Middle East Democracy Slowed
Well this is promising. Steps toward democracy in the Arab world, a crucial American goal that just months ago was cause for optimism — with elections held in Iraq, Egypt and the Palestinian areas — are slowing, blocked by legal maneuvers and official changes of heart throughout the Middle East. Analysts and officials say the [...]
...read moreThe Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy
A really interesting policy paper (pdf) evaluating the power of the pro-Israel lobby in influencing U.S. foreign policy. It’s been making some waves, and is definitely worth a read. My thoughts: I can see why this paper is upsetting a lot of people. The authors’ choice of language unfortunately smacks a little too much of [...]
...read morePalestinians Massacred in Iraq
Just so you don’t forget how fucked up things are over there.
...read moreDaily Stupidity
What would international politics be without some nutbag (often godbag) doing something completely inane? Well, friends, today is no exception, as a Pakistani cleric has now offered a $1 million bounty on the head of the cartoonist responsible for those offensive Mohammed illustrations. I wonder if he realizes that the cartoons were drawn by 12 [...]
...read moreFreedom Fries, Meet Roses of the Prophet Mohammad
I can’t wait until the right gets ahold of this story: Iranians have re-named Danish pastries “Roses of the Prophet Mohammad.” And I can’t wait until we can respond to any wingnut criticism with, “Would you like some Freedom Fries with that?” link via Noam.
...read moreBecause You’re Not Sick Enough of Hearing About Those Cartoons
Well, looky. Seems the whole situation with the Danish cartoons isn’t as simple as it appears. Salon has an interesting piece from Jytte Klausen, a Dane, on the whole debacle.
...read moreTranslating Arabic Into Injustice
Take this scenario: NYU grad student works as a translator. He is hired by a local attorney, and translates numerous conversations between her and her client. While doing so, he does research for his graduate dissertation. She breaks a court order, and releases a statement from her client to the public; the translator was never [...]
...read moreMore on religion, free speech, and those cartoons
I touched on this issue a few days ago, focusing mostly on the stupidity of criticizing Muslims’ boycott of Danish products as an assault on free speech. But given the fact that this situation is much broader than just that, I should probably clarify what I actually think. 1. Running the cartoon was racist, bigoted, [...]
...read moreDemocracy Is Great, Until We Don’t Get What We Want
Here’s the problem with democratic elections in the Middle East: The most America-friendly, liberal, secular-minded politician isn’t always going to get elected. So we can support free elections, even if we recognize that we will sometimes be troubled by their outcomes, or we can install dictators and prop up corrupt but America-lovin’ regimes. What do [...]
...read more“America is addicted to oil”
Put this one in the “No shit, Sherlock” file. Bush tells the country during his SOTU that we need to cut dependence on foreign oil. Well, Middle Eastern oil, anyway:
...read moreHamas Continues Its Hard Line
Well this will ruin your morning. The exiled political head of the radical Islamic group Hamas said Saturday in Damascus that the group would adopt “a very realistic approach” toward governing the Palestinian Authority and would work with the Fatah president, Mahmoud Abbas, on an acceptable political program. But the leader, Khaled Meshal, also said [...]
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