An-Nahda

Do you notice that all US media now insist on referring to An-Nahda as "moderate" Islamist party?  Who has decided on the moderation?  The same authority that describes Saudi Arabia as a moderate Arab regime??  

Aljazeera

Lately, every time I appear on Aljazeera I think it is my last time, and yet they surprise me with another invitation.  But today, I really feel it was the last time.  I will post a link once I receive it.  

Centrist Islam

Mustafa Abdul-NATO has been talking a lot about Islamic law and changes in the law of Libya.  He has invoked the term "wasati Islam" (centrist Islam).  You know who started invoking this term?  Saudi Arabia, for potato's sake. They consider their version of Wahhabi Bin Ladenite Islam to be wasati.  Let me say this to my readers: the NATO intervention in Libya will bring you a Bin Ladenite republic the likes of which we have not seen since the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan.  A monster is about to be born there.  And some of those armed factions will be engaging in a war against Western targets.  I have seen this movie before.  

Why elections are the least of my priorities in the Middle East

It does not matter anymore.  Do you see why I would never ever consider elections to be a matter of priority? There are tons of real reforms that we need to implement before we reach the point where we can call for free elections.  Cleaning up the economic systems and freeing our countries from foreign intervention in many forms is the priority.  No elections are meaningful before we first implement changes in the economic and banking systems where a special electoral commission can monitor all banking transactions within a year prior to an election.  There should be strict monitoring in that to ban the transfer of foreign money.  No, An-Nahda did not win in Tunisia: it was not an election between parties.  It was merely a competition between Qatari money (which went for An-Nahda) and between US money (which went to the "liberal" business parties).  Qatari money won against US money.  As simple as that. Just as the last parliamentary election in Lebanon saw a competition between Saudi money and Iranian money (Saudi money won).  It is a sham.

Condoleeza Rice and Emile Lahoud

"After shaking hands with President Émile Lahoud of Lebanon, she writes, she felt as if she needed a shower. "  Let me guess: she did not feel the need the take a shower after shaking hands with the most brutal dictators in the region from, say, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and the rest of the pro-US bunch.

David Ignatius on Prince Sultan

I have never seen a reporter who consumes uncritically whatever Arab diplomats (provided they represent the reactionary Arab monarchies aligned with the US and Israel) more than David Ignatius. I read on the plane his latest column on Prince Sultan: he basically said that yes, he took bribes and embezzled but that he was charitable.  Can you imagine that defense in court?

House of Saud can't be prouder

The main headline in the newspaper, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat, the lousy crude and vulgar propaganda mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, has this headline:  "Obama offers condolences over the Crown Prince...and sends Biden to Saudi Arabia."  House of Saud is so touched.  It is an emotional moment.  A monument of bribes is dedicated in his honor in Washington, DC.

Unwanted occupation

"The only major Iraqi political bloc that was willing to speak publicly about a troop extension was the Kurdish alliance which governs the country's north and has long had a testy relationship with Maliki and the country's Sunni and Shia populations. But even Kurdish support was far from monolithic: Mahmoud Othman, an independent Kurdish lawmaker considered one of the most pro-American members of parliament, said in a recent interview that he wanted the U.S. troops out.
"Personally, I no longer want them to stay," Othman said. "It's been eight years. I don't think having Americans stay in Iraq will improve the situation at all. Leaving would be better for them and for us. It's time for us to go our separate ways.""  Don't be hurt, please.  But you are not welcome in Iraq.

Leila Fadel does not like Arab communists

So she decided to exclude them from her catalogue of political parties in Tunisia.

The Washington Post said that Hillary "chided" countries in Central Asia on human rights

Here is the exact words.  Is this chiding??  "“Countries that make reforms to give their people the opportunities for political and economic participation that they demand and deserve will thrive,” Clinton told a town hall meeting in Dushanbe, the Tajik capital. “Those who do not will fall behind.”"

