Home History Arab Uprisings: Still Writing History

Arab Uprisings: Still Writing History

February 24, 2011

212

(CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LATEST UPDATES AND COMMENTS)

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. The question everyone is asking is, who is next to fall? And, perhaps the remaining dictators hold on to power. While facing many of the same demographics both economic and generational, these autocratic Arab nations are not all the same. However, never before have such widespread uprisings occurred in the Arab world, save maybe for the pan-Arab nationalism of Nasserism in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike that period, which was reacting to the pain and indignity of a legacy of Western colonialism and the creation of the state of Israel, these protests have predominantly been focused internally, on their own leaders.

Bahrain البحرين

Bahrain is a small island kingdom in the Persian Gulf with the rough population of Dallas or San Diego. 54% of that population are non-nationals, coming largely from South Asia. It is perhaps best known in the West for its Grand Prix.

Bahrain’s history is incredibly complex, but has effectively been vied over since the 16^th century by the proximate powers of Persia and Oman, and by the colonial Portuguese. Bahrain has periodically, for centuries at a time, been under Iranian rule since the 6^th century BCE. It is in many ways the Sicily or Malta of the Persian Gulf.

In the late 18^th Century the Al Khalifa family (آل, Āl here means house, and is not hyphenated like al-) of the Bani Utbah tribe wrested control of the island of Bahrain after an invasion from Zubarah in northern Qatar, in 1783. The Bani Utbah tribe was known for trade in dates, and according to legend, the Al Khalifa family is regarded, at least by the Iranians, as nothing but the descendants of pirates and pearl divers.

Regardless their pedigree, the House of Khalifa has ruled Bahrain ever since, with half of all cabinet positions currently filled by its members. In the early 19^th century Bahrain signed a treaty with Britain, making it a protectorate. When Britain withdrew its troops and Bahrain gained independence, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was claiming the island (he had already caused a stir by seizing Abu Musa and the Tunbs from the United Arab Emirates), to which Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa invited the Americans to set up a naval base. In 1995, it became home to America’s Fifth Fleet.

The royal family is also Sunni in a 70% majority Shi’i country. There has been historical systematic disenfranchisement of the Shi’a, with periodic piecemeal parliamentary reforms since 1995 to appease their grievances. For all the reforms though, there were still revelations like the Bandargate scandal.

Back in 1994 there were widespread protests against the Bahraini government. The government struck back at the Bahrani (native Shi’a population), though it was in reality probably the first populist coalition comprising a whole political spectrum in the Middle East. The Al Khalifas were quick to point a finger to Iran and collaboration between the Qods Force and Bahraini Hizballah in fomenting and organizing protests. The Saudi’s amassed their National Guard on the King Fahd Causeway with the stern ultimatum that they would restore order if Manama couldn’t.

1994 was not without precedent. In 1981, the new Revolutionary government of Khomeini’s Iran had created the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution, with a mind on exporting the revolution throughout the region. 150 Shi’a plotting a coup were broken up in Bahrain that year. In 1997, after continued civil unrest, 36 people were convicted, after forced televised confessions of a similar plot. And the coup fears did not end there. This is the most recent from fall 2010.

While Iranian hegemonic aspirations and perceived entitlement to their “14^th Province” should provoke reasonable suspicion, to brush off a populist uprising in the 1990s and today as such would be exaggerating their influence. The 1990s closed with concessions of reform after the accession of Isa bin Salman by his son, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 1999. In 2002, he declared himself king, dropping the title of emir and reintroduced parliamentary elections.

The current contesting of the royal family’s power brings to mind this prescient warning from Robert Baer’s 2008 book The Devil We Know,

There used to be a saying, “As goes Egypt, so goes the Middle East.” It might be more apt to say, “As goes Bahrain, so goes the Persian Gulf.”

And as Gary Sick has pointed out on PBS Newshour,

You know, Bahrain is tied to Saudi Arabia almost like umbilical cord. There is a causeway that runs across from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, where all of the oil is, and runs over to Bahrain, which is a 70 percent Shia population.

As it happens, the population of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia is also Shia dominantly. And I think the Saudis are really frightened that the kinship relationships between the Shia in Bahrain is going to spill over that causeway and affect the Shia in their country.

It was no accident that some of the stories we heard out of the crackdown in Bahrain at Pearl Roundabout and then at Salmaniya Hospital, including one ambulance driver having a gun held to their head, included accusations of brutal Saudi security involvement. For more on the current situation in Bahrain and its background I recommend this article from Middle East Report.

Libya ليبيا

(Gaddafi Flag)

(Free Libya Flag)

Some grade school kids might know this country because they chose to do a report on it for its easily reproduced flag, designed by the Colonel himself (protesters are using the old flag). Well, Hitler he’s not in the regard to graphic design. In any case I’ll try my best to do better than a school report in a cursory history of the nation. ليبيا, lībiyā, by the way, is not a true palindrome, but ain’t it symmetrical?

Neolithic Berbers have lived in what is now Libya since at least the 9^th century BCE. The Phoenicians settled there in the 7th, and established the Punic cities of Oea, Libdah, and Sabratha; collectively known as Τρίπολις, Tripolis, the Three Cities. In the East, the Greeks would in the 7^th century BCE establish Cyrene (near present-day third largest city of Libya, Al-Bayda), and Euesperides (later renamed Berenice, and now the second-largest city of Benghazi). The Romans ruled Libya from the 1^st century BCE until the Vandal conquest in the 5^th century CE. It was an important source of goods and livestock for Rome, including the fabled silphium. From these ancient times three traditional regions are still representative to some extent of Libyan geography: Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. (It is the former Greek eastern part, Cyrenaica, which appears to have fallen out of Gaddafi’s hands.)

After the the Vandals, Libya passed through the hands of the Byzentines until the Arab Islamic Conquest defeated all Berber resistance and was absorbed into the Umayyad then Abbasid Caliphates, and then a series of more localized Arab and Berber kingdoms and caliphates, Sunni and Shi’a (Fatimids). Then followed the Ottomans, Barbary states (of Marine Hymn fame), Ottomans again, and Italians (including Erwin Rommel and the Siege of Tobruk). Modern Libya gained independence after World War II with King Idris assuming power from 1951 to 1969 until in a bloodless coup d’état, the 27 year old Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and his officers toppled the king. (a note on the transliteration of Gaddafi’s name here, and here. I once had a flow chart, but let’s just say معمر القذافي‎ is the easiest way to spell it.)

The new silphium was black gold, discovered in 1959. As a result of distributing the wealth from that oil, Gaddafi can actually take credit for the highest human development index score in Africa. What Gaddafi can’t take credit for is being a champion of democracy or toleration of dissent, and his rule has been marked by torture and internal assassinations. The Telegraph‘s Con Coughlin writes,

Indeed, the current unrest was provoked by the arrest earlier this week of a prominent human rights lawyer who was campaigning on behalf of the families of the Libyan prisoners who were killed during the infamous revolt at Abu Salim prison in 1996. Even by the standards of the regime’s well-documented brutality, the events at Abu Salim were horrific.

And don’t forget the egomaniacal hallmarks. For example, like Mao Zedong’s Little Red Book and Saparmurat Niyazov’s Ruhnama, Gaddafi has his Green Book. It is so iconic to his rule that toppling representations of them in Benghazi has become a symbol of this February 17 uprising.

The rest is relatively well known, especially as regarding Libyan-US relations. Lockerbie, UTA Flight 722, the Berlin disco bombing of 1986, and more, including the near decade war with Chad. Not only has Gaddafi supported and contracted terrorism, but he regretted losing his good friends Ben Ali and Mubarak, which is highly ironic coming from someone who gained power as an uncompromising revolutionary. His government is a bare bones dictatorship with little pretense of political freedom. Gaddafi is the Supreme Guide of the Revolution, there are no parties.

Before this uprising, perhaps the most intrigue in Libya was the intense rivalry between Gaddafi sons Muatassim and Saif al-Islam over succession of their father; or parties with Beyoncé and a voluptuous Ukranian nurse. On Sunday, Febraury 20^th, it seemed Saif was the true chip off the old blockhead when he gave a rambling speech which could have come from no less than Glenn Beck’s mentally unbalanced conspiracies: ‘Zionists are feeding the kids LSD to establish an Islamist emirate’ was the basic gist of it.

The crackdown and militant nature of the protesters in Libya is so far unprecedented in the Arab revolts. The death tolls and videos are truly horrific. And the military and tribal alliances of the state are fracturing, though tribal identity should not necessarily be overplayed. Indeed, the army has also long been kept weak on purpose, with Gaddafi relying instead on militias loyal to him and mercenaries.

It might be a good time for Gaddafi’s virginal Amazonian Guards to take their lipstick and run. However this turns out, I don’t think Gaddafi will go to The Hague willingly.

Yemen اليمن

Yemen is an incredibly ancient land, originally home exclusively to Semitic peoples, the Sabaeans mentioned in the Qur’an, and according to legend, often tied to Sheba of the Bible. The Abbysinian (Ethiopian) Kebra Nagast even adds to this legend. And coffee lovers, according to another legend, you have Yemeni Sufis to thank for that buzz, as well as the port city of Mocha.

Since ancient times, Yemen has been at the crossroads of a spice route and under the rule of local kingdoms like the Himyarites, and foreign powers such as the Abbysinians, Persians (Sassanids), Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, briefly the Portuguese, and the Ottomans. In a line of imperialists, the British Colony of Aden there is perhaps most well known to modern readers. To the East India Company and British Empire, Aden also provided a much needed geostrategic link to India, as well as a way to stanch piracy through the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. From this colonial outpost we get the “Barren Rocks of Aden”, so called because of the geology of the town.

To quote Arthur Rimbaud, the French wunderkind poet turned explorer, trader, and even gun runner,

You have no idea what it’s like here. There isn’t a single tree, not even a withered one, not a single blade of grass, patch of earth or drop of fresh water. Aden is the crater of an extinct volcano the bottom of which is filled with sea-sand. There’s absolutely nothing to see or touch except lava and sand which are incapable of producing the tiniest scrap of vegetation. The environs are an absolutely arid desert of sand. Here, however, the walls of the crater prevent the air from entering, and we roast at the bottom of this hole as if in a limekiln.

It should be noted that Rimbaud was a broken man at this time, and when he wrote of being a prisoner of Aden, I think he also felt a prisoner of himself, and of his past fame. Nevertheless, it is also a vivid image of Aden, however bleak or unfair. This was no paradise. It is definitely not Ta’izz or the island of Socotra.

In 1963 a revolution began which overthrew the British Protectorates of South Arabia. By 1967 they gained their independence, and three years later in 1970 founded the Communist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, or, South Yemen. It’s capital was Aden. In 1990, North and South Yemen were united.

Sana’a was the capital of North Yemen, and is the current capital of united Yemen where most of the protests are happening in the other Tahrir Square. It’s high elevation gives it one of the mildest temperatures in the region, and that’s probably a factor for it being continuously inhabited since the 6^th century BCE.

The North’s history wasn’t as mild as Sana’a’s climate though. It too had a civil war from 1962 until 1970, when the Mutawakkilite Kingdom was overthrown. It was a Cold War struggle with the royalist Saudis backing King Muhammad Al-Badr and the Socialist Nasser government aligned with the republicans in what in effect was a proxy war. It was to be to Egypt what Vietnam was to America in terms of losses, though their side ended up victorious.

After unification, the Southern leader Ali Salim al-Bayd, who had been acting as Vice President, pulled out in 1993 citing unresolved grievances. The South seceded and another civil war, this time between the Northern and Southern Yemeni factions began in 1994. President Ali Abdullah Saleh would come out victorious, with the backing of the Saudis, and he has been the strongman of the Republic of Yemen ever since, though encountering another Southern insurgency in 2009-2010.

But the complexity of Yemen doesn’t end there. It is also home to a significant Shi‘a population, of the Zaidi sect, also known as the Fivers, which form up to 45% of the population in Yemen (President Saleh himself is Zaidi, but not sectarian). The Zaidis are centered in the northwest of the country.

In 2004 there was a Shi’i insurgency, known as the Houthis, after their commander Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi. In what became another proxy war, Saudi Arabia again supported the Yemeni government against the Houthis, themselves allegedly backed by the Iranian Qods Force. The grievances of the Sa’dah-based Houthis were in part due to the neglect they felt from Wahhabi inflence in Sana’a’s policies.

On the other side of the sectarian divide is Abdul Majeed al-Zindani and the Islamist (Salafi) Al-Islah Party, the main opposition to President Saleh and active in organizing the current protests against him. Add to this Zindani’s connections to Al-Qa’ida and the presence of the American national Anwar al-Maliki and other active radical Sunni clerics bent on the pro-Western government’s fall, and there are valid concerns for Western intelligence analysts.

President Saleh’s promise to step down may be too little too late. He made that same promise before the 2006 presidential election, as well. Back then, a united front of Al-Islah and the Socialists stood behind Faisal bin Shamlan, a technocrat. They were defeated in an election marred by violence and fraud.

What should be evident by now is that of all the countries in revolt, Yemen remains my biggest question mark. While Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is warning of a civil war in Libya, I hold more concern about Yemen, which is a veritable powder keg. However; the possibility of failed state status for both is very real.

Conclusion

(or the lack thereof)

I haven’t attempted to cover the current protests or fluid developments in the article itself. There is simply too much information coming out all the time. Below, as with my previous Egypt article, I will instead offer daily updates in the regular posting of comments.

Also welcome are your own updates, comments and links, including any information on other countries. I’m still monitoring developments and situations in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan, Kuwait and even Djibouti! Furthermore, the stories of Tunisia and Egypt aren’t over yet, either. Here is an interactive map of countries affected.

