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Same old same old
Mar. 22nd, 2020 02:26 pmA Biden presidency would perpetuate US mistakes in the Middle East
In laying out his foreign policy vision, the former vice president sticks to the outdated notion of the US as an 'indispensable nation'.
In laying out his foreign policy vision, the former vice president sticks to the outdated notion of the US as an 'indispensable nation'.
Curious hypothesis
Jan. 10th, 2020 04:40 pmA World Without Islam
What if Islam had never existed? To some, it's a comforting thought: No clash of civilizations, no holy wars, no terrorists. Would Christianity have taken over the world? Would the Middle East be a peaceful beacon of democracy? Would 9/11 have happened? In fact, remove Islam from the path of history, and the world ends up exactly where it is today.
What if Islam had never existed? To some, it's a comforting thought: No clash of civilizations, no holy wars, no terrorists. Would Christianity have taken over the world? Would the Middle East be a peaceful beacon of democracy? Would 9/11 have happened? In fact, remove Islam from the path of history, and the world ends up exactly where it is today.
Well, ain't that lame
Jul. 20th, 2019 11:03 amIran says U.S. may have shot down its own drone by mistake
Iran denied Friday it lost a drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the United States said it had "destroyed" an Iranian drone that was threatening a U.S. ship. "We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) by mistake!," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Twitter.
Iran denied Friday it lost a drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the United States said it had "destroyed" an Iranian drone that was threatening a U.S. ship. "We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) by mistake!," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Twitter.
Yeah right, he totally didn't mean it
Jan. 4th, 2016 08:48 pmTurkey Says Hitler Comment by President Erdogan Was ‘Distorted’
Turkey issued a statement on Friday saying that comments by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — in which he cited Hitler in response to a question about whether a strong presidency was possible in Turkey — had been misinterpreted.
Mr. Erdogan, who is pushing to imbue the largely ceremonial presidency with sweeping executive powers, told reporters late Thursday that “there are already examples in the world.”
“You can see it when you look at Hitler’s Germany,” he said.
Turkey issued a statement on Friday saying that comments by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — in which he cited Hitler in response to a question about whether a strong presidency was possible in Turkey — had been misinterpreted.
Mr. Erdogan, who is pushing to imbue the largely ceremonial presidency with sweeping executive powers, told reporters late Thursday that “there are already examples in the world.”
“You can see it when you look at Hitler’s Germany,” he said.
On the refugee crisis
Sep. 4th, 2015 09:08 amJust two pieces for more context.
The US has announced they are prepared to assist the EU with the refugee crisis, but they would not accept refugees on US soil, because "Europe has the capacity to deal with the problem on its own".
Meanwhile, in his typical manner, Putin has said what many are thinking, but dare not say: that the West, particularly the US, are responsible for the refugee crisis in Europe, because they have been pursuing a policy of exporting liberal democracy to the Middle East without taking the local peculiarities in consideration.
The US has announced they are prepared to assist the EU with the refugee crisis, but they would not accept refugees on US soil, because "Europe has the capacity to deal with the problem on its own".
Meanwhile, in his typical manner, Putin has said what many are thinking, but dare not say: that the West, particularly the US, are responsible for the refugee crisis in Europe, because they have been pursuing a policy of exporting liberal democracy to the Middle East without taking the local peculiarities in consideration.
So, Obama is rushing to Riyadh to lick the ass of the new Dear Sheikh just like he and his predecessors did with the previous one - but he was nowhere to be seen during the huge I Am Charlie march in Paris, which was joined by most of his fellow major leaders? That's nice.
On a more cheerful note, I'm happy to hear that I can now un-boil the eggs that I've just boiled. But srsly, this potentially is great news for medicine.
On a more cheerful note, I'm happy to hear that I can now un-boil the eggs that I've just boiled. But srsly, this potentially is great news for medicine.
Middle Eastern Politics: A Love tory
Jun. 21st, 2014 10:09 pm
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/7v01wm/middle-eastern-politics--a-love-story
As it struggles to stem the territorial gains of militant extremists in Iraq, America finds itself caught in a love triangle between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Considers Nuclear Weapons After Iran’s Geneva Deal
As Middle Eastern nations attempted to elbow one another aside in their efforts to offer encouraging statements about the recently concluded nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers on Sunday, Saudi Arabia took its time. More than a day later the Cabinet offered its own pallid take: “If there is goodwill, then this agreement could represent a preliminary step toward a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear program.” Behind the gritted-teeth delivery there lurked an almost palpable sense of frustration, betrayal and impotence as Saudi Arabia watched its foremost foe gain ground in a 34-year competition for influence in the region.
“It’s as if Saudi Arabia and Iran suddenly traded places,” marvels Riyadh- and Istanbul-based Saudi foreign-affairs commentator Abdullah al-Shamri.
As Middle Eastern nations attempted to elbow one another aside in their efforts to offer encouraging statements about the recently concluded nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers on Sunday, Saudi Arabia took its time. More than a day later the Cabinet offered its own pallid take: “If there is goodwill, then this agreement could represent a preliminary step toward a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear program.” Behind the gritted-teeth delivery there lurked an almost palpable sense of frustration, betrayal and impotence as Saudi Arabia watched its foremost foe gain ground in a 34-year competition for influence in the region.
“It’s as if Saudi Arabia and Iran suddenly traded places,” marvels Riyadh- and Istanbul-based Saudi foreign-affairs commentator Abdullah al-Shamri.
