Middle East Focus

War and Love in Beirut: a Violent Syrian man, a Wench Named Love, a Hapless Egyptian Barber, a Jordanian Terrorist……

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:10:34 GMT

Neck of the woods

“The fighting started as a domestic dispute between Yaman al-Suleimani, a Syrian and owner of the flat on Caracas Street, and Gharam al-Hussein, with whom he lived (and loved). Gharam Hussein sought the help of Samer Abou Akel, an unlucky Egyptian hairdresser located near the building. The helpful Egyptian hairdresser returned with the woman (Gharam) to the flat, only for him to be shot to death by Suleimani. Hani al-Shanti, a Jordanian who had served time in prison as a terrorist member of the Group 13 (Islamists who confessed to killing former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri), joined Suleiman for some reason. Both men became trapped inside their apartment as security forces attempted to apprehend them, and a night-long gun battle ensued. Al-Suleimani ended up being shot dead by the military, the Jordanian al-Shanti surrendered and was arrested by the army. The girl Gharam Hussein and the building superintendent were also arrested The incident occurred next to the headquarters of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), but despite early fears, the SSNP appeared not to be involved in the clashes, according to an Al-Akhbar correspondent………”

A straightforward story. A story of love, terrorism, stupidity, bad luck, and death. The Gharam chick was the mistress of the Syrian man al-Suleimani (no relation to the leader of the Iranian Quds Brigade, although Saudi media may claim otherwise). Appropriately her first name, Gharam, means love or infatuation in Arabic. In other words, they shacked and shagged together in that Beirut flat until death did them part. At least until the death of the Syrian Suleimani and the hapless Egyptian barber did them part. The Jordanian terrorist survived, but he looks toward many years in prison, unless he is hanged. As for the girl Gharam (a k a Love), I expect she will be out soon, looking for greener pastures.
Only in Beirut.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

In Baghdad: Iranians Reject Demands Carried by Israeli Surrogates………

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:34:57 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Iranian media on Thursday said the chances of tottering talks with world powers continuing after the current Baghdad negotiations are "very low," with several outlets saying Iran had essentially been handed Israeli demands. A correspondent with Iran's Al-Alam network reflecting the Iranian delegation's views in Baghdad said the so-called P5+1 – the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany – had to sweeten incentives for Iran to suspend parts of its disputed nuclear program for talks to go on. "All depends on whether the other side is ready to adjust their proposals," the reporter said. "But due to the shortage of time, the possibility of coming up with these decisions is very low."………”

Iranian media sound as if Iranians are in fact negotiating with the Israeli regime in Baghdad. That the Western powers are merely appointed representatives of the Likud coalition government. That the demands presented by the P5+1 were basically American demands on behalf of Israel. This is probably not exactly accurate. The fact is that the Israeli demands represent the ceiling for Iran, as far as American delegates are concerned. Not a glass ceiling, just a hard concrete ceiling that dooms the prospects for an agreement.
Speaking of which, Juan Cole makes an interesting and valid “legal” point about Iran, the West, and NPT:

“The problem on the UNSC + Germany side is that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allows Iran to enrich uranium, including to 19.75%, and does not allow for inspections of military bases (at US and then-Soviet insistence). The P5 + 1 are making demands on Iran for which there is no basis in international law, and which are directly contradictory to the NPT. In essence, the UNSC has high-handedly repealed the NPT for Iran and from 2006 has just insisted that Iran stop enriching uranium altogether, including for peaceful power-generating purposes. Iran would be under no obligation to pay attention to these extra-legal UNSC demands save that they are accompanied by the imposition of a financial blockade on Iran that aims at preventing it from selling its petroleum via the international banking system and so at paralyzing the Iranian economy. US unilateral sanctions are far more harsh than the UNSC sanctions, but the US is still the world’s largest economy, and it can usually make its financial policies stick. The European Union extra sanctions beyond those called for by the Security Council may not be legal……………”
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Canada under Putin and Tea Party Rules……………

