These articles are very much in fashion in these days. "I am an Arab liberal--(not the Angry Arab who is anti-liberal) who likes Pepsi and wants the US to help me." Washington loves these voices these days to justify its Middle East wars.

US Afghan puppet, Hamid Karzai, is accused of constructing a dictatorship for himself. But it is ok, as long as he is a pro-American dictator, who remains silent over US bombings of Afghan villages.

Spread of Islamic extremism in Central Asia, where the US is too busy supporting its band of petty and brutal dictators.

How insane is this: more articles about US copying Israeli methods of violent subjugation of an Arab population. What amazes me is those military planners act as if the Israeli methods have been a great success. Yet, more on US emulation of Israeli brutal methods. Well, at least we can predict their failure: in Palestine, and in Iraq. (not to mention their failure in Lebanon).

In land of oil, Iraqis do without it. They fault US.

On Arab popular reactions to Saddam's capture. You have to remember some Arab's melancholic reactions are not so much due to love for Saddam. But any US "victory" (especially when exploited politically by Bush) is resented.

Some top Iraqi officials (including heads of intelligence, special forces, and regional party leaders) are still at large. You would not know it from the celebratory coverage; Bush is too busy reaping political benefits from the capture of Saddam. Don't be suprised if Saddam is forced to endorse Bush's democratic opponent to ensure Bush's reelection. ("Saddam is for Dean" placards are already being prepared by Karl Rove, allegedly).

Notes from Saddam's interrogation. He claims that he cannot go the bathroom as long as "his people" are in bondage. Does that mean that he has not been to the bathroom since 1968?

Too many things to upset me. Angry Arab is not easy to please. I heard CNN on my satellite radio: and all that Aaron Brown wanted to know about Saddam's capture was: "Can you tell us if there was a lot of high-fiving in the White House?" I swear. This what passes as news analysis on CNN. And AlJazeera: had a report about Saddam's career: and in reference to his gassing of the Kurds (he also used Chemical weapons on Iran, by the way), it said: "and Kurds allege that Chemical weapons were used against them." What? What? And embedded Middle East expert on CBS: Fouad Ajami (who assured Dick Cheney that Arabs (not only Iraqis) would welcome US war and beg for more Middle East wars, was analyzing the situation. He kept talking like a military commander, not as a social scientist: "Dan, we had to go to the center of the Arab world. Dan, we had to go to Afghanistan.etc." Do experts on Mexico or experts on China speak like that? "We have to send the troops" "here" and "there." What is happening?

Due to Saddam's sectarian legacy, and due to US occupation's exploitation of the sectarian question in Iraq, there is a deep Sunni-Shi`ite rift in Iraq, and beyond. I notice (from following the ME coverage): joy in Shi`ite areas, and gloom and sadness in many Sunni areas of Iraq. It is amazing how US news media show only one side to the story: the scenes that conform with US foreign policy goals, and wishful thinking. But I am disappointed with AlJazeera's coverage too: they have been focusing too much on Iraqis who resent Saddam's capture, just as CNN focuses on those who are happy. I think, no I know, that all Iraqis suffered under Saddam, but Sunnis are now particulary nervous about the consequences of US occupation. In fact, it will be folly to think the occupation will now proceed smoothly. If anything, the Shi`ites may now join the resistance because they have no fear of Saddam's return. And Saddam's followers (who constitute one element of several in the resistance) may now get more lethal and more brutal, lashing out agaisnt Shi`ite in particular. It is in their interest to sew the seeds of Sunni-Shi`ite war. I was surprised to see how skeptical many Arabs are about whether Saddam was captured. It is certainly Saddam, I think. And I am no DNA expert. What adds to the skepticism is the varied and different stories coming out of the US government: He was leading the resistance; the military (and I think that they are right) insist that he has nothing to do with the resistance. He is a lousy military planner with defeat upon defeat on his c.v. He was captured due to a tip from somebody; no he was captured due to great investigative techniques. He was found in the hole under ground; no he was found over ground in the bedroom and the hole was only used to hide when troops were in the vicinity. He was cooperative during interrogation, said colonial administrator Bremer; no, said the military and the Arab puppet council members who met him. He was defiant and arrogant, and even yelled obscenities at one of the members. When asked about his merciless killing of two respected Shi`ite clerics (by the name of Sadr (Chest in Arabic), he called them rijl (foot in Arabic, very insulting in Arab culture). And you know what is sexist: many Arab media are now maintaining that he was captured because his 2nd wife (who lives in Beirut) turned him, and that he was calling her once a week. First, that is so unlikely. There is no evidence that he has used a phone himself in years, and the US troops said that they did not find any phone or technological device on him (except a Sony MP3 player--kidding here). And was it not ironic that Ariel Sharon was congratulating Bush on the capture of Saddam? If you ask me, Saddam and Sharon belong in the same prison cell, and both should be put on trial for war crimes.

