US defense sales to Bahrain rose before crackdown (AP)
AP – A government report says the U.S. approved $200 million in military sales from American companies to Bahrain in 2010, months before the pivotal Persian Gulf ally began a harsh crackdown on protesters.
Detained poet ‘beaten across the face with electric cable’
Bahraini security forces beat the detained poet Ayat al-Gormezi across the face with electric cable and forced her to clean with her bare hands lavatories just used by police, members of her family said yesterday in a graphic account of the torture and humiliation suffered by those rounded up in the Gulf nation’s crackdown on dissent.
And more news from the Arab uprisings:
Bahraini activist jailed for reading poem
A military court in Bahrain has sentenced a woman activist to a year in prison after she read out a poem criticizing the government.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/bahraini-activist-jailed-reading-poem-2011-06-12
Bahrain woman gets year in jail for critical poems (AP)
AP – A 20-year-old woman who recited poems critical of Bahrain’s rulers — and later claimed she was beaten in jail — was sentenced Sunday to a year in prison as part of the kingdom’s crackdown on Shiite protesters calling for greater rights.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110612/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_bahrain
Bahrain medics on trial over protests
Trial of 48 medical workers accused of attempting to topple the monarchy opens amid condemnation by rights groups.
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/06/201161373514815872.html
Over 30 people face military hearings in Bahrain
Bahrain now where more than 30 people faced hearings in military courts on Sunday. The government has charged them with carrying out “illegal activities” during weeks of pro-democracy protests. Aljazeera’s Charles Stratford has the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxY1othUgK8&feature=youtube_gdata
Bahrain puts two Shiite ex-MPs on trial (AFP)
AFP – A Bahraini special court began on Sunday the trial of two former Shiite MPs accused of calling for regime change and spreading rumours linked to pro-democracy protests crushed in mid-March.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110612/wl_mideast_afp/bahrainpoliticsunresttrial
More torture reports loom in Bahrain
More people have complained of human rights violations in Bahrain where the Saudi-backed government forces reportedly engage in torturing and humiliating opposition detainees. Female Bahraini poet Ayat Ghermezi, who remains in custody of the regime’s security forces, has been beaten across the face with an electric cable.
http://presstv.com/detail/184274.html
Thousands rally for reform in Bahrain (Reuters)
Reuters – Thousands of Bahrainis shouting “we are victorious” gathered for a rally for political reform on Saturday, in the first large demonstration since the Gulf Arab state crushed a democracy protest movement in March.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110612/wl_nm/us_bahrain
Formula One boss in last-ditch Bahrain bid: FIA (AFP)
AFP – Bernie Ecclestone made a last-ditch bid to save the Bahrain Grand Prix shortly before the event organisers conceded it was impossible, Formula One’s ruling body, according to the FIA.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/mideast/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110611/wl_mideast_afp/autoprixcanbrnecclestone
A question about Bahrain
A regular and reliable source on Bahrain sent me this: ”So after the crown prince went on a PR tour and was praised by Obama and Cameron, it turns out he won’t even lead the national dialogue that is set to begin in July. Instead, the sectarian idiot MP Khalifa Al Dhahrani will be leading the dialogue. This is like having dialogue between Israel and the PA with Netenyahu being the moderator. What a joke. Al Dhahrani has been responsible for the sham investigations against many prominent figures that are seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. The government couldn’t have sent a clearer message that it wasn’t serious about dialogue (for those who still had hope. I definitely didn’t). My question to you though is, what the hell was the point of the meeting with the crown prince though? From the press releases, it seems that the US assumed that the Crown Prince would be heading the dialogue. So either the US didn’t know that he will not be heading the dialogue which means that its puppet is out of control, or the US knew and thus is in complete support of the regime.” My answer: the US does not give a damn about what happens in Bahrain and how many are killed and whether dialogue is replaced with beheadings or not.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/question-about-bahrain.html
Egypt
Egypt arrests Mossad agent on espionage charges
Egypt has detained an Israeli man suspected of spying and trying to recruit youths to act in anti-state activities during protests that took place in Tahrir Square after the removal of Hosni Mubarak.