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:25:30 GMT

Neck of the woods

“For a change, Americans should take note of what is happening across the quiet northern border. Canada used to seem a progressive and just neighbor, but the picture today looks less rosy. One of its provinces has gone rogue, trampling basic democratic rights in an effort to end student protests against the Quebec provincial government’s plan to raise tuition fees by 75 percent. On May 18, Quebec’s legislative assembly, under the authority of the provincial premier, Jean Charest, passed a draconian law in a move to break the 15-week-long student strike. Bill 78, adopted last week, is an attack on Quebecers’ freedom of speech, association and assembly. Mr. Charest has refused to use the traditional means of mediation in a representative democracy, leading to even more polarization. His administration, one of the most right-wing governments Quebec has had in 40 years, now wants to shut down opposition. The bill threatens to impose steep fines of 25,000 to 125,000 Canadian dollars against student associations and unions — which derive their financing from tuition fees — in a direct move to break the movement. For example, student associations will be found guilty if they do not stop their members from protesting within university and college grounds……………”

Is it my imagination or has Canada been going right-wing ever since that weasel Harper got himself made prime minister some years ago? I firmly believe that Canada's last good leader was Mr. Christian. They usually do better with a Frenchy than with an Anglo at the top. But maybe not this year: Jean Charest don't sound like no Anglo neither, do he? In any case: vive La France (apres Sarkozy).
Cheers
mhg
m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Cairo: Joys of Polygamy, Bittersweet Taste of Polygamy……

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:07:27 GMT

An Egyptian man arrived at Cairo airport with his two wives from Saudi Arabia. After their arrival, the man and his two brides were met at the terminal by his in-laws, both sets of in-laws. Apparently a dispute ensued, leading to an argument, and some violence. Apparently there was some family dispute, and the man had also acquired the habit of beating his two wives while in Saudi Arabia (picked up a local habit?). The man was reportedly set upon and severely beaten by his in-laws, both sets of in-laws. There is no report if the two wives actively participated in the beating their husband received from their families but I can guess. Police intervened to save the husband and a report was filed. One of the peculiarities of polygamy: twice the fun (maybe), twice the pain (almost certainly).
End of the story: I shall categorize this under culture.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Pious Booze: Tunisia’s Salafis Go on an Alcoholic Binge………..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:32:22 GMT

Neck of the woods
“Tunisian Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri threatened Monday to punish Salafist Muslims who push their views on others too hard, after radical Islamists forced a series of bars to close. "I'm telling those people -- the Salafists -- that if they think the state is afraid of them, the game is up and those who cross red lines are going to be punished," Bhiri told private radio station Express FM. The warning comes after dozens of radical Salafists told the owners of bars and liquor stores in the central city of Sidi Bouzid to shut down or face violent consequences, a local security source said. The Salafists threatened to use force to "impose their law," the source said -- part of a campaign waged since last Friday to eliminate the sale of alcohol in the city. On Saturday, Salafists set fire to a local alcohol warehouse……………..”

Interesting dilemma for Tunisia's Salafis, and Islamists in general. And for the mixed quasi-Islamist government. Three of the following terms mix well, but one may be a deal breaker: tourist economy - European bikinis - booze - Islamic fundamentalists.
What to do? Keep the Salafis away from the beautiful beaches? Tough job: Salafis don't believe in the rule of law, unless it is the Shari'a, as they see it.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

In Baghdad: West Will not Ease Sanctions, Iran Will Not Surrender…..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:18:09 GMT

“The first day of negotiations in Baghdad between Iran and the P5+1 group -- the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany -- ended Wednesday evening; the talks will resume Thursday. Saeed Jalili, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator and secretary-general of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), also met separately with Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign policy chief who leads the negotiations for the P5+1. Jalili's deputy at the SNSC, Ali Bagheri, likewise met separately with the Chinese delegation. Bagheri apparently also met with German diplomat Helga Maria Schmid, Ashton's senior adviser. In secret negotiations in an undisclosed location last week, Bagheri and Schmid had agreed on the agenda for the Baghdad meeting……… It appears that by Wednesday evening hopes for quick progress had faded. The P5+1 apparently presented Iran with a list of tough demands involving the curbing of its uranium enrichment, but offered little sanctions relief in return………”

“Reports from Baghdad said differences among the six world powers party to the talks with Iran have widened over a proper reaction to Tehran's offer of cooperation…….”
“Reports from Baghdad said negotiating teams from Iran and the six world powers are most likely to continue their talks in another country……..” Fars News Agency

