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February 2007 Archives
February 28, 2007
New Month Open Discussion
As is our tradition, an open thread for new readers to introduce themselves and regular readers to whine, complain, ask inappropriate questions or offer us interesting tidbits.
Obviously this is a day early, but people keep making silly comments on last month's thread. Here's a nice fresh space for your wanking.
Posted by eerie at 10:59 AM
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Filed Under: Site News
February 27, 2007
Meet the New Bourse, Same As the Old Bourse?
Ignore the Oracular Yield Curve at your peril, children. You were warned right here almost exactly one year ago. US markets took a big dive today, even steadfast defensive Altria/ Phillip ("If it fun and goes in your mouth, and it kills you, we make it!") Morris took a dip. Does this mean that MENA markets are leading indicators/market predictors, having dipped a while back themselves? Probably not, though China seems to have been a 24 hour leading catalyst. And MENA markets look like they settled to saner places. US markets in terms of historical yield, and to some extent P/E, are still way overvalued, hence a "secular" (as opposed to theocratic?) bear market of sorts that slaps down the speculative impulses. Of course there will probably be a nice rebound in the short run but if this is simply rounding out a top on the far right of this curve, there are rough days ahead globally.
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 07:12 PM
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Filed Under: Business, Private
February 25, 2007
Nerds Only: Oral Histories of US Diplos Now Online
Quick note: The US Library of Congress has unleased upon unsuspecting humanity a large set of full text interviews with key US diplomats of the 20th century. Some MENA material is here, and elsewhere on the somewhat hard-to-navigate site. Nerds, start your engines.
Posted by Matthew Hogan at 09:02 PM
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Filed Under: Foreign Policy & MENA
, US Foreign Policy
February 23, 2007
The Jack Bauer Effect
Sometimes when I'm out with the girls, I'll get fed up of talking about fashion or relationships and say something provocative just to stir things up. Most of the time, it's just martini-fuelled commentary about our celebrity-obsessed culture, the impact of widespread economic illiteracy, the exploding market for self-help books, etc. Whatever pops into my head, really.
A few weeks ago, while the ladies were chattering about Britney Spears' latest meltdown, I tapped my fingers on the table and said, "Do you think Americans might be more accepting of torture because of Jack Bauer?"
Having long ago accepted my mercurial oddball tendencies, they shrugged and returned to their original conversation. I, however, became rather fixated on the idea and spent much of the evening muttering to myself about cultural icons and their ability to shape popular opinion.
Continue reading "The Jack Bauer Effect"
Posted by eerie at 03:12 PM
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Filed Under: Society & Culture
, Terrorism
Tarek Fatah on Little Mosque
For some more provincial comments from the Big North, Tarek Fatah's take on Little Mosque on the Prairie has some good points. While I disagree with his idea that there might be an agenda behind the lack of portrayal of liberal Muslims in the show, he definitely put his finger on something when stating that "the liberal, secular or progressive segments of the community – are conspicuous by their complete absence from the Little Mosque narrative."
Continue reading "Tarek Fatah on Little Mosque"
Posted by Shaheen at 01:57 PM
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Filed Under: Op-Ed
, Religious Minorities
, Society & Culture
February 18, 2007
Eunuchs & Islam, or Andrew Sullivan's Gullibility
Possibly alone among my fellow authors, I have a soft-spot for the moderately incoherent Andrew Sullivan, despite his fundamental gullibility and superficiality so common to editorialists, illiteracy in science and economics, and tendency to dip into the well of accidental bigotry with respect to race and non-Western things. His general philosophy is close enough to my own that I generally read around the inanities.
Today, in amusing myself reading the blog I stumbled across this in which in typical editorialist fashion he regurgitates some utterly idiotic bigotry from a reader, without bothering to fact check, who claimed:
The Koranic reference to "slaves not attracted to women" is not meant to be interpreted as gay people, but rather to eunuchs. Just another traditional practice from the folks who brought us 9/11.
Charming. Even more charming that he quotes it as a "correction" to his almost as rubbish-quality "reflecting" on Arab sexuality and women.
Continue reading "Eunuchs & Islam, or Andrew Sullivan's Gullibility"
Posted by The Lounsbury at 10:29 AM
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Filed Under: Gender Issues
, Islam General
, MENA Region General
February 17, 2007
Arab unity, saved by the dinar
In the latest of Qaddafi's changes of mood, it has been decided to impose a visa to Maghrebi citizens visiting Libya among others. This is not the first violation of the agreements that guarantee freedom of movement in the Maghreb. But while violating agreements in MENA is a common sport that might have little impact in practice - most of them haven't been worth the paper they're written on since their inception - this one in particular could have seriously hurt the interests of both Tunisia and Libya itself.
Continue reading "Arab unity, saved by the dinar"
Posted by Shaheen at 07:09 PM
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Filed Under: Economic Policy
, North Africa
February 16, 2007
Nightlife and fun in MENA
On lighter matters, and far from the usual rants, real issues or stereotypes, ten YouTube clips about MENA nightlife and fun. To shake that idea of a clash of civilizations a bit, it's worth mentioning how in most Arab Mediterranean cities, upper and middle class lifestyle has more in common with Rome than Kabul.