What is evident is that the toppling of Mubarak on February 11th has reinvigorated the Arab protests (I’m still treating Iran slightly differently). A slogan made famous in Tahrir Square, Cairo, can be heard rising into the air of these countries, as well.

الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام

Ash-sha’b yurīd isqāt an-niẓām

The people demand an end to the regime

925

Leave a Comment

Please Login to comment

newest oldest most voted

Author

Khirad

CIV – Friday / الجمعة

Syria

Thanks Iran, Russia and China for helping murder our women and children!
[img]http://www.enduringamerica.com/storage/2011%200624%20Homs%20thnx2iranchinarussia.jpg[/img]

Syria protesters ‘shot outside mosque’
Reports of 15 deaths in protests across country, including six said to have been shot as they left a mosque in Damascus.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011624133653746255.html

EU expands sanctions against Syria
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162494326219146.html

Davutoğlu, Syria FM talk about troops at border
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=davutoglu-syria-fm-talk-about-troops-at-border-2011-06-23

Some 600 displaced people broke through the barbed wire marking the frontier and advanced into Turkish territory on a road used by Turkish border guards, a few kilometers from the Turkish village of Guveççi.

They were flanked by Turkish paramilitary police vehicles and minibuses, called apparently to ferry the refugees to tent cities the Turkish Red Crescent has erected in the border province of Hatay.

Turkish and Syrian forces in tense cross-border standoff [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8595030/Turkish-and-Syrian-forces-in-tense-cross-border-standoff.html

Turkey tells Bashar al-Assad to cease Syria repression [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/23/syria-bashar-al-assad-turkey-refugees

Thousands of refugees from Syria, including soldiers, flee to Turkey
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/110624/syria-turkey-refugees-news-protests-assad

Thank you Turkey!

Arwa Damon, one of two journalists in Damascus, issues this report
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/06/23/tsr.damon.syria.damascus.cnn?iref=allsearch

Her tweets from yesterday
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/06/23/syria-it-feels-as-if-syria-is-two-countries-with-two-different-realities/

Friday vids

Damascus, street fighting men

Tearing down Bashar’s picture in Midan section

Homs

Hama

A coffin for Bashar in Hama

Latakia

Idlib

Qamishli

Dera’a

Aleppo

Here’s a map showing where protests occurred to give you the bigger picture of these videos
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=253828

Libya

Hooray! Dennis Kucinich says there would have been no massacre on Hardball with Ron Reagan! Thanks Dennis. And yes, Dennis, why didn’t we go into these other countries (besides the Arab League and UN). And Howard the Hack and even Ron, who I generally like, keep on forgetting the whole little UN part.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh! I’m shouting at the frigging TV screen!!! I want to slap them all for being so disingenuous.

Hey Dennis, imagine what would have happened to Benghazi.

Satellite imagery tells Misurata story
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/interactive/2011/06/201161962512617429.html

That being said, yeah Obama should have gone to Congress. But there’d still be whining.

Libya rebels ‘in secret talks’ with Tripoli underground
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13898754

Consider the source, and dampen expectations, but still, a few details, if true, jump out:

Mr Belhaj thinks that there are signs that those opposed to the Libyan leader are growing less fearful and that the regime is weakening. He cites reports from government workers, who say they have turned up to work and found the officials in charge have vanished.

He says others report that the number of pro-Gaddafi militia on street patrols seems to be declining, as though they have been pulled off for duties elsewhere.

“We are 100% sure there will be an uprising in Tripoli, the only thing is the timing,” says Mr Belhaj.

Libyan rebels have admitted they had held communications with Col Muammar Gaddafi through South African and French mediators in an attempt to persuade the dictator to stand down. [H/T Kalima]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8594957/Libyan-rebels-holding-indirect-talks-with-Col-Gaddafi-over-stepping-down.html

This time, from a different Cockburn brother

Amnesty questions claim that Gaddafi ordered rape as weapon of war
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/amnesty-questions-claim-that-gaddafi-ordered-rape-as-weapon-of-war-2302037.html

Who knows, maybe they’ll be proven right, but it still makes my stomach a little sick to see how they twist themselves in knots to downplay Gaddafi.

Tripoli opposition waits for its moment
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/tripoli-opposition-waits-moment-151051571.html

U.S. Says Gadhafi Might Flee Tripoli
http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/06/u-s-says-gadhafi-might-flee-tripoli/

Turkish company denies sale of rations to Libya
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkish-company-allegedly-sells-food-rations-to-libyan-forces-2011-06-24

Libya: House Rejects Obama Authorizing U.S. Strikes, Threatens to Cut Funding
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-rejects-authorizing-us-libya-threatens-cut-funding/story?id=13923365

Yemen

Very interesting – al-Qaeda!

Investigators: More than one bomb in Yemen attack
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/23/yemen.unrest/index.html

Okay, it wasn’t about al-Qaeda, but there’s no way to get attention to Yemen without mentioning al-Qaeda, it’s a gawdammed media rule.

Vids from today – totally boring, not at all impressive in their size or fervency – wait! I think I see some al-Qaeda, quick let’s cover it!

Sana’a

Dhamar

If you look carefully, I think you can see al-Qaeda here in Ta’izz, think of it as Where’s Waleed the Terrorist.
http://twitpic.com/5g2nc6

Ah, there’s the crack rock the US media was waiting for, after completely silly mass protests yet again {{{yawn}}} across Yemen:

Car bomb kills 3 security personnel in south Yemen
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110624/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen

Oh yeah, that hit the spot. Got that fear fix.

Bahrain

Bahraini activist’s father jailed for life [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/bahrain-activist-zainab-al-khwaja

Tear gas in Daih

Saudi Arabia

A Five-Star Retirement Home for Dictators
Welcome to sunny Saudi Arabia, land of fallen tyrants.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/23/a_five_star_retirement_home_for_dictators

Egypt

Egypt parties rush to register
Just five months after the revolution, 80 political parties are already in the making.
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/06/201162321513423532.html

Egypt’s left threatens ‘million-strong’ protest to stop Islamists winning power [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/23/egypt-activists-tahrir-square-elections

Muslim Brotherhood youth break away to form new political party
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/egypt-brotherhood-youth-breakaway-to-form-political-party.html

Egypt: A Decade of Street Activism Discussed at Tweet Nadwa
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/06/23/egypt-a-decade-of-street-activism-focus-of-tweet-nadwa/

Egyptian court sentences 3 men convicted of spying for Israel
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/23/egypt.israeli.spy.ring/index.html

Revolutionary chic and bling, like it.

Cultural revolution in Cairo
Young Egyptians display pride at their country’s revolution through art and music.
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/2011624163422133769.html

Tunisia

Tunisia politician warns against delaying elections [H/T Kalima]

Rached Ghannouchi, leader of main Islamist party in Tunisia, says former elite is trying to ‘escape the ballot box’

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/23/tunisia-politician-warns-delaying-elections

Free, but Unemployed, in Tunisia
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/world/africa/23iht-M23-TUNISIA-JOBS.html

Tunisia joins International Criminal Court
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/24/tunisia.icc/index.html

Kuwait

Mentioned Kuwait’s no-confidence vote yesterday.

Kuwait: PM Wins Vote … Faces New Grilling
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110624075521/Kuwait_PM_Wins_Vote__Faces_New_Grilling

Jordan

Jordan to produce yellowcake by 2020
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110624081239/Jordan_to_produce_yellowcake_by_2020

Palestine/Israel/Lebanon

No more perks for Palestinian prisoners, says Prime Minister Netanyahu
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/israel-no-more-perks-for-palestinian-prisoners-says-prime-minister-netanyahu.html

Israel cheers Apple’s decision to pull app
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/06/23/israel.palestinian.application/index.html

Hezbollah ‘captures CIA spies’
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162418573358725.html

Iran

Vali Nasr: Showdown in Tehran

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is fighting for his political survival. But that doesn’t mean his clerical enemies will be the winners.

One only needs to read the second page to get to the point:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/23/showdown_in_tehran?page=0,1

A report by the Parliament’s Article 90 Commission on violations of constitution by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be read out in the Majlis open session this week.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/186071.html

Iran giving out condoms for criminals to rape us, say jailed activists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/24/jailed-iran-opposition-activists-rape

Turkey

A cooling of tensions?

Israel: ‘Convince Hamas and we’ll kiss your hand’
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=8216convince-hamas-and-we8217ll-kiss-your-hand8217-2011-06-23

Sudan

Palin reportedly cancels Sudan trip
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20073673-503544.html

Security concerns, or Palin flaking out again? You decide.

—

H/T EAWorldView

—

C’mon, I gave multiple choice. Someone take a stab at this week’s trivia? a, b, c, d, or e? 😀

Admin

Kalima

I did on MB because when I come here, my mouse freezes and I get the multi coloured spinning ball.

Author

Khirad

Hmm, yes, indeed, That is a concern. I’ve been ruminating starting a new one like you do. It gets really gummy loading and I try to limit video as much as possible.

Admin

Kalima

I was going to mention it and think it might be a good idea. You only have to C&P the original post, then ask AdLib to put it in your category on the FP. I’m spinning again. 😯

Author

Khirad

Thanks, I’ve been considering it for some time. It’s been more annoying to me than anyone else.

Admin

kesmarn

Friends, the same thing happens to me! Please repost the trivia question, Khirad. I love trivia games, even though I don’t always get the chance to play them every day.

Author

Khirad

Then it’s settled. People have just been too polite to point out that they’ve been experiencing the same pain in the ass difficulties as me.

It was only yesterday’s, at the bottom.

http://planetpov.com/2011/02/24/arab-uprisings-still-writing-history/#comment-134224

Admin

Kalima

I did mention it briefly in an email last week, but thought it might just be me. It’s probably the volume of the videos, you know that the Music Threads can do the same thing after a certain volume. No problem though, this post and the comment will be there in our archives for anyone to check again.

I haven’t seen this in the list of categories, so when you are ready, drop a line to AdLib and he can put it up for you.

Member

KQµårk 死神

Khirad it’s incredibly sad that the US’ short attention span was too short to pay attention to what is going on with the Syrian people.

Member

bito

“Educated Afghans: Return!”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:

* When a woman gives birth to a girl, seven angels come to the house with lights in their hands. Girls are wonderful gifts given by Allah.
* Women are flowers and men are gardeners. Gardeners have the duty and responsibility to take care of the flowers.
* Women are kind; they are mothers, sisters and wives. So treat them with love.
* If you want to be respected by your wife, treat her with respect.
* If you want your wives to obey you, obey them.
* The key to Janat (paradise) is in your mother’s hands. If your mother is satisfied with you, you can go to paradise. If you sadden your mother, you will never get through.
* Never beat your wife. If you get angry, just throw a flower toward her. Don’t harm her, because Allah will punish you for it.
* Men and women have equal rights to an education.
* When a family asks your daughter’s hand for their son, you have to ask your daughter if she if agrees to the marriage, because she has the right to choose her life partner. Never force your daughter to marry a man chosen by you.

From “The Afghan Women’s Writing Project”

Author

Khirad

Silly women, they think the “Talibs” are interested in learning, facts, and true Islam. 😉

Member

AlphaBitch

Hi Bito: then of course, there is Umar’s take on it, which is beat the shit outta women whenever you can. He was denied the hand of Ayisha’s sister (Mohammed’s fourth, youngest and most favored wife – who became a soldier when he died, mind you) in marriage because of what people believed were his misogynistic ways.

Will send you mail tomorrow. You won’t believe what the Baby Girl, Poosha and Pup are up to!!!1

Member

bito

Hey AB! I saw you and Pup here yesterday but I was “occupied” and unable to reply.
I ran across that quote when I was reading some of the “The Afghan Women’s Writing Project” and thought it was quite nice, no matter who said it or what religion.
Remind the Blov when he gets angry with you he should “throw flowers” at you (remove the thorns and no itch weed or poison ivy blooms, please 😉 )

Author

Khirad

Rightly Guided ‘Umar, huh?

I’ll admit though, I have to watch myself offending Sunnis. I’m saturated mostly with Shi’i perspective.

Author

Khirad

CIII – Thursday / الخميس

General

Comedian Ahmed Ahmed stands up for Arabs’ right to laugh
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/23/ahmed.ahmed.comedy/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Syria

Syria-Turkey border: troops and refugees increase
http://www.euronews.net/2011/06/23/syria-turkey-border-troops-and-refugees-increase/

Ankara has dispatched one of its senior generals to the zone. Turkey has been criticising Syrian President Bashir al-Assad with greater severity lately.

Syrian troops on border – 600 Syrians fled border this morning

Damascus, at the Hassan Mosque last Friday. Watch the red circles when video slows down – you will see knives. No stabbing is actually shown, so it’s not graphic in that regard, but it doesn’t take much imagination to see that stabbing is shown.

‘They Can Only Kill and Hope’
Journey Through a Divided Syria
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,769618,00.html

Aleppo: Syria’s sleeping giant stirs
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/2011623164951401970.html

General strike in Homs today.

And the general strike in Damascus suburb of Douma

And one in Aleppo

(those are the three largest cities)

Foreign minister: Syria ‘will forget Europe exists’ – people forced to attend pro-Assad rallies
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/22/syria.unrest/index.html

Syrian embassy accused of threatening protesters in UK [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/syrian-embassy-accused-threatening-protesters-uk

Jisr al-Shaghour – the Government Story as told by a Foreign Member of the Organized Press Visit
http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=10434&cp=3

A comment which went unnoticed by the usual back and forth there of Bashar defenders:

I have cousins in Jisr who had to flee. Some of them have come back, but the reports through my family grapevine are that things are tough because the town is shut down. They may have to leave again because there is no food.