A dilemma: as I opined some weeks ago, Iran will not make concessions without reciprocation. After all, the Western blockade is harming the people, but not the regime. The West will not ease sanctions, not in this election year. Any deal Tehran had reached with the IAEA (Amano) earlier in the week ran into the wall of U.S. electoral reality. The Obama administration now probably wishes Sarkozy were still in power, his belligerent pro-Israeli stance is needed in this election year.
It looks like, as expected, there will be other meetings. The next likely venue for the P5+1 and Iran meeting: it's a toss-up between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. ( )
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

German Terrorism: from Nazis to Baader-Meinhof to Salafis to Eastern Gangs………

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:57:32 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Until recently, German public perception of the Salafist movement was of a phenomenon primarily taking place abroad. The fundamentalists with the long beards and cropped trousers captured some 20 per cent of the Egyptian vote. Now they aim to impose Sharia law on the nation and induce society to live by the example of the Prophet and his disciples. They also made negative press in Tunisia, with verbal attacks on Jews and anyone challenging their rigid world view. But in Germany? For sure, police and intelligence agencies have long had the German Salafists on their radar, and they warn of the potential dangers posed by this ideology. Members of what was known as the "Sauerland cell", who planned attacks on US installations in 2007 and were sentenced to serve long jail terms, came from this milieu…… The best-known face among German Salafists is the convert Pierre Vogel, who until last autumn toured the nation canvassing for the one and only true faith in his seminars on Islam. Some media described the former boxer, who speaks fluent Arabic with a Cologne-region accent, as a "hate preacher". But that's only accurate to a certain extent………”

Salafi Wahhabis do have a message of hate against people of other faiths, even against other Muslims whom they consider heretics. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations had their genesis in the Wahhabi-controlled Saudi educational system that for decades encouraged hatred of others. It still does. Yet that is not the whole story.
German cities have a long history of ‘extremism’ and hate groups, long before Muslim immigrants showed up in large numbers. We all know the history from the 1920s-1930s and 1960s-1970s (although the latter were not hate groups but rather "radical" leftist). That picture got ugly again after the fall of the Berlin Wall, as Neo-Nazi hate groups started emerging from the ashes of East Germany. Come to think of it, nothing seems to have triggered the emergence of so much recent extremism and violence in Central and Eastern Europe as the fall of Communism. That ‘new extremism’ has taken the form of racial and religious hate groups as well as human trafficking and drug cartels.
Salafi groups are dangerous both in their own right and also because they finance, aid and abet terrorist groups. But the violence they have visited upon places like Germany so far are mild compared to what these other non-Muslim groups have done and are doing. Some may consider the Baader-Meinhof group as pussycats compared to the new non-Muslim criminal gangs spawned in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Egyptian Choices: Old Guard or the Known Unknown, about Arab Humor……..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:37:47 GMT

Neck of the woods

There is no doubt that Saudis and Gulf potentates would like Ahmed Shafiq (former pre-revolutionary prime minister of Mubarak) to win. That is the trend I see among Gulf analysts and journalists and academics who are close to their regimes. If that happens then Egypt will go back to its stagnant Mubarak days, become a sidekick of the al-Saud princes. I strongly suspect, and my suspicions are usually educated, that he is also the candidate many in Washington prefer (both the White House and the Congress).
Barring Shafiq, the al-Saud and many Gulf potentates prefer Amr Moussa, another leftover from the Mubarak days. Moussa is a second choice of the West and the al-Saud because he is less predictable than Shafiq. In spite of his long service in Egypt and the League of Arab Regimes, he could switch and turn independent. I suspect he has the capacity even at his age.
My guess is that most young men and women who started the Egyptian uprising are against these two "fuloul leftovers". But Egyptians are a conservative people: only a very conservative people would bear thirty years of Mubarak. They almost lost their famous Egyptian sense of humor in those years, the only sense of humor in the Arab world.
(Speaking of humor: the other Arabs' position on humor varies from “what is humor?” in Jordan and Syria and Palestine to “maybe, I’ll have to ask the Mufti or the shaikh before I chuckle” in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. You can forget about Algeria and Libya. As for Moroccans and Tunisians, it depends on how high they are, which I hear is “not very and less frequently” these days.)
Back to the Egyptian elections: my guess is that Egyptians will most likely prefer to elect a new face. The next stage, the run-off election campaign will be fierce, and if Shafiq and Moussa are still in the running, there will be a lot of “outside” money from sisterly and brotherly potentates to spend on advertisements. If Ahmed Shafiq wins, then maybe Egypt’s revolution was not completed.
(Hamdin Sabahi, the Nasserist, is a dark horse, but I doubt he'll win)
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

