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January 25, 2008
The Lounsbury View: US Elections and MENA
There was a comment - question or comment together really - a few days (hmm, weeks, well no matter) on the US elections pre-selection cycle and MENA coverage. Let me make a perso observation and let other commentators from region opine in comments. First, I have been far too focused on financial to pay attention to whanking on about US politics, whose importance is largely macro-political (that is late nights are not spent with Al Jazeerah on).
This being said, operationally or 'conversationally' speaking, I would say that there is but passing interest in MENA, except among those circles that may be qualified as political junkies and high enough placed to care at this stage. Now, while I circulate there, it strikes me that aside from a passing fascination (in the weakest terms) with the Obama-Clinton dogfight, this is too arcane to follow. The impatience to see the Great Incompetent out, of course is palpable in all quarters, including US.
Indeed, I attended a diplo cocktail recently for the visit of some US official - a political appointee mind you - who openly spoke of the same. I suppose he had nothing to lose, the idiot that appointed him is a loser and there is no upside to defending the same.
Posted by The Lounsbury at January 25, 2008 02:49 PM
Filed Under: MENA Region General
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Comments
Posted by: David Weman at January 27, 2008 09:40 AM
Sounds overwrought. There was certainly always a little westernized community that clubbed, Dubai morals and all that. Seems like someone just discovered a tiny nich.
Posted by: The Lounsbury at January 29, 2008 01:41 PM