Coalition of the unwilling
Sep. 9th, 2013 12:36 amSo, seems like this time the UK won't be the US's trusted puppy to trot around Amurka's leg and pee with glee whenever a bomb explodes somewhere above Damascus, bringing Freedomdom&Democracycy(TM) to that ancient Al-Qaeda-controlled land.
May the experts in mini-world-wars and grassroots-revolutions start the bomb-shitting spree on their own, then I'm sure they'll make a few heroic movies about what great liberators they were. Perhaps one would present a plausible rendition of the special op that took Assad out and tossed him to the bottom of the sea. After all, there are some Oscars waiting to be distributed for next year.
May the experts in mini-world-wars and grassroots-revolutions start the bomb-shitting spree on their own, then I'm sure they'll make a few heroic movies about what great liberators they were. Perhaps one would present a plausible rendition of the special op that took Assad out and tossed him to the bottom of the sea. After all, there are some Oscars waiting to be distributed for next year.
I hear drums...
Aug. 22nd, 2013 08:41 pmSo, it looks like someone probably used something like chemical weapons on somebody somewhere in Syria.
I think it's time for me to tune toWar TV CNN, then.
In other news, things just went to a whole new level of weird in that Wikileaks case...
I think it's time for me to tune to
In other news, things just went to a whole new level of weird in that Wikileaks case...
Side A:
US bankrolled anti-Morsi activists
Investigation - U.S. Bankrolled Anti-Morsi Activists
US Money Trail to Egyptian Groups that Pressed for President’s Removal
Side B:
An Absurd Rumor is Spreading: That the U.S. Bankrolled Anti-Morsi Figures in Egypt
Experts, activists criticize ‘laughable’ Al-Jazeera claims that US funded anti-Morsi protests
US bankrolled anti-Morsi activists
Investigation - U.S. Bankrolled Anti-Morsi Activists
US Money Trail to Egyptian Groups that Pressed for President’s Removal
Side B:
An Absurd Rumor is Spreading: That the U.S. Bankrolled Anti-Morsi Figures in Egypt
Experts, activists criticize ‘laughable’ Al-Jazeera claims that US funded anti-Morsi protests
Behold the Egyptian "democracy"
Nov. 25th, 2012 08:04 pmEgypt's President Mursi assumes sweeping powers
Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi has issued a declaration banning challenges to his decrees, laws and decisions.
The declaration also says no court can dissolve the constituent assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution.
President Mursi also sacked the chief prosecutor and ordered the retrial of people accused of attacking protesters when ex-President Mubarak held office.
Egyptian opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei accused Mr Mursi of acting like a "new pharaoh".
In a joint news conference held late on Thursday, Mr ElBaradai and other opposition figures described the declaration as a "coup against legitimacy" and called on Egyptians to take to the streets in protest.
Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi has issued a declaration banning challenges to his decrees, laws and decisions.
The declaration also says no court can dissolve the constituent assembly, which is drawing up a new constitution.
President Mursi also sacked the chief prosecutor and ordered the retrial of people accused of attacking protesters when ex-President Mubarak held office.
Egyptian opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei accused Mr Mursi of acting like a "new pharaoh".
In a joint news conference held late on Thursday, Mr ElBaradai and other opposition figures described the declaration as a "coup against legitimacy" and called on Egyptians to take to the streets in protest.
Birther scandal... in Egypt!?
Apr. 14th, 2012 02:03 am
Road to Whatever House the President of Egypt Lives In
Egyptian presidential candidates face controversy as the country prepares for its first democratic elections since the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak.
On Erdogan and what he's doing for Turkey
Oct. 4th, 2011 09:27 pmErdogan is simply investing in well-timed and consistent political and diplomatic steps (from his own country's POV) in the conditions of a fast changing Arab region. His visits all look very timely and well calculated and they show that in most cases he's welcomed warmly and approved as a politician by the local people. These investments into useful diplomacy will soon bring him economic dividends too, and that's the most important thing at a time when most of the world is limping or outright taking a plunge. So, disregarding the specifics of this new Turkish "model" and what it means to countries beyond Turkey, I'd venture with a cautious "Kudos, Erdogan!"
The freedom packages
Mar. 24th, 2011 11:02 pm
John Oliver demonstrates how America's freedom packages will turn any country's civil war into a catastro-tunity.
"...offer not valid in the West Bank or Gaza."
So sad and so true.
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Pretty much, this
Mar. 20th, 2011 01:23 amOn the hypocrisy of the so-called "international community", and the blatant double standard in measuring similar situations in different places:
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Just some food for thought. Where are Sarkozy, Cameron, Ban Ki Moon, Hillary Clinton, Obama and Harper when people in Bahrain are being killed on the streets by their own authorities, with the help of Saudi and UAE troops invited by those authorities? Same question about Yemen. Why does Gaddafi matter 100 times more than Bahrain and Yemen? You may not answer. That was a rhetorical question.
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Just some food for thought. Where are Sarkozy, Cameron, Ban Ki Moon, Hillary Clinton, Obama and Harper when people in Bahrain are being killed on the streets by their own authorities, with the help of Saudi and UAE troops invited by those authorities? Same question about Yemen. Why does Gaddafi matter 100 times more than Bahrain and Yemen? You may not answer. That was a rhetorical question.
