Saudi Sunni Sectarian Agitation Continues

The headline of the mouthpiece of Prince Salman cites Saddam Husayn claiming that the majority of Ba`th members in 1963 were Shi`ites.

Let them eat caviar

"The acquisition of farmland from the world's poor by rich countries and international corporations is accelerating at an alarming rate, with an area half the size of Europe's farmland targeted in the last six months, reports from UN officials and agriculture experts say. New reports from the UN and analysts in India, Washington and London estimate that at least 30m hectares is being acquired to grow food for countries such as China and the Gulf states who cannot produce enough for their populations. According to the UN, the trend is accelerating and could severely impair the ability of poor countries to feed themselves."

Arrests that you like

"Jordanian police Sunday arrested 11 people, including trade union leaders, to break up a demonstration against fruit and vegetable imports from Israel, protest organizers said."

Thus spoke Biden

"BIDEN: Look, Israel can determine for itself -- it's a sovereign nation -- what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Whether we agree or not?
BIDEN: Whether we agree or not. They're entitled to do that. Any sovereign nation is entitled to do that. But there is no pressure from any nation that's going to alter our behavior as to how to proceed. What we believe is in the national interest of the United States, which we, coincidentally, believe is also in the interest of Israel and the whole world. And so there are separate issues. If the Netanyahu government decides to take a course of action different than the one being pursued now, that is their sovereign right to do that. That is not our choice."

war profiteers

"A baker scraping by when American tanks rolled into Baghdad, Mr. Mohsin recently spent $50,000 to throw a one-night bacchanal at the exclusive Hunting Club here. When guests visit his second home, in Baghdad, he proudly shows off the two peacocks he imported from Dubai, to join a menagerie of exotic birds that he sometimes gives away to friends. “I have four cars,” he said proudly. “The Land Cruiser cost $80,000.” The car is parked on a street still littered with debris and lined with blast walls from the sectarian war that was fiercely fought in his neighborhood, Mansour. Fingering his gold watch — the one he is wearing costs $2,000; he reserves a $20,000 timepiece “for big parties” — Mr. Mohsin said that only in America, or an American occupation, was his story possible."

Morality police

"The television will be closed in the closet, internet connections will be offered only to married couples, and there will be an option to separate the beds. These are some of the services some 20 hotels in Israel have taken upon themselves in order to accommodate ultra-Orthodox guests." (thanks Olivia)

Qadhdhafi

"Two editors of a Ugandan daily newspaper are being prosecuted for alleging that he is having an affair with her." (thanks Sellam)

Google in Aleppo

Google in Aleppo (thanks Omar)

Saudi-Israeli conspiracy? What Saudi-Israeli conspiracy?

"The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites. Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility. The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials. “The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week." (thanks Dina)

Al-Arabiyya's censorship

So the website of Al-Arabiyya TV (the station of one of the brothers-in-law of King Fahd) decided to post my article on Iran from Al-Akhbar. But the site was apparently happy with my criticisms of the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolution, but unhappy with my criticisms of Arab governments and Saudi media. So what did the site do? They posted my article after they removed all critcial refereces to Saudi Arabia, Arab governments and Saudi media.

The New York Times' Love affair with the Honduran Coup

In every article on Honduras, the New York Times manages to insert a sentence or two to justify the Honduran coup: "Mr. Zelaya’s ouster was driven at least in part by fears that a referendum he was planning to amend the Constitution was really a backhanded attempt to extend his stay in power."

The New York Times' Love affair with the Honduran Coup

"Hondurans know their coups, having experienced a string of them — in 1955, 1963 and 1972. This latest ouster of a president, though, was far more complicated than previous military raids because it included legal opinions, a court declaration and congressional resolutions, as well as guns pointed at the president when the army shuttled him out of the country in a predawn raid. “I’ve lived through coup d’états and this wasn’t that,” said a Zelaya foe, Thelma H. Enriquez, 83, who was awakened early Sunday morning when commandos stormed the president’s home, which is not far from her own. “I was surprised that he was removed like this, but he was a criminal and when I found out he was gone I was thrilled.” Many Hondurans had reached their wits’ end with Mr. Zelaya, who was elected in 2005 by the smallest margin in Honduran electoral history, less than 4 percentage points. As he has drifted to the left, and allied himself with President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, his support has plummeted, to somewhere around 30 percent, according to recent polls."

