All posts by Mohammed Haider Ghuloum

Dr. Mohammed Haider Ghuloum: trained as an economist, been called a few other names..... الشرقية للبنين- المتنبي- ثانوية الشويخ
Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Revolutions, Arabian Peninsula, Bahrain, Occupied Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, US Foreign Policy

Political Nirvana: Hillary Clinton Writes to the Saudi People about Freedom for Syrians…….

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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has penned a column for the Saudi daily Asharq Alawsat (owned by Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud). Her topic is the Syrian uprising against the Assad regime and is titled “No return to the Status Quo Ante in Syria”.
She assures the Saudi people, and any other Arabs who might read that daily, that the Bahraini Saudi Syrian people deserve freedom and the right to choose their own government, that they deserve dignity and freedom from fear. She also said that Bahrain Syria deserves a government that respects the people and seeks a unified and democratic nation…..
Like Mr. Obama in his last speech, she neglected to mention Saudi Arabia and the people of the Arabian Peninsula. They both believe in the principle of selective non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and hence she did not mention Occupied Bahrain or Saudi Arabia or the UAE where many people are languishing in prison for expressing their opinion. Or maybe they believe that the peoples in these absolute tribal monarchies have already attained political Nirvana or, worse, they don’t believe these people deserve what the peoples of other Arab countries (and Iran) deserve.
It is true, not as many people have been killed in most the Gulf states than in Syria or Libya or Egypt. Except for Bahrain where proportionally as much if not more have been killed than in some of the others, given the small population of native Bahrainis and the 33 killed and dozens still “missing”.
Cheers
mhg


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Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Revolutions, Egypt, Gulf states, Salafi, Saudi Arabia

Possibly a New Egypt, Same Old Saudi Arabia……………….

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“In fact, it is not implausible that post-Mubarak governments will advocate causes and goals that undermine Saudi Arabia’s interests. For instance, a democratising Egypt could seek to promote freedom and liberty in the region, which is undoubtedly antithetical to Saudi interests. And down the road, a more nationalistic Egypt very well could try to challenge Saudi Arabia as the vanguard of Sunni dominance in the region. Some of this is conjecture, to be sure. But do not think Saudi rulers are unaware of these possibilities. And here is one more challenge in Saudi-Egyptian relations: Egypt’s revolutionaries and political activists, as well as various Shia and Copts, believe that Saudi Arabia is funding extremist political groups (specifically, the Salafis) so as to undermine the revolution. That is to say, in their eyes, Saudi Arabia is meddling in their country and in bed with, if not actually leading, the counter-revolutionaries. Not surprisingly, there have been protests at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo. Arguably, the more troubling part of this is that the accusations give the Saudis another reason to dislike the revolutionaries ……….”

Last January, an angry King Abdullah famously called the protesting people of Egypt “foreign infiltrators”. Egypt under Mr. Mubarak was a unique animal: a country that normally leads the Arab world was a sidekick for the Saudis for thirty years. That will probably never happen again, unless the Mubarak-appointed Field Marshal Tantawi and his generals keep control. Egypt is too large, has too much history and culture: it automatically poses a challenge to the al-Saud leadership (it always did until Hosni Mubarak took over). It is the same with Iraq: too rich (potentially has more petroleum than Saudi Arabia) with too much history and culture to play second fiddle to the al-Saud (even under someone like Allawi). Even in the so-called “moderate” camp, Egypt poses a challenge for the Saudi regime. In their hearts, the al-Saud would rather have Egypt, and Iraq, away from their sphere of influence around the Gulf and in Jordan.
(I have no doubt that the Saudis are financing the Salafis of Egypt, just as they are financing the Salafi groups and politicians of the Gulf region. These Salafis are their fifth column, their not very sleepy sleeping cells in the Arab states. But that is okay: every regime looks for its own interest).
Cheers
mhg


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Economics, UAE

UAE Rejoins the Third World: Petrol Shortages, Gas Lines…………

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“Across the northern half of the country, particularly in the emirate of Sharjah, long queues have formed, while scores of petrol stations have closed altogether. Many more drivers have headed south to fill up in Dubai, where there are still supplies but residents are looking nervously at “immigrants” driving in from neighbouring cities to fill up. The issue is now taking on political dimensions, as Sharjah’s government has issued instructions to petrol companies to solve the problem. Critical newspaper reports – rare in the UAE – and online comments have spread as what was originally thought to be a technical hiccup turns into an unexplained, lengthy conundrum. The companies, particularly the Dubai government-owned Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), have claimed the closed petrol stations were being “refurbished”. But there appears to be little evidence. …….”

