Given the bleak economic and security situation in Pakistan, it is easy to forget that 2008 has also been a year of positive events for the country. February's elections proved that it is possible to hold free and fair polls in Pakistan, that in such circumstances undemocratic leaders such as Musharraf and his allies will […]
ISLAMABAD ‚ Pakistan's top security official Monday admitted that al Qaida's leadership moved freely in and out of the country and vowed that “no mercy” would be shown to extremists based in its tribal territory that borders Afghanistan . In the past, Pakistan has been heavily criticized for rejecting evidence that al Qaida was largely […]
In the midst of the SCO's annual summit and the US Republican Party Presidential Convention both the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune found space on their front pages to discuss Tajikistan's water woes. Now we have discussed Tajikistan much recently, mainly because of its hosting of the SCO summit, and we have […]
Today I went to Sassine in Ashrafieh and after the meeting, I thought of wandering the streets close to the ABC Mall. The weather is not as hot as before, though humid [and yes I still hate it] and anyway I needed some time off from work…. I absolutely loved the experience and Ashrafieh is […]
In a refreshing turn of events, Vladimir Putin has reportedly saved the lives of several journalists during a trip to a Siberian conservation area for the endangered Amur tiger (in accordance with the Lomonosov–Lavoisier Law of Conservation of Media, an opposition website owner in secessionist Ingushetia was ordered killed shortly afterwards). When a tiger […]
KHAR, Pakistan: A lashkar of the Salarzai tribe launched a campaign against militants on Sunday, attacked their strongholds in the area and destroyed 10 houses and a number of the so-called "command' centres in the Bajaur tribal region. Militants, in the meantime, freed six soldiers they had earlier kidnapped. Before deciding to launch the operation, […]
The Yemen Times has two articles on the role of journalists in Yemeni society, both of which outline the obstacles journalists face (namely low pay and legal restrictions). These challenges are interesting, and common to many of the Arab countries where ‘official media sources’ dominate the news scene. The more curious assertion, though, is that […]
Despite the pledge made by Rice, Abbas and Olmert not to release any commentary until an agreement was reached, it appears that the terms Israel offered have been leaked. Moreover, Abbas has rejected them. AP coverage here.
Today is the first day of Ramadan; the Jordan Times has an article detailing the different start dates of the holy month in different Islamic countries. It also alludes the ways in which high food prices impact purchasing patterns this month; people simply are not able to buy as much. Students of Arabic can refer […]
The GCC countries, wealthy but water-poor, need to start looking at the different avenues available for feeding their populations, says a report by the Gulf Research Center. (The National summarized the report's findings here). To that end they are looking into the production capabilities of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia, including Sudan, South […]
Though Egypt and Israel signed a lasting peace treaty thirty years ago the two countries have yet to normalize their relations by exhibiting trust and friendship between governments. Israeli officials interested in enhancing their legitimacy in the Middle East are typically more concerned over this than their Egyptian counterparts. At Israel's urging American officials often […]
With the Mexican state failing to provide for the basic security of its citizens, violence is at an all-time high. Since the beginning of 2008, the BBC reports that more than 2,700 people have been killed in drug-related violence. The kidnapping rate in Mexico has now surpassed that of both Iraq and Colombia, with more […]
Yesterday, AMAL celebrated Musa Sadr in Nabatyeh. I attended the event, and as soon as I have some free time, I will tell you more about it. It was an interesting first hand experience. For the rest of the world, the disappearance of the imam Moussa al-Sadr is probably at most a footnote in the […]
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The killing of women for honour is a demand of the tribal traditions, Balochistan Senator Israrullah Zehri informed the Senate on Friday. Zehri was responding to Senator Yasmeen Shah's statement in which she had drawn the House's attention towards reports that five women had been buried alive in Balochistan in the name of […]
The International Herald Tribune reported last week that the US is turning security control over the Anbar Province to Iraqi security forces. As you may remember, Anbar has been a violent area in the past, once serving as a stronghold for Sunni insurgents. This is a big development for the both countries, as Anbar is […]