When the Revolution resorts to mass executions

"Iran on Saturday hanged 20 people for drug trafficking at a prison in Karaj, west of the capital, the semi-official Fars news agency reported...According to human rights group Amnesty International Iran applied the death penalty to 346 people last year, carrying out more executions than any other country apart from China. But it is rare for such a large number of people to be executed in a single day in the Islamic republic. Twenty-nine people who had been convicted for various crimes, including murder, rape and drugs trafficking, took place on July 27, 2008 in the largest mass execution in years." (thanks Sana)

Jeremy Scahill

My mother yesterday was trying to convince me to tone down my articles and to reduce my level of criticisms. She complained to me that I seem to be criticizing everybody: right, left, and center. She said that I am not sparing any side in Lebanon and that I should praise some. But I can't find a side to praise--especially in Lebanon. But here is a praise: I caught a segment on Bill Maher's show yesterday, and Jeremy Scahill was a guest. He was outstanding: he made his points strongly and uncompromisingly, and criticized the Obama administration. I went to sleep pleased.

Bombs...unto the nations

"Palestinian girls stand on the balcony of the ruined house in Rafa, hit during Israel's 22-day offensive against Gaza earlier this year, 2 July 2009 (Photo SAID KHATIB/AFP)". (thanks Laleh) Notice that the phrasing does not really identify Israel as the party that bombed the building. They say that it was hit "during" the Israeli offensive, implying that it may have been bombed by either side.

Press restrictions that you find adorable

"Human Rights Watch has accused the United Arab Emirates of a "serious attack" on press freedom after a newspaper was suspended for reporting the alleged doping of race horses owned by UAE royalty."

Iranian Revolution and public confessions

It tells you something about the path of the Iranian Revolution when they are now resorting to "Public Confessions." We know which path the "Revolutionaries" are emulating.

All that you have done to our people is registered in notebooks

"According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, during the week of 25 June- 01 July 2009, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, were wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 6 Palestinian civilians, including a journalist, and an Israeli human rights defender, were wounded when Israeli forces used force against peaceful protest against the Annexation Wall." (thanks Olivia)

Lebanese are bragging: Lebanese are bragging

Look at this headline from the Daily Star: "Lebanon tops agenda of foreign states." Lebanon is a country where many treat foreign intervention in Lebanese affairs as a sign of Lebanon's greatness. As one unfunny Russian (American) comedian used to say: What a country!

Paris Hilton in Lebanon

Paris Hilton is in Lebanon: she so belongs to that country with its silly, shallow popular culture. Her visit received front page coverage in many newspapers, including L'Orient-Le Jour and Daily Star. She gave a press conference in which she was treated as a visiting dignitary. She said that she feels that she has managed to protect her privacy in the US. One reporter asked her about that point: about how she has managed her privacy when her sex video is on internet. As soon as she finished his question, Lebanese Internal Security members expelled the offending journalist. (Those who know me know that Paris Hilton really bothers me. But I can't think of a better place that would suit Paris Hilton than the Batata homeland.)

The Revolution Ages

My weekly article in Al-Akhbar: "The Revolution Ages: Iran Confronts Itself."

The New York Times' love affair with the Honduran Junta

"They removed him over fears that he was trying to undermine the Constitution and extend his tenure."

Canada's Worst Foreign Minister

Canada now (which speaks for the unannounced US foreign policy) defends the Honduran coup: "“The coup was certainly an affront to the region, but there is a context in which these events happened,” said Peter Kent, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, noting that Mr. Zelaya was a highly polarizing figure who clashed with the Supreme Court, Congress and army. “There has to be an appreciation of the events that led up to the coup.""

This is what Lebanon cares to brag about

"Offbeat Traveler: Lebanon boasts the world's largest hotel suite." This is the real claim to fame for Lebanon: sex tourism. By the way, what the article does not tell you is this: Brummana (or Broummana) is very popular with oil-rich Gulf Arabs. So years ago, they wanted to build a mosque in the town. The people there were adamant that they would not let them and they did not let them. They wanted Gulf cash, but they did not want the cash dispensers to pray in their town. (thanks Bill)

Saudi love for Saddam Husayn

As you all know, the monstrous Saddam's personality cult in the Middle East was directed by Sa`d Al-Bazzaz (Saddam's chief propagandist) and shared by Gulf journalists--including Ahmad Jarallah in Kuwait. Al-Bazzaz is now a pro-Saudi propagandist who publishes Az-Zaman (a pro-US occupation newspaper). The House of Saud has recently been resurrecting Saddam. Here, the sleaze Saudi website, Elaph, quotes Saddam as saying that he wanted democracy but that his comrades (most of whom he killed over the decades) prevented him. The mouthpiece of Prince Salman, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, quotes Saddam as saying that "Iranians don't understand unless their heads are smashed." The Prince Salman's mouthpiece made that as its chief headline today. (thanks Hassan)

