Qifa Nabki
Qifa Nabki
Merry Christmas
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my za’im gave to me: Twelve drums of mazout, eleven snipers sniping, ten warlords sleeping, nine trips to Maameltein, eight maids a-slaving, seven skiers swimming, six geezers lying, five car theft rings….. four calling cards, three French fry sandwiches, two healths my love… And a car freshener shaped like … Continue reading
Moving On
It had to happen sooner or later. I can imagine that when Majd al-Assad died last week, Saad Hariri’s advisors all reached for their cell phones at the same time and called Qoreitem. “This is our chance. Let’s get it over with.” On the occasion of Hariri’s visit to Damascus, I found myself reflecting on … Continue reading
The Ironies of History
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri visits Damascus to pay his condolences to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad upon the death of the latter’s brother, after nearly five years since the assassination of the former’s father, widely blamed on the latter, to whose own father he has now, suddenly, developed an uncanny physical resemblance. Get it?
News and Notes
Here’s some worthwhile reading to keep you busy. My buddy Sean questions Spencer Ackerman’s credentials. But not in a snarky way. Middle East Policy Group Survey quotes a State Dept. analyst wondering whether Lebanon should be sacrificed (to Syria) in the service of American interests (via FLC). Brian Whitaker reflects on the latest ICG report … Continue reading
Hariri’s Visit to Damascus
There’s been a lot of chatter about when, if, and how Saad Hariri will make his first visit to Damascus. Some even believe it could happen as soon as this weekend. I’m not as interested in the “when” as in the symbolic potential of this event. Therefore, I thought we’d have a poll and a … Continue reading
Qifa Nabki 
And the people say…