Saddam should be put on trial. A special war crimes’ tribunal should be established for the trial of all the Iraqi officials (who have blood on their hands) associated with Saddam regime. Do you notice how those tyrants who glorify “martyrdom” and who so casually send people to their death, like this man, are so keen to stay alive? They worship life for themselves, and order death to their people all so casually. Saddam used to order that Iraqi soldiers on the front lines who did not advance under the most perilous conditions be shot on the spot? Many Iraqis wanted him (and still want him) dead. But I think that he should go through the humiliation of watching the Iraqi popular disgust with him, and his regime. He should be made to watch every movie that Tony Danza ever starred in, and every speech that John Kerry ever made. Let the TV in his cell only show those two people. No entertainment. He needs to see the faces of his victims and surviving relatives of his victims at his trial. The trial, however, should not be entrusted to this puppet council. There are members of this puppet council (like Iyad `Allawi) who were part of this brutal regime, and they should also face trial. International human rights groups have expressed concern over the recent announcement of the creation of a war crimes’ tribunal by the puppet council.The council even invoked the laws of 1958, which were the same laws that Saddam and the Ba`th later used for their show trials. I say that UN or International Criminal Court (the latter is still opposed by the US) should be in charge of this trial, and Iraqi civil society and victims’ groups in Iraq should be consulted about the procedures. The trial has to be credible to be part of the truth commission that we need for Iraq. I want Saddam to speak in his trial: he should tell us about all those who should be stained with their association with his regime. I want to hear about his friendship with Jacque Chirac (who reportedly used to receive funds from Saddam back in the 1970s—reportedly); he should point to us those in the puppet council who were his co-conspirators; he should report to us about his meeting with Donald Rumsfeld—not to be confused with Wolf Blitzer—back in 1983; he should also tell us about those Arab journalists and professors (many of whom now preach about democracy and human rights) who received funds from his regime over the years. Finally, I am afraid that the US occupation will now indulge itself in illusions. They will now convince themselves that occupation will now be found to be pleasurable and enjoyable by Iraqis now that Saddam has been captured. Occupation will be rejected with or without Saddam. By the way, how vain of Saddam that he insisted on dying his hair pitch black, even in his hiding place. What’s with that?

The Stasi report outrages Muslims in France (and some of the visitors of this website, I may add).

Howard Dean is brandishing his foreign policy credentials. He wants you to know that: he agrees with Bush on most foreign policy issues; he will not withdraw troops from Iraq; and he supported 4 recent wars: Iraq '91, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Afghanistan; and he assures you that he will not be reluctant to drop bombs and rockets over Muslim and Arab heads if you elect him president. Oh, and he loves Israel, and will not deal with Arafat. Any question? (Oh, and I noticed that he referred to the perceptions that the governing council members are seen as "puppets." Could he have gotten that from the Angry Arab News Service? Inidentally, a high-ranking member of his campaign staff is a former student of mine. An excellent guy/gal. Will not reveal that person's name of course, lest that person be fired.)

Palestinian victims are always nameless, faceless, and ageless. Kamilah Muhmmad Ash-Shuli is (was) a 21-year old Palestinian female college student. She was shot while in a Taxi by Israeli troops. New York Times will not show pictures of her funeral; Bush will not call her killers "terrorists;" Congress will not pass a resolution in her honor; no charity group will be established in her memory here in the US. Nobody will be calling for the prosecution of her killers. US government will not issue a call for Israel to stop "terrorism." Her killers will not be listed in any state's list of terrorist organizations and groups. No US TV show will devote a segment to her story. She will be added to the thousands of Palestinian civilian victims of Israeli killings. Maybe now you know why Angry Arab is angry after all.

"Ni putes ni soumises" is supporting the Stasi Report about religion in public places in France. It is a French feminist organization active in Muslim immigrant neighborhoods.

Islamic Zamzam Coke is coming to a vending machine near you in...Lebanon.

It is important that we never forget the suffering of the Kurds under Saddam (and under NATO member Turkey). Saddam may have killed more than 100,000 Kurds. Turkey also killed tens of thousands of Kurds. I worry, as a supporter of Kurdish national aspirations, that the current alliances of Kurdish political parties in Iraq will harm their future ties with the Arabs of the region. This report remembers the survivors of Saddam's massacres.

Saudi king (well he can barely read or stay awake, but go along with the story) asks clerics to warn of the dangers of extremism. He added, however, that the royal family will continue to adhere to the most fanatical and extremist ideology.

Iraqi agent denies ever meeting with 9-11 hijacker. US told him that no, he did meet with him. Agent said that he did not, US told him to remember again. We shall see what his enhanced memory will produce on the pages of the New York Times.

New rules for the FBI. Feel free to make your own sarcastic comments here.

