I’ve written something about the cabinet formation for The New Yorker’s News Desk blog. First graf is below, with a jump to the full piece. Come on back here to comment.
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Lebanon’s War in Syria
The birth of a new government in Lebanon is often greeted with ironic festivity. People pass around trays of baklava and bowls of meghle, a spice pudding served when a baby is born. For a week or so, respectable newspapers turn into society tabloids, which I pretend not to read. Who visited whom to offer congratulations on his new ministerial appointment? Which two former rivals had a “great lunch” and vowed to work together in the national interest? A few news cycles’ worth of political play-by-play dramatize the decisive moments of the negotiations, leaning hard on obstetric metaphors.
“The labor pains began on Wednesday night, but only a few of us knew about it,” one insider told me. “By Thursday, it was clear that the government was coming, but there were a few complications on Friday. Then everybody woke up on Saturday morning to a brand-new government.” (Keep reading)
Qifa Nabki 
This supports my optimism that Lebanon will dodge a civil war. It is just not in anyone’s interest. Neither FM or Hezbollah leadership are going to let their bases push them into one. Of course, this form of governing is a big waste of Lebanon’s potential. You want to be focused on creating jobs, not stopping civil war. But it is much better than the Syrian alternative. One issue you did not address QN is the “rotation”. What is the motivation for that?
Posted by AIG | February 21, 2014, 4:07 pmI tend to agree with Jonathan Spyer’s article from previous thread posted by Vulcan. I wouldn’t call it Lebanon’s War in Syria if I were QN. This is like giving credit where credit is not due. Call it something like Iran’s war on Syria, which is more appropriate in MO.
As for the cabinet, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Nothing would come out of it and we could have entered the era where governments will take one, two, three….ad infinitum years to form until Lebanon dissolves out of .the map. This 11 months period to form is just the appetizer for the main course is yet to come
Posted by Mustap | February 21, 2014, 9:02 pmThank you for this well-crafted article, and for its beautiful prose and sharp insight! Your writing style blends literary and aesthetic sensibility with political flair.
It is hard for people who have not been following local politics to understand how a particular Lebanese reaction against the hubris of the Syrian regime could have sustained the fire of an all out civil war. I do not believe that the regime understood that it lost its wager until it had to rely on HA to support it locally. The question is whether this Lebanese war on Syrian soil, and with Syrian blood, could be circumscribed–and maybe even resolved–once it became a larger playfield than it was meant to be. I am not sure that Hariri/KSA/France or HA/Iran/Russia can resolve anything anymore. Chaos may be with us for a while, as long as a fragmented and disconnected opposition (lacking political goals and experience in governance) continues to confront an entrenched regime standing for the last 40 years for the myth of safety and stability for its minorities (for the cheap price of authoritarianism at home and bloody wars abroad). But maybe the Lebanese ministers will talk with each other for a change. I admire your trust in traditional political brinkmanship–but I only see in that process an aesthetic phenomenon that results in unethical and unjust political governance–if not plain exploitation.
Posted by Parrhesia | February 22, 2014, 12:49 amI agree with you Parrhesia. I too admired the flair of QN’s writing, but I think that this time the hope is just an aesthetic effect. I envy QN’s ability to spin something out of nothing, but it also lowers my opinion of the New Yorker and its readers.
Posted by melmakko | February 22, 2014, 7:13 amShukran shabeb. I think I will now change the byline of this blog from “News and Commentary from the Levant” to “Spinning Something Out of Nothing Since 2008”
More seriously, where did you read any unfounded hope in my own analysis? The line about how this was a hopeful development was a quote from Alain Aoun, an MP and member of the FPM.
AIG, the rotation notion was part of the deal they cut, whereby the most important ministries could not be held by a member of the same sect as the last holder of the post (even if they stayed with the same political bloc). A very silly clause indeed.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 22, 2014, 8:31 amIt’s baklawa, not baklava.
Posted by Ali Chami | February 22, 2014, 9:10 amBaklava has become an English word. Baklawa has not.
And while we’re at it, it’s be2lewa, not baklawa.
😉
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 22, 2014, 9:41 amWhile delusional Putin struggles to maintain his inevitably lost base on the mediterranean by continuing to shore up a criminal on the way to extinction, he stands to lose the most important geopolitical battle for Russia in the Ukraine,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26299670
Still, for Russia two losses are better than one. Putin deserves a big cheer from all of us for unwittingly compensating for Obama’s shortcomings.
Posted by Mustap | February 22, 2014, 9:43 amActually, it depends. It could be b2elewa, b2elewe or b2elewi. The last two are more widely used in the Cham lands while Chami’s are here.
Posted by Mustap | February 22, 2014, 9:48 amYes, let’s see if Russia begins to Scud and barrel-bomb Kiev…maybe Russian troops will deploy there before they hold free elections.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 22, 2014, 10:56 amQN,
I did want to compliment you on your “stamp” motif. Stamps are a great way of learning about other cultures.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 22, 2014, 1:29 pmThe main disillusioned Protagonist on this Blog will remain the author and owner of this club.
You either comply, by his rules, or will be forced take a break.
Access to the Playboy club, is strict here.
Posted by Balesh | February 22, 2014, 1:31 pmI would be very surprised if Mustap were to be Iceman, as he was not discussing so openly with Israelis. And his opposition to the party of Iran and the Syrian corrupted regime was much more intelligent than that.
Posted by 3issa | February 22, 2014, 1:49 pmBalesh
R2D2?
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 22, 2014, 2:26 pmI am becoming even more intrigued with this Iceman!
OK, 3issa, I am planning a trip to the north pole in order to become super cooled icy intelligent.
May be you should tell us how to oppose Syrian and Iranian regimes based on your knowledge of this creature and his/her/its ‘superior logic’.
Posted by Mustap | February 22, 2014, 2:31 pmWhoever pays you bills your QN.
Posted by Balesh | February 22, 2014, 5:52 pmYou either comply, by his rules, or will be forced take a break.
Balesh,
Are you saying there’s no “democracy” here on this website? I guess you know where I’m going with that observation…
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 22, 2014, 6:15 pmQN
I was not insinuating that you were hopeful; i was admiring your ability to focus on form and find beauty in processes and means while bracketing the ends. We can all learn from that aesthetic disposition. Many of us privilege the ethical in our politics and we should be able to balance our ethical concerns with aesthetic appreciation of our non-anthropocentric experiences.
I will not critique our human all too human capacity to make something out of nothing: i would leave the “news and comment” reference as the specific description of our/your Borgesian labyrinths into sense making.
Just ignore what some want to impinge on your genuine desire to create a space for informed and reflective communication!
Posted by Parrhesia | February 22, 2014, 7:07 pmShukran Parrhesia.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 22, 2014, 7:38 pmQuite frankly I am not excited whatsoever about this new government… And Mustap, I think the war in Syria has evolved into a paranoid Saudi, proxy war against Iran, that is spreading beyond Syria….everything Wahabi Saudi has been doing these days is directed towards Iran…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 23, 2014, 3:33 pmSo what is your problem with Saudi, Marion?
Iran is our enemy and every Arab’s enemy. Saudis are not. They are our friends and brothers.
Any Arab or Lebanese who has allegiance to Iran or declares such allegiance is a fifth column and must be treated as such.
And regarding your comment from last thread, first I hope your kids will see no harm due to Hassan’s adventure in Syria or from the Baathist and Iranian proxies carrying out such terrorist acts nearby your kids’ school as they do to kids in Syria. And secondly, why are you upset with me instead of the real culprits, the ones you hang around with causing you such discomfort?
Posted by Mustap | February 23, 2014, 4:50 pmIran is our enemy and every Arab’s enemy.
Hey, there’s another small but powerful group of semites you left out of that equation. q:o)
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 23, 2014, 8:41 pmHey Akbar, there is an Arab saying: blood of kinship never turns to water.
Are you familiar with it? Do you know what it means?
Posted by Mustap | February 23, 2014, 8:51 pmThis was an educational and thought provoking article. From an outsider view, I see Lebanon and Syria continue to be intertwined, which seems reasonable given the history. My question (thinking out loud) is whether Lebanon can act as a separate entity, with decision-making geared towards it’s own strategic interests and a view Syria within that decision context; alternatively, Lebanon and Syria could continue to have, what seems like, porous aspects of politics, activities, and identities. This latter scenario would seem like one where Lebanon would go with the ebbs and flows of Syria; the former would seem to require Lebanese (no matter the religious or ethnic background) to separate their politics from Syria, and this appears as something that might take many years to do even with a concerted effort. Fascinating to view, but I imagine hard to be a part of. Thanks
Posted by md | February 23, 2014, 9:25 pmblood of kinship never turns to water
Mustap,
Yes, my father used a very similar phrase: “blood is thicker than water”
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water
I guess the hiding opthamologist never realized he’d bring arab and jew closer, and at the same time make the notion of “resistance” meaningless and passe.
