Posted in America, Democracy, Egypt, Europe, Hezbollah, Hitler, Iran, Islam, Jordan, Judaism, Lebanon, Nazi Germany, Palestinians, Peace, Religion, War fighting on Feb 7th, 2007
At the ripe old age of 90, Barnard Lewis has seen a lot, and the part of the ‘lot’ that we are interested in is Iran.
True, he’s controversial, and he’s stuck his foot in a lot smelly topics and come away with a bad smell himself… But, his insight is incredible. So many of his predictions have come true that you begin to wonder at some latent psychic power. He’s not perfect, mind you. Just good. Very.
Why do I bring up Professor Emeritus Lewis now? Because he’s been speaking and writing on Iran, and echoing quite a few things that I’ve been saying here. More than that, he has been breaking new ground, even for me.
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This is a preview of
The Iranians do not expect to be attacked
.
Read the full post (340 words, 19 images, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)At the ripe old age of 90, Barnard Lewis has seen a lot, and the part of the ‘lot’ that we are interested in is Iran.
True, he’s controversial, and he’s stuck his foot in a lot smelly topics and come away with a bad smell himself… But, his insight is incredible. So many of his predictions have come true that you begin to wonder at some latent psychic power. He’s not perfect, mind you. Just good. Very.
Why do I bring up Professor Emeritus Lewis now? Because he’s been speaking and writing on Iran, and echoing quite a few things that I’ve been saying here. More than that, he has been breaking new ground, even for me.
----------------
This is a preview of
The Iranians do not expect to be attacked
.
Read the full post (340 words, 19 images, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)Read Full Post »
Haq al-Awda.
Sounds like a disease, or at least something that your Mom told you to stop doing on the sidewalk.
Well, it IS a disease, one of many social diseases afflicting the Arab soul.
It means, “the right of return” – for Palestinians.
In most Western countries, we let refugees become a part of our populations. We try to integrate them. The tired, poor, and huddled masses that wash up on our shores energize us, making our economies powerful. They bring new insights and a willingness to work hard. Their hopes and aspirations result in businesses and services. Their culture enlivens our towns and cities.
Haq al-Awda.
Sounds like a disease, or at least something that your Mom told you to stop doing on the sidewalk.
Well, it IS a disease, one of many social diseases afflicting the Arab soul.
It means, “the right of return” – for Palestinians.
In most Western countries, we let refugees become a part of our populations. We try to integrate them. The tired, poor, and huddled masses that wash up on our shores energize us, making our economies powerful. They bring new insights and a willingness to work hard. Their hopes and aspirations result in businesses and services. Their culture enlivens our towns and cities.
Read Full Post »
Leaders in the Arab world are worried.
Very.
And, in the international news media, they talk about how worried they are, what they are worried about, and then blame it all on Israeli aggression.
They say that Israel’s war with Hezbollah is radicallizing the ‘Arab street’ (the average Arab) and threatening the stability of the Middle East.
Outside of Israel, stability in the Middle East is a fragile thing.
So, Arab leaders bleet and baa over how terrible Israel is, but I have a question:
Where were they when Iran was delivering missiles to Hezbollah via Syria?
Leaders in the Arab world are worried.
Very.
And, in the international news media, they talk about how worried they are, what they are worried about, and then blame it all on Israeli aggression.
They say that Israel’s war with Hezbollah is radicallizing the ‘Arab street’ (the average Arab) and threatening the stability of the Middle East.
Outside of Israel, stability in the Middle East is a fragile thing.
So, Arab leaders bleet and baa over how terrible Israel is, but I have a question:
Where were they when Iran was delivering missiles to Hezbollah via Syria?
Read Full Post »
Posted in Islam, Jordan, Palestinians, PLO on Jul 20th, 2006
I love the cynicism and posturing of Arab leaders. They wax eloquent over the brotherhood of Arab and Muslim, while stabbing each other in the back.
In 1967, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the leader of Egypt, started a war he couldn’t win. That much, most people know. What people DO NOT know is that when it became clear that they were losing, Nasser called up the Jordanian King and told him that they were winning. He said that the Arab world would laugh at the Jordanians, if they didn’t get into the fight. King Hussein believed Nasser, and entered the war – and lost badly.
I love the cynicism and posturing of Arab leaders. They wax eloquent over the brotherhood of Arab and Muslim, while stabbing each other in the back.
In 1967, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the leader of Egypt, started a war he couldn’t win. That much, most people know. What people DO NOT know is that when it became clear that they were losing, Nasser called up the Jordanian King and told him that they were winning. He said that the Arab world would laugh at the Jordanians, if they didn’t get into the fight. King Hussein believed Nasser, and entered the war – and lost badly.
Read Full Post »
Posted in Economy, Environment, Jordan, Peace, Society on Jul 13th, 2006
note: Well, having been dumped off of my plane, I get to write the post that I should have written yesterday morning. I will be trying again THIS morning to actually make it on a plane. We’ll see.
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I’ve made the point about the connection between water and war.
But, the point is really more about sophistication. It’s about societal development.
There are A LOT of reasons why societies don’t develop, and it seems that most of them are concentrated in the countries in our neighborhood. Egypt is one of the most corrupt countries on the planet. The Syrians are viciously repressive of their people. The Lebanese are constantly on the brink of civil war.
note: Well, having been dumped off of my plane, I get to write the post that I should have written yesterday morning. I will be trying again THIS morning to actually make it on a plane. We’ll see.
————Â
I’ve made the point about the connection between water and war.
But, the point is really more about sophistication. It’s about societal development.
There are A LOT of reasons why societies don’t develop, and it seems that most of them are concentrated in the countries in our neighborhood. Egypt is one of the most corrupt countries on the planet. The Syrians are viciously repressive of their people. The Lebanese are constantly on the brink of civil war.
Read Full Post »