Depleted uranium shells pose cancer in Iraq. But US government shows Iraqis evidence that cancer is good for the cause of their liberation. As a result, Iraqis show "understanding." Some even asked for additional supplies of depleted uranium.

Sa`di Yusuf's poem Jackals' Weddings. Sa`di Yusuf is a famous Iraqi poet (opposed to Saddam, of course, and opposed to the US war). Mudhaffar An-Nawwab (mentioned in this poem) is a well-known Iraqi poet persecuted by Saddam, and by other Arab governments.(thanks Fahd).

Only the UK press is noticing that the war in Afghanistan continues, and that the Taliban (yes the Taliban) are regrouping and planning a comeback. But in fairness to the Bush administration, they may have not noticed because they are very busy "making progress" in Iraq.

Sen. Strom Thurmond, famous white supremacist from South Carolina, had a secret daughter. Everybody knew about her, but the press covered it up until now.

Bush's faith initiatives preach prejudice. Now, if there is the best drug treatment program in the world, and it is hypothetically run by a satan-worshipping church, would they ever get a dollar from the White House's faith initiative? Those who disagreed with me on the veil issue in France: do you see why we should fight for the secular principle?

Now Angry Arab is upset. I do not understand why Muslim groups are calling the new French proposal on veils in public schools and buildings "unfair and discriminatory." I think that it is fair and balanced. Remember: it did not single out the veil in its ban. It called for the ban of all "conspicuous" symbols of religion, and mentioned other religions too. The report also suggested special days for religious days of Jews and Muslims (I personally do not think that the state should celebrate any religious day although I sympathize with the French Revolution when it wanted to celebrate Reason). It also had other recommendations including the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in France, the instruction of Arabic in schools, the respect for the food standards of Muslims and Jews, the assignment of Muslim clerics in the French army, etc. Secularism means that the state should be absolutely neutral as far as religious preference is concerned. If that entails the ban on religious symbols in public schools and buildings, so be it, I say.

The dictator of Azerbaijan is dead. His son is the new dictator. He is adored by big oil company and the US government. He should be alright.

Michael Kinsley on how the democratic presidential candidates lack coherence in their positions on the Iraq war.

Saudi ambassador in DC slams war opponents. This pathetic Saudi royal family, which created Bin Laden and inspired the Taliban is now trying to save its throne, by any means necessary. This ambassador is very unpopular in Saudi Arabia, and the Crown Prince has largely marginalized him since Sep. 11. Notice that every high ranking member of the House of Saud (including the Crown Prince, Minister of Defense, Head of Intelligence, and this ambassador) has admitted to have met Bin Laden several (or many) times. Should not they be asked why? The White House, however, remains very protective of this family.

A conservative magazine is concerned over the extent of policy secrecy in this White House.

A proflile of John Abizaid.

This silly and brutal Libyan dictator, Mu'ammar Al-Qadhdhafi, is trying very hard to win Western acceptance. An interesting look at his "state of the masses."

Tariq Ali on why the colonization of Iraq will fail.

Sunni-Shi`ite tensions rising in Baghdad.

Congratulations. Saddam's outrageously ostentatious palace (one of the major ones) will now become the US embassy in Baghdad.

Sen. Robert Byrd (W.V.) is concerned that the Syria Accountability Act (signed by Bush today) may lead to a war agaisnt Syria.

Full text: Annual State of Children Report by UNICEF. It reveals that International development efforts are drastically short-changing girls, leaving hundreds of millions of girls and women uneducated and unable to contribute to positive change for themselves, their children, or their communities.

US general (who shot "over the head" of an Iraqi prisoner--a member of the Iraqi police--and allowed his beating in some accounts) will not face a court martial It was recommended that he pays a fine..

This is an informative English language biographical account of Ayatollah Sistani of Iraq. We will be hearing more and more about him in the next few months. This website, however, is not objective: rather apologetic account of his life. Washington Post and other newspapers are quite off in analyzing his views. He is no liberal, and no secular. It is not true that he believes in separation of church and state, as Washington Post keeps saying, and he can be quite rigid on social issues (he thinks music is impermissible, for example (from his Arabic fatwas).

Shocking. Truly shocking. So I was reading an interview with the US-chosen head of the international Atomic Energy Agency, and he reveals that Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel? Did you know that? Did you really know that Israel possessed nuclear weapons? I had no idea.

Infinite wars.

US military defends raid that killed 6 children in Afghanistan.

Dear Leader is indoctrinating North Koreans through the internet. They are made to stare at the CNN website. It is known to lead to mass obedience. Kim loves it.

Good morning Baghdad. It is Bush's TV.

"Bush's Iraq a magnet for terrorists, says Prince Turki Al-Faysal. The man should know. He was head of Saudi intelligence for for years (before leaving his job 10 days before Sep. 11--an important fact for conspiracy theorists) so he knows what he is talking about. He was Bin Laden's handler after all (allegedly), and is now Saudi ambassador in UK.