Category: MIDDLE EAST
The Emir of NYU: John Sexton’s Abu Dhabi Debacle
Will a controversial Middle East campus lead to the downfall of the university’s embattled president? Source: The Atlanic, by Zvika Krieger In February 2008, I attended an New York University faculty meeting about the school’s plans to open a new campus in the tiny desert emirate of Abu Dhabi. I was there reporting for a [...]
Afghan Woman Defies Gender Roles as First Village Chief
In a male-dominated society that has for years been controlled by the ultra-conservative Taliban, the emergence of the first female village chief took everyone by surprise. After being ridiculed by male villagers for wanting to occupy political office, Zarifa Qazizadah, the mother of 15 children, managed to become the mayor of Naw Abad, a village [...]
Jerusalem Divided: Palestine to Receive Stake in Jerusalem
EU’s Call for a Two-State Capital Fails Logic Originally written for and featured in REVOLUTION Islam · December 10, 2009 As if Jerusalem were stock that could be divided among shareholders – butapparently that’s what EU ministers must think of one of the holiest cities to the three largest monotheistic faiths. In an effort to [...]
Can 30,000 More Troops “Fix” Afghanistan?
As Obama shows he doesn’t have greater problem solving ingenuity than his predecessor, the chant of “Hope and Change” is now recognized for the gimmicky election relic that it is. Post 9-11, not only did the U.S. Government fail to attack the root of the problem, they failed to target the right country. 9-11 was [...]
A Look at Who’s Who in Iran
Iran’s seat of power, the Ayatollah, gives his first official speech since last week’s historical post election protests. Before you listen to the speech, get caught up on who the key players are and check out BBC’s guide on “Who’s who in Iran”. A response to Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech will follow shortly. WHAT YOU SHOULD [...]
Iranian Citizens React to Rigged Election
The epic response from hundreds of thousands of Iranians bears witness to the fact that many Iranians cannot be represented by the theocratic and political leaders currently cemented in place. This surge of expression highlights the will and determination of the Iranian people and their refusal to lay dormant in this obviously rigged election that [...]
Ahmadinejad Struggles to Secure Second Term
With Iran’s upcoming June 12 presidential election, a quick trace over Ahmadinejad’s steps shows a failing leader desperate to secure a win. At his May 25 press conference in Tehran, the Iranian leader carefully positions himself against a sky backdrop in a see-through attempt to project himself as visionary. It was at this time that [...]
Briton Arrested in Dubai
The early weeks of July littered the pages of most online UK media with a story on a British expatriate arrested in Dubai for allegedly having sex in public. Though there are variations of the story between the accused, the arresting officer, and local witnesses, the fact remains that some indecent act was committed in [...]