Not only that, if jew and arab can make peace, China better watch out, the ME will see uncontrollable growth.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 23, 2014, 10:13 pmWell Mustap if you want to consider Wahbi Saudi as your brother, that is your problem….in Islam, it does not say Arabs are your brothers…And blood is thicker than water…And the Saudi Arabia so-called leadership doesn’t give a damn about the Arabs or the Muslims for that matter either..If they did, they would treat their own people better and give them their rights…I am not Arab anyways, so I guess I just can’t understand what the hell you are talking about…sounds like a racist thing to me….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 23, 2014, 11:36 pmThe people causing me discomfort are your so – called so-called Saudi Arab brothers so-called Arab brother terrorist proxies in the Nusra Front, Dash, ISIS, Azzam, and whatever else they like to call themselves these days…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 23, 2014, 11:46 pmAnd do tell me Mustap, if Arab brotherhood is so important, why does Saudi hide behind it’s non-Arab Western allies, depend so much on them to protect them and keep them in power, and why do they go to countries like non-Arab Pakistan to help train the army they are trying to form to overthrow Arab Assad in Arab Syria?? and why are they forming alliances with non Arab , Zionist Jewish Israel who is the clearly the enemy of Arabs?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 23, 2014, 11:51 pmAt least the non-Arab, sovereign Islamic country Iran, respects itself and does not depend on anyone to protect it, or arm and train it’s soldiers, or tell it what to do…Has managed to attain so much while under sanctions through the resource of its people (not the resource of foreigners like they do in Arab Saudi) and stands by it’s friends whether they be Arab, non-Arab, Muslim or non-Muslim….Now that you can respect…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 12:12 amAnd by the way, those foreigners that Arab Saudi has depended on for all these years to keep it afloat, have been mostly non-Arabs….I guess they are more useful than Arabs…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 12:15 amJust out of curiosity Mustap, are you living in an Arab country right now?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 12:21 amIf you want to use your Arab brotherhood rhetoric as a reason to call people like me a 5th column , than the least you could do is not be a hypocrite….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 12:27 amYou are making up so many stories out of the figment of your imagination, Marion. It is obvious from all the disjointed comments you burst out all of a sudden. Who is hiding behind who and what did so-called sovereign Iran, our enemy, accomplish? Besides an enemy is an enemy whether is accomplished or not accomplished, and that’s not saying that Iran actually did accomplish anything as you imagine, and whoever declares allegiance to such enemy living in Arab countries, whether s/he is Arab or not is nothing but fifth column and needs to be treated as such, including you in this case. Go to Iran and see with your own eyes how the poor dispossessed Iranians are living. I know the people you hang around with. They brain washed you, and honestly you are the greatest danger to your own kids and no one else. Poor kids for such miserable luck having a guardian associating with the terrorist proxies of the khomeinists and Baathist thugs. I feel really sorry for your fall to such level. American people are mostly good people and don’t deserve to be lost into such brainwashing state. You have made a miserable fall from a higher state to one of the basest of all. I just pray that you will go back to your senses and realize the terrible folly you have brought yoirself into.
Go and become Iranian or whatever else you wish to be. But keep out of Arab affairs and especially the Saudis who are much more respected and are more accomplished than all those you hang around with and pollute your brains.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 12:35 amand why are they forming alliances with non Arab , Zionist Jewish Israel who is the clearly the enemy of Arabs?
Marion,
“Clearly the enemy”? Not to me, and I bet it isn’t “clear” to a lot of Syrians who post on Syria Comment. Who has killed more arabs, Israel or Syria? Who has created more refugees?
The “Nakba” killed at most 20,000 arabs and created about 700k refugees. Assad’s little power-play is about 7 Nakbas in terms of death and about 4 Nakbas in terms of refugees.
You’d never know this, of course, if you relied on the long list of UN resolutions…
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 1:06 amOMG Mustap…have you ever been to Saudi? or even Iran? By the way, you never told me where it is you live, nor did you address any of my comments pointed to your hypocritical position.. I lived in Saudi two different times, in two separate places and time frames over a span of five years… I have only visited Iran..and I can tell you that there are huge differences between the two countries . In Iran, women actually have far more independence than women in Saudi; they drive, work many different types of jobs side by side with men, don’t need a male guardian’s permission unlike Saudi women… In Iran, people are not forced to go pray on time, and they actually vote for government reps, unlike in Saudi where only men have recently began voting for only half the members of the Shura council, which is only the advisory board of the so-called King. Women are supposedly going to start voting in 2015 for the same members. The King appoints the other half, Lool! And you claim the Saudis are much more accomplished than the Iranians, Loool! You are hilarious….in what areas are the Saudis much more accomplished than the Iranians, please do inform us…. and please do not give me examples of Saudi accomplishments which were actually accomplished by their expatriate population.. And I will not keep out of Arab affairs Mustap, since as I am living in an Arab country, unlike you …And I also will not, considering that my children are Arab…Not all Arabs hate Iranians or Persians, only the paranoid ones do…. I am who I am and I don’t wish to be some other nationality, unlike you Mustap…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 8:01 amMarion, you keep beating around the bush and make unsubstatiated claims.
The issue here is we have an enemy called Iran which is involved in criminal terrorist actovities in Syria, Lebanon and sometimes in Iraq directly and indirectly through its terrorist proxies. You like them and live in an Arab land, then you are a fifth column that needs to be treated as fifth column and something needs to be done to save your neighbors where you live as well as your poor kids from your bad and undesireable influence.
So, do not come back and tell me bullshit about imaginary Iranian accomplishments. It is obvious that you see a gazelle in a monkey due to your brainwashing by terrorists. And when I say you have fallen from a high state to the basest of all, I mean that you were an American and now you associate with and hang around with terrorists. I do not need to tell you where I live or where I have been. Suffice it to say that the nature of my work takes me to almost half the countries on this globe on a regular basis. Yes, I have been to Saudi and saw how accomplished they are and yes also to Iran and witnessed the misery their people live in.
If you do not address the fact that Iran is our enemy as Arabs and Lebanese, engaged in criminal terrorist activities as described above, then you are here to spread falsehoods and propaganda on behalf of terrorists and enemies and that makes you an accomplice which makes me less inclined to deal with you except as an undesireable fifth column that needs to be eliminated from our midst as Lebanese and Arabs.
Other than that, I really don’t care who you are or what you do. Neither do I care about this or that accomplishment. Iran and Hassan are an enemy of Arab people and a fifth column in Arab lands respectively. If you can not deal with this then stop wasting my time. I am a very busy person.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 8:28 amMustap,
Please keep it clean. You may be a busy person, but so are the rest of us, and I don’t have time to edit your comments for obscenities.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 24, 2014, 8:42 amQN,
You lost me with your last comment!!
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 8:47 amMustap,
Didn’t you know how much freer Iranians are than the Saudis?
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran
In any case, Iran beats Saudi Arabia in executions, so the Kingdom needs to work harder to catch up to Iran.
http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/mar/29/death-penalty-countries-world
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 8:54 amAkbar,
Thanks for the links.
But I’m just trying to get back on track after QN’s sidetrack. So I need your opinion. Do you sense any obscenities in my exchange with Marion? I tried to steer the discussion to the issue(s) on hand. So, did I succeed or did I do as QN insinuated?
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 9:42 amMustap,
QN may be referring to your statement:
… and that makes you an accomplice which makes me less inclined to deal with you except as an undesireable fifth column that needs to be eliminated from our midst as Lebanese and Arabs.
I fully understand your POV and, to me and many others, jew and non-jew, Iran is clearly the most dangerous actor in the ME. But we have to confront those we don’t agree with in a civil manner. No need to eliminate anyone. Iran needs to focus on their own country, not Lebanon, not Israel or Palestine, not Iraq, not Syria, not the Atlantic ocean or anywhere else.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 10:51 amAkbar,
This statement is calling for no different than what Americans did and continue to do with anyone living in the US and perceived as a threat. Example, Japanese during WWII, North Koreans and most recently some Arabs and Muslims.
Such statement(s) should not be described as obscene. It may be called controversial but by no means obscene.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 11:18 amMustap,
During WW2, we didn’t have anything like the NSA. And what the US government did to Japanese Americans was wrong.
The way it’s supposed to work is that someone is “eliminated” (put in jail) if they commit a crime. Today, a lot of the proof is picked up on social media and telephone conversations. The bottom line is, and what makes free societies unique, is that people aren’t thrown in jail without proof. We all have various opinions, some quite controversial, but freedom of speech insures that we need not worry about our rights unless we hurt or plan to hurt someone.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 12:19 pmAkbar Palace,
That’s the whole issue. We already have ample evidence which shows Iran is engaged through its proxies in numerous hostile activities in many Arab countries. And this is exactly what eliminating this threat means, i.e. incarcerating it or suffocating it by all means available. I applaud a recent decision taken by the Gulf States which would deport any Lebanese living and working in those state who is proven to be a Hezbollah supporter irrespective of which sect s/he belongs to. Such fifth columns should not be given access to living the opulent life style of the Gulf, enjoying undeserved exorbitantly high salaries which they can only dream of making living next to the sewer where Hassan hides and yet show allegiance to an enemy entity. And who knows what they’re doing with this income? Most likely they are using it to contribute to more terrorist activities in Lebanon, Syria and beyond. For this decision the Gulf(s) deserve a huge kudos. This is perhaps the first proactive step to eliminating fifth columns.
The Lebanese State would do itself a great service if it follows in the footsteps of the Gulf and sets punitive measures for those who are proven to be fifth column beginning with Hassan, of course, instead of cowering down every time he appears from the sewer from behind plasma screens and issues threats left and right.