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/En/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7
Egypt’s military clamp down on bloggers
Egypt’s Ministry of Justice has suspended the investigation of two judges for speaking out against the country’s military in an apparent victory for free speech activists. But in recent weeks, journalists and bloggers have been increasingly questioned by the military for their criticism of the Egyptian Armed Forces. Al Jazeera’s Ayman Mohyeldin reports from Cairo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2DoR831_-M&feature=youtube_gdata
Post-Tahrir Cairo, Day 1
Bill the spouse and I had an informative, short conversation today with the longtime MB spokesman Dr. Esam El-Erian, who is also the deputy head of the newly emerging, MB-backed Freedom and Justice Party. (You can find descriptions of interviews I conducted with Dr. El-Erian in early 2007 and early 2009, and a lot of other useful background on the Muslim Brotherhood and other aspects of Egyptian politics, here.)
http://justworldnews.org/archives/004207.html
The Imagination as Transitive Act: an Interview with Sonallah Ibrahim
Last month, the Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim sat down with Jadaliyya to talk about revolution, literature and the imagination. As always, the author was generous — presenting a broad view of literature politics, and life. (Recorded in Cairo, May 14, 2011; the Arabic text can be found here.)
Saudi Arabia and Tantawi
The pressures on Egypt from Saudi Arabia has only been increasing. There was the cash payment of $4 billion but there were also pressures. Saudi Arabia suddenly announced 10 days ago that all labor contracts in Saudi Arabia that are older than more than 5 or so years, won’t be renewed. That was a threat to expel more than a million Egyptian workers in the kingdom of horrors. The announcement is typical from the polygamous Gulf countries: they always threaten (or blackmail) countries regarding the presence of their nationals in those countries. This has been a typical Saudi tactic, in Lebanon. What is funny in Lebanon is that supporters of March 14 (who shout about democracy) blatantly call on Lebanese to never criticize Gulf countries for fear of expulsion of the Lebanese in the Gulf. So is it surprising that those governments that still behead citizens in public squares resort to blackmail? Shortly after Saudi cash payments and threats, Tantawi ordered the “discovery” of an Iranian espionage network featuring one person.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/saudi-arabia-and-tantawi.html
Egypt: a constitution first, Issandr El Amrani
We must get back to the true path of democratic transition and reform the constitution before, not after, we have elections. A group of Egyptian NGOs, echoing calls from various political parties and youth groups, have issued a statement backing the Tunisian model of transition, namely that a new constitution should be drafted before parliamentary and presidential elections take place. This is a position that is gaining traction among a lot of people, reflecting in part a lack of trust in the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and in part the fear of an Islamist-dominated parliament in the next elections.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/12/egypt-a-constitution-first
Iraq
Iraq asks U.S. congressman to leave after he says they should ‘repay’ for war
BAGHDAD (AFP) – Iraqi authorities have asked for a US congressman to leave the country after he called for Baghdad to repay part of the money spent by Washington since the 2003 invasion, a spokesman said on Saturday. Republican representative Dana Rohrabacher’s remarks at a news conference in Baghdad stood in stark contrast to those by senior American officials, who have pressed Iraqi officials to decide soon whether they want US troops to stay beyond a year-end withdrawal deadline.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/11/iraq-asks-u-s-congressman-to-leave-after-he-says-they-should-repay-for-war/
Iraq government says Congress delegation “not welcome” (Reuters)
Reuters – Iraq said on Friday a visiting Congress delegation was “not welcome” in the country, citing reports its leader called on Baghdad to pay compensation to Washington for years of war since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/iraq/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110610/wl_nm/us_iraq_usa
Jordan
King of Jordan: pelted with stone
So all Arab media and Arab internet websites reported that the convoy of King PlayStation was pelted with stones by angry protesters. Yet, Western media are so enamored with the family that has been on the payroll of Zionists and others since its colonial founding, that the BBC website carried silly denials along those lines: “”What happened is that a group of young Jordanians thronged the monarch’s motorcade to shake hands with him,” he said. He explained that when police “pushed them away, there was a lot of shoving“.” I mean, would the Western media carry such obvious and blatant lies if they were about the Syrian or Iranian potentate? Now will his wife, Queen Youtube tweet on that? She should write this: oh, today, while were driving, the people threw stones at us and made obscene gestures at us. Oh, our people really love us. Will tell you more about next Davos, if I am allowed to leave the country again.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/king-of-jordan-pelted-with-stone.html
Jordan’s king promises democratic change
Abdullah meets popular demand for elected cabinets but offers no timetable, saying sudden change could lead to “chaos”.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201161220291224509.html
Protecting Jordanian dictatorship
Do you notice that Western media, especially US media, protect their beloved Jordanian potentate but ignoring news of protests in Jordan? Did New York Times say a word about protests in Jordan this last Friday?
