http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/24/world/la-fg-egypt-elbaradei25-2010feb25
My friend Amro Hassan in Egypt breaks the story....Amro next time coffee is on me!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Best Israeli film ever?
I'm going to D.C for a few days so I wanted to leave one good thing for my readers before I go. I'm always digging up good stuff like Zahi Hawas. In this instance it is the trailer to the Israeli film that is being called "The Mother of all Israeli films" well actually no one is calling it that but, I'm sure Saddam would. Check it out.
"Ajami"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRfxD2NFVq4
"Ajami"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRfxD2NFVq4
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Turkey's Image continues to improve in the Arab World
Article on Lebanese-Turkish relations.
http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=27339&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0&isNew=1
If you read the 7th paragraph you have in essence read the whole article. Certainly the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement has been a large influence on improving Turkish-Lebanese relations. In 2005, Syria seemed prepared to fully abandon claims to the Hatay Province and the two sides came close to an agreement on this issue in late 2009.
Also, the author did not discuss Turkey's role in UNIL force in Lebanon or the fact that Turkish-Lebanese trade has now reach around half a billion annually. Which begs the question of if improved economic ties lead to improved diplomatic ones (In general I think so).
http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=27339&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0&isNew=1
If you read the 7th paragraph you have in essence read the whole article. Certainly the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement has been a large influence on improving Turkish-Lebanese relations. In 2005, Syria seemed prepared to fully abandon claims to the Hatay Province and the two sides came close to an agreement on this issue in late 2009.
Also, the author did not discuss Turkey's role in UNIL force in Lebanon or the fact that Turkish-Lebanese trade has now reach around half a billion annually. Which begs the question of if improved economic ties lead to improved diplomatic ones (In general I think so).
Kind of Ironic
Hmm, a EU themed blogging contest about the environment with the grand prize a trip to that famed center of European Union policy and thinking : New York!
http://climatechange.thinkaboutit.eu/
I guess a free trip to Brussels does not exactly inspire the blogging world to think about the environment.
http://climatechange.thinkaboutit.eu/
I guess a free trip to Brussels does not exactly inspire the blogging world to think about the environment.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Major Arrest of Turkish military officers
The Story of the day from the Middle East was easily the arrest of well over 50 Turkish military officials in connection with the. This elite class of "pashas" are being held in connection to coups.
There are two ways to look at these stories. On the one hand it could it signal "the end of the beginning" to to the Turkish "Derin Develt" or "Deep State" in which a shadowy group of officers and other figures hold much political power?
Critics have taken the opposite view. Some in the Turkish opposition hold that this merely marks a renewed assault by the ruling party against those critical of the regime of the Justice and Development Party.
Regardless the military as the defender of Kemalist anti-clerical Republicanism will remain an important figure in Turkish politics for the medium term. The military has staged coups or other wise toppled civilian governments in 1960, 1971, 1980 and again in 1997.
Over 50 Turkish commanders held over coup plot - Yahoo! News
There are two ways to look at these stories. On the one hand it could it signal "the end of the beginning" to to the Turkish "Derin Develt" or "Deep State" in which a shadowy group of officers and other figures hold much political power?
Critics have taken the opposite view. Some in the Turkish opposition hold that this merely marks a renewed assault by the ruling party against those critical of the regime of the Justice and Development Party.
Regardless the military as the defender of Kemalist anti-clerical Republicanism will remain an important figure in Turkish politics for the medium term. The military has staged coups or other wise toppled civilian governments in 1960, 1971, 1980 and again in 1997.
Over 50 Turkish commanders held over coup plot - Yahoo! News
Sunday, February 21, 2010
USA's Win over Canada highlights the importance of Sport
Many aspiring bloggers have started a new blog with a cherished poem. Myself, coming from a background in sports journalism have decided to talk about ice hockey in my first post. After all ice hockey has been called "poetry on Ice."
Only poetry could describe America's impressive win over Canada this past Sunday. The first Olympic win over Canada in 50 years.The final score was 5-3 though in reality it was much closer. I received many comments from Canadian friends in response to the game from an Italian-Canadian, a Singaporean-Canadian, and a Somali-Canadian acquittance who reminded me on my Facebook wall that Canada was going to kick America's "arse"
On the American side I received comments from team USA supporters from a Nicaraguan-American(Bill Guerin, an occasional member of Team USA is half-Nicaraguan) and from Filipino-Americans and Arab-Americans.
Clearly my own personal experiences lie in opposition to a recent Los Angeles Times article which postulated the end of nationalism in relation to sports and the Olympics. To be replaced with idol like worship of individual accomplishment. Think of how the NBA bills a key match-up. It's not the Cavaliers vs. the Lakers it is always "Lebron vs. Kobe".
I think that if anything Sports as a outlet for nationalism is as important today as ever. It is as easily consumable concept which allows for a sense of group identity. It is a safe outlet for the tribe mentality of "us vs. them" in us all.
If the Spirit of Vancouver 2010 doesn't convince you of that just wait four more months until South Africa 2010.
Only poetry could describe America's impressive win over Canada this past Sunday. The first Olympic win over Canada in 50 years.The final score was 5-3 though in reality it was much closer. I received many comments from Canadian friends in response to the game from an Italian-Canadian, a Singaporean-Canadian, and a Somali-Canadian acquittance who reminded me on my Facebook wall that Canada was going to kick America's "arse"
On the American side I received comments from team USA supporters from a Nicaraguan-American(Bill Guerin, an occasional member of Team USA is half-Nicaraguan) and from Filipino-Americans and Arab-Americans.
Clearly my own personal experiences lie in opposition to a recent Los Angeles Times article which postulated the end of nationalism in relation to sports and the Olympics. To be replaced with idol like worship of individual accomplishment. Think of how the NBA bills a key match-up. It's not the Cavaliers vs. the Lakers it is always "Lebron vs. Kobe".
I think that if anything Sports as a outlet for nationalism is as important today as ever. It is as easily consumable concept which allows for a sense of group identity. It is a safe outlet for the tribe mentality of "us vs. them" in us all.
If the Spirit of Vancouver 2010 doesn't convince you of that just wait four more months until South Africa 2010.
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