That’s why Lebanon as a State is doomed.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 1:01 pmMustap,
I hear what you are saying. What GCC countries do is their business. If they are deporting foreign workers who support HA, that’s one thing. Are they going to deport GCC citizens? What about proof? Supporting a cause is a fine line.
Here in the US you can “support” HA, however, because they are a terror org., you cannot support them with money. Lebanon needs to vote on HA or show they do not behave according to some Lebanese constitution or set of laws. I really don’t see how you can have two separate military forces in Lebanon.
We are all entitled to our opinions. What is in our minds is ours. Outside of that, laws determine our guilt.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 1:42 pmAkbar,
GCC citizens do not support HA. If any such citizen is proven to be a supporter s/he will be prosecuted and would land in jail.
The GCC are justified in taking this measure against Lebanese migrants who are shown to support HA and that is well within legal boundaries. Believe me the GCC know exactly who is a supporter from among the Lebanese migrants.
C’mon, you cannot allow a mole to abuse his/her visitor status and support your enemy. That’s only common sense.
I was told once visiting the US by a foreigner is a privilege but not a legal right. No one can dispute with that.
By the same token when these Lebanese migrants abuse this privilege in the Gulf, they should be denied the privilege.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 1:59 pmAkbar and Mustap, two peas in a pod…both liars….so Mustap, why would you go to an enemy country ? What is the nature of your work? Is it propaganda on behalf of Your Arab brethren Wahabi Saudi So-called royalty, Loool!
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 2:30 pmYou can throw all the propaganda at me you want Mustap, in your obvious attempt to scare and intimidate me into silence, yet it will never work….all truthful and logical people know that Al Qaeda and it’s affiliated groups receive most, if not all, of their funding from the GCC countries….yes it was also your Arab brethren Al Qaeda who committed 911 , or maybe you believe it was an inside job ?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 2:55 pmAnd what do the GCC countries do to Al Qaeda supporters Mustap, slap their hands in public, while behind the scenes tell them good job? Lool !
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 3:00 pmMarion,
…..zzzzz
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 3:09 pmGreetings from Basrah,
Quite honestly, people like Mustap make me want to join HA, and since I am in close proximity, maybe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard!
Posted by Vulcan | February 24, 2014, 5:46 pmy’3ani iza you join aw you not join, chou 7ha taasir?
eh! go and join.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 6:18 pmVulcan,
Please don’t join HA, Hamas, al Queda, al Nusra, al Baath, Meretz, or any other resistance movement.
Just join a club that promotes freedom, equality and defence of your nation.
Mustap,
Just MHO, but some of the participants here may be getting the impression that support of the KSA with respect to Iran is not totally appealing considering they are also a closed, theocratic society. Lebanon is one of the freest arab nations, however, they do have this thing called HA that seems to bother a lot of Lebanese.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 6:31 pmAkbar Palace,
The issue here is that the resistance gang is attempting to equate Saudi actions with Iranian actions.
In my opinion these are not equivalent.
That’s why I told Vulcan to do whatever he likes to do. He is not going to make a difference.
We need to make sure that the resistance gang do not get by with their sinister agenda.
In truth there is a huge difference between Saudi Kingdom and Iranian wilayat faqih entity in every respect you can imagine including close society, theocratic governance or freedom of speech. None of these are actually applicable as a ‘deficiency’ to Saudis, i.e. they are not a theocracy, they are not closed society and there is a fair amount of free speech in KSA. May be the latter is not up to your standards but you can in no way compare it to the miserable Iranian state.
The other point here is that Saudis are our friends and brothers while the Iranians are not. If any Lebanese does not subscribe to this view then as far as I am concerned he can go and swallow the sea.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 6:44 pm“they are not closed society and there is a fair amount of free speech in KSA.”
How can one argue with that?!
Posted by Vulcan | February 24, 2014, 7:01 pmMay be the latter is not up to your standards but you can in no way compare it to the miserable Iranian state.
Mustap,
I enjoy your posts and opinions, and I think you are articulate. I cannot determine which society is freer; I trust your judgement as well as the other participants here. I’ve been on business trips to Kuwait and UAE, so I know a little. My experience is that some with jewish-sounding last names are not given visas. I seen christians denied visas, and yet, I was given one.
Like I’ve said before, Iran has proven to be a violent meddlar in many ME nations, much more so than KSA. OTOH, how much was the KSA involved in funding the 9-11 hit men, al Queda and the Islamists in Syria? I would respect the KSA a WHOLE lot more if they took the hundreds of F-16s we sold them and flattened the Syrian baathist government.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 7:09 pmZionists bomb Hezbo facility… response in 3….2….1.5….1.4….1.39…..
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4492110,00.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 7:52 pmAkbar,
Thanks for expressing the sentiment.
I wouldn’t object to your last suggestion. The US, however, has conditions on the sale of weapons to KSA which prevents such scenario.
I know the Israelis do not listen much to the US when they decide to take matters into their own hands, or may be the US does not put such conditions on arms deliveries to Israel.
You should talk to Obama and convince him that this is the best course of action for the Saudis to follow and that the US should keep quite.
Nevertheless, the Saudis are getting disenchanted with the current US policies and are looking for alternate weapons suppliers, but that will take some time. I wouldn’t be surprised if the KSA deploys on its territory nukes with means of delivery very shortly that it can easily obtain from friendly nuke nation(s) as a sign of expressing displeasure with Obama and his incompetent administration.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 8:13 pmDear Barry,
As a member of an elite group of people (aka “chosen”), I urge you to succumb to our wishes and become personally involved in deposing Bashar Assad and his pro-Palestinian wife (who btw, dresses and wears her hair like Sarah Michelle Gellar).
You see, everyone is terribly afraid of acting on their own. Getting rid of Assad may introduce more violence. Therefore, only US blood and treasure are required to resolve another ME “flare up”. Rest assured, US involvement, at best, will be ignored by most of the ME and, more likely, will cause more anti-American sentiment as we are blamed for fighting another war for the Zionists.
We urge you to do what is right.
Mustap,
Now that I have made you chuckle, here’s what I say. Fuck Obama and take care of this arab problem the way you need to.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 8:38 pmAkbar,
I enjoyed the chuckle. But, you went further than that which I was asked for in my comment. I didn’t ask for US blood to help depose Assad. Had it not been for US (Obama) restrictions on arms transfer, the Saudis would have acted alone long ago. They don’t even need to use their own air force. They can simply supply accurate anti aircraft missiles, of which they have plenty in stock made in the US, to the rebels and Assad would fall in no time.
But, Obama is preventing such transfer based on arms purchase agreements with the Saudis. Unless, the Saudis find another credible arms supplier, they cannot act against their own interests. But things will change very soon and only Obama will turn out to be the loser, not only in the Middle East but also in south east Asia whete he’s now packing up gear and heading. As you may know from a previous comment I made, the win in Ukraine cannot be attributed to finnesse in American foreign policy but rather to an unwitting delusional Putin/Lavrov duo.
The world is changing as much as the middle east is also experiencing change. America is not catching up, and may not last as a credible power before the next presidential elections take place, assuming the American people will elect a president with some balls when they go to the polls in two years or so.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 9:50 pmMustap,
Maybe it is not a question of one sole country diving into Syria to fix something that cannot be fixed. Maybe it is a coalition. Maybe the US, Europe and the Arab League/KSA should have shared this responsibility. Whatever the reason, Obama failed to manage this a so many other important interests. I thought Carter was the worst US president, but Obama has proven to be worse.
US foreign policy is now to watch our enemies go on the offensive and hope they don’t advance. I’m plannig to leave the defence industry (where spending is being cut substantially) and get into commercial products, where spending is increasing.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 24, 2014, 10:08 pmSorry for the Freudian slip in my last comment, Akbar. I meant central Asia where Obama is heading and not south east Asia.
Posted by Mustap | February 24, 2014, 10:09 pmaccording to Mustap, Saudi Arabia is not a closed society and has a fair amount of free speech. loooooooooooooooooool!
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 11:22 pmWas it Vulcan or BV who mentioned thay Mustaph is the reverse image of T?
Anyone so blinded by their hate for HA (they do not represent any Lebanese shia according to M.) and for Iran (the rich culture of millions is reduced by him to a caricature of a text by Khomeini and to wilayat al fiqh memes) cannot contribute to an informed discussion. I am intrigued by the nees to repeat the same limited positions over and over again. Maybe that is what silenced the majority of previous posters on this blog. Just a thought!
Posted by Parrhesia | February 24, 2014, 11:25 pmYou obviously don’t know piddly about Saudi Mustap, and it is too bad that Abdel Nasser isn’t alive to tell us about how Saudi undermined his Arab brotherhood movement…oh well historical records will have to do….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 24, 2014, 11:26 pmAre you serious P?
What persian culture are you talking about and where is it?
FYI and just so may wake up, it was gone long ago with the last Khosro. You don’t happen to be another dreamer of persian glory, do you?
And ask your Hassan: is his allegiance to Khosro or is it to the wali faqih? He dares not even mention the K word.
You will get the answer you’re looking for. There is one and only one that matters in your Iran: the wali faqih and everything else is nothing but backwardness and misery.