New Arab Unknown: Elections Where no King Has Gone Before……..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:57:59 GMT

                                             Neck of the woods

“Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw—within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich and like a lily in bloom—

An angel, writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold..….”
                                   Abou Ben Adhem (James Henry Leigh Hunt)

The best thing about these Egyptian elections is that nobody knows who will come on top. Even in America there is usually a feeling about who will most likely win. Not this time in Egypt. A first in the Arab world: the greatest achievement of the Egyptian uprising of January 2011. You can bet that no Arab leader will ever win over 90% of the vote anymore (okay the GCC-appointed new Yemen president won 99.8%, but only because the 2% were from rival tribes and were hiding from the drones). From now on Arab leaders will be more clever: nobody will get more than 70%, a decent showing for any hated leader.
Now imagine if all Arab states followed this Egyptian example:

In the Saudi Arabian Peninsula nobody would know who will win the royal elections. Will it be Abullah Bin Abdulaziz? Or Nayef Bin Abdulaziz? Will it be Salman Bin Abdulaziz? Or Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz? Or maybe Talal (very dark horse) Bin Abdulaziz? Or it could be any of the many other Bins Abdulaziz al-Saud. And why not some Bint Abdulaziz (don’t know their names yet)? It should go smoothly, so long as the name ends with al-Saud: unless one of the Shaikh Al Al Shaikh decides to throw his hat in the ring (make that “throw his shmagh in the ring”). Then it would be “Katie bar the door” in Riyadh.
In Bahrain it could be one of several Bin Technocrat Bin Kleptocrats who might win: Hamad Bin Issa, Issa Bin Hamad, Salman Bin Hamad, Issa Bin Salman, Khalifa (dark uncle) Bin Salman, Hamad Bin Salman, Salman Bin Khalifa, Salman bin Khalifa, Khalifa Bin Hamad, Adle Bin Jassim Bin Flaifel, Abu Ben Adhem, Judah Ben Hur……. (Provided most of the people either boycott the elections or are banned from voting).
In Abu Dhabi it would be simpler: it would be between Khalifa Bin Technocrat Bin Zayed, Abdullah Bin Technocrat Bin Zayed, Mohammed Bin Technocrat Bin Zayed, and a passel of other Bins Technocrats Bin Zayed. Unless Dhahi Khalfan of Dubai stages a coup and starts his own Great Jamahiriya Arab Emirates of Tamim.
In Syria it would be between Bashar al-Assad, a couple of his grasping uncles, and a couple of his greedy cousins. Unless they allow the schmuck from the Free Syrian Army (or is it the Syrian Free Army) to run. Not the scholarly Burhan Ghalioun: he’d be eaten alive by the goons and extremists allied with him for now.
In Jordan it would be a tough competition between the incumbent Abdullah Bin Hussein (half British and aspiring Star Trek cosmonaut) and Hamza Bin Hussein (half American and aspiring dunno what: ask his mom Noor Lisa Halaby).

Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Free Syrian Army Kidnaps Lebanese Pilgrims, What will Turkey do?.............

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:06:53 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Elements of the Free Syrian Army on Tuesday kidnapped 13 Lebanese Shi’as (Shi’ites) in the Aleppo region as they were returning by bus from pilgrimages to holy sites in Iran. Family members have gathered in South Beirut to protest. Hezbollah Secretary Generazl Hassan Nasrallah has called for calm. Nasralllah told al-Manar TV that everyone need to ‘really’ exercise self-control, and nobody should take unilateral action. He said that contacts are ongoing with Syria and some ‘influential’ regional countries……………”

I suspect all this may have been an attempt to provoke Hezbollah into military action. It is odd how quickly the Saudi and Bahraini and Qatari and UAE regimes ordered their citizens to leave Lebanon. Other Gulf states followed.