This is a new dangerous form of terrorism: eggs and tomato

This is unacceptable.  After being subjected to another round of terrorist tomatoes and eggs last week in Maydan quarter in Damascus, the US has recalled its ambassador after he received more tomatoes and eggs threats to his life. Eggs and tomatoes is the new weapon of choice for the Middle East most horrific terrorists.

Mel Gibson: stay out of our Palestinian cause

So Al-Quds Al-Arabia did an interview with Mel Gibson.  The Palestinian reporter introduced himself to Gibson as Palestinian.  Gibson responded: you have suffered so much.  Let me say this: our precious Palestinian cause does not need, nor does it deserve, unrepentant anti-Semites to pollute our cause.  We don't need such friends to the cause.  

From Washington

I will appear on Aljazeera's Min Washington program tomorrow at 7:00AM California time.  I will talk about Libya, I think.  

Pragmatic Prince Nayif

Read this headline in the New York Times about Prince Nayif.  Read the description of him as "pragmatic."  You read the article and you realize that the description did not come from some detached analysis of the Prince, but from a US diplomatic cable from Wikileaks.  

protesters against Ghannushi

This is not in the Western press, it seems.  Protesters yesterday yelled "terrorist" against Ghannushi and urged him to leave the country.  (thanks Mohammad)

US in Kenya

Look at the headline of this article:  "Kenya Says Western Nations Join Fight in Somalia, as U.S. Denies Role".   But the text does not contain such a denial of a role, it merely denies air strikes:  "but emphasized that there had been “no U.S. military strikes in Somalia at all recently.”"

Polygamy is back in NATO Libya

In the hard copy of the New York Times, they did NOT even mention the reference by NATO rebels to their insistence on restoring polygamy:  "“We are an Islamic country,” he said as the sun descended. “We take the Islamic religion as the core of our new government. The constitution will be based on our Islamic religion.”  Among other things, he promised that Islamic banks would be established in the new Libya. He also talked of lifting restrictions on the number of women Libyan men can marry, The Associated Press reported."  The last line was added in the on-line version.

The Lebanese in the Saudi press

Read this translated article by Ghassan Sharbil, editor-in-chief of Al-Hayat (the mouthpiece of Prince Khalid bin Bribe bin Sultan).  (thanks Rudy)

Walid Jumblat on Prince Sultan

Nobody I know bows down lower than Walid Jumblat before oil potentates.  We remember his days with Qadhdafi.  Here he writes about King Abdullah and Prince Sultan, although the Saudi king officially cut off ties with him when he joined the Miqati government, and Jumblat has been humiliatingly and desperately trying to beg for an audience with the King.   

Qadhdafi sodomized?

This is a video footage of Qadhdafi being sodomized by NATO democratic rebels. (thanks Farah)

US is outraged that Syria may be using US technology in censoring and monitoring: but look at the biggest customers of the company

I really hate it when US government feigns moral outrage: it never fails to (not) disguise hypocrisy and deception.  So the company, Blue Coat, categorically denied that it had ever sold technology materials to Syria but bragged about its customers:  "The company’s biggest customer in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia, with major sales in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen, according to a Blue Coat news release.

This is a world record: meet the new NATO republic of Libya

Look how many prisoners they have managed to amass:  "Nearly 7,000 prisoners of war are packed into dingy, makeshift jails around Libya, where they have languished for weeks without charges and have faced abuse and even torture, according to human rights groups and interviews with the detainees."

US is outraged

Egypt insists on not allowing the US fund unregistered organizations in Egypt.  US, of course, believes no democracy can be established without its money funding whomever it likes.  It is a matter of democratic principle for the US.  Can you imagine the scandal if China is found to be funding parties and organizations in the US?