And please don’t hide behind fake accusations of imagined hatred. We know exactly where hatred is when we look at Hassan, at his master, the wali faqih, and at their thugs and see what they are doing in Syria.
The Shia of Lebanon will soon find out what predicament they are allowing themselves to be hijacked by a thug leading them to the tunnels of the wali faqih cesspool.
Go find a kid to play with.
Again Marion….ZZZZZZZZZ.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 12:26 amWhy are you always trying to put words in my mouth Mustap? You should question me according to what I actually say, not about what you like to claim I am thinking or believing, as I have been doing with you…it is a dirty and low technique to insinuate things about others in order to try and win an argument…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 25, 2014, 12:35 amCome again, Marion.
Just in case you didn’t understand my last comment, which I suspect is the case, the bulk of it was not addressesd to you. It was addressed to P (or Parhesia). Yours starts with M, I believe, and not P.
You only have a very tiny part of that comment, the last line. And, I was more generous with the z’s than I was in my last reply to you, which proves you’re ‘improving’.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 12:43 amIceman was more moderate than Mustap. At least he didn’t say Iran is our enemy. What kind of trash talk is that. Us Arabs have a lot to learn from the Persians, God damn beautiful people.
Posted by Maverick | February 25, 2014, 2:02 amGee Maverick,
Everyone should be in agreement about who the “real” enemy is.;)
But looking at what’s going on, I guess it’s not that simple anymore…
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 5:03 amMaverick,
I never said persians are our enemies. I just stated a fact that persian culture is long gone with the last Khosro when P showed his/her confusion mixing up wali faqih Iran with a non-existing civlization.
FYI, ethnic Persians in Iran, remnants from Khosro’s days, are a tiny minority who account for less than 20% of the poulation
All my comments refer to Iran under the current wali faqih system. In this system, they are our enemy.
But there is no problem with iranians living in the US. In fact, most of them are our allies.
If you don’t agree with that, then that’s your choice and iceman’s.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 7:34 amMaverick,
Your memory is failing you? 😀
Or…Iceman has added another dimension due to the coldest winter on record? 😛
Posted by danny | February 25, 2014, 8:58 amI can no longer help but become jealous of this iceman superman.
He seems to be endowed with so many covetted gifts and able to zip through multitude of dimensions at much ease.
It must be due to the many slippery surfaces it is endowed with. Nice to be an iceman after all.
Is the iceman moniker available for my use QN?
⛄️❄️
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 9:39 amStating the obvious, Merkel said that Iran isn’t just a threat to Israel….
Maybe Obama should listen, instead of lifting sanctions.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4492371,00.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 9:47 amA question for you Akbar with regards to your last comment:
In the upcoming miniseries titled The Bible, a certain character bears a striking resemblance to Obama. Is this a deliberate choice by the series producer(s)? The miniseries will be shown on History channel.
The real name of the character is Mohamen Mahdi, from Morocco, and he plays Satan.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 9:53 amMustap,
“The Bible”? Just FYI, I’m not much of a mini-series or network TV guy. I hate comedy shows with laugh-tracks. The last series tv show I followed was Lost, which had no purpose except to get followers interested enough to see the next show.
I like movies because a good movie is an art-form. I recommend “Silver Lining Playbook”. I’m in love with Jennifer Lawrence (it used to be Sandra Bullock).
To get my fill of anti-Obama speech, I tune-in Fox News and watch my hero Charles Krauthammer. I always turn up the volume when Amb. John Bolton chimes in. Obama isn’t “Satan” or evil, he’s just a pompous community organizer who thinks the government is required to care for everyone from cradle to grave, and that the more people the government cares for, the more votes the democrats will collect. No incentive to create wealth.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 10:24 amSusan Rice and the retreat of American power…
http://m.washingtonpost.com/opinions/richard-cohen-susan-rice-and-the-retreat-of-american-power/2014/02/24/e9d347dc-9d82-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 12:36 pmWhy did you assume that my last comment to you Mustsp was based on your comment to P? When have you ever honestly addressed anything I have actually said ? You are the one who called me a 5th column because I am not anti-Iran like you are and praised the Wahabi Saudis who have been funding and arming terrorist groups in Syria as your Arab brethren…. I assume that you also do not know much about the Wahabi beliefs…. I do, because my children attended Saudi schools for three years in my first stay there, and had to take numerous religious classes… Wahabiism is not a very open minded ideology, that is accepting of people from other faiths… And it is anti- Arabism… So truth be told, you can’t be both a Wahabi and an Arabist…. And you claim that Saudi is not a theocracy is truly laughable…did you not know that Saudi has no written constitution and allegedly follows the laws of the Holy Quran? Yet the truth is, it uis actually far more tribal than it is religious….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 25, 2014, 1:30 pmYou really should be more honest and you should learn more about the countries you call your Arab brothers…the reason Arabism has never worked is because Arabs are not brothers…The truth is most of them hate each other and stab each other in the backs….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 25, 2014, 1:35 pmSo Marion, are you trying to say Iranian theocracy is our brothers and friend as Arabs? I find that very laughable, considering what I see happening in Syria and Lebanon
Next, if you think I assumed something with regards to your previous comment, why don’t you explain yourself and what you actually understood from my comment. Or at least reply to my ‘come again’ reply to you. You see you did neither. You just came back throwing baseless accusations
It looks like you’re well trained in dishonesty.
And who are you to tell me what Arabism, Wahabism, Islamism or whatever ism you may throw around not knowing what you are talking about, or even assume what I know or don’t know about the subject(s)? That is ignorant on top of dishonest!
In truth I find you the most disingenuous person I could think of.
Again, a huge zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… this time.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 1:47 pmAny idea why the Saudis are against the MB?
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 1:50 pmYou just proved my point Mustap….by claiming I am trying to say In your words” Iranian theocracy is our brothers and friend as Arabs” …Of course my honest response to your false insinuation concerning me is Iran is friends with those Arabs who want to be friends with Iran,.and considering what I see in Syria and Lebanon, I can easily make the same claim about Saudi, that you made about Iran… I am not the one throwing dishonest accusations around Mustap…and why are you expecting me to reply to your come again when you have never really replied to mine? And lastly, what baseless accusations have I made to you Mustap ?
Posted by Marion | February 25, 2014, 2:23 pmBy the way your zzzzzzzzzzs are very immature behavior on your part….
Posted by Marion | February 25, 2014, 2:24 pmDo you understand the difference between a question and a claim, Marion?
Example from my last comment, THIS IS A QUESTION:
“So Marion, are you trying to say Iranian theocracy is our brothers and friend as Arabs?”
This is a claim which you made and which was not in my previous comment:
“So Marion, you are trying to say Iranian theocracy is our brothers and friend as Arabs”
Hint: The first one has a question mark at the end. The second one doesn’t.
THESE ARE CLAIMS which you made in your comment at 1:30PM:
“because I am not anti-Iran like you are and praised the Wahabi Saudis who have been funding and arming terrorist groups in Syria as your Arab brethren…. I assume that you also do not know much about the Wahabi beliefs…. “
I suggest you get lost, because his is not English 101, notwithstanding the fact that you’re supposed to be a native Anglophone and I am a native Arab-phone. That’s why I give you the huge zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….
SURPRISINGLY NOT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND YOUR NATIVE TONGUE BETTER THAN YOU DO!!!!
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 2:42 pmMustap, enough with the attacks on Marion.
Thanks
Posted by Qifa Nabki | February 25, 2014, 2:59 pmQN,
I am just fending off HER attacks as you can see from the above. I would be happy to be silent and hopefully she does the same!!
At least direct some remarks to her to behave. She’s been irrationally irritating.
Posted by Mustap | February 25, 2014, 3:13 pmIt was an insinuation designed in question form…you behave a lot like a child Mustap..when you can’t argue with the facts, you revert to personal attacks….even children are more mature….
Posted by Marion | February 25, 2014, 3:35 pmMustap. What are your views on Shiism?
Posted by 3issa | February 25, 2014, 4:23 pmlol at the ridiculous claims that Israel attacked Hezbollah sites on the Lebanon/Syrian border.
Posted by dontgetit | February 25, 2014, 4:37 pm3issa,
Why are you asking me a question that iceman, your idol, should answer? You know he has a lot more intelligence according to your experience. He is legendary from what I have been able to gather so far.
But to be fair to you, here’s what you should do to deserve an answer to an ‘unsolicited’ topic. Tell us your views about Shiism, first. and then we go from there.
Posted by mustap | February 25, 2014, 5:26 pmlol at the ridiculous claims that Israel attacked Hezbollah sites on the Lebanon/Syrian border.
Dontgetit,
Al Jazeera must be lying to us…
http://m.aljazeera.com/story/20142254213950969
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 25, 2014, 6:08 pmThank you Mustap.
Posted by 3issa | February 25, 2014, 6:45 pmDontgetit,
Are you still “lol” now that those “ridiculous claims” are being admitted to by the top resistance professional (resistance to arab freedom)?
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4492834,00.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 26, 2014, 9:36 amAkbar Palace,
Dontgetit is just playing a role. He is not pro resistance. At least that’s what s/he told me.