The so-called Free Syrian Army is not new to terrorism and kidnappings: it has often acted as a bunch of unruly gangsters. Kidnapping Lebanese pilgrims on their way home is something it would do. It also picked Lebanese Shi’as to kidnap, which indicates an attempt to stoke sectarian fires in Lebanon.
Most likely the Lebanese authorities are in contact with the Turks, who control the lifeline of the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups. The Turks control the fate of this so-called Free Syrian Army and they can force it to release these hostages.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

GCC Media Censorship and Repression, Cairo and Beirut as Cultural Capitals…..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:20:08 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Thirty GCC chief editors will converge to Bahrain to take part in the 3rd Gulf Press Association Conference, set to be held on May22-23. They will also take part in the 6th GPA annual meeting as part of festivities marking Manama Capital of Arab Press 2012. The events were announced as Information Affairs Authority President Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa received GPA secretary-General Nasser Mohammed Al-Othman. Shaikh Fawaz outlined preparations to host both events, congratulating Mr. Al-Othman on swooping the COGIR-GCC Award in recognition of his media and press efforts. He stressed the crucial importance of the Gulf press-being a cornerstone of the GCC march, underscoring its vital role of the press in cementing GCC relations…………”

No doubt they are trying to make the situation in Manama seem normal', at least by Gulf standards. Definitely to give the air of "business as usual" by Saudi standards.
I also imagine by meeting in Manama they are signaling how they see the future of Arab newspapers (or media): repressed and occupied by censors. Not that the media are free in the rest of the GCC states (possibly with one exception). Repression has been rewarded in Bahrain with other intangible “benefits”: Manama was declared the Culture Capital of the Arab world for 2012. I would think some idiots voted that dubious honor, or maybe most likely it just was their turn (maybe they do it alphabetically).
Hell, even claustrophobic, xenophobic, artless, theater-less, cinema-less, freedom-less, soul-less Riyadh was once chosen as Cultural Capital of the Arab world. So the bar is already set pretty law. I imagine Mogadishu (Somalia) will also have its turn.
Yet, if we want to be honest, there is one, actually two, cultural capitals of the Arab world. They are the same two cities that have been the centers of culture in the Arab world throughout the twentieth century. Cairo and Beirut still reign and will continue to do so through this new century. Forty stagnant years of Sadat-Mubarak rule in Cairo and many years of civil strife in Beirut could not change that. It’s not the money, stupid!
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

UN and the Arab League on Bahrain and Syria: Nabil Elaraby El-Saudi……….

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:46:12 GMT

Neck of the woods

"The Iranian government must stop its media escalation campaign and provocative statements from Iranian officials regarding the situation in Bahrain," Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby said in a statement. "Any union steps between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are a sovereign issue of the two states and other Gulf countries and no other country has the right to interfere in it," he said. Iranian state television aired last week footage of thousands of people holding rallies around the country protesting against the proposed Manama-Riyadh union and an influential cleric denounced the idea as an "ill-fated plot"………”

The Iranians are not always right on the Bahrain issue, especially when they question the legal status of an independent Bahrain. But they are right this time in expressing objections to a Saudi annexation of the occupied islands. The UN should look into any loss of sovereignty against the wishes of a majority of the people.
Mr. Nabil Elaraby is dutifully echoing the Saudi view on Bahrain. His comments would be more credible if he had expressed the same opinion about foreign interventions in other Arab states. There was Libya last year. There is Syria this year where the Saudi bosses of the Arab League and the Qataris are openly calling for Western military intervention. Even now, there is serious foreign intervention in Syria from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the Western powers.
Besides, Saudi-Bahrain relations are not a sovereign issue. Not when a majority of the people of Bahrain are against it. Besides, who elected the Bahrain regime and the al-Saud regime to act on behalf of the people? Both regimes are of questionable legitimacy on this matter (as would be the Syrian regime).
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

The Mufti and the King on Feminism.....

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:38:35 GMT

Neck of the woods
““I believe strongly in the rights of women. My mother is a woman. My sister is a woman. My daughter is a woman. My wife is a woman,” said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in an interview with Barbara Walters on American television station ABC in October 2005. Saudi women have taken remarkable steps toward successful achievements thanks to King Abdullah’s full support in various areas…………..”

