tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112389132011-07-08T21:29:15.463-04:00düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1124917163821839862005-08-24T16:56:00.000-04:002005-08-24T16:59:23.830-04:00

it's been a long time since i posted, largely because i recognize work is not an appropriate place to be posting from. and i live in chinoistown, so i have no internet access. however, this is the list of reforms proposed by the hoz, and i couldn't resist going through them.ya misr... forsa sayida... oy.-Constitutional amendments that enshrine the liberites of the citizen, reinvigorate political

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1121809085998101222005-07-19T17:35:00.000-04:002005-07-19T17:38:06.000-04:00

From an excellent new source of free comprehensive translated articles from around the region, mideastwire.com. Mubarak calls Assad, and verbally bitchsmacks him for being uppity."Mubarak to Assad: Your behaviour is giving me a headache"Al Seyassah, an independent Kuwaiti newspaper, reported on July 19 that, "the decision to free the Lebanese fishermen, a decision taken by Syrian President

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1121808921674277902005-07-19T17:32:00.000-04:002005-07-19T17:35:21.680-04:00

when you want your passport to be worth less than the paper it is printed on:Settler wants to become PalestinianMove dismissed as ploy, but Palestinian official warm to idea By ReutersELEI SINAI - Jewish settler Avi Farhan, determined not to give up his home overlooking the sea when Israel quits the Gaza Strip, is looking into becoming a Palestinian."I have met with Palestinians. I am willing to

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1121799763759757152005-07-19T14:57:00.000-04:002005-07-19T15:02:43.766-04:00

I've been remiss and not been updating lately (cause my 'audience' has just been clamoring for it...) but i've been busy with work, and don't have access to the internet at home. When things free up, I'll be back.Since i can't resist anything with a good horsey twist, i'd like to announce that the Iraqi Equestrian Team is back in the saddle, according to the CSM. Iraqi show jumpers get back in

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1121356578895122992005-07-14T11:50:00.000-04:002005-07-14T12:26:05.636-04:00

It was Israel! I knew it!Just kidding. I’m referring to the summer buzzings of downtown Beirut that the Israeli air force has made part of their annual retinue. Last summer, as I twisted and strained to catch a glimpse of the rapidly receding planes, a friend shook his head disgustedly. ‘Israel. They always do that,’ he said. ‘To scare away the tourists, make them think it’s a dangerous city.’I

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1121096449061193462005-07-11T11:10:00.000-04:002005-07-11T11:45:36.240-04:00

we over here at istisharqiya wonder where the syrian regime finds itself headed after the ba'ath party conference in june and following a number of syrian-attributed bombings in lebanon. will they? won't they?the new york times magazine runs an excellent, if a bit gossip-raggy, article on the first couple of arab nationalism this week. heavy on personal details and widely known facts (to those of

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120840077347704032005-07-08T12:24:00.000-04:002005-07-08T12:27:57.353-04:00

did i actually guess it right?not that this is indicative of government policy or the state department's wishes or anything like that, but there ya go:last night on Fox News, as summarized by NewsHounds.Reckless Response to London: Bomb SyriaFormer Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger gave one of the more reckless responses to the London bombings Thursday (July 7, 2005) when he proposed that

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120741160115557972005-07-07T08:57:00.000-04:002005-07-08T10:29:03.920-04:00

This may be an opportunity for leaders of the US to claim connections between the London attacks and Syrian sponsored terrorism. If this is the case, expect increased pressure on Syria.

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120740673038701792005-07-07T08:27:00.000-04:002005-07-07T14:52:37.546-04:00

Al-Qaeda is claiming responsibility for the six bombings at tube stations and on a double-decker bus that began in a series of explosions this morning at approximately 8:49 this morning in London.There is a statement on a website linked to al-Qaeda that attributes the attack to ongoing 'zionist' British activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is further mention of Italy and Denmark, in what

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120594118751009932005-07-05T16:07:00.000-04:002005-07-05T16:08:38.756-04:00

very busy today. apologies, will get back on it tomorrow. for now, be content with this:just because we have not heard specifically about arrests of the members of the al-Atassi forum does not mean it did not happen. it may just mean they are in jail.