Posted by Mustap | February 26, 2014, 10:01 amMustap,
I call it denial.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 26, 2014, 10:35 amMustap, you can be fiercely anti-Iran, and anti party of Iran. But come on… pro Saudi? Seriously?
And now you are cozy with fully fledged israelis…While pretending that you care about the Arabs and the Muslims…about the Syrian people.
The ridiculous Asad abu khalil (angry arab) will be delighted to read your comments.
If you see Iran and it’s agenda as a threat to the security of the Arabs, how comes you are not seeing the Israeli colonialist state as a threat too?
Are you a sort of undercover Zionist a la don’t get it ?
Posted by 3issa | February 26, 2014, 4:12 pm3issa,
Explain to me first what’s your problem with the Saudis.
Secondly, what have you done to combat your ‘Zionist enemy’?
Thirdly, what have you done to the Syrian people?
The Saudis are doing a lot more to the Syrians than you, I believe. I don’t know where you’re from to say the Saudis are doing even a lot more than your home country, but I suspect that’s also the case. Care to elaborate about what your country is doing, instead of having me making assumptions?
And fourthly, I see clearly that you’re full of rehetorical questions but very short on showing your true colors, in which case don’t expect more than the above considering your current ‘cloaked’ status, not to mention previous unnecessary personal swipes. Basically, you shot yourself in the foot with that initial introduction and I may choose to dissmiss you as irrelevant solely based on that.
Posted by Mustap | February 26, 2014, 8:44 pmThreesa,
Some arabs are not very anti-Israel because they understand that arab citizens of Israel are treated BETTER than most arabs elsewhere in the ME.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 26, 2014, 9:21 pmMustap: It is very simple. The Resistance achieved a Divine Victory over the Israelis in 2006. Since the Israelis got their butts kicked, it stands to reason that they are too scared to attack their superiors and lose again. The Resistance’s Divine Victory is tehrefore a deterrent to Israeli colonialist aggression against it. Case closed. Didn’t happen. All this talk of air strikes is simply propoganda designed to prop up the Apartheid regime’s bloated ego and make them look like more than the paper tigers they are.
Posted by dontgetit | February 26, 2014, 9:27 pmAnother form of addiction: ROLE-PLAYING!
Posted by Badr | February 27, 2014, 4:34 amI am curious, what do you thinks of Shiism Mustap?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | February 27, 2014, 2:52 pmI really don’t care about what you’re curious about, Marioun.
Do you understand what I said in my last comment to you? Or do you need another English 101 session?
Posted by Mustap | February 27, 2014, 4:49 pmAlbeit being born, raised, killed and resurrected in whatever you want to call it (Levant, Palestine, Israel) … Jesus, and his (God)father and his offspring eventually decided to immigrate to Europe and set up office in Rome, Italy.
What’s all the fuss about ?
Posted by Balesh | February 27, 2014, 5:39 pmFor the sake of argument, let’s define the Shiites with Protestants.
At least they accepted and tolerated alternative practices of Godly beliefs, unlike the brutal and strict Catholics and the current devout Sunni Saudis … that still don’t.
History 101.
Posted by Balesh | February 27, 2014, 6:22 pmThe asylum is being run by some truly demented convicts. 😀
Posted by danny | February 27, 2014, 6:26 pmMutsap is an American zionist. Probably got his Arabic learning @ AUB.
Posted by lally | February 27, 2014, 6:54 pmGemayel, Aoun, Geagea… Someone should a shoot a documentary on the Levant’s last Crusaders.
The best they can shoot for is for the Baba in Rum to proclaim one or all of them, Saints.
Posted by Balesh | February 27, 2014, 7:18 pmMutsap is an American zionist.
The typical epithet for a pro-freedom arab.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 27, 2014, 8:48 pm“a pro-freedom arab”
…do you think Mutsap could be Hussain Ibish?…………
Posted by lally | February 27, 2014, 10:34 pmWith the UNSC getting prepared to discuss and vote over a complaint made by Lebanon’s foreign minister in proxy of the so-called resistance axis, the US should not hesitate to veto it based on the fact that the UNSC has NO jurisdictions over ‘Divine’ matters.
No one should complain about the US veto in this case because the US would be acting in the interests of ALL Lebanese.
Posted by Mustap | February 27, 2014, 10:40 pmEveryone here seems to want to know who I am. I didn’t ask anyone who s/he is.
May be I should begin probing. Any volunteers?
How about you Lally? Come foreward and reveal your true self.
Posted by Mustap | February 27, 2014, 10:43 pmMustap,
Yes, well according to our resident resistance pro, Lilly, you’re a “zionist” because you don’t support despots like Nasrallah and Assad. Remember, “good” arabs only support freedom for Palestinians as the remainder of arabs across the ME should shut up about their own rights and even their own lives.
That is why Lilly will never find an ounce of hostility toward mass murderers like Assad, Saddam, Colonel “Sunglasses”, Hassan “the Mad Hatter”, or the Iranian theocrats. Yup, if you bad-mouth one of those “beautiful people”, you’re obviously a Zionist.
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 27, 2014, 11:42 pmAkbar Palace,
OK and very good. So, now I know this Lilly is a resident pro resistance. Thanks for the tip.
Any more tips regarding this pro-resistance character?
And thanks in advance for the intel.
Posted by Mustap | February 28, 2014, 12:08 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmT8JstRohg
Posted by Vulcan | February 28, 2014, 10:01 amLol Vulcan. It fits with a few above irritated souls. 😀
“May those who love us, love us. And those who cannot love us, may God turn their hearts. And if he cannot turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles, so we may know them by their limping.”
Posted by danny | February 28, 2014, 11:10 amSaudi rulers = illegitimate corrupt clique squatting natural ressources that would help millions of fellow Muslims getting out of poverty…Instead, they are being spent in Vegas trips and useless weaponry…lest they dare to protest in that case they would be bombed to death. They even hijacked the name of that very piece of land they have been given by their foreign patrons.
Iranian rulers = hijackers as well and criminals massacring any dissent against their expansionist plans in the region and beyond. Mostly cold strategists but a good bunch of them are crazy bigots willing to export their twisted version of Islam.
Shias = Muslim minority, has always been a minority.
Posted by 3issa | February 28, 2014, 3:54 pmSorry wasn’t mean to be published like that…buy yeah its somehow how I feel. No need to talk about the party of Iran, the Syrian tyranny and of course the apartheid colonialist outpost in the middle east. Besides this I’m very much on the side of the people. They are all legitimate and entitled to live where they are, except the settlers in Palestine and those who refuse to accept total equality with the Palestinians under one single state.
Posted by 3issa | February 28, 2014, 4:05 pmWhat kinda hipocracy is this when you are with the people, but against settlers in Palestine? What are you going to do with a 60 year old who was born there from his settler parents from Poland or Morocco ? Wage war and kill him? Like the resisting Arabs wage war against Palestinian camps where they SETTLED 60 years ago in Lebanon and the rest of the Arab map. Or accept him and make peace?
People who refuse to welcome the Israelis in this part of the world do it for one reason only, it’s because they are racist, the injustice they claim that fuels their hate and acts of violence is equal to the injustice they committed and still do. you have no moral grounds to wage this war in the name of justice and morality.
I commend you for equating the 2 equally vile extremist Islamic regimes, no need to say sorry.
As a Shiaa I would add, they are a persecuted minority like the Jews, Christians, and many others in this sea of hate.
Posted by Vulcan | February 28, 2014, 5:55 pmThreesa,
I share your thoughts about Iran and KSA. None of these are govts to emulate. And I do consider Iran to be more dangerous because, as you said, “…their expansionist plans in the region and beyond…”.
But Vulcan goes a step further, and for that he should be given the Olive Wood Camel Peace Prize. “Settlers” are people and some consider them to be any jew living in Palestine. The Palis and Isras are the only ones that can negotiate a land for peace deal.
Lilly,
Should Vulcan be today’s honorary “Zionist” considering his open-minded POV?
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 28, 2014, 6:36 pmBarry is talkin’ tough against Russia concerning the Ukraine. This is another empty threat like the one issued against Betho and his use of CW.
No one takes you seriously Barry. “Commander in Retreat”
Posted by Akbar Palace | February 28, 2014, 8:16 pmAbsolutely! One Genuine Hand-Carved Palestinian Olive Wood Camel Peace Prize coming up.
Supplies are limited! due to the heroic settlers from Brooklyn torching and/or cutting down their neighbor’s means of economic survival under the watchful eyes of the soldiers assigned to protect them.
Get it while you can…
Ukraine is all about Syria and UNSC vetos.
The escalation of threats to Putin/Russia coming from this WH is remarkable.
Boycotting the G8 meetup in Sochi is being bandied about as one possible punishment.
Another form of attack is the threat by Ambassador Samantha “Sam” Power to go on tour with the Pussy Riot gryls.
Posted by lally | March 1, 2014, 12:28 amYes, Lilly, those Brooklyn-born settlers are affecting the “economic survival” of the Holy Palestinians;) We may have to ask our BDS heroes to wave sanctions against Sodastream to keep 500 Palis employed.
So if you want to buy something made by the hands of Holy Palestinians, you can purchase an olivewood camel or a high tech soda machine. Try Bed Bath & Beyond.