Yes he does. After all his wife (at least one of them) is a woman. Surprisingly, so are his mom and daughter(s). The guy is veritable feminist: more so than his Mufti Al Al Shaikh. The Mufti believes that a woman can be 'feminine' from the age of 10, or as soon as she can bear the weight of a man on top of her. (He ought to be arrested for obscenity and pedophilia as soon as he lands at JFK, but he won't). That is something the king disagrees with, silently.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Saad Hariri Wages Battle in Beirut from the Safety of Paris and Riyadh………

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:24:54 GMT

Neck of the woods
" Two people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded in overnight street battles in Beirut between groups that support and oppose Syria's rulers, raising fears that Lebanon could be drawn into the conflict of its larger neighbor. The official National News Agency reported tow people killed and at least 18 injured in fighting between Sunni Muslim gunmen opposed to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and supporters of the pro-Syrian Arab Movement Party in the majority Sunni neighborhood near the Beirut Arab University..........."

Saad Hariri, leader of the “opposition” March 14 right-wing bloc in Lebanon has been living abroad for the past year. Hariri is moving his pawns of the Future group inside Lebanon from his undisclosed locations in Riyadh and Paris, just as the Saudi princes move him around as their main pawn in Lebanon. His political alliance, dubbed pro-Western because it is Saudi-financed and hostile to the Iranians (just as Hezbollah is dubbed terrorist because it is Iranian-financed), encouraged the growth of Salafi Wahhabi militants around Tripoli. Probably as a potential balance against Hezbollah in some future conflict. Now these Salafi groups have been joined by al-Qaeda and are engaged in destabilizing northern Lebanon and the border with Syria.

Armed Hariri militias (can you imagine Hariri or Saniora carrying weapons?) also came out into the streets of “parts” of Beirut to dispose of a small pro-Syrian regime party. Their target was a Sunni group, hence ensuring that Hezbollah fighters would not come out and spank the Hariri militias. (One has to specify the sect in Lebanon; one has to specify the sect in any Arab state in this miserable sectarian Saudi era). Maybe the Hariri-ites counted on Hezbollah holding back, or maybe (likely) the goal was to provoke Hassan Nasrallah into attacking them. As it happened, Hezbollah has held back, so far.
Odd, that the vast Saudi media and their Gulf surrogates are continuing to blast Hezbollah and Nasrallah, while he is holding his verbal fire. Al-Manar and the speeches never directly attack the al-Saud clan or other Gulf dynasties, while the Saudi and Gulf media spend much of the time not allotted to attacking al-Assad to blast him and his movement.
Hezbollah does make an exception in the case of the rulers of Bahrain: al-Manar does blast them occasionally. But then, so does everybody else hold the al-Khalifa clan in contempt: after all they invited a foreign (Saudi) invasion into their own country.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Sectarian New Egypt: Shaikh of al-Azhar Goes Wahhabi, Opposes Freedom of Worship for Shi’as………..………..

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:08:11 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Egypt's top Islamic cleric on Monday denounced Shiite houses of worship in an usual outburst against the Muslim sect, telling Iran's envoy in Cairo that the husseiniyas promoted "instability." Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the imam of the prestigious Sunni Al-Azhar institute, met with the envoy a day after scholars from Al-Azhar and Islamist groups issued a statement condemning what they said were attempts to spread Shiism in Egypt. Shiites are estimated as a tiny fraction of Egypt's population of 82-million, most of them Sunni Muslim. Shiism is dominant in Iraq and Iran, a regional rival to Egypt and the conservative Gulf monarchies. Tayyeb told the envoy that Al-Azhar "rejected any husseiniya in Egypt because of their negative effects in destabilising the country and fracturing unity and weakening the national fabric," Al-Azhar said in a statement……….. "We are not against Shiism. They can do whatever they want in their countries, but if we are to draw closer to them, we don't want to hear insults against the companions," Mahmoud Azab, Tayyeb's dialogue adviser, told AFP………. But the sect remains taboo in Egypt, partly because of its association with Iran, which has low-level diplomatic representation in Cairo after Egypt broke off ties following Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution. In a recent debate ahead of a May 23-24 presidential election, one front-runner, Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, said Shiism must not be allowed to enter Egypt, while another candidate has been forced to battle rumours that he secretly embraced Shiism.………..”