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120233773279205772005-07-01T11:46:00.000-04:002005-07-01T12:02:53.283-04:00

There was a little noticed AFP report that went out yesterday detailing the fact that the Jamal al-Atassi Forum for National Dialogue was ordered to shut down by security services this past week in Damascus. The board of the Atassi Forum has declared this ban to be invalid, citing the irregular source of the authority. They plan to meet tomorrow, July 2, to continue with their program of reform

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120134263687141592005-06-30T13:21:00.000-04:002005-06-30T13:22:11.923-04:00

UPDATE:BBC is now running a story on it. The defendant, Ayman Ismail, has admitted that the mukhabarat had pressured him into making a false confession by threatening the welfare of his family."Mr Ismail had admitted forging documents at Mr Nour's request.The trial opened in chaos as supporters confronted riot police But he told the Cairo court that "security people threatened to hurt" his

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120136092643162142005-06-30T08:33:00.000-04:002005-06-30T08:54:52.650-04:00

disengagement watch: 46 0 i really enjoy ha'aretz's nifty little graphic -> (pilfered, right)sort of sums up both the aggression and hostility (as well as illegality) of the settlers, while simultaneously enforcing that jews are arresting jews. really underscores the drama! the conflict! of the situation.right, back to the news. the IDF declared today that the Gaza Strip is now a 'closed

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120069789413717822005-06-29T14:23:00.000-04:002005-06-29T14:29:49.420-04:00

The caption from today's photo accompanying the NY Times piece on the Ayman Nour trial reads: "Ayman Nour, a prominent candidate in the presidential election this fall, with co-defendants at court in Cairo on Tuesday."As someone just pointed out to me... Do these co-defendants look anything like Nour? Or his co-workers? Nour asserts that he doesn't know any of the men he is accused of ordering to

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1120062953831463882005-06-29T12:20:00.000-04:002005-06-29T12:37:08.593-04:00

so syria now officially has WMDs or is looking for them. you would think that after the stunning failure to find evidence of this claim last time around that the administration might be wary of using it again. you'd be wrong.never underestimate the stupidity of the american public.Bush issues WMD order on N.Korea, Iran, SyriaWed Jun 29, 2005 11:24 AM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119963764888126342005-06-28T08:48:00.000-04:002005-06-28T09:04:43.926-04:00

Why isn't this getting more attention from the press?today it was announced that Palestinians will be allowed work permits, in a huge reversal of policy after 20 years of legal limbo. Those born in the country and registered with the Interior Ministry will be allowed to take clerical and manual jobs. This isn't much, it's akin to guest workers everywhere, but it's a huge step towards the

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119893782383904512005-06-27T13:32:00.000-04:002005-06-27T13:44:21.073-04:00

from UPI, via Syria-Comment, courtesy of Josh Landis.Politics & Policies: Terror in BeirutBy Claude SalhaniUPI International EditorJun. 25, 2005 at 4:13AMIntelligence sources believe the technology used to kill the former head of the Lebanese Communist Party and a prominent anti-Syrian journalist in Beirut were so sophisticated that only a handful of countries or special services could have

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119888694868526632005-06-27T12:10:00.000-04:002005-06-27T12:11:34.873-04:00

i just pulled this report down off SANA. My french is very, very rusty, but could this be true? and wouldn't it be a huge reversal of policy?Beyrouth - 27 - 6 - SanaLes Palestiniens nés au Liban et enregistrés officiellement dans les registres du ministère libanais de l'intérieur, sont désormais autorisés d'exercer des professions jusqu'à présent du seul ressort des Libanais.Une note dans ce

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119881451598661312005-06-27T09:53:00.000-04:002005-06-27T10:12:31.296-04:00

In a move certain to outrage environmentalists and real estate speculators, the Israeli Cabinet voted almost unanimously to approve the building of a replacement settlement in the Nitzanim national park.In an attempt to smooth the transition following the pullout, Sharon proposed relocating all settlers to a new location theoretically comparable to Gush Katif, the primary settlement in Gaza. With

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119880188892489812005-06-27T09:43:00.000-04:002005-06-27T09:51:09.876-04:00

After ongoing negotiations at the Future Movement headquarters in Qoraytim, the wheeling and dealing has produced a speaker and a PM. There should be no surprises.As predicted, Nabih Berri took the Speaker position, in exchange for assurances that he would convene a vote on the status of Samir Geagea (leader of the Lebanese Forces, in jail since the end of the war, only 'warlord' to remain

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119879802997002802005-06-27T09:38:00.000-04:002005-06-27T09:53:37.016-04:00

Coming out of Syria- does this portend actual change? Is what we are seeing the result of international pressure or true reform from within? This decision by the State Supreme Court- the first beneficiary of relaxed emergency laws?Ah right, the actual news...Today SANA announced that charges were dropped against human rights activist Aktham Naise. Naise was on trial for ‘tarnishing the country’s

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119738157890170722005-06-25T18:18:00.000-04:002005-06-25T18:33:54.960-04:00

i know very little about iran and will not presume to be able to fully cover the fallout of these results, but as iran is physically and psychologically nearby to my countries of interest, i feel as though i should make an exception to my arab-centric coverage. this could portend dramatic change, and thus it does broker mention here.arch conservative mahmoud ahmadinejad defeated centrist akbar