As I noted in an earlier posting weeks ago, I can see the Iranians and Iraqis and other developing countries having these types of shortages. But the UnitedEffingArabEmirates? What the hell will they do if they ever came under sanctions and boycotts?
Cheers
mhg


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Outer Space

Iran in Space: Yesterday’s Turtle, Today’s Monkey, Tomorrow’s Cleric?………..

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“The gallop of your heart
The worlds were apart
Panic, panic
Every symbol misplaced
Every monkey in space
Panic, panic…” The Stills

“Iran plans to send a live monkey into space in the summer, the country’s top space official said after the launch of the Rassad-1 satellite, state television reported on its website on Thursday. “The Kavoshgar-5 rocket will be launched during the month of Mordad (July 23 to August 23) with a 285-kilogramme capsule carrying a monkey to an altitude of 120 kilometres (74 miles),” said Hamid Fazeli, head of Iran’s Space Organisation. In February, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled a space capsule designed to carry a live monkey into space, along with four new prototypes of home-built satellites the country hopes to launch before March 2012. At the time, Fazeli touted the launch of a large animal into space as the first step towards sending a man into space, which Tehran says is scheduled for 2020. Iran sent small animals into space — a rat, turtles and worms — aboard its Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010…….”

The Iranians are steadily inching their way toward a manned space flight. Last year they sent a gaggle of varmints (rat, turtle, worms) into space. This summer they’ll be sending their and our, and Tarzan’s and Cheeta’s, closest relative. They have promised or threatened, depending on one’s point of view, to send a man at the end of the decade. It is not clear now who they will send, but there are several people who will be out of jobs and available long before 2020. Mr. Ahmadinejad may want to crown his public career with a blast into space. Some mullah or another may want the honor. They may decide to send a team: a civilian and a mullah. They may send a woman, who does not qualify as either a civilian or a mullah. They may send the head of the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), or they may send a particularly annoying opposition leader. The possibilities are intriguing.
Cheers
mhg


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Arab Revolutions, Bahrain, Corruption, Economics, ethnic cleansing, GCC

On the Gulf : Robbers of Land, Thieves of Freedom…………

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“Built by Gulf Finance House, a listed investment company run by Bahraini businessman Esam Janahi, the towers have also come to embody the ruling al-Khalifa family’s fight to preserve its power and protect the vast wealth of the country’s economic elite. Land in the Gulf Arab region is largely controlled by a small number of ruling families who use it as a kind of currency, doling out plots to favored families and developers to forge political relationships and make money. For it to work, the system depends on businessmen like Janahi, merchants who ostensibly operate independently from the state but whose success rests, at least in part, on political connections………. Documents obtained by Reuters show that GFH, which has teetered on the brink of collapse for several months, also sometimes shifted investor money from one project to plug holes in another…….. In Bahrain, where the ruling family has been involved in several property developments over the past decade, it’s become a symbol to ordinary people — especially the poor Shiite majority — angry about a system that shuts them out and widens already gaping inequalities….…..”

Bahrain is just one example: it is the same story all along the shores of my Gulf. They steal the land, especially the choice beachfront property and convert it from public to their own private property. The ruling clans and their retainers and minions. The al-Saud do it, as do the Emirati rulers, and others, in the GCC. They add insult to injury by selling public tracts of land back to the public sector, then they add more insult by establishing new townships named after the robber princes. Even the streets are named after them. It is like the rest of the people are just tenants on the land, with the potentates being the landlords.
If I were rude and crude, I would re-interpret the GCC as the Gulf C——–n Council. But I am neither rude or crude, so I won’t say it.
Cheers
mhg


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Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Revolutions, Bahrain, Jordan, Torture, WTF

Bahrain and Jordan: Brothers in Repression and Other Things………

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The Bahrain Ministry of Interior (in charge of police, foreign mercenaries, baltagiya, security, prisons, torture, sexual assault, etc etc) reports that:

“His Excellency Minister of Interior Lt-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received on Thursday Jordanian Director of Public Security Lt-General Hussain Haza Al Majali with the presence of Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Mubarak Bin Diana. HE Minister hailed the strong and brotherly ties between Bahrain and Jordan that were strengthen during the ruling of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his brother His Majesty King Abdullah the Second. Security cooperation ties between the two countries were discussed, in which HE Minister highlighted the importance of such visit to expand cooperation……..”