Egypt was a tolerant society until about the time Hosni Mubarak took over. This discrimination against Shi’as and their faith has been rising in Egypt under the Mubarak dictatorship. That was mainly because the Mubarak regime was a follower of the Saudi princes and al-Azhar was led by Mubarak appointees who sought to please the intolerant Wahhabi princes.
Guess what? The current chief of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, used to be a functionary of Mubarak’s NPD party until the dictator appointed him to lead the Azhar. I recall that he started his first week on his job by denouncing Shi’ism and Shi’as, a clear signal to the al-Saud princes and their Wahhabi clerics that he was on their side. Ahmed al-Tayyeb (who is not really tayyeb) still is on the al-Saud side.
Media of the potentates in the Persian Gulf states of the GCC are ecstatic about this new sectarian al-Azhar anti-Shi'a statement. Many Gulf Wahhabi faux-liberals (of both sexes) are practically orgasmic over it. They have been complaining for weeks that the Shi’as are about to take over Egypt (these are supposedly educated reasonable people, some with PhD’s in…… something).
I can’t wait for Ahmed al-Tayyeb (and his Saudi Wahhabi partners) to complain about Europeans not allowing mosques or minarets in Europe.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Racism: Netanyahu’s Pot or South Africa’s Kettle?...........

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:31:09 GMT

Neck of the woods
“South Africa has angered Benjamin Netanyahu's government by announcing a planned ban on importing goods marked as being "made in Israel" when they are actually produced in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. In a further sign of growing momentum behind international pressure for clear identification of settlement produce, the South African Department of Trade and Industry has issued a formal notice saying it wants traders "not to incorrectly label products that originate from the Occupied Palestinian Territory as products of Israel"……… In a sharp reaction yesterday Israel's Foreign Ministry said it would be having a "severe conversation" with the South African ambassador in Tel Aviv and the Ministry's spokesman Yigal Palmor said the move had "characteristics of racism"……..”

When Netahyahu and Lieberman (Avigdor not Joe) call South Africans racists, then that is the time to invoke the pot and the kettle comparison……
On the other hand, Netanyahu can appeal to his allies and admirers in the U.S. Congress who no doubt will apply the pressure on South Africa. I fit works on the president of the United States, it should work on an African country. No?
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Cement Shortages May not Save Mecca from its Las Vegas Future………

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:59:16 GMT

Neck of the woods

“An acute shortage of cement is delaying most commercial and residential projects in Makkah, according to sources in the contracting sector. Amid an unprecedented construction boom featuring the implementation of several multibillion riyal projects in the central Haram area and other areas in Makkah, the worsening cement crisis is likely to affect nearly 70 percent of the projects, they said. The cement price per bag has shot up to around SR20 within two months after the government’s intervention to fix the price at SR14, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported yesterday……. Abdullah Saeedi, chairman of the contractors’ committee at Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the contractors are used to becoming victims of such unscrupulous practices. “We are still struggling to come out of the fallout of the crisis that affected us a few months ago. Now we are facing another crisis created by some people and for which there is no justification whatsoever,” he said, adding contractors are in a predicament due to their failure to fulfill commitments to owners and developers of several construction projects……….”

I have written several posts here about how Salafi Wahhabi doctrine and greed have destroyed historic Mecca. Here is what I said only last March: "This piece does not cover all factors behind the crime of destruction of historical Mecca. I have written more than once on this subject, as have others. It is not all Wahhabi ideology that doomed the monuments of Mecca. Historical Mecca was destroyed by a combination of Wahhabi Salafi dogma against history and the greed of the princes and developers. You see, land in Mecca has become too valuable, a result of the explosion of the Hajj pilgrim tourism. The closest to the Holy Mosque a location is, the higher the rent and hotel costs. Historic houses of the Prophet Mohammed and the early Sahaba were replaced with 5-star, 6-star and 7-star hotels and condominiums. Greed by the potentates used the Wahhabi doctrine against history to take over some invaluable property and rape the very history of Islam. That was robbery of something that belonged to the whole Muslim world, not just the princes…..”
Shortage of cement will only briefly delay the continued annihilation of early Islamic history, but it will not stop it. Greed will win and history is doomed to be replaced with a Saudi Las Vegas.
(The Custodian or Servant of the Two Holy Mosques is not doing a good job protecting them. He may be good at cleaning them, mopping and sweeping, but his family has doomed them to an unholy fate).
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Bahrain: “Women's Rights during the Glorious Era of HM King Hamad….”

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:48 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Women's Rights during the Glorious Era of HM King Hamad……. In every society, the situation of women is the main criterion of its interaction with the requirements of modern life, including democratic values, respect of citizenship and support for human rights issues. This report, taken from the book of “Bahraini Women in the Era of Hamad”, highlights the landmark achievements of the Bahraini women during the glorious era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The National Action Charter and the 2002 Constitution: Legitimacy of women’s rights. The National Action Charter and the Constitution confirmed the amendments introduced in 2002 to the Constitution of 1973 on the importance of achieving the principle of equality…………..”