As for cock-and-bull story from the regime about “armed gangs”, I think it is fantasy. None of my relatives talked about the town being overrun by a “armed gangs”, but there was talk of an army mutiny. The ‘evidence’ presented in the press tour would fit more closely with an army mutiny than with anything else — after all, where exactly are these “armed gangs” based and how are they launching some kind of military operation to seize the town of Jisr, and why on earth would Jisr be such a strategic prize?

http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=10434#comment-257525

Arwa Damon is in Syria. Let’s see if she comes up with some interesting stories.
http://twitter.com/#!/arwaCNN

Libya

Map: Misrata Strategic Situation June 22nd
http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/06/map-misrata-strategic-situation-june-22nd/

Leading defector predicts Qadhafi will quit Libya
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/470958

Abdurrahaman Shalgam, one of the highest-ranking Libyan defectors, told Corriere della Sera TV he believed Qadhafi was negotiating for asylum with either another African country or Belarus.

Gaddafi vows to resist NATO strikes
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/201162210488135496.html

This is for the whining about NATO killing a few civilians (which is horrible):

Libya: Renewed rocket attacks target civilians in Misratah
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/libya-renewed-rocket-attacks-target-civilians-misratah-2011-06-23

“Families in Misratah are once again living in fear of being killed as rockets rain down on their homes and it’s impossible for the terrified residents to find safe shelter,” said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Adviser.

Fourteen-year-old Ibrahim ‘Ali Boushiba was killed and his mother, father and 12-year-old brother Faraj were injured on 20 June when several rockets struck their home in the Rweissat neighbourhood. Images of the rockets’ remains examined by Amnesty International show that it had been packed with ball bearings to maximize injuries.

Clinton bluntly questions Congress on Libya
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/23/501364/main20073626.shtml

And,

William Hague: ‘Libya war cheaper than aid effort’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8593790/William-Hague-Libya-war-cheaper-than-aid-effort.html

Someone has some ‘splainin’ to do:

Turkish rations feeding Gaddafi troops
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/06/2011623114727362763.html

Libyan campaign suffers biggest fracture to date – Italy calls for suspension to hostilities
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8592667/Libyan-campaign-suffers-biggest-fracture-to-date.html

Libyan rebels in Misrata take tough line on foreign media [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/22/libyan-misrata-tough-foreign-media

Bahrain

The King’s Speech (Bahrain edition)

Bahrain opposition slams life terms for Shiite activists
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110623/wl_mideast_afp/bahrainpoliticsunresttrial_20110623112406

Bahrain: Front Line’s Andrew Anderson highlights the denial of justice in the trial of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/15375

Al Wefaq stalls over dialogue
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=308478

Britain and US urged to act after Bahrain arrests eight political activists [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/bahrain/8592345/Britain-and-US-urged-to-act-after-Bahrain-arrests-eight-political-activists.html

Security firing tear gas in Sitra

Yemen

US envoy urges speedy transition in Yemen http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162395528460497.html

Yemen’s economy teeters on collapse
http://yementimes.com/defaultdet.aspx?SUB_ID=36236

Saudi Arabia

Indonesian ban on workers to Saudi Arabia
Moratorium from August 1 reflects Jakarta’s anger over maid’s execution in kingdom last week.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/06/201162383559495252.html

Egypt

Debate rages over Constitution or elections first options
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/14841/Egypt/Politics-/Debate-rages-over-Constitution-or-elections-first-.aspx

Egypt divided over ‘Israeli spy’ Ilan Grapel
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13868160

Iran

Ahmadinejad’s ally ‘arrested’ in Iran
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011623112439803393.html

US imposes economic sanctions on Iran Air
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13897272

Iran to test ‘National Internet’
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/185831.html

—

H/T EAWorldView

—

Last Week’s Trivia was ophthalmologist. Bashar al-Assad was in college studying Ophthalmology.

That makes it 0 for 3 on questions, with no one even fielding a guess so far.

Let me try it this way.

What Arab monarchy has the longest serving dynasty?

a) Saudi Arabia
b) Morocco
c) Jordan
d) Bahrain
e) Oman

Admin

kesmarn

I’m gonna guess Saudi Arabia. I know they’ve been around for a while, but not at all sure they’ve been there the longest.

Author

Khirad

CII – Wednesday / الأربعاء

General

A Long Season of Change Ahead for Every Arab Nation
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1933/a-long-season-of-change-ahead-for-every-arab-natio

The months ahead are likely to be far uglier than the previous six, but it is all too easy to underestimate the significance of what has already happened.

The bottom line remains that the region is in upheaval, and will continue to be so until meaningful change is achieved. The glass, therefore, is decidedly half full.

The end of monarchical exceptionalism
The idea that Arab monarchies enjoy greater legitimacy and stability than their neighbours should finally be put to rest
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/06/2011621155732501502.html

I still kinda think some of them do. Not all monarchies are alike. Kuwait actually has one of the strongest democracies (apart from its policy towards bidun , stateless citizens).

Kuwait opposition vows to work to oust PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110621/wl_mideast_afp/kuwaitpoliticsopposition_20110621080640

Syria

Why is this important? This is a presidential delegation in Hama, leaving (they say) as they are shouted down.

And the woo-woos jump on this bandwagon in 3, 2, 1…

Syria accuses EU of fomenting ‘chaos’
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162294056695333.html

Here’s an example of that fomenting:

Syrie: 100 étudiants arrêtés à Damas
http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/06/22/97001-20110622FILWWW00386-syrie-100-etudiants-arretes-a-damas.php

How dare you report the news!

Hardtalk talks to Bashar’s cousin, who supports democratic freedom:

Syrian president’s cousin: ‘We’re on brink of regional war’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/9519718.stm

Joshua Landis (regime apologist) talks with Ausama Monajed (opposition activist)
http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/36888?in=00:00&out=26:51

EU agrees to extend Syria curbs to include Iranians
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/06/22/idINIndia-57852520110622
US defends participation in Syrian-organized tour
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110621/ap_on_re_us/us_us_syria

Curious move, guys, considering…

Northern Syria deserted thanks to scorched earth campaign
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8590032/Northern-Syria-deserted-thanks-to-scorched-earth-campaign.html

Turkey reacts to Assad’s speech
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/201162216551327806.html

Libya

Arab League chief admits second thoughts about Libya air strikes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/21/arab-league-chief-libya-air-strikes

In an interview with the Guardian in Brussels, Moussa made clear he thought the military campaign would not produce a breakthrough. “You can’t have a decisive ending. Now is the time to do whatever we can to reach a political solution,” he said.

“That has to start with a genuine ceasefire under international supervision. Until the ceasefire, Gaddafi would remain in office … Then there would be a move to a transitional period … to reach an understanding about the future of Libya.”

Asked whether that meant a halt to the Nato air strikes, he said: “A ceasefire is a ceasefire.”

What fatuous nonsense. I don’t have enough time to go over all the things that are wrong with this, and why it’s so disingenuous.

While voicing misgivings about the air campaign, Moussa said the Arab League supported it initially because of Gaddafi’s attacks on civilians.

Hey, Amr, see this next story:

Misurata comes under rocket attack (again)
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/20116227517709193.html

Libya rebels fight for town of Zliten under heavy fire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13867323

Libyan ceasefire would only help Gadhafi, Canadian general says
http://shabablibya.org/news/libyan-ceasefire-would-only-help-gadhafi-canadian-general-says

The bottom line is still this: WHO CAUSES MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES?

NATO or GADDAFI?

Like, duh.

David Cameron: ‘time is on our side, not Gaddafi’s’ [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/8589514/David-Cameron-time-is-on-our-side-not-Gaddafis.html

Good stuff:

The collapse of Gadhafi’s Jamahiriya is upon us
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2011/Jun-22/The-collapse-of-Gadhafis-Jamahiriya-is-upon-us.ashx#ixzz1Q20qocyU

Libya’s Revolution Sparks a New Age of Music
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1812/libyas-revolution-sparks-a-new-age-of-music

Ya Misrata!

Yemen

Tribes tell Saudi Arabia: Saleh return will lead to civil war
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Jun-22/Tribes-tell-Saudi-Arabia-Saleh-return-will-lead-to-civil-war.ashx#ixzz1Q20l57Rv

Demonstrations in Ta’izz opposing Saudi intervention

Well, this doesn’t help.

Al-Qaida suspects tunnel out of Yemeni prison
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110622/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_13

Pop quiz: which of the above two stories was covered in our MSM?

It wouldn’t be the most absurd thing ever:

Regime behind Yemeni prison break?
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/06/22/Regime-behind-Yemeni-prison-break/UPI-43551308763458/

Also, seems one of those escapees died back in 2008
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,4bf4e2452,4cd7b57d2,0.html

Bahrain

Bahrain opposition figures given life sentences
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110622/wl_nm/us_bahrain_trials_verdict_10

This reaction nails it:

Bahrain is totally the dude who has given up and wears his boxers to the supermarket RT @kshaheen Seems Bahrain doesnt give a damn anymore.

http://twitter.com/#!/tomgara/status/83467271095332864

Update on Ayat al-Gormezi, imprisoned poet
http://ayat-algormezi.blogspot.com/2011/06/update-on-ayat.html

Oh goodie!

National Dialogue Details Released
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/461886#.TgD-pKjdYNY;twitter

🙄

Matar Matar Was not Tortured, Affirms His Lawyer
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/461972#.TgH9PwhK88Y;twitter

Oh, well, that settles it now doesn’t it?

🙄

Qatar

Qatar’s UN ambassador elected president of next General Assembly session
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/qatars-un-ambassador-elected-president-next-general-assembly-202011133.html

Saudi Arabia

Clinton hails female Saudi driving activists
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162119351841918.html

Saudi Women Call on Subaru to Leave Kingdom Over Driving Ban
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-22/saudi-women-call-on-subaru-to-leave-kingdom-over-driving-ban.html

Egypt

Why the Muslim Brotherhood Are Egypt’s Best Democrats
http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/06/21/why-the-muslim-brotherhood-are-egypts-best-democrats/

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood expels presidential hopeful (for running for president after they said they wouldn’t run anyone)
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE75K1Z620110621

Egypt judicial panel to investigate torture claims
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/470326

Tunisia

Tunisians must finish the job
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/21/tunisia-elections

Algeria

Consultations end for Algeria’s new constitution
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110622/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_algeria_reform_1

Morocco

Morocco’s young activists urge referendum boycott
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110622/wl_africa_afp/moroccopoliticsconstitutionreferendum_20110622130100

Iran

Neda’s mother at her grave on the two year anniversary of her death

[img[/img]

Iran human rights activist speaks after release
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/iran-human-rights-activist-speaks-after-release-2011-06-21

One Voice
Messages in support of hunger strikers in prison
http://iranian.com/main/2011/jun/one-voice

Some real dubious etymology:

Glamorous Hairstyles and Necklaces, the ‘Jinn’ Is in the Jeans
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/06/necklace-ban-for-iranian-men-sabers-death-signals-human-catastrophe.html#ixzz1Q2pmu6XF

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ally forced to resign as pressure grows on Iran president [H/T Kalima, beating me to an Iranian story?!]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/8589977/Mahmoud-Ahmadinejad-ally-forced-to-resign-as-pressure-grows-on-Iran-president.html

Parliament halts move to impeach foreign minister
http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/parliament-halts-move-impeach-foreign-minister

—
H/T EAWorldview

Member

funksands

Khirad, I’d really like to get your take on an article I read yesterday. It really struck a nerve for me, because it echoed a lot of my doubts and misgivings about Libya and Bahrain. I’d like to get your opinion on it.

http://www.thenation.com/article/161225/libya-old-fashioned-colonial-smash-and-grab

Author

Khirad

Unfortunately I’m not a subscriber so I can only guess as to the arguments.

One, why is Libya a target and not, say, Bahrain?

Well, if the colonialism argument is used, I suppose ’cause it’s already a partner in that regard, sort of like the Princely states of the British Raj in India, only more independent. To a lesser degree Tunisia and Egypt (whom found US support convenient with their Arab Nationalism threatened by Islamism – or it played up to strengthen their regimes). However; in Bahrain, an American human rights diplomat had to flee Bahrain after threats, anti-Semitic accusations (like really), and warning the US embassy of aiding “Shi’a plots” – the long used code word for Iran – a bogeyman used to delegitimize the majority Shi’a from asking for rights. Given the fact that our Fifth Fleet is there, that’s more than nothing — though I’ve been disappointed, to say the least. I’ve been quite vocal on Bahrain throughout. Juan Cole suggested we move the naval base to Qatar. I say we at least threaten to.

The biggest, biggest, biggest difference with Libya is that Gaddafi had alienated, even giving overtures to Iran and slamming Arab states at place like Arab League conferences no less. He had long alienated them, and looked more to the African Union to cultivate his own personality cult.

That’s why Libya is a target and the others aren’t. The Arab League, though MIA in military actions, a few individual states have been freezing assets and recognizing the NTC, something which the US hasn’t even done yet.

Then, there’s of course the oil argument. If there’s a voice I trust, it is Juan Cole, and his bona fides are solid. The Bushies even sicked the CIA on him to try and discredit him for criticizing that colonial escapade in Iraq.

http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/libya-not-a-war-for-oil.html

On another note, for a long time I remember the criticism was that we didn’t step in to Rwanda or Darfur. Would those have also been colonialism? Can we not win for losing? Damned if we do, damned if we don’t? Oh, and the rebel government would LOVE oil contracts with Western companies. They need revenues to fight that war. They’ve run out of paper money, and we won’t release frozen funds to them!

