http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/02/the-muslim-brotherhoods-213-year-revolution/273195/#.USz1QVdD2CY.email
This article addresses the problem of context, so often missing from discussions about issues related to the Middle East.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Iranians Photoshop Michelle Obama!
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/26/268396.html
Gotta love those crazy Iranians. Since Michelle Obama's Oscar dress was too revealing, the Iranian photo-shoppers went to work and redesigned her dress.
Gotta love those crazy Iranians. Since Michelle Obama's Oscar dress was too revealing, the Iranian photo-shoppers went to work and redesigned her dress.
Tehran Times and 911 Denial
http://tehrantimes.com/component/content/article/84-perspectives/104097-cia-mossad-staged-911-to-further-israeli-agenda-
This story from the Tehran Times claims that 9/11 was an inside job by the CIA and the Mossad. BTW, the Jews control the United States, in case you were not aware of that.
Of course, the Iranians don't write this crap themselves, they find Western lefties--in this case, Rodney Shakespeare of Progressive Radio News--to author this shit and then they publish it as opinion.
This story from the Tehran Times claims that 9/11 was an inside job by the CIA and the Mossad. BTW, the Jews control the United States, in case you were not aware of that.
Of course, the Iranians don't write this crap themselves, they find Western lefties--in this case, Rodney Shakespeare of Progressive Radio News--to author this shit and then they publish it as opinion.
Iran: We Know Your Offer and Forget It
http://old.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1817905
The Iranians claim to already have a copy of the latest 5+1 proposal for the next round of nuke talks. And they've already declared it unacceptable.
The Iranians claim to already have a copy of the latest 5+1 proposal for the next round of nuke talks. And they've already declared it unacceptable.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tunisian President Asks Islamist to Form Government
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/22/267720.html
He claims that he intends to cast a wide net in the formation of the government. We can hope.
The sad part of the story is that no matter what kind of government Tunisia ends up with, the fact is that the old non-Islamist government collapsed as a result of a political assassination. In that sense, from the point of view of the assassin, it worked. That reality will do nothing but invite similarly minded people to try the same tactic again, in Tunisia or elsewhere.
He claims that he intends to cast a wide net in the formation of the government. We can hope.
The sad part of the story is that no matter what kind of government Tunisia ends up with, the fact is that the old non-Islamist government collapsed as a result of a political assassination. In that sense, from the point of view of the assassin, it worked. That reality will do nothing but invite similarly minded people to try the same tactic again, in Tunisia or elsewhere.
Gazan Jihadists Operating in Syria
http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/02/19/gazans-joining-jihadist-groups-in-syria/?cb=08165311750490218
If true, and I would be surprised if it was not, what does this mean?
My opinion.
When Assad falls, the jihadists will next set their sights on Jordan. Once they do, the Hashemite Kingdom is probably doomed.
And then what? Much will depend on how things develop in Egypt.
In my view, the pace toward the abyss, which I wrote beckoned in one of my books, is now hastening. I think I can even see it ahead.
If true, and I would be surprised if it was not, what does this mean?
My opinion.
When Assad falls, the jihadists will next set their sights on Jordan. Once they do, the Hashemite Kingdom is probably doomed.
And then what? Much will depend on how things develop in Egypt.
In my view, the pace toward the abyss, which I wrote beckoned in one of my books, is now hastening. I think I can even see it ahead.
Iranian Fatwa against 3G!
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/02/22/267706.html
This is illustrative of the forces at work in the Islamic world. The introduction of 3G telecommunications prompts the release of a religious fatwa.
Of course, this reminds me of the decision by the Ottoman ulema in the early sixteenth century to ban the introduction of the printing press into the empire, at least for its Muslim subjects. As a result, the Ottoman Empire didn't lift the final restrictions on printing until the nineteenth century.
You have to ask yourself the question: what is it that the Mullahs think will happen if the people own 3G devices?
I know that if you say that Islam, either as a religion or as a culture, is a drag on progress you get attacked as an Islamophobe. And I'm sure that there will be people who will argue that this effort has nothing to do with Islam and is somehow rooted in some other aspect of Iranian culture (as if Iranian culture hasn't been shaped almost exclusively by Islam for the past 1300 years).
But I don't buy it. Sorry.
Islam is one of two things.
You can believe that Islam reflects the literal word of God as dictated to the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century AD. If you believe that, then you should already be a Muslim. If you are not, you need to head to the nearest mosque and declare yourself a Muslim, otherwise you are headed to hell.
What if you don't believe that? Then what is Islam? It is a comprehensive system for society devised by an obvious talented fellow in the Arabian peninsula in the seventh century. At the time, I would argue as a historian, that it was rather progressive, which was a main reason for its early successes. But Islam is, and always has been, a far less flexible creed than Christianity. And, in my opinion, that lack of flexibility combined with its comprehensive nature is the main reason why the Islamic world looks like it does today. Bottom line: no one ought to be surprised that a seventh-century societal system yields seventh-century results. Hence, no 3G!
This is illustrative of the forces at work in the Islamic world. The introduction of 3G telecommunications prompts the release of a religious fatwa.
Of course, this reminds me of the decision by the Ottoman ulema in the early sixteenth century to ban the introduction of the printing press into the empire, at least for its Muslim subjects. As a result, the Ottoman Empire didn't lift the final restrictions on printing until the nineteenth century.
You have to ask yourself the question: what is it that the Mullahs think will happen if the people own 3G devices?