Ironic: Bahrain’s women have been at the forefront of the revolution of the past 15 months. Unlike any other Arab uprising except the Tunisian and the Egyptian. Many of the women have been arrested, tear-gassed, tortured, assaulted, imprisoned, fired from their jobs. Doctors, nurses, teachers, journalists, students, politicians, and many other females have borne the brunt of the wrath of the despotic al-Khalifa clan and their Saudi overlords. Such has been the “glorious era of HM King Hamad”.
The regime has appointed two female ambassadors in recent years with a view to impressing the West: one in Washington and one in London. Cute, no? Both ambassadors are non-Muslim, no doubt based on recommendations by some clever well-paid Western Public Relations firms.
As for the Constitution of 1973, the al-Khalifa clan abrogated it in 1975, after they tricked the people into voting for a ‘constitutional monarchy’ that they had no intention of respecting. There was no legislature from 1975 until the so-called amendments of 2002. The 2002 Amendments watered down the 1973 constitution, made the legislature only half-elected. Even that the ruling family also immediately violated. Now the al-Khalifa clan seek to maintain their control and continue their robbery of the islands of Bahrain through handing sovereignty to the racist Wahhabi absolute al-Saud princes. In the “glorious era of His Polygamous Majesty King Hamad Bin Issa Bin Technocrat al-Khalifa”.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

Nuclear WTF: Israel ‘Consents’ to Iran Uranium Enrichment………….

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:42:54 GMT

Neck of the woods

“Israel inches closer to compromise on Iran uranium enrichment, officials say. Ehud Barak issued statement that Israel would consent to Iran's continuing enrichment of uranium to a low level of 3.5 percent…….. With the second round of nuclear talks between Iran and the six major powers due to begin in Tehran on Wednesday, senior Israeli sources say Jerusalem may be more flexible about Iranian low-level uranium enrichment than it is currently willing to let on. Though Israel has been expressing zero flexibility regarding a possible deal with Iran, Defense Minister Ehud Barak a few weeks ago issued a written statement that Israel would consent to Iran's continuing enrichment of……….”

Sometimes, I almost think Netanyahu is the one who coined the word “chutzpah”, considering how he postures and repeats the stale mantra of the past several years. Here is a man who doesn't have enough respect for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) to sign it, yet he goes around waxing indignant at others whom he deems are breaking the NPT .
IAEA, USA, UNO, NPT, EU, NATO, GCC, XYZ, FCK all are awaiting Israeli consent. The consent of a government that is not a member of the NPT or NATO or EU, not even a direct member of GCC. A government that is loaded with nuclear warheads. Now that is chutzpah! Or maybe they are just trying to irritate some of the factions inside Iran and help them derail the Baghdad negotiations.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com

University of Haifa: Arabic? Never Heard of it Around Here……….

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com (Mohammed Haider Ghuloum PhD) — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:17:42 GMT

Neck of the woods

“The University of Haifa has removed the Arabic script from its new logo, which appears as part of special design issued in honor of the 40th anniversary of the university's founding. The logo now appears with the words "University of Haifa" in Hebrew and English only, whereas the previous university logo included the words in Arabic as well. Several lecturers noticed the missing Arabic script in the new logo, which now appears on official university documents. Arabic and Hebrew are both official languages of the State of Israel. On May 10, the dean of the university's Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Reuven Snir, called a meeting of the faculty's council, which unanimously decided to demand the reinstatement of the Arabic script. Snir wrote to the university's president, Aaron Ben-Ze'ev, in the name of the faculty council, but has yet to receive a reply…………”

Haifa used to be a largely Arab town to the north of Jewish Tel Aviv. Used to be. Arabic is still one of the official languages in Israel (or should I say the Zionist entity?), but English is not, not officially. I don’t think that enough people have moved from San Fernando Valley or Brooklyn to make English the second official language yet. Nor have enough moved from Russia and the Ukraine to make some Slavic language an official language (many of these latter are probably Jewish Salafis residing in the West Bank settlements).
No doubt some zealots would like to eliminate Arabic as an official language, knowing that there is a certain prerequisite for that.
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com