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/1.571948
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 1, 2014, 1:10 amBTW Lilly,
Please take a minute of your precious time to show us all those posts you’ve made on other ME-related websites discussing the “economic survival” of other arabs like Syrians, Egyptians, and Iraqis, who are ALL under MORE desperate “economic survival” conditions than the Holy.
I’m willing to bet my gold chai not-a-one.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 1, 2014, 1:18 amThis is a great opportunity to break up the Russian federation. KSA is the key for this scenario to happen beginning in central Asia.
This is a repeat of the Poland/ Afghanistan Soviet quagmire which resulted in the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The KSA is a central state in this world which has far greater importance than anyone of you here, who seem so jealous of its wealth, can imagine and can only show desperation by bad mouthing it as childish amateurish commentators on a blog like this.
Hate it or like it, their wealth is their own, and they have no obligations to give any of it to disgruntled so-called Palestine enthusiasts who can only talk. So eat your heart out. You want wealth on the basis of being a Muslim? Get off your ass and do some work and live off your own labor. Being Muslim does not entiltle you to a portion of someone else’s natural resources.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
QN,
I made a mistake posting the above under a ‘name’not to be shown and is now in moderation.
Please ignore that posting and delete it. Thanks.
Posted by Mustap | March 1, 2014, 12:09 pmIn other news, regime and Hezbollah thugs are losing in Yabroud,
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/537320-hezbollah-is-losing-in-yabroud
The tide is turning, and Hezbollah will have to do something to hide the dead bodies of Shiite mercenaries fighting under its banner from the sights of mourning Lebanese.
A storm is also gathering in the south and heading towards the capital with thousands of trained fighters supposedly equipped with modern weaponry. Will we witness this spring the fleeing of another ‘Yanukovch’ in another helicopter from Damascus to an unknown destination?
Posted by Mustap | March 1, 2014, 12:25 pmI don’t think Mustap is Zionist, I think he is Saudi…. And I agree the only solution for Palestine is a one state solution, minus the extremists on both sides, which would be the Zionists and the Wahabi/Salafis who have nothing to do with Judaism or Islam and undermine any kind of humanity….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 2, 2014, 3:34 amIn fact, I would suggest that the Zionists move to Wahabi Saudi, since there is lots of open land there and they have a lot in common regarding their paranoias and alliances…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 2, 2014, 3:38 amIn fact, I would suggest that the Zionists move to Wahabi Saudi…
Marion,
Since the 6 million Zionists aren’t moving, I suggest final borders be negotiated between them and the PA. I also suggest the arab world tend to more pressing issues than the final borders between Israel and Palestine.
Just MHO.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 2, 2014, 8:38 amSince we are moving people, let’s send the Shiaa extremist to Iran, “since there is lots of open land there and they have a lot in common regarding their paranoias and alliances…”
Marion, you get to tag along, am sure you’d love it in Tehran, you’ll look stunning in your Christian Dior Chador.
Posted by Vulcan | March 2, 2014, 8:58 amShias have been in Lebanon for centuries and did not dispossess and usurp the lands from others, unlike the Zionists have Vulcan….Zionists are not welcome in this part of the world because Zionists dispossessed and stole the lands, of the native Arabs of the land, and continue to do so until this day… while Many Shias do love to visit Iran, they love the lands they came from much more….Wahabis and Zionists belong together because they don’t don’t care about humanity and because they don’t know how to share this region with the rest of the inhabitants….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 2, 2014, 1:34 pmJews are welcome in this region Akbar, as long as they free themselves of their racist Zionist ideology and understand that they are not Chosun people…. We are all equal and have the same rights….something that Zionists just can’t seem to grasp…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 2, 2014, 1:39 pmAlso a two state solution will never work… It will only work when it is returned to Palestine, that is open for all three faiths as it was before the Zionists violently took over….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 2, 2014, 1:42 pmJews are welcome in this region Akbar
Marion,
Thanks. Muslims are welcome too.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 2, 2014, 1:59 pmMarion the Jews have been here before Prophet Mohamad was born and were usurped, Zionism brought them back here.. Zionism is their national movement..the Shiaa should know best about injustice don’t they.
Your HA’s motto is a forgery…For them, Lebanon is just a battle playground, to advance their Khomeinist goals only. They don’t give a damn about social justice, education or developpment in Lebanon.
It’s not about the Jews or Zionism, it’s about their deficiency..to put it politely.. REMOVED BY MODERATOR
Moderator’s note: Please do not use foul language. Thanks.
Posted by Vulcan | March 2, 2014, 5:34 pmThe resistance against peace and joy, thats the only resistance they are. Haydar Haydar
Posted by Vulcan | March 2, 2014, 5:44 pmThe industry oh Husseinism, Martyrdom and the culture of death and of course the REMOVED BY MODERATOR The only thriving industry in the south.
Moderator’s note: Please do not use foul language. Thanks.
Posted by Vulcan | March 2, 2014, 5:47 pmHahayyy… I like the moderation effort..it’s reaffirmation of spot on view .. Forgive the foul language, that’s what two weeks of continuous exposure does and there’s more to come.
Posted by Vulcan | March 3, 2014, 4:47 amBy the way the sentence after “to put it politely” contained one foul f only.. You could have left the rest..it’s very true. It is social advancement oh Doctor
Posted by Vulcan | March 3, 2014, 4:52 amTrying to make Shia -ism out to be some kind of evil belief system, while Justying the racist Zionist ideology that continues to usurp Palestinian lands convinces who Vulcan? That is most definitely a Zionist oriented hasbara technique, which basically only ignorant, racist minded Zionists or Salafi Wahabis like to spread, in order to take the attention away from their sick minded ideologies….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 3, 2014, 1:27 pmMarion,
We have an award for you too: “The Resistance Kaffiyah Against Racist Zionism Award”.
Please allow 6 – 8 weeks for delivery
and keep up the good work…your steadfast support of resistance improves the lives of arabs and muslims everywhere…
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 3, 2014, 5:31 pmToday From Reuters
Islamist militants kill 31 more in northeast Nigeria
Reuters By Lanre Ola 4 hours ago
By Lanre Ola
Resistance pros still busy performing “Tikkun Olam”…
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 3, 2014, 6:12 pmThere is No comparison between Salafi-Wahabi minded terrorists and resistance Akbar…two completely different things…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 3, 2014, 10:47 pmIn fact, I think the Salafi-Wahabi minded terrorists have a lot in common with Zionist settlers ….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 3, 2014, 10:48 pmWhat I have noticed here, is how many of the Anti-resistance, Zionist /Salafi minded individuals can dish out all kinds of rhetoric towards their opponents, yet they can’t take it when their opponents present plain old truths…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 4, 2014, 12:38 amToday’s SAT practice question:
What word does not fit:
A.) Salafi
B.) Alawi
C.) Wahabi
D.) Sunni
E.) Fiji
F.) None the above
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 12:57 amWho’s accusing me of being a Zionist?! Sorry to dissapoint you, I’m much worse, I’m an Arab Nationalist 🙂
Posted by Vulcan | March 4, 2014, 3:19 amDr. QN, you owe us here a Qifa Nabki Instagram account so we can post pictures and get to know each other well. I can hire the administrator if you have no time to police it.
Posted by Vulcan | March 4, 2014, 3:21 amVulcan,
Do define an Arab within the context of Asians or Europeans.
What’s your definition of an “Arab” Nationalist?
Posted by Balesh | March 4, 2014, 9:28 amOr an a “nationalist” … for that matter.
Posted by Balesh | March 4, 2014, 9:31 amQN is a Lebanese Arab Maronite Nationalist, in case you have not noticed.
I am sure he visits all the necessary shrines whenever he visits Lebanon to remind himself, his family and his good friends of who he is and what he believes in while trying to remain politically correct with the rest of his Arab brothers all the way in the United Sates … but that does not make him an authority on Muslim ideals within the Lebanon and the region.
As I said earlier, Jesus’s disciples immigrated to the North and mainly to Rome from where that disease was then spread forwards and still poisons much of the world. So does Islam today.
I’m converting to Judaism.
Intelligence. No Thank you.
Posted by Balesh | March 4, 2014, 10:04 amAkbar’s practice question answer:
d)
Reasons: a) Khomeinism is not in the list of answers.
b) Resistance is not in the list of answers.
c) Baathism is not in the list of answers.
d) Putin’s Russia is not in the list of answers.
We need you to convert to Wahhabism Akbar since we just lost one of ‘our faithfuls’ to ‘your faithfuls.’
We can’t afford such losses!!! We need to restore balance and Zionists fit perfectly well in Wahhabi land as some commentators here surmise.
Posted by Mustap | March 4, 2014, 10:52 amThe answer is E……Well I hate to break it to you Vulcan, and whoever else might claim to be an Arab National…Arab nationals don’t include only Arab atheists…. a question for you all, how can one be an atheist and a Jew at the same time, or even a Zionist and a Jew at the same time?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 4, 2014, 1:50 pmdear marion ”
zionist is a spectrum of political affiliation the major requirement is belif and suport for jewish self deteminetion in israel
jew is both ethnic and a religios affiliation if you are an atheist you are still a member of the “tribe”
that is the reason conversion to judaism takes many months of dediction
and conversion to islam and christianety take less then a day
we have an integreteded identity unlike other middle eastern people
one family one nation one land one god
Posted by lone wolf | March 4, 2014, 2:26 pmwe are like less radical druze
that is why jews and druze like and understand each other
Posted by lone wolf | March 4, 2014, 2:33 pmJews in todays zionist state (including the outright colonies) have the right to live. There is no question to kill anyone. Palestinians have the right to live as well and live where they have been expelled and ethnically cleansed. So the only middle way to reconcile these 2 rights is one state.. that has to be democratic (to guarantee the equality between all it people). Hence the logical conclusion that the Zionist institutions has to be dismantled.