The rules of Amnesty International

The lousy Amnesty International has spoken: that resistance to foreign occupation (by brown and black people) is considered a war crime. Cuddling the boots of the foreign occupiers is recommended instead. (thanks Marc)

"Mystery widens in case of ‘CIA operative’ gunned down by police"

"The Houston Chronicle also reported that Burch said Carnaby’s family was a wealthy Lebanese family in the shipping business. On Wednesday, Carnaby’s family said his parents were flying in from Beirut and are asking for their son to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery." (thanks Ghassan)

Oh: Egyptian state harbormasters

"An Israeli submarine sailed the Suez Canal to the Red Sea as part of a naval drill last month, defense sources said on Friday, describing the unusual maneuver as a show of strategic reach in the face of Iran. Israel long kept its three Dolphin-class submarines, which are widely assumed to carry nuclear missiles, away from Suez so as not to expose them to the gaze of Egyptian harbormasters."" Yes, as if Egyptian state harbormasters give a shit whether Israeli submarines bomb anywhere in the region, including in Egypt. (thanks Dina)

Obama Rules

"The promotion of Middle East adviser Dennis Ross to a senior White House position may open the door to a more positive tone by the United States toward the Israeli government, experts believe."

Betrayed?

"Franklin said he felt betrayed by the two former AIPAC staffers. He believed that he was sharing information with them so that they could pass it to other government officials, and was disappointed to learn they conveyed it to Israeli diplomats and to the press. “I do think they crossed a line when they went to a foreign official with what they knew was classified information,” Franklin said." (thanks Laleh)

I wish the West would spare us sensitivity to the East

The West is at its worst when it feigns sensitivity to the East: "They are also promoting their book, Bareed Mista3jil, translated as "Mail in a Hurry." It contains 41 true stories of LGBT life in Lebanon, many of them surprisingly hopeful and humorous." First, why not translated Barid Musta`jal as Express Mail. No need for the stupid "Mail in a Hurry." Secondly, why "surpisingly hopeful and humorous"? You thought that people of the region are hopeless and humorless? Go back to sleep, please. Now. (thanks Maria)

Israel pirates teach about...piracy

"As pirates attacks become a serious hazard in shipping lanes, Israeli security academy offers special maritime protection class." (thanks Asa)

DahlanStan

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' security forces have significantly widened a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank in the past month. They have doubled the number of detainees and are increasingly targeting the wives of activists, school teachers and others on the fringes of the Islamic militant group, Hamas officials say." (thanks Olivia)

Dahlan, O Dahlan

"A coffee shop in Khan Younis was set ablaze by unknown arsonists before dawn Friday morning, causing severe structural damage."

This is Zionism: pure and simple.

"Housing Minister Ariel Atias on Thursday warned against the spread of Arab population into various parts of Israel, saying that preventing this phenomenon was no less than a national responsibility." When I read such blatant racism from leaders of Israel I say to myself: they deep down know of the fate of Zionism. They deep down know that Israel will be a small historical (and shameful) footnote. They deep down know that ancestors of the Palestinian refugees will be serving as ministers in that usurping entity--after its liberation. (thanks Electronic Ali)

Oh, she is a victim. Oh, she is a victim of Arab oppression. Save her, o White Man and write fawning articles about her

Yet, again: some reporter (this time for a leftist publication, MR Zine, who does not know who this Lebanese person is and whether she is considered influential (or even present) in Arab literature and who does not know that she is a right-winger), was duped to write some silly article about a most silly, and unoriginal (and sleazy more than erotic--which explains the sales of the magazines in the Gulf countries) publication in Arabic. But the editor, as usual, comes up with some tales about her imaginary persecution: "Some, not surprisingly, didn't appreciate the reminder. "I've received insulting emails," says Ms. Haddad. Anonymous emails, of course. " Maybe I should do that: I should run with my weekly supply of hate mail and ask the White Man to save me. Wait: most of those hate mail I receive are written by the White Man. Nevermind. (thanks Mohamed)

Al-Masri Al-Yawm

A courageous Egyptian reporter that I respect sent me this (he does not want to be identified): ""The paper has been going through an editorial shift increasingly since the notorious Magdi El Gallad became the editor in chief. The paper is staffed with pro-government journalists today as well as others who are well known to have ties with security. There is increased dependance on "government sources" in contrast to "activist sources." For example if you look at their coverage of Islamists' news. Their correspondents used to quote three years ago "Islamist sources" when it came to news of police crackdowns. Now they quote "security sources" instead. And their reports are usually a copy and paste of the police charges. Magdy El Gallad's office is decorated by a golden framed picture of him meeting Mubarak, so what do you expect? The main shareholder of the paper for your information is Salah Diyab, a business tycoon who's involved in gas deals with Israel."