If it’s Syria, well there’s oodles of reasons why we haven’t stepped in to that (though we have drafted sanctions). Only recently has the Arab League even given a whimper of a finger wagging. I don’t expect more. It is also the region. Syria is a linchpin of the Levant, and the regional geopolitics are more perilous. When we deal with Libya, we deal with Libya. If we deal with Syria, we deal with Iran, Lebanon’s March 8th Alliance and what could descend into a conflagration of sectarian violence (though the protests have themselves been pluralistic).

The biggest hurdle to condemning Syria comes via the UN, as well. While Russia and China were convinced to abstain on Libya, Russia risks losing a strategically major base in Syria with the fall of Bashar, or by insulting him. Keep that in mind if you ever watch RT’s coverage–though they won’t mention it directly, they’ll try to equate another ceremonial, spineless UN condemnation with the Libya Resolution.

Yemen is a mess. I’m not getting into that here in full on the domestic and diplomatic front. But apart from drones, I think another Libya resolution is premature. Again, ask this simple question: is the Arab League behind it?

Now, if it’s this article:

http://counterpunch.org/cockburn06102011.html

That’s absolutely ridiculous. And I’m finding the woo-woo sites which downplay or see hidden agendas in the rape stories as, quite frankly, disgusting apologia. I’m sure they would have defended Stalin’s pogroms, too. After all, the Capitalist West is just afraid of the glory of International Socialism and has to spread its lies to discredit it, or something to that effect. It’s naïve to defend Gaddafi in such terms. If you’re struggling to find evidence in the fog of war, look back on Gaddafi’s four decades in power. Oh, he’s fully capable of all sorts of things. Cockburn was playing fast and loose with weasel words and pretzel logic. For example: just because the invasion of Iraq may have been illegal does not mean that Saddam didn’t have rape rooms.

The only point I found worthwhile was the argument over if bombing is effective. But if it doesn’t work, I’m guessing that the assertion is that the Bosnian War would have been over sooner without NATO?

In the end, these critiques are a little myopic.

I know that just because you were against the Iraq War, like I was, didn’t make you pro-Saddam. That was absurd and low to say so by supporters.

But, even while I am conscious of making the same accusation, I think it’s fair. You can have questions over UN Resolution 1973 and NATO, but I will call out anyone who I think is a pro-Gaddafi apologist.

Cockburn, I’m sorry to say, appears to be. More than that, he’s thrown brave people rising up against a tyrant under the bus and distorted the history of events leading to the current situation. Yes, it was peaceful at the very beginning. But when Gaddafi sends the former hangman of Benghazi, to Benghazi to “negotiate” with the demonstrators there, you shouldn’t be surprised that the barracks are suicide bombed by a former oil executive (who was not a terrorist) and a civil war begins.

Member

funksands

Khirad I value your opinion and appreciate your thoughtful comments. I’ll figure out a way to get the article, which was much shorter and to the point that the counterpunch article.

I’m going to digest your response for a bit if you don’t mind.

Author

Khirad

CI – Tuesday / الثلاثاء

Syria

Clashes amid large Pro-Assad rallies – 7 dead
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13855664

Inside Story: Al-Assad running out of options?
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/06/201162163653956914.html

Analysis: President Assad Promises Dialogue
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110620/wl_time/08599207868300

He spoke of amending the constitution or even tossing it out and drafting another, of wanting the army to return to its barracks and a resumption of “normal life.” But Syria is unlikely to ever be the same again.

Assad has talked the reform talk since he first inherited power, upon the death of his father Hafez in 2000, but 11 years later, he has little to show for it. He shot back on Monday at critics who question his sincerity – and capability – in bringing real change to Syria, and he indicated that he knows that the stakes, especially regarding the economy, are high. “The most dangerous thing we face in the next stage is the weakness or collapse of the Syrian economy, and a large part of the problem is psychological,” he said. “We cannot allow depression and fear to defeat us. We have to defeat the problem by returning to normal life.”

The Syrian President’s pathetic speech
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=283738

The formation of the Lebanese government and its mission shed light on the Syrian regime’s desire to maintain its presence in Lebanon the same way it is dealing with the uprising at home: via confrontation and brutality. With Lebanon in his pocket, Assad thinks he still has at least one regional card with which he could bargain with the international community, as Hezbollah is still armed and strong in Lebanon, and constitutes a major threat to Israel.

Turkish President reacts to Assad speech (not impressed)
http://www.euronews.net/2011/06/20/turkish-president-reacts-to-assad-speech/

Homs – shooting at protesters as if they were tin cans.

The night before, after Assad’s third speech since the unrest began (with a shoutout to BBC)

Damascus

One sign says:

Ey Müslüman Türk Kardeşlerimi.
– Çoçuklarımız Öldürülüyor.
– Kadınlarımiza Tecavüz Ediliyo.
– Dinimizle Savaşıyorlar.
NERDEŞİNİZ?

O my Muslim Turk brothers.
– Our children are killed.
– Ediliyo (?) rape our women.
– Fighting our religion.
Where are you?

Al-Marjeh Square in Central Damascus. A fountain has been dyed red. The gov’t seems to not be claiming it was them. (Note that this is fairly common to memorialize martyrs in Iran).

Libya

Starving the beast.

Qaddafi Tanks Deprived of Diesel as Ships Shunning Libya
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-21/qaddafi-tanks-deprived-of-diesel-as-ships-shunning-libya-freight-markets.html

Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi is facing a fourth month without the diesel cargoes needed to power tanks as he endures an 11-week air campaign led by NATO.

UAE freezes assets of 19 Libyans
http://www.emirates247.com/news/world/uae-freezes-assets-of-19-libyans-2011-06-20-1.403724

NATO’s and Libya’s Rebels Don’t Jibe
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20110621/wl_time/08599207883100

The chief problem plaguing both NATO and the rebels is lack of coordination. Rebel leaders complain that they must jump through hoops to reach NATO officials. Field commanders requesting air strikes and relaying troop movements have no direct communication with the alliance’s military command in the region, much less headquarters in Brussels, which must issue the ultimate orders. Instead, they call their senior officers via satellite phone at a rebel command center in Benghazi. The officers then relay the information to NATO officials in the same building, who only then contact Brussels. The byzantine process squanders valuable time in a war where seconds are precious.

Drone Copter is NATO’s First Combat Casualty in Libya
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/drone-copter-is-natos-first-combat-casualty-in-libya/?

Government Using Landmines in Nafusa Mountains
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/06/21/libya-government-using-landmines-nafusa-mountains

Kerry, McCain push measure backing Libya campaign
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/06/21/war.powers/index.html

Now to culture

Broadcasting to Libya in Berber

Yemen

Battle for Zinjibar kills 100 Yemen troops: army
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110621/wl_mideast_afp/yemenunrestsouthqaeda_20110621130256

US drone attacks in Yemen ignore Al Qaeda for local militants
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/us-drone-attacks-in-yemen-ignore-al-qaeda-for-local-militants

“More than 85 per cent of the fighters killed in Abyan over the last three weeks have not been Al Qaeda members. Militants in Abyan and other areas in the south are well-known Jihadists, but we cannot prove their links to Al Qaeda,” said the official. Last week, the interior ministry said it arrested 10 militants in Aden believed to be fighters with links to Mr Nabi.

Vids

Another Che poster for you, Becky

Ta’izz

Dhamar

Oman

Oman jails 20 protesters on riot charges
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/June/middleeast_June572.xml&section=middleeast

Bahrain

Bahrain doctors tortured into confessing, say families
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13851761

Jordan

Jordan information minister quits over ‘restrictive’ laws
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110621/wl_mideast_afp/jordanpoliticsministerpress_20110621113913

Iraq

Iraqis make a living among the dead in the largest graveyard in the world
https://www.youtube.com/AlJazeeraEnglish#p/u/18/TDIqPrgEXWI

Tunisia

Wow, that was quick. Looks like he got a taste of his own “justice”

Ben Ali, wife sentenced to 35 years
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/06/20/Ben-Ali-wife-sentenced-to-35-years/UPI-19411308588967/

Tunisia’s Ben Ali: Soldier who turned into dictator [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8586165/Tunisias-Ben-Ali-Soldier-who-turned-into-dictator.html

Leila Ben Ali rose from hairdresser to first lady [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8586240/Leila-Ben-Ali-rose-from-hairdresser-to-first-lady.html

Egypt

This is the “Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Sorbonne combined” of Sunni seminaries. It is THE seminary.

Al-Azhar calls for democratic state
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/469785

Juan Cole adds that,

[The] document [is] calling for a civil, democratic state that does not discriminate on the basis of religion or gender and is dedicated to the welfare of the people.

http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/key-developments-in-the-arab-spring-today.html

Iran

Iran parliament mounts pressure on Ahmadinejad
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/iran-parliament-mounts-pressure-ahmadinejad-093101525.html

Iran hardliners force deputy foreign minister to resign
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/21/iranian-hardliners-deputy-minister-resignation?CMP=twt_fd

Meet Ahmadinejad’s cabinet. Interesting insider stuff:

Ahmadinejad’s inner circle under pressure
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/ahmadinejads-kitchen-cabinet-under-pressure/2011/06/15/AGfD5scH_story_1.html

Authorities Responsible for the Lives of Prisoners on Hunger Strike: Officials Must Account for Recent Deaths
http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2011/06/prisoners-hunger-strike/

What If Azadi Had Been Tahrir?
A reader with family in Iran reflects on the anniversary:
http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/06/what-if-azadi-had-been-tahrir.html

Finally, one of the things I’ve wondered is could the green movement protesters have won if they had not just silently marched to Azadi Square the week after the election, but occupied it and held it the way the Egyptians held Tahrir.

Iranian protestors plan to turn Tehran into ghost town
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8587553/Iranian-protestors-plan-to-turn-Tehran-into-ghost-town.html

Iran shipping firms charged with conspiracy to move over $60 million through US banks
http://in.news.yahoo.com/iran-shipping-firms-charged-conspiracy-move-over-60-104345355.html

US hits Iranian shipping with sanctions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110620/pl_afp/usiransanctions

—

H/T EAWorldView

Author

Khirad

C – Monday /ق – الاظثنين

[img]http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/robynmac/robynmac0902/robynmac090200063/4315799-fancy-cake-with-number-100-candles–decorated-with-ribbons-and-star-shapes-in-pastel-tones-against-b.jpg[/img]

Syria

Assad blames unrest on saboteurs, pledges reforms
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_syria

Protests follow Syrian president’s speech
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201162013048808816.html

Al Jazeera

Syrian forces prevent refugees fleeing to Turkey
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/syrian-forces-prevent-refugees-fleeing-turkey-191049316.html

Turkey demands Syria dismiss ‘thug in chief’ brother of President Bashar al-Assad [H/T]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8585314/Turkey-demands-Syria-dismiss-thug-in-chief-brother-of-President-Bashar-al-Assad.html

Arwa Damon: a Syrian woman’s story
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/17/damon-1-syrian-womans-story/

Naval officer defecting

In Search of the Rape Victims Among the Refugees
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2078622,00.html

Libya

Libya civilian deaths sap NATO credibility: Italy
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/20/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110620

Libya rebels buy grains in first major deals
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/20/us-libya-food-shipments-idUSTRE75J3I920110620

I thought I already linked this? The upload date says today though. Oh well, it’s another homemade weapons of the rebels pieces – already a veritable subgenre unto itself in Libya stories.

Libyan rebels innovate with DIY weapons

Yemen

Soldiers and Militants Clash in Yemen, Leaving 21 Dead
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/world/middleeast/20yemen.html?_r=1

And the Western media yet again lets out a collective yawn…

Tens of thousands of Yemenis demand president’s sons leave country
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1011638–tens-of-thousands-of-yemenis-demand-president-s-sons-leave-country

Sana’a

Yemen’s crisis puts Saudi Arabia in powerbroker’s bind
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Jun-20/Yemens-crisis-puts-Saudi-Arabia-in-powerbrokers-bind.ashx#ixzz1PlkYZraC

More than 100 influential religious & tribal leaders said Pres Saleh was not able to lead the country and should step down

Mohammed Jamjoom
http://twitter.com/#!/JamjoomCNN/status/82496445076348928

Southern Yemen steeped in conflict
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/110619/yemen-air-strikes-militants-al-qaeda-saleh

“Bodies have been left in the streets for weeks, rotting, and dogs have begun eating the corpses,” said Col. Qasim Muhammad Hadi speaking from Aden, a Yemeni military commander and head of the Zinjibar security forces.

Saudi Arabia

On why the wrong gender is being banned from the road in Saudi Arabia

Morocco

Morocco’s Revolutionaries: The Crazy Kids Have Grown Up

–And are standing up to Islamists as much as to the monarchy
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2075296,00.html#ixzz1PkWdSsVm

Thousands protest in Morocco for more reform
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/19/us-morocco-reform-protest-idUSTRE75I2JF20110619

Worthwhile watch (24 mins):

Inside Story
Morocco’s Mohammed VI has promised changes as part of a “historic transition” to democracy, but are people buying it?
http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/06/201161964029349942.html

Algeria

Veteran conscripts of Algeria’s war against the Islamists demonstrate for greater benefits
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/veteran-conscripts-algerias-war-against-islamists-demonstrate-greater-135307750.html

Tunisia

Tunisia: Ben Ali ‘deceived into leaving for Saudi’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13838987

Tunisia six months on: After Ben Ali – video [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/jun/17/tunisia-arab-and-middle-east-protests

Egypt

Egypt’s ex-president Mubarak has cancer: lawyer [H/T Kalima]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110620/wl_nm/us_egypt_mubarak_cancer

Palestine

Shock. Question is, will you beat the spread?

Palestinian unity meeting postponed
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011619174455513476.html

Iran

The softies. I always knew they were the sentimental sort.