And no, the wealth of the Arabian peninsula shouldn’t be hijacked by a half dozen royal clans.
Posted by 3issa | March 4, 2014, 3:55 pmA couple of typos. .3afwan
Posted by 3issa | March 4, 2014, 4:00 pm“And no, the wealth of the Arabian peninsula shouldn’t be hijacked by a half dozen royal clans.”
Either way you don’t have any rights to this wealth on the basis of you being Muslim.
As a matter of fact, you have no say whatsoever in what goes on in Kingdom.
So, again get off your butt.
Posted by Mustap | March 4, 2014, 4:10 pmhttp://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608053552540092021&pid=15.1
Posted by danny | March 4, 2014, 4:53 pmlol – “the Kingdom”
it really sounds like a medieval tale
Anyway… I really cannot understand how it is possible to defend Saudi Arabia and expect to be taken seriously when talking about Iran and its party in Lebanon. And I don’t think I will ever understand.
Is it not obvious that they are just fighting to keep their thrones, spending billions right and left in pointless armament, in funding proxies, in media rubbish propaganda…this is what is required when you have no legitimacy whatsoever.
Posted by £issa | March 4, 2014, 4:57 pmThe Kingdom does not need midgets on a QN blog to defend itself. So get lost. Who takes you seriously anyway?
I know you’ll just burst into an outrage and repeat your previous buzz off command. Understood!!! And will be ignored.
Akbar Palace,
What says you about the Russian ballistic test that took place today? How will Berry respond?
Posted by Mustap | March 4, 2014, 5:23 pmWe need you to convert to Wahhabism Akbar since we just lost one of ‘our faithfuls’ to ‘your faithfuls.’
Mustap,
I enjoy your sense of humor. Thanks. I am also interested in the discussion about “arab nationalism”.
I am of the opinion that we should never fear another person’s religion. People of different religions CAN live together given the right environment: freedom and rule-of-law. I would welcome learning about Islam or any other religion and really, I could if I spent more of my free time reading. I much prefer discussing such things with real people.
The thing that frightens me about Saudi Arabia is that foreigners have no legal rights. I feel as though I could get framed or thrown in jail for the rest of my life or have my head cut off (ref: Midnight Express). I don’t even think Jews are allowed to visit the Kingdom unless on a very special visa for company or political VIPs.
There are sects of Jews that are very open-minded and welcoming if you are secular. There are sects of Jews that think everyone is a “goy” and “less than them” if you are another sect. I believe, for example, that the religious Jews should, of course, do military service. The small anti-Zionist sects as well, and if they don’t like it, they can move somewhere else.
Back to arab nationalism. I don’t understand the controversy. Someone should know they’re “arab”. It is a race of people. They are usually muslim but not always, for sure. They were born in the ME. In the end, a person puts themself in the “category” they want to be in. I am American and I also consider myself a member (not “card -carrying”) of the Jewish People. And I am no better or worse than anyone else. It is just my identity.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 5:26 pmWhat says you about the Russian ballistic test that took place today? How will Berry respond?
I just got the news…
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/04/russia-test-fires-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-report-says/
My thoughts: Our dumb president has responded by giving tax breaks to the poor, who, BTW, don’t pay taxes anyway. 47% of Americans don’t pay ANY tax.
Obama will go down in history as the “Retreat” american president. Obama’s sole purpose in life is to steal from the rich and give to a larger pool of poor people. The more poor, the more votes the Democrats will get.
Looks like our founding fathers missed this type of crime when they wrote the Constitution and the Bill or Rights.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 5:34 pmCheck out the Palestinian “settlement” of Rawabi…. (caution, you will be taken to a webpage owned by Daniel Pipes)
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2008/01/mirror-image-palestinians-continue-to-mimic#Safdie
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 5:40 pmAkbar Palace,
No foreigner got his rights forfeited in the Kingdom over the last 70 years and there are thousands of foreigners living in the Kingdom who would not trade living anywhere else. So your point is moot. It doesn’t mean a foreigner will not get punished if he commits a crime.
There is no such thing as Arab nationalism. Baathists, their proxies and the Khomeinist proxies disguise themselves in a misnomer they call Arab nationalism. waste not your time on a discredited concept.
But you can still be an Arab without being nationalist. Arabs are a race but not a nation. Their common characteristics are the language and the common history.
But to be honest with you if a Moroccan or an Algerian or anyone else comes up with the idea that wealth should be shared on the basis of religion, I will tell that someone s/he is a bum who wants to avoid working for living like every other normal human beings.
Would you give a Jew just because s/he is a Jew?
Posted by Mustap | March 4, 2014, 5:42 pmAlright. What are your views on Shias Mustap?
Posted by 3issa | March 4, 2014, 7:01 pmMustap,
Not that I am a big fan of HRW, they paint a disturbing picture.
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/saudi-arabia
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 9:37 pmMustap,
One of the benefits of being a small community, the “well-off” in the community donate enough to help those that are less fortunate. It doesn’t arrive in cash, the help would be reduced fees for community services, counseling, training, food, etc.
For example, I just started being a “big brother” to a young jewish kid. Our JCS (jewish community services) sponsors it. They get a few bucks to help buy movie tickets, baseball game and bowling outings.
I am sure muslims do the same, and I know KSA has been generous in the Muslim community.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 9:50 pmAkbar Palace,
You are justified not being a fan of hrw. Who is?
Being generous is different than someone saying s/he has right in your wealth.
Generosity is something you do willingly with no implied obligations.
I know KSA was and still is generous. Generosity should not be misinterpreted.
Posted by Mustap | March 4, 2014, 10:03 pmthan someone saying s/he has right in your wealth
This “right” to other people’s money is liberal dogma. Our recent president Obama has made it law.
I was reared to respect those who work hard and make a good living.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 4, 2014, 10:39 pmI don’t mean to intrude on the love fest between Mustap and AP but “Arab” is NOT a race. There is no such thing. There is “identity” and what holds identity together is shared histories, experiences, beliefs, practices, etc.
And let us stop distorting the “truth” in our discourses: chearleaders for Radical American Capitalism or for Radical Saudi Capitalism do not need to address questions of economic justice; chearleaders for fanatic Zionism (an ideology that privileges Jewish identity in its imagined community) and for fanatic Sunnism (an ideology that considers Shia as apostates and inferior others) or for fanatic Shiism (an ideology that considers Sunni as apostates and inferior others) or for fanatic Christianity (an ideology that considers all non christians as inferior others), etc., have nothing to contribute to the real political and ethical questions. They merely proselitize or form illusory alliances against some group.
Let us go back to intelligent and respectful discussions, ones based on openness and respect for different opinions and perspectives. I just had to say something since the discussion deteriorated to cheerleading.
Posted by Parrhesia | March 4, 2014, 11:03 pmAccording to Mustap, Saudis kings and Princes “must” be working hard for all their billions or is it trillions of riches, that don’t even belong to all the Saudi people, but in the pockets of a minority of privileged Saudis, called Sauds, and that is capitalism, Loool!
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 4, 2014, 11:35 pmThere needs to be a classification between The “Jewish”religion and the “Jewish” tribes..as I am sure you cannot convert to the tribes…. And as far as Zionism goes, you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist, therefore the argument from those extremist Zionists that being anti-Zionist is being anti-Semitic is “hogwash”‘ pardon the phrase, for those who might take it offensively….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 4, 2014, 11:39 pmThe Sauds, not Saudis, work hard managing how to keep the riches they are stealing from the country called Saudi Arabia, which they believe they own because they gave it their name… And to stay in power, they let the crazy Wahabi sheikhs run the rest of the country….
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 5, 2014, 12:05 amArabs are members of the Semitic race. Arabs therefore are a race by virtue of being Semites.
Everyone knows that except for the Khosro remnants.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 12:10 am“Radical American Capitalism”?
Piranha,
I think it would be more accurate to call it “Radical American Socialism”
With as so much regulation, nearly every country on Earth is more pro-buusiness than the USA.
Sorry if an arab and a jew can agree on a few things. It is unusual. I’d like to thank Assad one day.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 5, 2014, 12:19 amThe reason Zionists like Akbar want Assad gone is because they somehow think that the dispute over their illegal occupation of the Golan Heights will end, in which they are wanting to steal the gas and oil reserves from underneath, and also the eventual downfall of one of their biggest nemesis’ in the region, the resistance which Assad has been supporting…
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 5, 2014, 12:48 amMarion,
Thanks to Assad, the Golan region of Israel has been blissfully peaceful. What “resistance” are you cackling about?
As AIG stated previously, a democratic country is less likely to go war like the one Assad created.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 5, 2014, 1:02 amAkbar Palace,
It must be a special crackpot resistance.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 2:10 amIDF seizes Iranian weapons in open seas….