A correction from Naomi Klein

I received this message (I cite with permission): "Dear Angry Arab blogger,

Haaretz made a gross translation error in their article that they have since corrected. What Naomi Klein actually said was "More Palestinians were killed in 2008 than in 1948." See the article on Haaretz's website: and please update your post.

Thank you,

Debra Levy

Naomi Klein's assistant"
PS But that was not the only problematic element of the article, in my view. We expect much better from comrade Naomi.

The New York Times Continues to Justify the Honduran Coup

"Fears that Mr. Zelaya had been plotting to undermine the Constitution and extend his tenure were among the driving forces behind his expulsion from the country at the hands of the military over the weekend."

She will not be famous like Neda

"An Israeli tank shell fired into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip killed a Palestinian girl on Thursday, Palestinian hospital workers said."

Naomi Klein misunderstands the meaning of Boycott of Israel

"The decision isn't to boycott Israel but rather to oppose official relationships with Israeli institutions."" And she is of course wrong when she says: "more Palestinians were killed in 2008 than since 1948." Naomi Klein needs to be more educated about the history of Palestinian suffering. Tell Ms. Klein that Israel killed more than 20,000 Lebanese and Palestinians (mostly civilians) in 1982 alone.

The People of Honduras

The people have spoken: on the walls of Honduras. (AFP)

Flash: A new crown prince for Jordan

Meet the new Crown Prince of Jordan (to the right). He was selected by his father (today) purely for his skills and talents.

Too weak, too little

"The new law says a man can still benefit from attenuating circumstances in crimes of passion or honour "provided he serves a prison term of no less than two years in the case of killing"."

Egypt: Hyper Militry Society

"Officers' clubs boasting lavish sports facilities and restaurants; subsidised housing; military hospitals; these are just some of the most visible perks - the likes of which no other profession in Egypt enjoys. The military has also been transformed into a veritable business empire, whose exact size, turnover and profit no-one is allowed to know. Not even parliament can scrutinise its affairs." In 1968, Anouar Abdel-Malek wrote that Egypt was "a Military Society." What would he say now? (thanks Moustafa)

Social Justice in Lebanon

Comrade Khalid attacks both sides in Lebanon for disregarding social justice.

Claire Messud

"You might well ask how a bunch of novelists and nonfiction writers could be so dangerous as to require a military-ordained ban in a democratic country. I can’t tell you; except that our literary festival had the word “Palestine’’ in its title, and the use of this word in Jerusalem apparently constitutes a security threat. The city has been declared the Capital of Arab Culture for 2009, and according to Palestinians we met, the Jerusalem police have shut down more cultural events than they have permitted–including the timed release, by schoolchildren, of colored balloons in celebration of Al-Quds. Balloons are also a security risk. During the week of the Palestine Festival of Literature (Palfest for short), we gave readings in Ramallah and Bethlehem as well as in Jerusalem, and taught workshops at universities in Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron. We lumbered about in a great tour bus, repeatedly grateful for our foreign passports (nowhere have I been more conscious of the liberating power of my US citizenship); but still, privileged as we were, we waited interminably at borders and checkpoints, in the shadow of the vast, ugly hopelessness that is the Wall, under the panopticon scrutiny of the watchtowers. We answered questions barked by teenagers at the point of their guns. We got a very small taste of what it’s like to be Palestinian. Members of our group likened it to living under apartheid; to Orwell’s “1984’’; to Kafka. But none of these allusions fully conveys the disturbing psychological experiment currently perpetrated on Palestinians in the West Bank." (thanks Nikki)

She was offended: is that not sad?

"I, and many others, may accept or appreciate Massad's point, but cannot respect the means with which he makes it -- outside, and according to some, inside the classroom." Oh, really? OK, I shall tell Joseph to check with you before he talks about Israel and Zionism lest he offends your Zionist standards. It is such a dumb article with such sectarian sentiments. And the conclusion will basically turn universities into sectarian and religious enclaves.