What is this? A club of torturers are us? Bahrain is known to import security agents and interrogators and torturers from Jordan (as do the UAE and Saudi Arabia and possibly others).
Cheers
mhg


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Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Revolutions, Bahrain, GCC, Iraq, Mercenaries

GCC Expansion: Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Malaysia……….

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“Pakistan today stressed the importance of re-enforcing trade and defense relations with Bahrain, as well as in labor and work fields. The Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari held talks with the commander of the national guard in Bahrain Shaikh Mohammed Bin Issa Bin Salman Al Khalifa in which they discussed regional developments and cooperation in defense and regional matters…….…”

Pakistan is effectively a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC. The Pakistani military, retired or on active duty, have for years operated the armed forces of some Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Pakistani military and police personnel have been important in the repression of the people of Bahrain. Bahraini officials fly regularly to Pakistan to hire more ‘security’ agents even as they deny security jobs to most Bahraini citizens. Top Saudi princes like Bandar Bin Sultan Bin al-Yamama Bin BAE Systems Bin Commission is reported to have flown to Pakistan to make deals on stationing or preparing Pakistani forces to defend the regime if and when needed. Reports also indicate the same can be said of Malaysia: its government officials recently expressed willingness to send forces to defend the regime in Bahrain.
Now on the Arab side, the GCC has sought to form alliances with the monarchies of Jordan and Morocco. The last GCC summit made a surprise announcement of welcoming membership for Jordan and Morocco. Now we have the nucleus of a new group of states: the GCC, Jordan, Morocco, Malaysia, and Pakistan. That means the rich GCC states and three or four poor relations that are far away enough (Morocco, Malaysia, Pakistan) or small enough (Jordan) to be manageable. Clearly the potentates of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and others, are looking for cheap bodies, impoverished mercenaries willing to do what it takes. The UAE is ahead of the game: the al-Nahayan are forming foreign legion of Latin Americans, Australians, disgruntled white Africans and others to keep the people at bay.
I was going to suggest that the GCC look at closer countries, like Iraq which is a Gulf country, and perhaps Yemen which is close enough ad has had deeper cultural, ethnic, and other ties (as does Iraq). Then there are Turkey and Iran, both closer than Malaysia and Pakistan and Burma or WTF. What about Egypt? Then I remembered: with none of these excluded countries can the al-Saud rule the roost. They would be dominated rather than dominate.
Cheers
mhg


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Arab Counterrevoltion, Arab Revolutions, Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia

A Country of Princes on Wheelchairs, Corrupt Men in Suvs, Scurrying Faceless Women……

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“But not Saudi Arabia, or so it seems. And not Riyadh. As ever, Saudi men sit in their large SUVs, stuck in traffic between the steel-blue facades of office buildings, and the wives of these men are still having their drivers drop them off in front of the shopping malls in downtown Riyadh, where they scurry from Prada to Ralph Lauren and then disappear into Starbucks for a latte — in the “family department,” a room on the side kept separate from the world of men. The boulevards and promenades of the Saudi capital look as though they had been swept clean, as if some mysterious force had extinguished all public life. Riyadh has nothing like Avenue Bourguiba in Tunis or Tahrir Square in Cairo. In fact, there is no sign in Saudi Arabia of a public political discourse that could be compared with the debates, held in secret at first and then more and more in the open, with which the unrest began in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. Almost every political discussion seems to end with the same words: Long live the king! Saudi Arabia feels like a realm that has come to a standstill in a rapidly changing world. Its leaders, most notably the 86-year-old King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, are pinning their hopes on the old principle of stability………….”