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4495487,00.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 5, 2014, 7:51 am“IDF seizes Iranian weapons in open seas….”
The more the Iranian proxies are clipped the better for our people and for the world.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 9:40 amHow can a Christian Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian or Palestinian identify himself as an “Arab” when he has no absolutely no right to practice his belief in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 11:17 am“How can a Christian Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian or Palestinian identify himself as an “Arab” when he has no absolutely no right to practice his belief in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?”
As I said, there is no such thing as Arab nation. So, there is no problem in the above. As a visitor you’re expected to respect the rules of the host or simply don’t visit – so simple yet too complicated to brain washed resistance herd pretending to be nationalist of a non-existing nation. Go to Iran and practice whatever you feel like practicing.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 11:30 amFYI. Jews and Christians can in Iran. But not in the Wahabi “nation: of Saudi Arabia.,
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 11:37 amGood luck getting your sister,wife or daughter obtaining a driver’s license in that “Great Nation”.
🙂
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 11:41 amTell me about the people of Ahwaz, the Balosh, the Turkmen, the Kurds….in Iran.
By the way Ahwazis are converting to Sunni (Wahhabi) en-masse. Just FYI.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 11:41 amAnd yes, Iranians wear Jeans too.
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 11:45 amGo hurry and join them.
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 11:46 amAs long as your wife, sister or daughter can drive why should you worry about other peoples women?
I join whatever I fell I feel like joining and I am not waiting for your advice or approval.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 11:52 amThen let’s agree to keep the Saudis and their consorts out the Lebanese debacle and if they so wish, allow their women to at least ride camels.
Posted by Balesh | March 5, 2014, 12:03 pmCan you do that? I doubt it.
If the Arabs are not a nation which we must all know by now, then the Lebanese are even less so. They are no more than clans. Just FYI again.
You sure know that big fish eats small fish. What planet you come from. It must be a fishless one.
Posted by Mustap | March 5, 2014, 12:19 pmThe definition of Arabs and their ethnicity is, as I understand it, largely language and culture based, rather than genetic. In other words, Arabs are the various peoples of the middle east who, either themselves came from the Arabian Peninsula or were Arabized during the various conquests or, and most commonly, a mixture of the invaders with the locals. Arabized basically means the overlay or replacment of the exisiting languages and culture with the Arabic language and the Muslim religion. Christian Arabs are, for the most parts, remnants of the indigenous pre-Islamic invasion religion in people who adopted the Arab language but not the Muslim religion (because Muslims cannot convert to Christianity, generally speaking, marraiage was often a one way street so mixed couples become Muslim – as a consequence, the Christian populations tend to be closer to the original, indegenous, pre-invasion population, e.g., the Copts in Egypt) . Obviously, even in Muslim Arabs, not all elements of the pre-existing culture was wiped out and ethnic distinctions still remain as do pockets of indegenous language. A Palestinian Arab friend once sent me an article about a very old sub-group of Palestinian Muslim Arabs who still kept remanants of some of their pre-Muslim Jewish rituals – specifically matzah-like crackers in springtime (if people are interested, i can try to dig it up). In fact, many Palestinian Arabs, Muslim and, obviously, Christian, are descended from the indigenous Jewish population that remained after the Roman dispersal (by descended, I dont mean exclusively so, just that they were part of the mixture, along with Romans who stayed and migrants from other parts of the region and indegenous non-Jewish cultures). Throw on top of this, multiple waves of colonialism, first Arab, than Ottoman, than Western and you get lots of mixing. All of this is painted in very broad strokes, but is a reasonable if gross description. Certainly, different locations and sub-cultures have different, more specific version of the story.
Since people here seem to like talking about Iran, one thing to note is the significance of the fact that while the original Persian religion was wiped out and replaced for the most part with Islam, they were still able to retain their language. Presumably, that has great cultural significance about which we can all speculate.
Anyhow, this is an outsiders perspective. I would love to hear what the various Arabs wrtiting here, who come from different sub-cultures, were taught about what an Arab is and also how it was taught (e.g., as history, as a religion, as cultural myth, etc.).
Something I thought would be cool as a work of fiction, would be using a pre-Muslim invasion nationalist who want to restore his original culture and language as the backdrop for a spy thriller – kind of like Day of the Jackal, but set in someplace Egypt.
Posted by dontgetit | March 5, 2014, 12:46 pmDisclosure: I was being sarcastic when I said I was an Arab Nationalist.
Posted by Vulcan | March 5, 2014, 2:36 pmAnd you said it with such a straight face!
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 5, 2014, 2:41 pmSaudis have the tendency to pride themselves on being the pure Arabs of the region …and they do so by insisting that their sons and daughters continue to marry within the tribes that they belong to….this way they also keep their largely backwards cultural practices and beliefs intact… Allowing their women to ride Camels would be a step in the right direction or even allowing them to ride bicycles without their father or husband’s permission would be a step in the right direction…Women in Saudi deserve much better treatment …Don’t you agree Mustap??
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 5, 2014, 2:52 pmI am sure you know what resistance I am talking about Akbar…Assad has been a large part of supporting both the Palestinian and the Lebanese resistance movements to the Zionist occupations…As far as the Golan Heights, Assad has never given up Syria’s title to the Golan, and isn’t a stupid man, to start an all out war with the Zionists unless he was left with no other options…..Acting ignorant only makes you appear ignorant-Akbar …
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 5, 2014, 3:16 pmNow let me ask you gentlemen, women, what does it mean to be a sovereign country and what countries in the region are truly sovereign?
Posted by Marion Mourtada | March 5, 2014, 3:20 pmMarion:
I read lots of Israeli papers, including on both the left and the right. You can, too, since a broad spectrum of them publish English editions. Haaretz is the most well known, but is very leftist – much more left then say the NYTimes is in the US, and the English edition is more leftist than the Hebrew. It is probably the equivalent of Rolling Stone in the US. The Jpost and Times of Israel are more right.
In any case, the Israelis really don’t care about Assad or Syria. They don’t like him, but neither do they like anyone else likely to replace him. Their initial reaction to the civil strife in Syria was indifference as it had nothing to do with them. There main concern at the moment is twofold. Dealing with the humanitarian crisis on an ad hoc basis without compromising their own interests – meaning they will treat the wounded in the most dire straits but they don’t want refugees pouring in en-masse. And they don’t want jihadists on their borders. Assad wasn’t suiciidal the way jihadis are, which means he was deterrable. In the old days, he would have cared about starting a conflict in which he would lose material assets and cause many deaths to his own population. While he has less to lose now, the Jihadis care even less about the civilian deths starting a conflict would cause. So, on balance, Israelis would still prefer Assad stay (and I amsure they are not happy with the Saudi weapons transfer to the opposition). But they aren’t going to anything about it for now. Their other interest is that don’t want weapons transferred by Assad to either Hezbollah or Gaza. But otherwise, they view it as an inter-arab conlict which is none of their business. But the weapons transfer is why they have struck Hezbollah the last few times and why they interdicted yesterday the ship carrying Syrian missiles via Iran to Gaza.
As far as I can tell, most of the wounded Israel has been treating are civilians on the opposition side of the war, but that largely reflects the geography of the conflict, not any ideology.
Posted by dontgetit | March 5, 2014, 3:39 pmDGI. Good to see you out of your closet at last. You have much to offer.
However, to equate Haaretz with Rolling Stone is sort of ludicrous and I assume, the product of your unique sense of humor. Also, for those truly interested in learning about Israel, the recommendations of the Times of Israel and Jerusalem Post are analogous to suggesting that pablum would be an exciting addition to the diet. Both are aimed at an ignorant western audience and designed to present news through a hasbarist filter.
Ynet and Arutz Sheva are far superior sources of information about the-Israel-that-is from different perspectives. Basically, one could read from the right to left via Arutz Sheva>Ynet>Haaretz>972+(truly leftist) to get a more complete overview.
I agree that most Israelis, the security components in particular, would prefer Assad. Have you seen any serious Israeli grumbling about the provision of MANPADs to the presumably “vetted” cadres among the global jihadis?
Whew, Vulcan. Thanks for the clarification. Now I can go back to surmising that you are a Christian zionist of sorts; emphasis on “of sorts”.)
Posted by lally | March 5, 2014, 5:07 pmLally: Politically, Haaretz and Rolling Stone are about the same. But they are different in that one is a real newspaper and the other is more shock journalism plus other cultural stuff; on the other hand Rolling Stone does have a few real journalists, so the comparison is not as silly as you think and my main point was to try to locate Haaretz as to the left of where the NYTimes sits in US politics. Rolling Stone was the best I could come up with. I can’t think of anything better.
I agree about adding Arutz Sheva and Ynet to the list and think your comments on Jpost and ToI reflect your politics more than anything else-I am happy for readers to actually look at them and draw their own conclusions rather than trusting either of us. JPress online would better fit your description. 972+ is just an agitprop blog (though truly leftist, as you say)- if you include that, then the list of candidates for inclusion would be endless.
re the MANPADS, I have seen lots of references to it and the danger they pose – but, oddly, more about concerns in Turkey than in Israel. I don’t think I have seen any official Israeli position on it.
Posted by dontgetit | March 5, 2014, 5:26 pm