Continue reading "Nightlife and fun in MENA"
Posted by Shaheen at 12:41 AM
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Filed Under: Society & Culture
February 14, 2007
Lost in Translation: U.S. Policy Toward Iraqi Translators and Interpreters
With an estimated 3.8 million Iraqis currently living as refugees, it’s not surprising that the U.S. might want to help by taking in a few hapless souls until Iraq stabilizes. So I wasn’t at all shocked to see that Washington has offered to provide refugee visa slots for its customary drop in the bucket. That’s right - 7,000 lucky Iraqis, or 0.18% of those who have fled during the current conflict alone, will be granted the opportunity to start over in the U.S. in the form of asylum.
Continue reading "Lost in Translation: U.S. Policy Toward Iraqi Translators and Interpreters"
Posted by evaluna at 11:03 PM
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Filed Under: Foreign Policy & MENA
, Iraq War
, Op-Ed
, US Foreign Policy
February 12, 2007
Imperial map of the Middle East
Fascinating Flash animation of all the waves of empire across the Middle East from 1450bc to the present day, from Maps of War. Click the image to view it.
Posted by secretdubai at 12:19 PM
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Filed Under: MENA Region General
February 11, 2007
What the Mecca Agreement could mean for the future of Palestine
The Mecca Agreement, signed by the leaders of Hamas and Fatah on 9 February, elicited much hope: that it will end the mini civil war in Gaza, which had begun to spread to the West Bank; that it will lift the international sanctions on the PA government; that it would force Israel to return to the negotiation table.
So far, the first target seems to have reached as the fighting has stopped. Of course, only in a few weeks will we know if the cessation of violence is permanent and can be sustained.
On the second and third targets the verdict is still out. The agreement has been received very cautiously, with the general comment being "Let's first see if the new government will conform to all demands by the International Quartet." The main, thorny issue is that of recognition of Israel and all agreements signed by the PLO.
One thing that hasn't been talked about is just what the new "government of national unity" means for the Palestinians ruled by it, and what the distribution of ministries will mean for the role that both Hamas and Fatah can (& cannot) play in Palestine.
Continue reading "What the Mecca Agreement could mean for the future of Palestine"
Posted by MSK at 04:24 PM
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Filed Under: Islamism
, Levant
, Political Development
, Society & Culture
February 10, 2007
Independent Jewish Voices
As many have heard and read, on 5 February a number of UK newspapers carried a declaration by a newly founded Jewish group that seeks to challenge the current Jewish establishment in Great Britain.
Continue reading "Independent Jewish Voices"
Posted by MSK at 11:04 AM
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Filed Under: Ethnic Minorities
, Media
, Political Development
, Religious Minorities
February 07, 2007
Little Town Hall on the Tundra
In this dull Aqoul moment, I thought this piece of very provincial news would be worth a small entry. Canada, by any standard, is a very tolerant society, welcoming to its immigrants and respectful of its minorities.
But it also has its stupid hicks, like any other society. Separatist French Catholics from the godforsaken Quebec backwoods don't lack such examples. The last pearl comes from the mayor of the remote village of Herouxville, 1300 inhabitants. Trying to educate those international bumpkins of Muslim background who'd chose to settle as his next door neighbor instead of heading to metropolitan areas, he emitted a tailor made code of conduct for them. Among the rules, women should not be lapidated or burnt, and they should have the right to drive or write checks...
Continue reading "Little Town Hall on the Tundra"
Posted by Shaheen at 05:36 PM
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Filed Under: Ethnic Minorities
, Religious Minorities
February 03, 2007
Khaleejization: Background Information
The Arab Gulf countries have long relied on foreign labor to keep their economies running. Nationals largely work in cushy government jobs that pay above-market wages and require relatively few hours. This was part of the bargain the royal families struck with their populations- no representation, no taxation. By contrast, private sectors in the Gulf are dominated by expatriates. With the partial exception of certain kinds of managers, the latter are compensated poorly and work long hours.
Continue reading "Khaleejization: Background Information"
Posted by Top Secret Anonymous Guy at 08:52 PM
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Filed Under: Economic Development
, Economic Policy
, Gulf
Abu Dhabi Strikes Back
For generations, the rulers of the Arabian peninsula have been rivals. In the past, they vied for the loyalties of the nomadic tribes of the region. Today, their competition centers around their economies. Flush with oil revenues, they have striven to outdo one another in building businesses and cities.
Continue reading "Abu Dhabi Strikes Back"
Posted by dubaiwalla at 12:58 PM
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Filed Under: Economic Development
, Economic Policy
, Gulf
February 02, 2007
New Month Open Post
A new month, and following ancient tradition, an open post for readers to complain, be abused, insulted or otherwise experience Parisian style customer service.
Posted by The Lounsbury at 04:04 AM
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Filed Under: Site News
