwhile, Yisrael Beitenu chief […]
The author of The Yacoubian Building writes in a Times op-ed that until the new President calls Israel to account for its incursion into Gaza, his words about listening to the Muslim world and initiating a dialogue will fall on deaf ears.
As the global economy entered a sharp decline over the last year, the Palestinian economy “has done relatively well,” according to General Manager of the Bank of Palestine Hashim Shawa in an interview with Middle East Progress. He attributes the economy’s stability due to its low number of exports, thereby isolating it from the global […]
President Barack Obama intends to begin direct negotiations with Iran in merely a few months time. This declaration directly compromises Israeli politicians’ statements that Israel would prohibit Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon at any cost. Obama stated at a news conference Feb. 9: “[a]nd my expectation is in the coming months we will be […]
In a last minute surprise, Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni managed a come-form-behind victory over Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu in yesterday’s elections. However, her victory does not guarantee Livni’s placement as the next Israeli Prime Minister, as forming a stable coalition may prove difficult due to the 63 seat “rightist” bloc in the government. The next […]
Today Tehran celebrates 30 years since Revolution. There is nothing there to celebrate in practical terms, unless, they want to celebrate misery, and the megalomaniacs mullahs ignoring and trespassing the population rights and liberties. In spite of what President Ahmadinejad wants to sell, the answer to all problems is not to export the Islamic revolution […]
The Daily Star had yesterday an interesting editorial. You can read it all here. A third party, therefore, should be built on bold ideas to finally rid this country of the slow but steady fratricide known as sectarianism. In addition, it must devise methods of fighting the culture of corruption that has infected the public […]
In Lebanon there is always something happening at some level. There are literally no breaks. Quite interesting from a socio-cultural perspective and those who follow closely the political events have their hands full at any given time. PSP leader, Walid Jumblatt decided to withdraw his envoy from the Strategic Defence committee. The controversy around the […]
“A ten-year study of poverty in Lebanon has found that, in 2005, 28 percent of the Lebanese population qualified as poor while eight percent lived in extreme poverty with 300,000 people unable to meet basic food and other needs. The findings appeared in two reports launched Wednesday by the United Nations Development Program and the […]
May Chidiac resigned from her position with LBC TV. You can read about the reasons she resigned here. Whether you like her or not, she paid a high price for speaking against the Syrians and their allies in Lebanon. Israel placed a special unit at the border with Lebanon. Just in case Hizballah decides to […]
I am all for resistance. Resistance against abusive governments, corrupt regimes, staggering bureaucracy, greedy leaders, stupidity, ignorance, poverty so on, so forth. Hizballah comes up with good ideas. The downside is the way they put them into action and the direction of their dedication. Sheikh Qauaq made a statement yesterday when Hizballah honored Tehran on […]
Mercifully, Iraq's provincial elections on Saturday were a largely peaceful affair . Voter turnout was less than anticipated. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his party appear to have consolidated their influence, although votes are still being counted. Jennifer Bushaw at FPA's Iraq blog characterizes the elections as a chance to see the impact of Iraq's […]