Detained American hikers to be tried on 2nd anniversary of their arrest
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/iran-detained-american-hikers-to-be-tried-on-the-anniversary-of-their-arrest.html

Author

Khirad

XCIX – Sunday / الأحد

Syria

Muammar Gaddafi war crimes files revealed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/18/muammar-gaddafi-war-crimes-files

Libyan rebels say captured cell phone videos show rape, torture
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/14/libya.rape.hfr/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Syrian refugees in Turkish camp watch news of home
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110618/wl_nm/us_turkey_syria_camps

Syria eyewitness: Damascus divided on Assad regime [H/T]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13805396

Fawaz Gerges on Fareed Zakaria estimated that Assad garners about 40% support. I don’t have my own guess, but we should understand he has real support – especially in Damascus. But not all areas of Damascus, obviously…

Libya

Just because I support the Libyan resolution and action, does not mean I’m without my criticisms (and sooner or later, should this not pan out in a few months’ time, we need to reevaluate). Juan Cole does a better job than I though in pointing out some fair critiques (unlike the foot-stomping of Kucinich and Paul)

Top Ten Mistakes in the Libya War
http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/top-ten-mistakes-in-the-libya-war.html

Marc Lynch takes off on the criticisms and questions of quagmire, but ends on an optimistic note.

Benghazi on the Hill
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/06/18/benghazi_on_the_hill

The prevailing view seems to be that Libya has become a quagmire, a grinding stalemate with no end in sight. This is wrong. While nothing is resolved yet, and Qaddafi may still be able to hang on, all the trends are in the favor of the rebels. There has been a growing cascade of states recognizing the NTC as the legitimate government of Libya, as Qaddafi’s support dries up even in Africa. There are more and more defections from the Qaddafi regime to the NTC, and — crucially — virtually no examples of anyone moving in the opposite direction. The rebels are holding territory, and the battle has moved to Tripoli itself. Qaddafi appears to be running out of money. Finally, the NTC itself (several of whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet) appears to be an impressive group, with serious technocrats attending to key shadow ministries and a real effort to include and represent all parts of Libya.

NATO Says It Mistakenly Hit Libyan Rebels Again – and civilians in Tripoli
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/world/africa/19libya.html?_r=1

It was the first time in three months of airstrikes that the Qaddafi government has presented credible evidence of what appeared to be direct civilian casualties of NATO attacks. Although the government has often claimed large numbers of civilian deaths, it has never previously presented bodies or consistent facts about the dead.

Ambivalence in “pro-Gaddafi” district of Tripoli
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110618/wl_nm/us_libya_gaddafi_neighbourhood

“Some people like (Muammar) Gaddafi, some do not,” a man who gave his name as Ibrahim told Reuters in Abu Salim on Saturday. “Me? I don’t care. I just want to be left alone.”

After he spoke, a man came out of a stall on the other side of the alley chanting Gaddafi’s name. Ibrahim waved him off. “Ignore him,” he said, rolling his eyes and grinning broadly.

While the majority of more than a dozen people interviewed in a market in Abu Salim said they liked Gaddafi, the die-hard supporters whom state TV often depicts cheering him on to the percussion of automatic gunfire seemed very few on the ground.

Many were apathetic and one shop owner, who did not give his name, said people in the area pretend to support the Libyan ruler “because of fear and intimidation.”

“I’m pretty sure ordinary people will not fight to defend the regime,” he said. “We are very tired of Gaddafi.”

Libyans fear the scorpion sting of Gaddafi’s informers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/17/libya-gaddafi-informers-tripoli

Locals call them pimps or snitches. They wear plain clothes, drive unmarked cars and are as numerous as scorpions in the Libyan desert, only more dangerous. Loathed and feared in equal measure, they are the eyes and ears of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, and a large part of the reason that Tripoli has not been able to join the revolt sweeping the country.

Yemen

Tawakkol Karman: Yemen’s Unfinished Revolution
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/opinion/19karman.html

Because America has invested so heavily in Yemen’s security forces, it now seems that a transition to democracy will depend on whether Washington believes that investment will remain secure. The establishment of a new government will therefore be contingent on American officials’ approving the country’s new leaders. Sadly, it seems likely that the United States will support figures from the old regime rather than allow a transitional government approved by the people to take control of Yemen. This would be a grave mistake.

We understand America’s concerns about terrorism and recognize your right to attack terrorist sanctuaries. We have no objection to agreements that protect your security interests. We only ask that you respect international standards on human rights and the Yemeni people’s rights to freedom and justice.

Bahrain

Bahrain: Ex-editors reject allegations in court
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110619/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain_2

Egypt

Popular committees continue the revolution
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/469281

It’s in the work of these groups that the revolution continues: From representing community demands to engaging local residents to hold their government accountable, these committees are making politics relevant to people’s everyday lives.

For most committees, politics is no longer “out there” in a remote sphere from which they feel marginalized; politics is at home. For the broader society, popular committees are an opportunity to communicate with once-invisible citizens.

After Egypt’s ruling military met with campaigners pushing to end military trials of civilians, the prosecution summoned journalists who published the meeting details
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/14532.aspx

Army’s warning shots fail to end Suez Canal strike
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/14605.aspx

Egypt’s Bedouins begin to demand equal citizenship rights [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jun/17/egypt-bedouin-risk-of-exclusion-citizenship-rights

Tunisia

Tunisia’s Ben Ali denies all charges on eve of trial
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110619/wl_mideast_afp/tunisiapoliticsunresttrial_20110619123313

Ben Ali “hopes with all his heart that Tunisia will overcome its current chaos and darkness and continue its path to progress,” he added.

Jordan

Press freedom group condemns club-wielding mob’s raid on news agency
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/

Iran

Meet your friendly morality police (pics)
http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=34384

Picture of the returned Reformist daily Etemaad
http://www.kaleme.com/1390/03/28/klm-62170/

I do not support the MEK, but they don’t deserve to be massacred

Iranian opposition group urges protection
Political wing of Mujahideen-e-Khalq calls for base in Iraq to be protected at rally attended by prominent US figures.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/20116198153687124.html

The US politicians present included Tom Ridge, who served as secretary of homeland security under president George W Bush; Andrew Card, who was chief of staff of the Bush White House’ and Rudy Guliani, the former mayor of New York City.

I repost this Greenwald piece. I may have my problems with him, but he was one of the few who actually made this point.

Imagine if a group of leading American liberals met on foreign soil with — and expressed vocal support for — supporters of a terrorist group that had (a) a long history of hateful anti-American rhetoric, (b) an active role in both the takeover of a U.S. embassy and Saddam Hussein’s brutal 1991 repression of Iraqi Shiites, (c) extensive financial and military support from Saddam, (d) multiple acts of violence aimed at civilians, and (e) years of being designated a “Terrorist organization” by the U.S. under Presidents of both parties, a designation which is ongoing? The ensuing uproar and orgies of denunciation would be deafening.

Oh, and the MEK? It’s Marxist! But of course… pin drop silence from the left. Pussies.

While it has pitfalls, this is necessary. And stability is in Iran’s interest. A failed Afghanistan would be like a failed Mexico for us.

Iran defense chief in Kabul as Afghans eye security
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110618/wl_nm/us_iran_afghanistan_visit

Elsewhere

Sudan’s power play risks escalated border conflict
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110618/wl_africa_afp/sudanunrestsouthindependence_20110618132420

Member

KQµårk 死神

Well we have a new gold standard in hyperbole. It’s not good enough for the uber ideologues on the left to say Obama is as bad as Bush now they have to say he’s worse. The fact is the left is much further left than it’s ever been. Greenwald says Obama’s lawyers are worse than Bush’s. Yup they are worse than the lawyers that condoned torture, supported DADT, continued to support DOMA, trumped up a war in Iraq based on lies etc. The fact is the left has become so ideological now they have zero discernment. Any military action is illegal whether the UN justifies it or not. The UN security counsel to the left has become a fascist organization. Next Greenwald will be equating Obama to Hitler because that’s how corrosive the ends of the political spectrum has gotten in this country.

The big difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama is being effective at neutralizing the real enemy Al Qaeda. The left looks at them as a band of misunderstood delinquents so since Obama has effectively eliminated 20 of 30 to Al Qaeda operatives including Bin Laden he must be doing something wrong in their eyes. They hate the fact that Obama is using soft power and the intelligence apparatus far more effectively than Bush could ever dream.

Of course everything the UN and NATO are doing in Libya is not proper but the big difference is the amount of international cooperation involved.

Author

Khirad

From the Juan Cole piece:

1. President Barack Obama should have gone to Congress for authorization to stay in the Libya war. Not doing so weakened the legitimacy of the war in the US public, and involved his setting aside the legal advice he received from government lawyers. He could have set a precedent for the return to constitutional rule in the US, but tragically declined to take up that opportunity. (I have held this position from the beginning, by the way). But a corollary I am not sure American nationalists will accept is that even if Congress authorizes a war, in the absence of an attack on the US, that would be illegal in international law unless the UNSC signed off on it. That is what did not happen with regard to Iraq. Those criticizing Obama now often did not criticize W., and often still do not, for a much more important legal violation.

I kinda thought maybe it might’ve been better to go to Congress too. But, the second part of the point offers critical perspective. Prof. Cole’s failing? He should add the whiny far-left holding hands with those hypocrites on the right. There might be more consistency, but it’s still comparing a molehill to a mountain with the hyperbole employed. It’s a valid concern. But it’s not “just like Bush” in any way.

As to Greenwald, he pisses me off too, but that’s why it’s so sad to me that no other commentator on the left I know of have called out Republicans for supporting Islamo-Marxist terrorists and are deluded into thinking they are still a viable opposition (rather than the creepy cult with no sympathy within Iran that they are). It’s said that in the halls of congress the only foreign relations lobby as aggressive and influential as AIPAC is the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). That makes for a toxic brew of potential disastrous foreign policy.

The Republicans have again palled around with terrorists – in public! Where will the condemnation be? *crickets*

But back to Cole. I really appreciated that, ’cause it’s critique with nuance. He still thinks it’s worthwhile and was the right thing to do. Unlike those screaming that this is “just like Iraq”. 🙄

And Cole should know. After all, the Bushies sent the CIA to try and discredit him when he questioned the rationale for war with Iraq before the invasion. I think he’s well versed on the differences, and is an actual, peer-respected Middle Eastern scholar, unlike any Hamster minion.

Member

KQµårk 死神

The fact is in the Constitution it says Congress needs to act. The problem is this hyper partisan Congress has such institutional constipation that it literally cannot act fast enough. Everything is a political game for them which is not the way to react to international crises. Congress had plenty of time to act the last 90 days and did not. Congress not just with Obama but with every US president back to FDR and probably before that has abdicated it’s responsibility. FDR had supplied the allies with material and personnel support way before Congress signed the lend lease act. The most direct example of what Obama is doing in Libya (too a much much lesser degree of involvement) is what Truman did with Korea because it was a UN sanctioned action therefore legal in a higher court to look at it that way.

Franken and Boehner want votes on Libya. Well fracking do it. Kucinich wants to defund support of NATO in Libya well vote on it. Congress wants all the political hay with zero responsibility. They really want to see how it goes and then maybe they will vote. I have no allusions that Obama is not doing everything by the book and trying to get around Congress but I understand the reasons why. It appears Cole does as well.

The fact is the executive is the active branch of government when it comes to national security. It’s unrealistic to depend on a glacial Congress to act in a timely manner in the push button age of warfare. Dems are bad enough but Repugs are incredibly hypocritical on this matter. There are just different rules for a Dem president to them. I think it also kills Repugs that Obama is much more effective than Bush was fighting their wars as well. Look I’m a big believer in a pragmatic foreign policy. I agreed with most of what the fist Bush did, save Iran-Contra of course but he understood international cooperation when it came to the UN and probably would have done better than Clinton did in his first term handling the breakup of the Soviet Block. But late in his first term and in his second term for sure Clinton fully grasped the need for international cooperation and that there are times when intervention is necessary.

Member

escribacat

I like that new button that gets us here! Oh, and now instead of Hanoi Jane we’ve got Mujahideen Rudy.

There was a pretty good program about the current state of Arab Spring on CNN tonight. I know nobody likes CNN around here but it was an informative update. Had quite a bit about the Bahraini, Ali Abduleman. Seems he has now disappeared but apparently under his own volition and not the army mob.

Author

Khirad

Yup, and crickets on any liberals calling Giuliani or any other Republican out on it. And that’s perfect! Instead of saying MeK, MKO or PMOI, we should use part of their name in associating it with Republicans: mujahideen. Spineless Dems.

Yes that was Amber Lyons’ iRevolution special.
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/16/cnn%E2%80%99s-amber-lyon-reports-on-the-digital-roots-of-the-%E2%80%98arab-spring%E2%80%99/

I’ve been incredibly impressed with her work in Bahrain especially – and highly recommended watching those pieces here. When no one else cared, she was shining a light on the outright human rights travesties committed by America’s Naval BFF being given a blind eye by the rest of the media.

Arwa Damon is also another example of CNN’s international relevance, even if they’ve turned to twittified mushy crap in all other regards.

Whaddaya think about me changing the picture to a casbah or something? I like the idea of Khirad’s Kasbah. Although it’s becoming more 1,001 Arabian Nights. Maybe just a palm tree on fire… hmm. Nah, it’s still a swell pic, I was just thinking of something to make it a little smaller.

Author

Khirad

XCVIII – Saturday / السبت

Syria

Syria forces storm border town near Turkey
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110618/wl_nm/us_syria

Kudos to Anderson Cooper on his coverage of Syria.
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/17/kth-u-s-weighs-war-crimes-against-syria/

US and Russia discuss UN resolution on Syria
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/20116186012957438.html

Oh, snap!