Convenient violation of constitutional rights: where is the outrage?

An expert on Latin America that I respect sent me this: "This link is in Spanish, but the short version is that the Honduran Congress just approved a decree that suspends 5 constitutionally
provided individual rights. These include freedom of association, the right to peaceful protest, the "inviolability" of the home (that your house can't be raided), the right not to be detained for more than 24 hours, and the freedom to enter and leave the country."

When repression is cute--by US standards

"Her on-air appeal for freedom of the press came as the newly installed Honduran government kept several news outlets closed, detained international reporters, and periodically interrupted the signal of CNN en español. Reporters for The Associated Press were taken away in military vehicles and Venezuela's Telesur network -- and any other station supportive of toppled president Manuel Zelaya -- are still off the air. Stations that are broadcasting carry only news friendly to the new government. Several local papers have yet to publish information about Zelaya's international support in neighboring countries." (thanks Olivia)

Obama Deception

"There are other issues where our government has been oddly silent. Reports of political repression, the closing of TV and radio stations, the detention of journalists, detention and physical abuse of diplomats and what the Committee to Protect Journalists has called a "media blackout" have yet to draw a serious rebuke from Washington. By controlling information and repressing dissent, the de facto Honduran government is also setting the stage for unfair elections in November." (thanks Aldo)

Al-Masri Al-Yawm

A journalist who knows Egypt well informs me that Al-Masri Al-Yawm has become quite close to Jamal Mubarak. (His relation to Husni Mubarak is purely coincidental here).

Longest border wall-fence

"Saudi Arabia on Wednesday moved to bolster security along its borders with Iraq and Yemen with the award of a contract to build a 9,000km security system." Saudi media were bragging--kid you not--that it was the longest security fence in the world. I wonder if the Wahhabi rulers sought the advice of the Racist Separation experts of the Zionist usurping entity. And Interior Minister, Prince Nayif promised to expedite arrival procedures for visitors to the kingdom: visitors will now quickly have their passports stamped and their genitals electrocuted. (thanks Karim)

Rahbani Brother (not brothers)

Amjad Nasir on `Asi Rahbani and the sham of Mansur Rahbani. (thanks Mirvat)

The youngest prisoner in Israeli jails

Meet this youngest of prisoners (17 months) languishing in the jails of the Zionist usurping entity. (There are 400 prisoners under the age of 18 in Israeli jails). (thanks Sana)

The boycott of Gad Al-Malih

Comrade Samah writes about the boycott of Gad Al-Malih.

The FBI interviews of Saddam Husayn

"Hussein reiterated that he had wanted to have a relationship with the United States but was not given the chance."

The political courage of Christopher Hitchens

People have been remarking that Christopher Hitchens lacks political courage and that he does not attack Republicans anymore. Not true. Hitchens today attacked a very powerful and most influential Republican: Richard Nixon.

Bernard-Henri Levi: the Philosopher

People ask me as to why Bernard-Henri Levi is referred to as "a philosopher." Here is why: "The hyperbaric chamber where he tirelessly prepared himself for some kind of funereal ritual. He didn't die from a drug overdose; he died because of his desire not only to invent a vaccine against life, but also to want to inoculate himself with it."

To Sen. Mel Martinez: (and from Sen. Mel Martinez)

A constituent of Sen. Mel Martinez sent him this letter (I cite with her permission): "Please help get the boat into Gaza, Palestine (see article below) so the people under occupation and siege can get some of life's necessities. All of the human race have the right to live free with dignity and freedom just like you and I.

Thank you for your attention."
Sen. Martinez wrote back: "I strongly condemn Hamas’ unprovoked acts of terrorism that can potentially exacerbate the already high tensions in the region. Since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, more than 6000 rockets launched by Hamas have rained down on innocent Israeli civilians...."

From Samir `Atallah to King Fahd's Brother-in-Law: with Prostration

Samir `Atallah is not a personal name: he is a model of journalistic behavior in the Arab world. He is a Lebanese journalist who set the lowest standard of prostration before the oil princes of Arabia. In this article in the mouthpiece of Prince Salman (Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat), he calls on Al-Arabiyyah TV to renew his consulting contract with the network. In this article in An-Nahar (partly owned by Prince Al-Walid), he pays tribute to the Hariri family but also manages to remind Walid Al-Ibrahim (owner of Al-Arabiyya) that his contract with the network was not renewed. There is no low for Samir `Atallah: but unfortunately, he is the name of school of journalism in Lebanon and the Arab world although its "stars" are largely Lebanese.