Qifa Nabki
Lebanon
Is Zaatar the New Ras el-Hanout?
A friend tells me that Chef Eric Ripert from “Le Bernadin” restaurant in NYC was on Top Chef this week, and the six remaining contestants were asked to duplicate one of the items on his menu, and one of the dishes was “zaatar-crusted monkfish”. My fellow citizens, I think that we have finally arrived. A … Continue reading
Small Time Politics: Lebanon’s Parties Push Pawns In a Locked-Down Electoral Battle
The newspapers, morning radio, and political talk shows are lately focused on several burning issues: wire-tapping in the Ministry of Telecommunications, the budget of the Council for the South, and four Iranian diplomats who were murdered 27 years ago. Earth-shattering, isn’t it? This is what electoral politics amounts to in Lebanon these days: minor flaps … Continue reading
Is Cedar Island A Hoax?
The more time one spends on the website of Noor Holding, the firm that is allegedly developing Cedar Island, the more one begins to get the creeping suspicion that this is one of the most brilliant hoaxes pulled off in recent memory. After all, their other projects include “Canadian Town”, a luxury full-service residence town … Continue reading
Stop Cedar Island! Stop Cedar Island! Stop Cedar Island! Stop Cedar Island! Stop Cedar Island!
Once upon a time, I would scoff at those who suggested that Lebanon was becoming an appendage of the gaudy, godless Gulf. I’d roll my eyes as shrill Lebanese communists whined about Solidere, bitter Christians accused Hariri of confiscating Lebanon for the Sunnis, and hypocritical socialites complained about Khaleeji tourists, while making money hand over … Continue reading
The Hasan Nasrallah Rosary
That’s right, you heard me. A Nasrallah rosary. It was only a matter of time before somebody put a picture of the Sayyed on one. Such is the equal-opportunity appeal of Hizbulah’s chief in Lebanon that many Christians place him in the same pantheon as St. George, St. Maron, St. Anthony… Ok, I exaggerate, but … Continue reading
Qifa Nabki 
And the people say…