Turkey says Syria only has a few days left to get its act together
http://todayszaman.com/news-247685-turkey-says-syria-only-has-a-few-days-left-to-get-its-act-together.html

Clinton says ‘no going back’ in Syria
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110618/pl_afp/syriapoliticsunrest_20110618081943

The United States is weighing whether war crimes charges can be brought against Damascus to pressure the government to end its bloody crackdown on dissent, the US administration official said.

Other measures, including sanctions targeting the country’s oil and gas sector, are being considered as part of a broader diplomatic campaign to increase pressure on President Bashar al-Assad.

For the original op-ed by Secretary Clinton in Asharq Alawsat
http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=25568

Syria: Cracks In the Armor
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2078022,00.html

Everyone around calls him muqaddim – Arabic for his rank. A colonel with the 11th Armored Division of the army’s 3rd Corps, the 22-year military veteran says he burned his uniform in disgust more than a week ago, starting with the epaulets. He had to defect, Harmoush says, to take “responsibility for protecting civilians in Jisr al-Shoughour.” His only regret: “I was late in taking this decision. I feel like I am responsible for the deaths of every single martyr in Syria.”

British embassy says citizens should leave now! (now?!)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/syria

Around 8,500 Syrians fled to Lebanon, reports An-Nahar
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=283081#ixzz1PeDWEmT5

Libya

Who are these rebels, are they like the Taliban? I can’t believe I heard that again today. So, I’ll have to revive the “who are the rebels” segment.

Leaving Lancashire for Libyan front line
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13818572

In Libya, More Novice Soldiers in Defense of Qaddafi
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/africa/18libya.html?_r=1

Now Refat, who was not fully identified because of the fear of retribution from Libyan security forces, is patrolling the rebellious neighborhood of Souq al-Juma wearing a mismatched uniform, riding in a small white government car and worried for his life each night because of the growing number of rebel attacks within the capital on soldiers like him.

Just last Thursday, he said, four armed rebels ambushed a group of his fellow soldiers at a checkpoint, killing another amateur soldier named Walid, a 20-year-old student, and leaving another in the hospital.
“We are afraid,” Refat said. “We are standing under the light and they come from the darkness.”

Novice soldiers like Refat, whose account provided the first confirmation of widespread rebel reports of their nocturnal guerrilla attacks, appear to be an increasingly important part of the Qaddafi government’s defense against potential insurrection in Tripoli, the Libyan capital. The professional soldiers of the Qaddafi militias who once cruised the streets of neighborhoods like Souq al-Juma in their white Toyota pickup trucks, he said, have all been called away to fight on the front lines near Misurata, the Nafusa Mountains or the eastern oil city of Brega.

Austria recognizes Libyan rebels
http://shabablibya.org/news/austria-recognises-libyan-rebels

Obama ignored top legal advice on Libya: report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/pl_nm/us_libya_usa_obama

Meanwhile, are you f****** kidding me?

Libya’s rebel oil chief accused the west of failing to keep up its promises to deliver urgent financial aid, saying his authority had now run out of cash completely after months of fighting.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-jun-18-2011-1639

FFS. 🙄

I recommend this, it’s very interesting.

In ravaged Libya, ghosts of a Jewish past
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110618/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_libya_vanished_jews

Hate me for this, but the refuse and graffiti aside, there’s a haunting beauty to it in ruins.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordshire_church_photos/3063801533/sizes/l/in/photostream/

But here it is in its prime
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9679871@N04/1018749149/in/photostream/

Yemen

We keep hearing that Saleh is to return “any day now” (burns and all) from the Saudi media and Saleh’s allies in Sana’a. And, since continuous MASSIVE demonstrations in EVERY MAJOR CITY are friggin’ boring and blasé to our news media, there’s not much news today but this, which is fortunate, as this poses critical questions over the current tenuous situation within the country under its current caretaker executive.

In Yemen, a vice president in the hot seat
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/in-yemen-a-vice-president-in-the-hot-seat/2011/06/16/AGC4VpYH_story.html

Bahrain

I shan’t hold my breath.

Bahrain to Lift Ban on a Political Association
http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/461301

Bahrain to lift ban on opposition party
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110618/wl_nm/us_bahrain_opposition_1

Pretty pictures:

Al-Wefaq Rally in Sitra-Bahrain
http://www.demotix.com/news/728757/al-wefaq-rally-sitra-bahrain

Saudi Arabia

Sisters doing it for themselves.

Women driven to confusion in Saudi Arabia
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/18/saudi-arabia-women-drivers-protest

That there are women in Saudi who are distressed at the ban on their driving is well known. On the other hand the religious establishment has also been staunch in its demand to maintain the ban. Some of them have even gone so far as to call the campaign western-backed “female terrorism” and “soft terrorism”. Others claimed that the campaign to allow women to drive is an Iranian/Shia conspiracy to destabilise the country.

Saudi women defy ban to take driver’s seat
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/201161713200141723.html

Saudi Arabia: Women Behind the Wheel
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/06/18/saudi-arabia-women-behind-the-wheel/

Morocco

Morocco: Protesters say king’s reforms ‘not enough’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13821553

The proposed reforms include giving the prime minister and parliament more executive authority and recognising the minority Berber language.

But King Mohammed will retain key powers and remains head of the army.

A new article within the constitution also formalised his role as the highest religious authority in the country.

I’ll admit there were some good steps here, but it falls far short of the constitutional monarchy promised. I guess it all depends on how one defines ‘constitutional monarchy’. The Prime Minister would still be appointed by the king, so, not quite what we’re familiar with in the UK, at least. I don’t think we can expect the types of European ceremonial monarchies anywhere in the Middle East or North Africa anytime soon.

Full text here, courtesy Brian Whitaker

Speech by King Mohammed VI of Morocco in Rabat, 17 June 2011.
http://www.al-bab.com/arab/docs/morocco/kings_speech_17_6_2011.htm

Jordan

I know people don’t often think of Jordan that much (internally, at least), but trust me, this is a great insight into the country and its own King’s gestures of ‘reform’.

And Then The King Spoke
http://www.black-iris.com/2011/06/15/and-then-the-king-spoke/

Tunisia

Poland grants asylum to 16 Christian refugees who accompany Foreign Minister back from Tunisia
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/poland-grants-asylum-to-16-christian-refugees-who-accompany-foreign-minister-back-from-tunisia/2011/06/17/AGjmlYYH_story.html

Poland has been attempting to raise its profile as a major political player, both in Europe and in North Africa.

Iran

Well now, this is interesting. A report by the IRIB admits to the long held criticism of its handling of the election. Oh, it’s worth a perusing in full!

Shocking Confidential Report Admits to Iranian TV’s Provocation of Post-Election Uprising
http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2011/06/irib_confidential/

The report goes on to say that the “premature announcement of election results, prior to preparing public opinion, was a mistake in the national media’s news coverage … considering voting hours ended at 22:00 on the night of 12 June, and the initial results (announcing Ahmadinejad’s victory) were reported (after counting 61% of the votes) at 2:47 a.m. the next day .”

The report finds that “announcing election results with such speed was almost unprecedented.” The report implicitly blames the IRIB’s performance during the vote count, as one of the factors contributing to widespread street protest.

Sounds boring, but the Reformist press in Iran is anything but. Let’s see how short their leash is now.

Iran lifts ban on top-selling reformist daily
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110618/wl_mideast_afp/iranpoliticsmedia

Officials fire Iranian governor before ceremony after asking for guidance from God [through ”divination” – headline FAIL]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/officials-fire-iranian-governor-before-ceremony-after-asking-for-guidance-from-god/2011/06/18/AGtG47ZH_story.html

Oh China, first Vietnam, now Iran?

Iran warns China over South Pars gas deal-report
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFHOS76316920110617

General

Feinstein: Senate Intel Committee May Investigate CIA Targeting of Cole
http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/feinstein-senate-intel-committee-may-investigate-cia-targeting-of-cole.html

False Spring
Can we please stop calling every protest an Arab Spring?
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/16/false_spring

So, I’m not too into the Council on Foreign Relations, but this is worth browsing, I suppose.

Fighting Corruption After the Arab Spring
Harnessing Countries’ Desire to Improve their Reputations for Integrity by Stuart Levey
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/67895/stuart-levey/fighting-corruption-after-the-arab-spring

—

H/T EAWorldView

Author

Khirad

XCVII – Friday / الجمعة

General

Again, I mention the revelation surrounding Professor Cole. Everyone who thought the campaign against the Plame family was maddening should really be perking up at this.

Ex-Spy Alleges Bush White House Sought to Discredit Critic
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/us/politics/16cole.htm

Cole on Goodman & CIA Surveillance
http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/cole-on-goodman-cia-surveillance.html

And I thought, the Bush White House was so unserious about that task that they closed down the Bin Laden unit in the CIA, and worse, they were using the CIA to spy on American bloggers instead!

Eastern Europe leaps to aid ‘Arab Spring’ countries
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43433820/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Lech Walesa chuckles as he recounts a conversation he had in April with reformers in Tunisia, cradle of the Arab Spring.

“They told me they want to purge everybody linked to the old regime,” says the former shipyard electrician who brought democracy to his native Poland in 1989 as head of the Solidarity trade union.

“I asked, ‘How many’s that?’ and they said, ‘2.3 million people.’

Where the Arab spring will end is anyone’s guess
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/17/arab-spring-end-anyone-guess?intcmp=122

Syria

Deaths as fresh protests rock Syria

At least 16 killed as security forces open fire on anti-government protesters across the country.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011617104839976447.html

Violent Clashes as Thousands Protest in Cities Across Syria
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/middleeast/18syria.html?_r=1

Syrian troops take over northwestern town (Maaret al-Numan – I hate headlines, “northwestern town” doesn’t narrow it down for me)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110617/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria

After all this bloodshed, there is no going back for Syria
Most Syrians did not want regime change until the state opened fire. Now they will not settle for less than democracy
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/16/bloodshed-syria-regime-change

For Syrian Refugees, Shelter of a Precarious Sort
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/world/middleeast/17border.html

Well, this could get interesting:

Turkey to create military ‘buffer zone’ within Syria for refugees [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8580603/Turkey-to-create-military-buffer-zone-within-Syria-for-refugees.html

Here are the real voices of Syria’s uprising (Bashar does have support, unlike Gaddafi)

A reporter inside Syria talks to the real-life people affected by the protests and government crackdown.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/110615/syria-protests-syrian-blogger-news

A completely “spontaneous” pro-government demonstration

This ‘news’ from Iran:

‘Syria stands strong with Assad’
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/184938.html

What did I learn from that? Besides the state line, something interesting, actually. Russia has a naval base in Tartous (and naval bases are scant for the Russian Navy). So, Syria really is Russia’s Bahrain.

In unending turmoil, Syria’s Assad turns to family
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110616/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria_the_inner_circle

Syria’s President Bashar Assad, beset by a popular upheaval that won’t die, appears to be turning more and more to a tiny coterie of relatives, the backbone of a family dynasty that has kept Syria’s 22 million people living in fear for decades.

Reviled Tycoon, Assad’s Cousin, Resigns in Syria
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/world/middleeast/17syria.html?_r=1

Vids:

Idlib Province, near where the military occupation is happening

Damascus

Homs

Deir al Zor, in the northeast

Someone has been shot there

Horan

Children running from gunfire

1 killed, 7 hurt in Lebanon anti-Syria rally
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h7oUuRiUnKWWKkdrRr3JRhSiwPpw?docId%3DCNG.e61127fddf2df07871028bd92aee5f9a.741

Angelina Jolie visits Syrian refugees in Turkey
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43439368/ns/today-entertainment/

Libya

Defiant Gaddafi vows to defeat NATO
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011617144617963688.html

NATO targets Tripoli, gov’t shells near Misrata
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110617/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_libya_201

Rebels dismiss election offer, NATO pounds Tripoli
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/16/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110616

Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam told an Italian newspaper that the elections could be held within three months and transparency could be guaranteed through international observers.

He said his father would be ready to cede power if he lost the election, though he would not go into exile.

Heavy fighting as Libyan rebels try to push out
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/17/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110617

Libya’s rebels tried to push deeper into government-held territory east of the capital Tripoli Friday and exchanged heavy artillery fire with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi near the western city of Zlitan.

Libya rebels claim advance ‘coordination’ with Nato air strikes [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/libya-video/8580735/Libya-rebels-claim-advance-coordination-with-Nato-air-strikes.html

‘Gaddafi regime in direct contact with rebels for first time’ [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8580710/Libya-Gaddafi-regime-in-direct-contact-with-rebels-for-first-time.html

27 Libyan soldiers flee fighting to Tunisia
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110615/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_tunisia_libya_1

On a shoestring, Libya’s Misrata seeks normality
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/shoestring-libyas-misrata-seeks-normality-092037367.html

French foreign minister rejects Libyan rebel accusations Algeria supporting Gadhafi’s regime
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/french-foreign-minister-dismisses-rebel-accusations-algeria-supporting-145936715.html

Spain is expelling Libyan diplomats
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/06/16/spain.libyans.expelled/index.html

For the record, I’m all for Congress authorizing this action, or ‘limited air war’, if you prefer, but my god, the whining from the far-left and sudden isolationism from the Republicans is a little too much to take.

Lawmakers mock Obama claim on Libya hostilities
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110617/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_us_libya_34

John McCain keeps up Libya push
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56943.html

Yemen

Anti-government protests continue in Yemen
Protesters say they are not against continued GCC mediation and insist their primary goal is President Saleh’s removal.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201161613436769152.html

I’ve been hearing this for nearly a week now… I think the Saudis are freaking out royally.

