Notions

An interesting read was a book [1] analysing modern tyrants and comparing them with tyrants from the past. It turns out, according to the authors, that tyrants used brutal power throughout history for different reasons. Tyrants in the pre-middle ages period used excessive power against their opponents because they simply knew no other way to maintain order. Their only known mechanism to settle disputes and rivalries that may form any threat to their rein was to wipe masses off the face of the earth in the name of preserving peace. Now middle age tyrants used excessive brutality to keep opponents in check, knowing that despite the barbarity of the act, those closest to the ruling sphere are in fact constantly and maliciously planning to over throw the rule of whoever is in power or create disturbances (economic and social) between the ruling elite and the peasants. Their act represented “preventative measures”, void of any compassion or humanity, but was necessary in their set...

Podemos, a famous word in the Spanish streets that has been ringing in every TV show, newspaper article, manifesto and demonstration throughout the past year or so. This leftist quasi-revolutionary party has swept the nation and stole the heart and minds of many disenchanted Spaniards. Promising equality, free services to all, absolute intolerance to corruption, national sovereignty over all national matters and a dignified living standards to all citizens, it is no wonder surveys on upcoming national elections indicate that the new party will come third after the scandal-ridden PP and PSOE. The euphoria and honey moon phase seems to have lasted quite long, and what might have been considered as a mere reaction to countless cases of corruption and inefficiency in the political arena seems to be a self-proclaimed key political player. There is no questioning of the efforts exerted by the party leader and members in galvanizing public support and in working out a political platform...

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the European Union has expanded its sanctions on Syria. The new sanctions target seven Syrian businessmen, one of whom is being accused of acting as an intermediary between the Assad Regime and the infamous ISIS in their oil purchase dealings. The Hayat daily reported that George Hiswany is the middleman for the oil contracts, being close to the Assad clan and quite savvy in the black and blood tainted oil market. This comes as Mr. Assad spilled his heart out to North Korea’s Deputy Foreigner Minister in ameeting on Sunday on how both Syria and North Korea are targets for western powers due to the fact that they both enjoy true independence and face, hand-in-hand, a common enemy who has it as a mission to change the identity of the two people. The villanization of the western media, politicians and social activists of the above-mentioned regimes is no s ecret to anyone. Both countries indeed top the black list in American books...

The Jordanian pilot, ISIS, vengeance, conspiracy theories and the western blue print of all of it have been on the news and social media networks in the past month or so. Regardless of the in-depth analysis, a Jordanian soldier died and the news spread. Every Jordanian was appalled to see Muaz Al Kasabe, a fighter jet pilot, burnt to death by the Islamic State’s militants. When the political leadership decided to retaliate, people expressed boisterous support to the retrieval of social dignity. The Jordanian flag hanging on the picture of the deceased pilot became the profile picture of many...the calls for vengeance for the crime committed against beloved Jordan escalated and national pride only was bolstered. The idea of a welfare state is that which protects its citizens and provides them with all necessary services and goods to guarantee a dignified life. This promise must be met in the good and bad times. Just as the water authority is committed to supplying non-interrupted...

A Jordanian pilot fighting the ISIS was captured in December 2014 by the Islamic State’s militants. The Jordanian government was on alert ever since, trying to develop a strategy to rescue the pilot whose life is in great peril. The IS threatened to slaughter the pilots well as the Japanese hostage if the notorious Al Qaeda terrorist detained in Jordan is not released. So what can the Jordanian government do? Re-open a channel of diplomatic communication with the terrorist state to negotiate a deal? Agree on a prisoner-swap based on “good faith”? Forget about the pilot and consider him a martyr on the job? Perhaps plan a covert attack and rescue Mr. Moaz Al Kassasbe? A report recently being circulated in the media claims that Amman is indeed considering a deal to swap prisoners. However, should the IS decide to kill the pilot, the Jordanian government will sentence all prisoners accused of plotting terrorist attacks, having links to terrorist groups and related in any shape or...

* There comes a time in history when people must forget, forgive, and move on. Everyone suffered. Rights were returned. The page must be turned. *Image provided by http://www.myriamabdelaziz.com/#!portraitofagenocide/c24vr 

     The visit of Michelle Obama to Saudi Arabia to condole Al Saud for their loss caused vehemence on social networking sites. The first lady was portrayed as an arrogant, defiant, disgruntled and critical little princess who laughed at Saudi culture in the face of the royal family. The virgin eyes of many Saudis could not stand the image of an unveiled lady standing between men in a funeral (the horror). How dare she? How dare she use her position as the president’s wife to defy the essence of Saudi social conduct? Slamming the Saudi attire as inappropriate and feeling relaxed in her wardrobe...the shame. It baffles me to see how double standards are so easily accepted in many Arab states, Saudi Arabia being crowned at the top of the list. The argument used by some Saudis (not all are closed minded of course – many are enlightened, educated and civilized) is that when in Rome do what the Romans do. Respecting the Saudi culture, good or bad, is only polite. Jus...