Burhan Ghalyun and Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

This is sad. I have liked and respected secular Burhan Ghalyun.  What is a man like him doing with the religious demagogue (and tool of Gulf money), the reactionary tele-Islamist, Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. (thanks anonymous)

Burhan Ghalyun

My latest weekly article for Al-Akhbar:  "[Burhan] Ghalyun, Democracy, and Rational Colonialism"

Mourning the Prince of Bribes

"Pour le président américain Barack Obama, les Etats-Unis ont perdu un "ami précieux". Le prince héritier avait "fermement soutenu le partenariat profond et durable" entre l'Arabie saoudite et les Etats-Unis, a souligné Barack Obama. La secrétaire d'Etat américaine, Hillary Clinton, a affirmé que le prince héritier serait"regretté". "Notre relation avec l'Arabie saoudite est forte et durable, et nous comptons continuer à travailler avec la direction (saoudienne) pour de nombreuses années à venir", a-t-elle souligné. Les deux responsables américains ont présenté leurs condoléances au roi Abdallah et au peuple d'Arabie saoudite...
Pour le président américain Barack Obama, les Etats-Unis ont perdu un "ami précieux". Le prince héritier avait "fermement soutenu le partenariat profond et durable" entre l'Arabie saoudite et les Etats-Unis, a souligné Barack Obama. La secrétaire d'Etat américaine, Hillary Clinton, a affirmé que le prince héritier serait"regretté". "Notre relation avec l'Arabie saoudite est forte et durable, et nous comptons continuer à travailler avec la direction (saoudienne) pour de nombreuses années à venir", a-t-elle souligné. Les deux responsables américains ont présenté leurs condoléances au roi Abdallah et au peuple d'Arabie saoudite."

shocking: the occupiers are not welcome in Iraq

"More than 1 million Americans have served in Iraq, and almost 4,500 lost their lives there. Now the Iraqis have given the U.S. military an unequivocal message: Go home.

Eight years after U.S. troops overthrew Saddam Hussein, there is little enthusiasm among people on the street for a sustained U.S. presence.

And although some Iraqis undoubtedly fear that the U.S. withdrawal could lead to greater instability, others — notably the lawmakers elected after the U.S.-enabled democratic transition — appear to think that a quick U.S. departure is about the best thing that could happen."

The Arab counter-revolution funds An-Nahda

"“Everybody says that Ennahda is backed by money from the Arabian gulf,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, the founder of the liberal Democratic Modernist Pole coalition, calling the outsize influence of foreign money a threat to Tunisia’s “fragile democracy.”

Though Ennahda’s sources of financing have not been disclosed, its resources are evident. The first party to open offices in towns across the country, Ennahda soon blanketed Tunisia with fliers, T-shirts, signs and bumper stickers. Unlike other parties here, it operates out of a gleaming high-rise in downtown Tunis, gives away professionally published paperbacks in several languages to lay out its platform, distributes wireless headsets for simultaneous translation at its news conferences and hands out bottled water to the crowds at rallies.

Alarmed at the flood of money, the commission overseeing the political transition sought last June to impose rules limiting campaign spending, banning foreign contributions and even barring candidates from giving interviews to foreign-owned news media, a move thought to be aimed mainly at thwarting the potential of the Qatar-owned network Al Jazeera to favor Ennahda candidates.

Ennahda party members have sponsored local charitable events like a recent group wedding for eight couples in the town of Den Den, or giveaways of meat for the feast at the end of Ramadan...

In response, Ennahda withdrew its representative on the commission." 

Lousy statements by a Palestinian billionaire: Muib Al-Masri

He is calling for a state because he believes it is good for Israel:  "Our commitment to the survival of Israel ought not to be interpreted as surrender of our interests and legitimate hopes; however, I intend to clear up any ambiguity or fear that could cloud the atmosphere and hamper our strenuous efforts to negotiate a definite peace with Israel...For this and to ensure the very survival of Israel - which we will all respect - we need a viable state and the conditions to make that state develop and prosper. We hope that Israel and all the people of the world will help us achieve this noble and very deserving endeavor, as it will set the conditions for a more lasting peace in the whole Middle Eastern region..." (thanks Krim)