Yemen: Wounded president to return in ‘days’
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43440280/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

They want a transition (Ta’izz?)

Tai’zz, after Friday prayers

Friday prayers in Ibb

Hodeidah

Dhamar

Bahrain

Bahrain frees activists held after UN sit-in
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011616113220393709.html

Bahrain hunger striker sees husband for first time in two months
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/17/bahrain-hunger-striker-sees-husband

Saudi Arabia

Saudi women defy ban to take driver’s seat
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/201161713200141723.html

During the wee hours at 12:40 AM today:

I’m all for #Saudi #women2drive on #June17 and I support the movement and #freedom of choice for my sisters in Saudi.

Who tweeted that? Saudi Prince Khaled Alwaleed.
http://twitter.com/#!/KhaledAlwaleed/status/81520983801991168

Egypt

Former first lady, antiquities minister accused of misappropriating funds from King Tut exhibit
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/468858

Close Mubarak associate held in Spain
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011616191712783461.html

Muslim Woman Seeks Egyptian Presidency
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/world/middleeast/16iht-M16-EGYPT-KAMEL.html

The Sexual Harassment File: Sexual harassment starts at home

Over the coming weeks, Al-Masry Al-Youm each Wednesday will feature pieces that dissect the reasons behind sexual harassment, the coping mechanisms for women (and men) in the streets of Cairo and the system that has been set up to tackle this festering issue. Comments and input are appreciated – send us your stories of sexual harassment and information on any organizations or initiatives that combat sexual harassment in Egypt.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/466166

Tunisia

Tunisians still wait to celebrate democracy after the revolution [H/T Kalima]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/17/tunisians-wait-celebrate-democracy-revolution

Wow, and there was such suspense… not.

Ben Ali will not attend Tunisia trial for theft and fraud
http://planetpov.com/2011/05/30/morning-blog-2/#comment-133242

UN refugee chief calls for greater international support for Tunisia and its refugees
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/un-refugee-chief-calls-greater-international-support-tunisia-193931686.html

Morocco

Morocco reforms to cut monarch’s powers
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011617172114510513.html

Iran

Superb, clear cut. Numbers speak louder than words.

Human Rights Statistics; Two Years after Iran’s Election
http://ukiniran.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=613748582

Iran to put a monkey into space: report
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/iran-put-monkey-space-report-104704312.html
[img]http://www.enduringamerica.com/storage/blog-post-images/AHMADINEJAD%20MONKEY.jpg[/img]

Jailed Iran brothers win global health prize
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110617/hl_afp/healthusiranrightsaids

Colbert on the new Iranian dress crackdown
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/389736/june-15-2011/iran-bans-necklaces-and-shorts?xrs=share_copy

Watch: Maziar Bahari Discusses Imprisonment, How Iranian Americans Can Support Human Rights (only Farsi for now)
http://www.niacouncil.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7435&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=-1

—

H/T EAWorldView

—

Weekly trivia.

The answer to last week’s question: the modern Turkish city of Antakya was known in the Bible as Antioch.

Bashar al-Assad was not always groomed to be president-for-life. What profession is he trained in?

Author

Khirad

Blurry photo of genitals in Damascus.

There, got your attention?

H/T Jon Stewart
——

XCVI – Thursday / الخميس

General

You must read this, you’ll thank me later:

The Cynical Dairy Farmer’s Guide to the New Middle East
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/15/the_cynical_dairy_farmer_s_guide_to_the_new_middle_east?page=full

The state of the gay Middle East.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/15/underground_and_in_the_closet

Canadian software censors the Internet in the Middle East
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1007399–guelph-based-software-censors-the-internet-in-the-middle-east?bn=1

Valerie Plame anyone?

Ret’d. CIA Official Alleges Bush White House Used Agency to “Get” Cole
http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/retd-cia-official-alleges-bush-white-house-used-agency-to-get-cole.html

Syria

United Nations warns of mounting Syria casualty rate
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/16/united-nations-syria-casualty-rate

How Banned Foreign Journalists Are Covering the Syrian Refugee Crisis
http://news.yahoo.com/s/atlantic/20110614/wl_atlantic/howmediacoveringsyrianrefugeecrisis38827

Under cover of darkness, Assad’s enemies take up arms as their foe closes in
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/under-cover-of-darkness-assads-enemies-take-up-arms-as-their-foe-closes-in-2298111.html

More than 12,000 people are now camped in a state of squalor and degradation on this side of the frontier. Another 8,500 had made it across only to be herded into camps and locked away with no access to the outside world, by the authorities in Ankara. Yesterday, these inmates held a protest demonstration during a visit by foreign minister Ahmet Davoutoglu to one of the holding centres.

Assad’s enemies pin their hopes on the regular Syrian army
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/15/syria-assad-enemies-pin-hope-on-army

Syrian rebels call for new wave of protests in Arab capitals [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8578255/Syrian-rebels-call-for-new-wave-of-protests-in-Arab-capitals.html

Hama

Idlib (northwest)

Syrian tank just screwin’ around running over bicycles

Libya

Opposition push Gaddafi’s forces back

Gaddafi regime claims ‘great victory over al-Qaeda’ in crucial town of Zawiyah
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8578626/Gaddafi-regime-claims-great-victory-over-al-Qaeda-in-crucial-town-of-Zawiyah.html

Libyans chafe under Gadhafi’s rule in Tripoli
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110615/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_libya_the_tripoli_opposition

Men like these are part of a loose band of activists emboldened by NATO airstrikes to take a stand in Tripoli, where repression of the opposition has been among the harshest in Libya.

Such low-level guerrilla warfare, along with small anti-government demonstrations, are part of a renewed push to shake the Gadhafi regime in its heartland despite a violent crackdown on dissent in the early weeks of the uprising that began Feb. 17.

A funeral procession on May 30 for one man killed in the attack turned into a demonstration by hundreds of residents in the neighborhood of Souk el-Juma, two residents said. A video of the anti-government protest was uploaded to YouTube.

“There is only one God, and Gadhafi is his enemy!” protesters shouted as they carried a man’s body through the streets.

Libya air strikes: Nato uses Twitter to help gather targets (and acknowledge it, that’s the news)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/15/libya-nato-gathers-targets-twitter

Anders Fogh Rasmussen and David Cameron try to calm Nato discord
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8578701/Anders-Fogh-Rasmussen-and-David-Cameron-try-to-calm-Nato-discord.html

White House: Obama has legal authority for Libya mission without congressional authorization
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/under-pressure-from-congress-white-house-to-send-lawmakers-report-on-libya/2011/06/15/AGT14AWH_story.html

Kucinich, you’re officially on my shit list. I’m so done with you forever. Buh-bye.

US lawmakers file suit over Obama’s Libya war
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/pl_afp/libyaconflictuscongress_20110615210313

Yemen

Quite an accusation.

Yemen warns Qatar over dissident funding
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/wl_mideast_afp/yemenpoliticsunrestqatar_20110615131922

Yemen army defectors join street protests

Bahrain

Shame on the UN.

Even in Custody, Bahrain Activists Use Twitter to Protest
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/even-in-custody-bahrain-activists-use-twitter-to-protest/

US envoy: Bahrain detainees need rights protection
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110615/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain

U.S. Adds Bahrain to List of Rights Abusers
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-15/u-s-lists-ally-bahrain-with-human-rights-violators-iran-syria.html

The United States has put Bahrain, a Persian Gulf ally, in the company of Iran, North Korea, Syria and Zimbabwe on its list of human rights violators to be scrutinized by the UN Human Rights Council.

Trial of Journalists Continues in Bahrain
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Trial-of-Journalists-Continues-in-Bahrain–123921454.html

Women protesting

Oman

It’s been a while since the benevolent dictator and renaissance man with kind eyes article.

Oman’s benevolent autocrat may avoid a similar fate to Libya’s Gaddafi
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/15/oman-middle-east-uprising

United Arab Emirates

Where ‘no’ means jail time
http://chronikler.com/middle-east/womens-issues/dubai-rape/

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s No Good, Very Bad Year
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/15/saudi_arabias_no_good_very_bad_year

Meanwhile, with 88-year-old King Abdullah and other senior princes in wheelchairs or hobbling around on sticks, Saudi palaces could be mistaken for luxurious old-age homes. Crown Prince Sultan, 87, is just a smiling shadow of his former self and may be heading back to New York City for more cancer treatment. Prince Nayef, 78, and third in line for the throne, has just returned from more than a month away in Switzerland, believed to be for medical reasons. Somewhere in the background is Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who was most recently trying to recruit Muslim mercenaries from Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia to defend the kingdom and the more vulnerable members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Diplomats often describe their role as searching for the pulse of the countries that they visit. But when it comes to the gerontocracy that is Riyadh, that maxim contains another grim, underlying truth.

😆

Social Media Help Keep the Door Open to Sustained Dissent Inside Saudi Arabia
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/world/middleeast/16saudi.html?_r=2

While social media was once almost solely the playing field of the liberal elite, Saudi activists say it has become more democratic this year, with more varied voices.

The religious conservatives are catching up. Gone are the days when they issued one fatwa reported by the newspaper Al-Watan that commanded women to avoid writing “LOL,” or laughing out loud, because the very idea of a woman laughing might arouse male strangers.

This next one is actually pretty interesting, as far as economics can be. Here’s the gist, the Saudis create jobs, but they don’t go to Saudis, at a ratio of 9/10. Among youth unemployment, it is higher than any other Middle Eastern country, other than Iraq.

New employment rules to shake up Saudi private sector
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20110615032135/Impact_On_Private_Sector

Saudi women demand driving rights
June 17 is “I will drive the car myself day” in Saudi Arabia. Here’s why that matters.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/saudi-arabia/110615/saudi-womens-rights-driving-rights

Mauritania

Mauritania opposition says October vote not possible
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/wl_africa_afp/mauritaniapoliticsunrest_20110615184111

Algeria

Algeria passes budget law as public anger grows
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/wl_africa_afp/algeriasocialeconomybudget_20110615170359

Tunisia

Interview: Tunisia tourist revenues to halve in 2011: minister
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110615/wl_nm/us_tunisia_tourism_1
Some of these are actually clever,

Tunisia defends ‘provocative adverts’ to woo tourists
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13782585

And seem to contradict this…

Tunisia’s Internet agency agrees to block porn
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110614/tc_afp/tunisiainternetpornography_20110614174409

Djibouti

Six Contributors to Opposition Radio Station Held in Gabode Prison for Past Four Months
http://allafrica.com/stories/201106140711.html

Kuwait

Kuwait ruler warns against unrest, security threats
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110615/wl_nm/us_kuwait_emir_1

Thanks to a generous welfare system, Kuwait has avoided the mass protests that have forced out the rulers of Egypt and Tunisia.

But the Gulf Arab state has endured a long political stalemate, and opposition has built up against Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah, an influential member of the ruling family. Several hundred people have held weekly peaceful rallies to demand his resignation.

CNN will (very briefly) catch you up on what I’ve intermittently included in these updates.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/16/kuwait.unrest/index.html

Jordan

Jordan’s king says elected government may take 2-3 years; ‘no time to waste’
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/jordans-king-says-an-elected-pm-cabinet-possibly-in-2-3-years/2011/06/14/AGgH7ZUH_story.html

News Office in Jordan Is Damaged in an Attack
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/world/middleeast/16jordan.html

The agency, Agence France-Presse, angered some loyalists of King Abdullah II when it reported on Monday that his convoy was attacked with rocks and bottles during a visit to Tafileh

Lebanon

Lebanon: New All-Male Government Formed Amidst Continued Wrangling
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/06/14/lebanon-new-all-male-government-formed-amidst-continued-wrangling/

Egypt

Egypt’s military council lifts nightly curfew
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/201161563513344977.html

13 Parties unite to form ‘National Coalition for Egypt’
http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/1/64/14330/Egypt/Politics-/-Parties-unite-to-form-National-Coalition-for-Egyp.aspx

Amr Moussa: Egypt not ready for parliamentary elections
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/468463

Low-ranking police officers demand their superiors face trial for murder
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/468530

Iran

It may be trite, even slightly demeaning considering the more than skin-deep indignity, not to mention their smarts and grit, but Iranian girls are gorgeous. There, I said it.

Iran intensifies dress crackdown

Interesting spin, I must say.

Iran’s Green Movement has actually achieved its goal

Where does Iran’s opposition stand two years later? The price of speaking out has been high. Even so, the movement has achieved its goal by gaining moral high ground, revealing the true face of the Islamic regime, and draining away much of its political legitimacy.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Global-Viewpoint/2011/0615/Iran-s-Green-Movement-has-actually-achieved-its-goal

The regional context is also a factor. Violent repression against Iranian civil society and the fractures within Iran’s ruling class have eroded the image of the regime as the vanguard of the resistance against oppressors in the Muslim world. The recent revolts in the Arab street against corrupt dictatorships in Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere were more akin to the nonviolent demonstrations in Tehran than to the truncheon-wielding Basiji thugs who put down the revolt. The regime has based much of its international appeal upon being a righteous Islamic answer to corrupted regimes around the Middle East; yet, now the government’s anti-democratic domestic policies are steadily sweeping away its legitimacy as “popular” and “Islamic.”

Ahmadinejad calls for regional security alliance to counter US influence

Iran’s president calls on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members to unite against western ‘colonialists and enslavers’
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/15/ahmadinejad-sco-united-front-against-us

Elsewhere

How predictable was this?

Obama calls for ceasefire in Sudan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110615/pl_afp/sudanunrestusobama_20110615112918

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama is calling on Sudan’s warring factions to end the bloody violence threatening a peace agreement as the south gears up for independence due in three weeks.