I know that if you say that Islam, either as a religion or as a culture, is a drag on progress you get attacked as an Islamophobe. And I'm sure that there will be people who will argue that this effort has nothing to do with Islam and is somehow rooted in some other aspect of Iranian culture (as if Iranian culture hasn't been shaped almost exclusively by Islam for the past 1300 years).
But I don't buy it. Sorry.
Islam is one of two things.
You can believe that Islam reflects the literal word of God as dictated to the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century AD. If you believe that, then you should already be a Muslim. If you are not, you need to head to the nearest mosque and declare yourself a Muslim, otherwise you are headed to hell.
What if you don't believe that? Then what is Islam? It is a comprehensive system for society devised by an obvious talented fellow in the Arabian peninsula in the seventh century. At the time, I would argue as a historian, that it was rather progressive, which was a main reason for its early successes. But Islam is, and always has been, a far less flexible creed than Christianity. And, in my opinion, that lack of flexibility combined with its comprehensive nature is the main reason why the Islamic world looks like it does today. Bottom line: no one ought to be surprised that a seventh-century societal system yields seventh-century results. Hence, no 3G!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
How the Iranian Media Operates
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/80554877/Politic/IAEA_releases_new_report_on_Iran
This is a perfect example of how the Iranian state media operates. Above is a link to a story from the IRNA about the release by the IAEA of a new report on the Iranian nuclear program. The story contends that the Iranians are not working on a weapon and that the international community has no right to levy sanctions against Iran. Bu this story about the IAEA report never actually states any details about the report. What did it actually say?
For that let's go to the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21537206
The IAEA reports states that the Iranians are "installing advanced centrifuge machines for enriching uranium" at their Natanz nuclear plant. A US State Department official remarked:
"The installation of new advanced centrifuges would be a further escalation and a continuing violation of Iran's obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and IAEA board resolutions."
My point isn't to argue the case for or against the Iranian position under international law; rather I want to highlight how the Iranian media obfuscates reality. For example, if you are an Iranian reliant on the state media for information, the IRNA report shouldn't worry you, whereas if you have access to the BBC, one might be a bit more concerned.
Most Iranians probably know enough to read between the lines and to understand that the IRNA's silence was a bad sign. But that, too, tells you something about the nature of the Iranian regime.
This is a perfect example of how the Iranian state media operates. Above is a link to a story from the IRNA about the release by the IAEA of a new report on the Iranian nuclear program. The story contends that the Iranians are not working on a weapon and that the international community has no right to levy sanctions against Iran. Bu this story about the IAEA report never actually states any details about the report. What did it actually say?
For that let's go to the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21537206
The IAEA reports states that the Iranians are "installing advanced centrifuge machines for enriching uranium" at their Natanz nuclear plant. A US State Department official remarked:
"The installation of new advanced centrifuges would be a further escalation and a continuing violation of Iran's obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and IAEA board resolutions."
My point isn't to argue the case for or against the Iranian position under international law; rather I want to highlight how the Iranian media obfuscates reality. For example, if you are an Iranian reliant on the state media for information, the IRNA report shouldn't worry you, whereas if you have access to the BBC, one might be a bit more concerned.
Most Iranians probably know enough to read between the lines and to understand that the IRNA's silence was a bad sign. But that, too, tells you something about the nature of the Iranian regime.
Free Syrian Army Attacks Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon
http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebels-take-fight-to-hezbollah-in-lebanon/
As bad as the situation in Syria is, it will only get worse if the Iranian gambit to use Lebanon-based Hezbollah forces to support Assad draws anti-Assad forces into combat inside Lebanon. This story suggests that the FSA probably lobbed a few mortar rounds into Lebanon, but that's how these things begin.
As bad as the situation in Syria is, it will only get worse if the Iranian gambit to use Lebanon-based Hezbollah forces to support Assad draws anti-Assad forces into combat inside Lebanon. This story suggests that the FSA probably lobbed a few mortar rounds into Lebanon, but that's how these things begin.
Terror Blast Kills 50+ in Damascus
http://www.sana-syria.com/eng/337/2013/02/21/468516.htm
The Syrian official news agency is playing this one up for all its worth, adding several grizzly photos to the story about the death of the "martyrs."
But let's be honest. This was a terrorist attack. SANA did not mention in its release that the location of the bombings is near the Baath Party HQ and the Russian Embassy. But the people killed were mostly, if not exclusively, Syrian civilians passing by those building.
This reality highlights the difficult choices Obama faces. Assad is a butcher. But should the US pursue a policy that might place these bombers in control of Syria? Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an Obamamaniac. But I can't fault him for hesitation regarding Syria.
If I was president I don't know what I'd do. And I wouldn't have much faith in my "experts" who were so wrong about Egypt, Libya, and now it looks like Tunisia, too. Probably, a good idea would be to gather the nation's top ten academic Syrian experts, ask them what to do, and then do the exact opposite.
The Syrian official news agency is playing this one up for all its worth, adding several grizzly photos to the story about the death of the "martyrs."
But let's be honest. This was a terrorist attack. SANA did not mention in its release that the location of the bombings is near the Baath Party HQ and the Russian Embassy. But the people killed were mostly, if not exclusively, Syrian civilians passing by those building.
This reality highlights the difficult choices Obama faces. Assad is a butcher. But should the US pursue a policy that might place these bombers in control of Syria? Anyone who knows me knows that I am not an Obamamaniac. But I can't fault him for hesitation regarding Syria.
If I was president I don't know what I'd do. And I wouldn't have much faith in my "experts" who were so wrong about Egypt, Libya, and now it looks like Tunisia, too. Probably, a good idea would be to gather the nation's top ten academic Syrian experts, ask them what to do, and then do the exact opposite.
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