mini-Hariri and Prince Sultan

"“Lebanese have lost a dear brother and a loyal friend, who has helped Lebanon throughout the toughest times and worked with his brothers to extend a helping hand to [Lebanon's] people and country,” he added.  “With the loss of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia his Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Al Saud, one of Saudi Arabia’s flags has been folded, [and the page has been turned on] a brilliant Arab character who has played a prominent role in shouldering the responsibilities of the nation and its leadership,” he said."  Hariri expressed his deep sorrow and pain for the death of the Saudi crown prince and offered his condolences to the royal family and the Saudi people. " (thanks "Ibn Rushd")

Qatar and Prince Sultan

You may have noticed that Aljazeera's coverage of Prince Sultan is rather reserved (at least on the website as I am traveling and I have not been watching Aljazeera) despite the Saudi-Qatari alliance.  The reason is that Prince Sultan and Prince Salman were opposed to putting an end to the Saudi-Qatari feud, unlike Prince Nayif who called for it to end Aljazeera's role in agitating against the Kingdom.  

How to give the people--I mean, the princes--a wider voice

"Traditionally the king names his successor. King Abdullah formed the council in order to modernise the process and give a wider voice in the choice." (thanks Laleh)

Americans can't understand that the Iraqis really really want US occupiers to go

"For the first time in decades, Iraqis face a future on their own, with neither Saddam Hussein's iron fist nor the United States' military might to hold them together. This has been both their dream and nightmare: They wanted American troops (the occupiers) to go, but they wanted American troops (the protectors) to stay." (thanks Nir)

Ghassan Sharbil on Prince Sultan

You may understand my revulsion at the Saudi (and Saudi-financed Arab) press by reading the obituaries that are published on the death of Prince Sultan.  They will cause you nausea or worse.  One obituary after another is being vomited by the Arabs in the Saudi-financed press.  Look at the editor-in-chief of Al-Hayat, Ghassan Sharbil, how he eulogizes the prince.  The words border on love poetry.   Not to be out done, Jihad Khazin (with a history of decades of service to the House of Saud) describes how he sat at the edge of his bed when Sultan was sick.  If I had the opportunity to get as close to him as Khazin did, there are million things that I would have done--to him, not for him.  If House of Saud did not have the oil wealth, they would have been the joke of the Arab world.

Gene Sharp

I may have to stand corrected.  Maybe Gene Sharp was the real inspiration for Arab youths after all.  (thanks Laure)

Fu'ad Sanyurah on the death of Prince Sultan bin Bribes

I need a volunteer to translate this passage for me: Fu'ad Sanyurah offers his pathetic condolences to the House of Saud:  "لسنيورة
وقال رئيس كتلة "المستقبل" الرئيس فؤاد السنيورة، في برقيته الى خادم الحرمين الشريفين: "تبلغت بأسى وحزن، خبر وفاة شقيقكم وولي عهدكم صاحب السمو الملكي نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء، وزير الدفاع والطيران والمفتش العام، الأمير سلطان بن عبد العزيز آل سعود. لقد شكلت وفاة المغفور له "سلطان الخير"، خسارة كبيرة للمملكة العربية السعودية ولعائلته الكريمة وللأمتين العربية والإسلامية، لما كان يمثله الراحل من قدوة في الأخلاق والسلوك الخير من جهة، والموقف الحازم والدقيق من جهة ثانية، طوال الفترة التي أمضاها في المناصب الرسمية التي عمل فيها وساهم في إرساء أسس الدولة السعودية على ما هي عليه من مسؤولية ووقار وقوة وإحترام. كما أن الأعمال الخيرة التي قام بها ساهمت في إرساء نهج لطالما عرفت به العائلة السعودية الكريمة والمملكة العربية السعودية. نرجو من الله أن يتغمد الفقيد الكبير برحمته ويسكنه الفسيح من جناته"."