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119735347507762822005-06-25T17:34:00.000-04:002005-06-25T17:42:07.360-04:00

i know this is old news, but my friend passed it along yesterday, and i'd never seen coverage of the situation in print before, just heard it from charles himself. i had been at his place the day before he left for istanbul and right after he had published the piece on torture which so raised the ire of the egyptian autocracy. when i found out he had then been detainedon his return, i was

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119633194649975982005-06-24T13:00:00.000-04:002005-06-24T13:13:14.656-04:00

Saad Hariri just spent a few days in Riyadh, 'visiting the wife and kids.' I'm curious as to whom else he might have been visiting during his trip there, and what this might mean for Lebanese foreign policy and even more immediately perhaps, fiscal policy and foreign investments.This is the first Saad has been back to Saudi since the elections. Does anyone know why the wife and kids are still

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119632259725407312005-06-24T12:35:00.000-04:002005-06-24T12:58:33.396-04:00

placing bets now, do it before we close...Nabih Berri is a shoe-in.the quadripartite coalition breakdown:*Walid Jumblatt has already backed him, bringing with him the Progressive Socialist Party.*Hassan Nasrallah, and by extension, Hizbullah have of course thrown their weight behind him. it goes without saying that Amal supports him as well.*Saad Hariri and the Furture Movement have weighed in

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119551466683861122005-06-23T14:28:00.000-04:002005-06-23T14:36:37.096-04:00

with much thanks to beirut spring.

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119445463906251352005-06-22T08:34:00.000-04:002005-06-22T09:04:23.910-04:00

BBC - Jim Muirinteresting roundup, some analysis, main point is that lebanon needs to make itself an unattractive target for foreign interference if it wants to continue the process of democraChristian Science Monitordisarm, disarm, disarmCouncil on Foreign Relationsin depth factual background on syria in lebanon, the war, results of the latest rounds, whos who.Daily Star - Rami Khouricalls for

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119375684787490362005-06-21T13:35:00.000-04:002005-06-21T13:43:03.026-04:00

as much as i may have bungled the aoun/election call, i am happy to report some redemption in the Condi-Hosni call. Condi did, in fact, giggle about democracy and all its benefits, then danced around outright condemnation of the regime.summary, plus enlightening comments, from our friends-of-friends and occasional colleagues at the arabist network.

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119373679598482472005-06-21T13:02:00.000-04:002005-06-21T13:46:15.643-04:00

bashar's being bad again and mommy condi isn't happy.answering questions on a flight to brussels, she condemned syrian involvement in lebanon and pointed fingers at the assad regime in the latest car bombing that claimed the life of George Hawi in downtown beirut at 10:00 am this morning. "I do not know who was responsible for this and I don't want to say that I know who was responsible, because

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119375227190489022005-06-21T09:21:00.000-04:002005-06-21T13:33:47.196-04:00

i put my foot in it again. seems like lots of things aren't too safe these days, especially if you happen to-hate syria-be public about this-own a mercedesanother martyr for the lebanese cause. poor george hawi. he wasn't even playing politics anymore.so again, what does this mean?practically, very little. if the previous two assassinations were any indication, the lebanese will likely not

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119374404426938252005-06-20T13:10:00.000-04:002005-06-21T13:21:14.986-04:00

oops.i was dead wrong about Aoun. he actually did not win a single seat in the north, thus reassuring us all that lebanon is, in fact, safe for democracy.it looks as though the 'opposition' pulled through, that rag-tag quadripartite association of the Lebanese Forces, the Progressive Socialist Party, the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, and of course, last but not least, the Future Movement. they

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1119039489438906852005-06-17T16:12:00.000-04:002005-07-19T16:32:41.720-04:00

*Aoun will take enough seats in the upcoming round of polling in the Northern district of Lebanon to prevent the 'opposition' (i hate hate hate that term) from carrying a majority into the new parliament. who can spell d-e-a-d-l-o-c-k?*Sharon and Abbas will meet next week. Guess what's not going to happen? Sorry guys, but nope, you're def. not getting Jenin. Your optimism is touching though.*

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1114534752213923762005-04-26T12:44:00.000-04:002005-04-26T12:59:12.216-04:00

but is it actually? Reports of a complete withdrawal seem a bit enthusiastic for a process that's almost entirely impossible to substantitate. remember that in most comments heard since the "cedar revolution" began, it was less the presence of armed soldiers and checkpoints that bothered the lebanese than the ubiquitous mukhabarat and their ilk. the new york times notes the use of the

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11238913.post-1109973287167411592005-03-04T16:51:00.000-05:002005-03-04T16:54:47.166-05:00

focusing on thoughts and developments, with the occasional non-sequitur, just to shake things up.

düssyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09476902545952507638noreply@blogger.com3