They call it stability, others call it stagnation. That same argument was used in the swamp that was Egypt under Mubarak for thirty years: they said it was ‘stability’, I called it a swamp. There is not much virtue in stable misery and repression and powerlessness and corruption. Once the fear is gone, the ‘stability’ card is not compelling.
(And then there was/is Khaled al-Jehany, a brave young man, the only one in the city, who stood in a Riyadh street and said that the whole country is a big prison, He was whisked away and his fate is still unknown).
Cheers
mhg


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Culture, UAE

Woodstock in Abu Dhabi: Kumbaya and a Love-Fest on the Gulf………

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“Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
Someone’s singing Lord, kumbaya….
Someone’s laughing Lord, kumbaya…….
Someone’s praying Lord, kumbaya…..
Someone’s sleeping Lord, kumbaya…
Oh Lord, kumbaya……..” Pete Seeger (and others)

“The Poetry Academy of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) published selected poems by the late Emirati poet Hamad Khalifa Bou Shihab which were dedicated to the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul. The new release comes as part of the Academy’s publication of Bou Shihab’s whole works in a number of poetry series. The poetry selection was first published in the late 1980s and its second edition was released in 1991. ……. All the poems in the selection expressed deep emotions of love and loyalty to the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is credited with the development of the country and numerous achievements both at the local and Arab levels. At the introduction of the book, the poet wrote: “Sheikh Zayed of goodness has, by the will of God, united our nation, and brought about a brotherhood among our leaders. Sheikh Zayed of goodness is a perceptive man who transformed the barren desert into fertile gardens, whose fruits are easy to pick by everyone. To him I dedicate these sparking poems from one heart of many of the people of UAE who hold for him only the highest forms of love and respect.”……..”

Told ya, they’re all getting along, practically singing Kumbaya in the UAE. The place is a love-fest, except for anyone silly enough to dare and speak out for freedom of speech and democracy, etc. Like those academics and bloggers who are in prison on charges of trying to overthrow the regime by speaking out.

To put it succinctly (I have loved this term since my first day in graduate school): it is a fucking latter-day Woodstock in Abu Dhabi, just don’t breathe d too deep. As for the really nasty places like Manama or Riyadh or Tehran…….
(FYI: I suspect the nasty and unpopular sons of Zayed keep parading out their late father mainly because he was more popular than they are. Hell, anybody can probably be more popular, including a former executive of Blackwater).
Cheers
mhg


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Iran

Iran: the Saga of Ali and Mahmoud Continues………….

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“However, the swiftness of Ahmadinejad’s fall and the degree of invective — charges against his entourage have ranged from sorcery to treason — are shocking even to those inured to Iran’s brutally personal politics. This may reflect in part the pressure the regime is facing in areas ranging from foreign policy — where ally Syria is struggling to contain mass protests — to the anemic, sanctions-plagued economy. Growth this year will be flat, according to Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, a specialist on the Iranian economy at Virginia Tech. Farideh Farhi, an Iran expert at the University of Hawaii, thinks that Ahmadinejad has basically been given a choice: submit or be removed. Given the president’s history, she said, “I can only assume that if he is to go down, he will make sure that it is as painful as possible for everyone concerned……..”

Ahmadinajd is the child of the Islamic Revolution and its regime: he is attached to it from his modest roots, from his military service in the Iran-Iraq war which aimed to abort the revolution, and from his association with the IRGC. What has occurred in recent weeks, indeed in recent months, is partly rivalry over power and partly divergent outlooks on how to perpetuate the regime.
Unlike his predecessors, Ahmadinejad has not been too shy to test the limits of his power, as allowed by the clergy who control the theocracy. Perhaps it is partly because he is the first non-clerical president since the very early years, and the only one to last a whole term (and beyond). There were two other civilian presidents: Bani-Sadr, the very first president, fled into exile after less than two years, the other one was quickly blown up to bits by a bomb. Ahmadinejad has been testing the limits through ministerial appointments and firings, with partial success.

There is also an “ideological” component to his dispute with the clergy. The Clergy tend to believe that they are the only true guardians of the system, of the theocracy. They are, of course, quite right. Lately Ahmadinejad apparently has had an epiphany on how to save the republic from itself. He knows what some of the clergy may not know: that many people in Iran are unhappy with the regime as it is (an understatement). He believes he knows how to fix that. It is the old story of balancing ideology with what people want, with a dose of non-Islamic nationalism added. The mullahs, being mullahs, believe otherwise. The president has allies, even among some silent clergy. It is very likely as the article up there hints that he will continue to test the limits; that is his personality.
The next two years, his last in office, should be very interesting in Iranian politics. They will probably be much more interesting than the elections of 2013, especially if the mullahs insist on limiting the field of candidates. The TV debates have apparently become part of Iranian politics now, and they should provide at least one interesting aspect of the 2013 elections.
Cheers
mhg



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