Funny, bloody violence threatens peace? You don’t say.

Author

Khirad

XCV – Wednesday / الأربعاء

Syria

Thugs in Damascus, tales from Jisr al-Shughour

Syrian army presses scorched earth campaign in north
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110614/wl_mideast_afp/syriapoliticsunrest_14

Syria widens crackdown in north and east
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011615501460629.html

Tanks deploy in east, Syrians flee northern town (Maarat al-Numaan)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/15/us-syria-idUSLDE73N02P20110615

Video footage claims to show army defections, conditions of displaced families and continued protests
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/syria-video-footage-assad-deaths-security-forces-deir-zour-jisr-shoghror.html

Syrian Army deserter: ‘We were ordered to shoot on the people’
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0613/Syrian-Army-deserter-We-were-ordered-to-shoot-on-the-people

‘They shot people who were trying to get away’
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/they-shot-people-who-were-trying-to-get-away-2297071.html

Among the crowd were soldiers who had changed sides. They acknowledged serving a repressive regime without questions. But they had stopped doing so, they insisted, because of the vicious nature of the current military operations. Surrounded by people who have suffered at the hands of their fellow troops, the soldiers were nervous. Ismail Sher Saleh, a 25-year-old former sergeant of infantry, had deserted just before troops of the 4th armoured division led by the President’s brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Maher al-Assad, had launched their attack on Jisr al-Shughour.

Soldiers helped civilians escape Syrian town, defecting officer says
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=281605#ixzz1PJtIc1cR

Syrian Refugees Flee a Devastated Jisr al-Shughour
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2077621,00.html

Syrians vent rage in tent camps on border with Turkey
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-syria-crackdown-20110615,0,6488208.story

Five months pregnant, she ran for her life, she said, when Assad’s forces stormed her village, shooting a man — a lawyer she knew — dead before her eyes. A resident of Latakia, she is among those yet to cross into Turkey, many of whom are either hoping they will be able to return to their homes soon or reluctant to leave Syria without friends and family they’ve left behind.

More than 9,000 more have fled across the Turkish border to one of the numerous camps being set up in a mountainous region of Hatay province, according to Turkey’s semiofficial Anatolia news agency.

In Pictures: Syrian refugees flock to Turkey
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/interactive/2011/06/201161421826201794.html

Arwa Damon is the full package.

CNN reporter, briefly in Syria, hears ‘horror’ stories
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/14/syria.unrest/index.html?iref=NS1

Just inside Syria, refugees from embattled town huddle in makeshift camp
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0614/Just-inside-Syria-refugees-from-embattled-town-huddle-in-makeshift-camp

Riiiight…

Syria calls on refugees to return
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=281889

Arab League issues first condemnation of Syria violence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/14/arab-league-condemnation-syria-violence

Syria’s envoy, Youssef Ahmad, claimed Moussa was recommending the same sort of military intervention that the Arab League endorsed in Libya three months ago.

Oh wow, that’s what Russia says. What a coincidence.

Russia, China boycott UN talks on Syria
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=281398

Assad envoy to holds talks with Turkey PM

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Jun-15/Assad-envoy-to-holds-talks-with-Turkey-PM.ashx#ixzz1PL0S4f6Y

You know, thinking about what outrages the public when it comes to music and media, this may not be fair and quite self-righteous, but I find such talk ridiculous. This is what I think is obscene, in the real world, right now.

Detention and killing of children prompt charges and countercharges
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/syria-children-killed-khatib.html

Syrian Blogger Monitors Country’s Uprising (speaks to NPR via Skype)
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/14/137168936/syrian-blogger-monitors-countrys-uprising

The Fall of the House of Assad
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/10/the_fall_of_the_house_of_assad

The regime is exaggerating the numbers, but soldiers are undoubtedly being killed. Firm evidence is lost in the fog, but there are reliable and consistent reports, backed by YouTube videos, of mutinous soldiers being shot by security forces. Defecting soldiers have reported mukhabarat lined up behind them as they fire on civilians, watching for any soldier’s disobedience. A tank battle and aerial bombardment were reported after a small-scale mutiny in the Homs region. Tensions within the military are expanding.

Syrian Unrest Stirs New Fear of Deeper Sectarian Divide
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?_r=1
Turkey feels racial tensions as flood of Syrian refugees goes on
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-feels-racial-tensions-as-flood-of-syrian-refugees-goes-on-2297550.html

I feel like maybe I should do a better job explaining context. Aleppo is the second largest city in Syria and quite important. There, context established, now, video:

Damascus

Hama (of Hama massacre infamy)

Professionals march in Hama

Syrians in Idlib (borders Turkey) congratulate Erdoğan’s reëlection.

Angelina Jolie seeks to visit Syrian refugees
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/angelina-jolie-seeks-to-visit-syrian-refugees-2297635.html

Libya

Libyan rebel fighters suffer losses in Brega
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011613165648361721.html

The rebels have spent months trying to seize the strategic oil hub of Brega, which would open the road to Sirte, the Libyan leader’s home town, and from there to the capital Tripoli.

“Our men were tricked. Gaddafi’s soldiers pretended to surrender, coming with a white flag, and then they fired on us,” Mussa al-Mograbi, a rebel commander, told the AFP news agency on Monday.

Whoops. Talk about being punished for success.

Libya rebels advance into Nato bombing path
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/14/misrata-rebels-nato-bomb-libya

Libyan rebel troops whooped with joy outside the besieged city of Misrata when Nato dropped leaflets threatening Apache air strikes against government forces – until they realised they were in the path of the expected bombing.

Libyan rebels make fresh advances
Gains come as NATO bombs Tripoli, with strikes hitting eastern neighbourhoods of the capital city.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011614133151319133.html

Clinton: Africa must abandon Gadhafi
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110613/ap_on_re_af/af_us_clinton_libya_2

Liberia cuts ties with Gaddafi’s Libya
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Liberia-cuts-ties-with-Gaddafis-Libya-20110614

That makes 14 nations recognizing the NTC. But African Union nations are particularly necessary, given Gaddafi’s largesse to Sub-Saharan nations in terms of infrastructure and economic aid packages, and in South Africa’s President Zuma protesting.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8575984/Libya-Jacob-Zuma-accuses-Nato-of-not-sticking-to-UN-resolution.html

Libya: another member of Gaddafi regime defects [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8573509/Libya-another-member-of-Gaddafi-regime-defects.html

This is the kind of thing that really pisses me off. I mean, rape, slaughter and war crimes do more obviously, but this is like threatening to doing that to an inanimate site. It’s sacrilegious to history. Like, I dare you to, because you care more about our heritage than I do.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi hides Grad missiles from NATO raids in the ruins of Leptis Magna
http://shabablibya.org/news/libyan-leader-muammar-gaddafi-hides-grad-missiles-from-nato-raids-in-the-ruins-of-leptis-magna

Kadafi chess match a diplomatic draw
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/libya-moammar-kadafi-tripoli-chess-kirsan-ilyumzhinov-russia.html

Mikhail Margelov, the Russian president’s special envoy for Africa, told Interfax he had advised the chess federation boss to play white and make a move — e2-e4 — that would serve the purpose of “hinting to Kadafi that he is nearing the endgame.”

A lot more info on that bizarre chess match, with video
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/qaddafis-latest-gambit-a-chess-match/

I had to look it up, it’s the move, many years back in Junior High Chess Club (I joined for a girl) everyone usually opens with. Russian poetry?

Canada buying more ‘smart’ munitions to replenish Libya mission
http://www.canada.com/news/Canada+buying+more+smart+munitions+replenish+Libya+mission/4940524/story.html

Now, don’t give the Canucks any ideas.

Navy chief: Britain cannot keep up its role in Libya air war due to cuts [H/T Kalima]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8573849/Navy-chief-Britain-cannot-keep-up-its-role-in-Libya-air-war-due-to-cuts.html

More nuanced than the grim title:

Libya: Illusion of momentum as Nato campaign drags on [H/T Kalima]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13753786

Nevertheless,

US House votes to block funding for Libya
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/20116147535393778.html

Boehner warns of possible War Powers Resolution violation over Libya
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/06/14/boehner.war.powers/index.html

Awesome job, guys…

Tripoli bides time as Gaddafi support ebbs away
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/14/tripoli-support-gaddafi-ebbs-away

But the nightly gatherings outside his Bab al-Aziziya compound now attract just a few hundred people, judging by the live broadcasts on state television. After a heavy day of bombing last week, a demonstration called to protest against Nato’s campaign attracted 300 people at most. This in a city with a population of more than a million.

The accuracy of the air strikes, which appear to have caused few civilian casualties, mean Gaddafi has been unable to convince people that this is “crusader aggression” against all Libyans, even if many agree that the bombing raids are no longer just about protecting ordinary people. “Nato good, good,” is a common refrain to be heard from people talking to foreign reporters.

Libya not a War for Oil
http://www.juancole.com/2011/06/libya-not-a-war-for-oil.html

As Seth Meyers would say, “really?!”

London 2012 Olympics: Libya gets hundreds of tickets amid fears Colonel Gaddafi will disrupt Games
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/london2012/8575813/London-2012-Olympics-Libya-gets-hundreds-of-tickets-amid-fears-Colonel-Gaddafi-will-disrupt-Games.html

Yemen

STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!! Nobody here f****** cares! We have Weinergate. MSNBC, CNN and FOX might as well all be SABA.

Yemen sees largest protests since departure of wounded president
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/yemen-president-health-stable-but-suffers-throat-problem-prime-minister-very-critical/2011/06/14/AGBHmLUH_story.html

Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in nearly every major city of the country on Tuesday, demanding trial for the family and close aides of the ailing president.

For instance, in Ta’izz

In Pictures: Marchers flood Sanaa streets
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/interactive/2011/06/201161423128996128.html

What will occupy all the news in America?

Officials: Militants seize parts of a Yemeni city
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110615/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen

Yemen’s acting president meets opposition leaders for the first time
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/8573389/Yemens-acting-president-meets-opposition-leaders-for-the-first-time.html

This is the real Game of Thrones right here:

Who Tried to Kill Ali Abdullah Saleh?
The hidden feud behind the revolution in Yemen.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/13/who_tried_to_kill_ali_abdullah_saleh

Evidence from the scene indicates that the explosion may have been caused by a device that was planted inside the mosque on the presidential compound, and not by a mortar shell or rocket, as was initially reported. If true, this means that someone with close access to the president was involved, which raises the question of why members of the Yemeni regime’s inner circle — set to mark its 33rd anniversary in power next month — now appear intent on destroying each other?

The above then goes on into the web of clan loyalties and balance of power arrangements. Very interesting. Added new info I thought I already knew about the competing tribal factions. Here’s a shorter one though:

Who Tried to Assassinate Yemen’s President?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/atlantic/20110614/wl_atlantic/whotriedassassinateyemenspresident38813

Remember, though I link to al-Arabiya on occasion, it is owned by the Saudis. So, with that in mind.

Saudi top official to Al Arabiya: Saleh’s health improving and might give speech soon
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/06/15/153344.html

Daily life without fuel and power in Yemen
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/13/yemen.shortages/index.html

Hmm, interesting…

Britain to send Apache helicopters to Yemen
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/8575410/Britain-to-send-Apache-helicopters-to-Yemen.html

<Bahrain

Robert Fisk: I saw these brave doctors trying to save lives – these charges are a pack of lies
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-i-saw-these-brave-doctors-trying-to-save-lives-ndash-these-charges-are-a-pack-of-lies-2297100.html

In truth, of course, the Khalifa family is not mad. Nor are the Sunni minority of Bahrain intrinsically bad or sectarian. The reality is clear for anyone to see in Bahrain. The Saudis are now running the country. They never received an invitation to send their own soldiers to support the Bahraini “security forces” from the Bahraini Crown Prince, who is a decent man. They simply invaded and received a post-dated invitation.

The subsequent destruction of ancient Shia mosques in Bahrain was a Saudi project, entirely in line with the kingdom’s Taliban-style hatred of all things Shia. Could the Bahraini prime minister be elected, I asked a member of the royal court last February? “The Saudis would not permit this,” he replied. Of course not. Because they now control Bahrain. Hence the Saudi-style doctors’ trial.

Bahrain is not amused, they want to sue Fisk.
http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/460799

Trial of ex-editors of opposition Bahraini newspaper delayed
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/15/bahrain.journalists.trial/

The poet that got jail time for “inciting hatred”. Here’s the offending poem:

http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/ayat-al-ghormezi-s-poem-khalifa

Protest in Sanabis

A blog from a Shia doctor in Bahrain
http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2011/06/14/a-blog-from-a-shia-doctor-in-bahrain/

A quick catch-up if you’ve missed the goings on the past week

I couldn’t make this up…

Bahrain summer 2011 (3): A Festival of Hope and Love
http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/460719

Manama, June. 14 (BNA) — Bahrain’s Summer Festival 3 aims to spread a message of hope, love and optimism in the kingdom, the region and beyond, organisers. The third annual event from July 1 to 31 includes events and activities that aim to bring joy and happiness to residents and tourists. Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said this year’s festival would have a different flavour, under the slogan ‘Summer of Joy, Coming Together and Hope’.

On July 20 and 21, the Canadian Théâtre Tout à Trac will follow the white rabbit with an innovative adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland with the same unbridled humour and madness of the original tale.

Another case of unintentional dark humor.

‘Bahrain regime punishes for nothing’
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/184607.html

Yes, the Iranian regime outlet is complaining about the sentenced woman poet whom dared criticize the regime. Ahem…

http://azarmehr.blogspot.com/2011/03/irans-young-poetess-to-face-trial.html