I can’t resist plugging my father’s recent appearance on Al-Fasad, a great evening talk show in Lebanon that addresses political and economic corruption. Abu Elias addressed, among other things, the issue of parliamentarian compensation in Lebanon, which is scandalously high.
This was the second installment in a series on the subject. See here for his first appearance on the show. And for English speakers, here’s a report from a couple years back that deals with this issue (but its figures do not take into account the expense incurred for insurance premiums…)
On another note, I recommend checking out this Wikileaks cable from 2009, which sheds interesting light on the personalities of the top brass in the Assad regime. (h/t Rime Allaf)
Finally, I feel I should explain my infrequent posting these days. Over the past few months, I’ve been working on finishing up my dissertation, launching a new research project, and preparing for a new job. I’ve got a couple months left before I graduate, and then things should be back to normal around here. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to keep up appearances…
Qifa Nabki 
Is Connelly that clever or are they just bloody freekin obvious…..
Posted by Maverick | January 17, 2012, 12:22 amI think they are that bloody obvious. Most of us could’ve told you every one of those things Connelly listed.
Having said that, it was a fascinating read. Just for being able to see all that psychology listed out like that and to get a glimpse into how the Syrian government is perceived and seen by foreign diplomats, as well as how they operate.
Posted by Bad Vilbel | January 17, 2012, 1:57 pmThis may be interesting for you:
http://theinnercircle.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/the-lebanon-i-dream-of/
Posted by karl haddad | January 17, 2012, 8:48 pmIt seems with all the editing some essential details are gone.
It is expected for a person entering pension scheme at age 25 to contribute for 40 years in order to benefit at age 65 with a pension equals anything between 40% to 80% of his last earning or his career average earnings. The pension is expected to be paid for the rest of his life, say 15 years then a widows pension is paid thereafter.
In case of the members of the Lebanese Parliament, if a person is elected for one term starting at age 25,
by the end of his term he is 29. He becomes entitled as of then for a 55% of his last earnings plus other allowances for the rest of his life. His life expectancy at age 30 is around 45 years. Plus a widows pension plus the fact that anytime salaries of active MPs changes .
In short, this is not a pension but rather a guaranteed unemployment income for life.
Posted by i.e. muhanna | January 17, 2012, 8:53 pmhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/taxpayers-group-sounds-alarm-on-platinum-plated-mp-pensions/article2306594/
someone things Canadian MPs have it the best QN
Posted by danny | January 18, 2012, 6:37 pmBlame Canada!
🙂
I should consider a career change (before they change the law!)
Posted by Gabriel | January 19, 2012, 12:36 pmMabruuk: Quite a challenging topic for your new project !!! You have chosen comparative political analysis to tackle the “Establishing a legistlative upper house in Lebanon”. Trust you will not choose the main-stream approach to your research project. —- my humble suggestion, pls do not forget the mechanism of cross-cultural aspect in your project: Lebanon would be an excellent “field” to include this point into your framework. Wish success to your project & look forward to see your progress. Pls keep us posted !!!
Posted by Ritva Lehtinen | January 19, 2012, 1:51 pmVery interesting research project !! On this, the LCPS in Beirut is having a debate over the idea of sectarian rotation of high political positions, which can be connected to the idea of establishing the senate…
Posted by Karim El Mufti | January 22, 2012, 11:41 amA campaign for lebanon worth being checked.. Endless politicians salaries..
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lebmpsalarylaw/
Posted by Tarek | June 1, 2012, 3:31 am