Qifa Nabki
Qifa Nabki
How Many Lebanese Were Flown In To Vote?
Even before the results of last month’s parliamentary election were announced, there was a great deal of discussion in the media about the money being spent to fly thousands of Lebanese home to vote. This, we were told, was a massive operation, costing millions of dollars, and resulted in anywhere between 60,000 to 120,000 additional … Continue reading
Marketing Firm Says Iranian Regime Unresponsive To Re-Branding Initiatives
LONDON, England — As Iran’s leadership looks to shore up its legitimacy following a controversial presidential election held last month, reports have emerged that a top European marketing firm was recently hired by the Iranian regime to help re-brand its image. With condemnation of the brutal crackdown against street protesters pouring in from around the … Continue reading
In Search of Lebanese Children’s Literature
As long as there’s hardly anything to talk about in Lebanese politics, allow me to gripe about another subject close to my heart, namely children’s literature written in Lebanese Arabic. Here’s the problem: there isn’t any. As most of you know, I spent the last academic year living in Beirut, writing my dissertation. Part of … Continue reading
Is That a Silver Bullet In Your Pocket…
We’ve entered the third week of deliberations over Lebanon’s next cabinet lineup, and there is no end in sight. Hariri has paid more house calls than a 19th century doctor in typhoid season, and yet for all we know, there isn’t even agreement on the most basic issues, like the number of ministers accorded to … Continue reading
Lebanon Cleans Up Image in Advance of Record Tourist Season
BEIRUT, Lebanon — With 2 million tourists forecasted to visit Lebanon this year — providing this troubled and cash-strapped Mediterranean country with much needed tax revenue to pay off its enormous $50 billion public debt — government officials are doing their best to clean up Beirut’s reputation as an unstable and dangerous city, in an … Continue reading
Qifa Nabki 
And the people say…