BK kindly translated:  "…. And the leader of Al –Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc said “ with pain and deep sorrow I received the news of the passing of your dear brother (The dog, kalb ibis kalb ache kalb) your crown prince his Royal Highness deputy prime minister, minister of defense and air-force, the general inspector his highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Al-Saud. The death of the forgiven “Sultan of goodness” has resulted a great loss to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his family , the Arab world and Islamic world for what this man had represented in good manors and charity, firm and accurate positions (sexual I guess) he had demonstrated during his official posts and the role in establishing foundation of The Kingdom that reflects humbleness, power and respect during his life. Also, the charity work that he undertook help in the establishment of a policy that long has been associated with the generous Saudi family and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We ask GOD to behold his soul forgive him and place him in his grand haven.”"

Egyptian writer Anis Mansur

My latest post for Al-Akhbar English:  "The Passing of Anis Mansur".

So are US troops really leaving Iraq? Here are the numbers (unclassified)

So compare this headline of the Washington Post with the text of the story.  Headline:  "All U.S. troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011."  Now the text of the story:  
"As a result, only a contingent of fewer than 200 Marines assigned to help protect the large U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad will remain...About 16,000 U.S. diplomats and civilian contractors will remain posted in Iraq."  I like that the 16,000 figure did not distinguish between those who are diplomats and those who are mercenaries--I mean, "civilian contractors."  

Pictures of Qadhdhafi

It was hilarious: Western and Saudi media took care to publish those pictures of Qadhdhafi when he was seen with Castro, Chavez, and even Soviet leaders.  But As-Safir did the reverse: it published his pictures with Western leaders.  

Sami Gemayyel and Shi`ites

The questions are silly but this one is amusing:
"On another note, when was the last time you visited a Shia village or town? 
Gemayel: Honestly, I have never been invited to visit a Shia village, but I would gladly go. We are ready to visit any Lebanese region when anyone invites us. But we do not like to impose our presence anywhere."

Syrian revolution...my potato

The official site of the so-called "Syrian Revolution" offer sincere condolences for the death of Prince Sultan.  This site represents the Ikhwan-liberal leadership of the so-called revolution.  You want me to support such a movement that is guided by the House of Saud? Read the comments in praise of Sultan.  I will oppose this movement as fiercely as I oppose the Ba`thist regime.  This in no way diminish my support for the popular uprising against the Syrian regime.  (thanks Alamin)

If this was engineered by Muslims, all Muslims would have faced expulsion from the US

“It’s such a normal thing for us that women and men are separate,” she said. “Most of the ladies go to the back.”

The B110 bus, which runs between Williamsburg and Borough Park, has been run by Private Transportation Corporation since 1973, under a franchise with the city. And to many in the area, the bus’s tradition of separation comes with little surprise or indignation.

But this week, the bus’s practices gained widespread publicity after The New York World, a Columbia Journalism School publication, reported that a female rider was told by other riders that she had to leave the front. The story was quickly picked up by bloggers and even came to the attention of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg." (thanks Sarah)

burial of Prince Sultan

I contacted the House of Saud to offer condolences.  I even offered to bury Prince Sultan with my own hands, provided I am permitted to bury with him the King and the rest of the living princes of the House of Saud.  My offer is being studied.  More later.  

Judge Cassese

So Judge Cassese died of cancer.  A reader wanted me to post that because I linked to an article in Al-Akhbar which speculated that ill health was not the real reason for his stepping down two weeks ago.  So it was.  Israel will miss him.  

Hillary Clinton on the death of Prince Sultan

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed American condolences, and her British counterpart William Hague said he was saddened to hear of the death. Britain’s Prince Charles sent his condolences in a personal letter to the Saudi king.

“The crown prince was a strong leader and a good friend to the United States over many years as well as a tireless champion for his country. He will be missed,” Clinton said from Tajikistan on a Central Asia tour. “Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is strong and enduring and we will look forward to working with the leadership for many years to come.”" (thanks "Ibn Rushd")