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/protecting-jordanian-dictatorship.html
Kuwait
Kuwait arrests man over Twitter posts: source (Reuters)
Reuters – Kuwait has arrested a Kuwaiti Shi’ite Muslim man for publishing criticism of the ruling families in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on social media site Twitter, a security source said on Saturday.
Libya
Libya rebels ‘armed via Tunisia’
Libyan rebels are being helped to smuggle weapons into the country through Tunisia, the BBC has learned.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-13745337
Libyan rebels push forward
Libyan pro-democracy fighters push towards the city of Zlitan – one of only three towns separating the rebel-held Misurata from the capital, Tripoli. Meanwhile, Libyan state TV reports that leader Muammar Gaddafi has once again said he has no intention of leaving the country. Al Jazeera’s Tarek Bazley reports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abMAElknU_I&feature=youtube_gdata
Fierce fighting continues in Western Libya
Muammar Gaddafi’s forces are shelling rebels in western Libya. Al Jazeera’s James Bays and his team came under fire while reporting near the town of Rieina.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPACXG1FM-Q&feature=youtube_gdata
Libyan rebel fighters suffer losses
Germany’s endorsement of opposition council tempered by news of at least 21 deaths near the eastern city of Brega.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/2011613165648361721.html
Gaddafi’s tribe urges him to step down
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Libyan, Arab, and Western sources have stated to Asharq Al-Awsat that secret attempts are under way to persuade Colonel Mummer Gaddafi to step down in return for a safe passage.
http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=25512
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Urged To Halt Beheadings After Spike In Executions: Amnesty International
CAIRO — Amnesty International is condemning what it says is a sharp rise in beheadings in Saudi Arabia and is urging authorities in the kingdom to halt executions. Amnesty said in a Friday statement that the kingdom has executed at least 27 people this year. That’s equal to the total number put to death in all of 2010. The rights group says more than 100 others are on death row. Many of them are foreigners.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/10/saudi-arabia-beheadings-executions-rise-amnesty-international-_n_875144.html
Saudi Arabia’s Freedom Riders
If Muslim women could ride on camels 14 centuries ago, why shouldn’t they drive cars today?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/opinion/13Milani.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
In Saudi Arabia, Pushing the Comedy Envelope
Young Saudis are producing comedy shows on YouTube and performing live, offering material that edges closer to being, well, edgy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/world/middleeast/12saudi.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Syria
Syrian TV shows mass graves
Syrian state television has shown new pictures of what it claims is a mass grave grave containing the bodies of 120 government security personnel killed by armed gangs. Al Jazeera’s Caroline Malone reports, with a warning that viewers may find some of the images in this report disturbing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj8b56OCx5E&feature=youtube_gdata
EU presses Syria to allow aid agencies in
EU foreign policy chief voices concern about the humanitarian crisis the crackdown on protesters has created.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/06/2011611234452403391.html
Syria warns against UN criticism of crackdown
Foreign minister justifies measures to quell protests, saying resolution against crackdown will embolden “terrorists”
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/20116113333680638.html
Syria army ‘takes control’ of Jisr al-Shughur
Heavy clashes reported in northern flashpoint town where activists say troops have fought army defectors.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011612101331904689.html
Al Jazeera talks to a resident in Jisr al-Shughur
Jamil Sayib, a resident of Jisr al-Shughur in Syria, talks to Al Jazeera about the situation there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hUExysl2i8&feature=youtube_gdata
Syrian Troops Pursue “Scorched Earth” Policy; Videos Document Children Tortured to Death
The Syrian army has taken control of the northern town of Jisr al-Shughour following what state media has described as heavy fighting by “armed groups,” who residents say are mutinous soldiers defending the town. Our guest Neil Sammonds, Syria researcher for Amnesty International, is interviewing refugees who have fled the violence by crossing into Turkey. They tell him Syrian military forces have destroyed houses, burned crops, slaughtered livestock and contaminated water supplies. We speak with Razan Zaitouneh, a lawyer and human rights activist based in Damascus. She has documented that children are among those killed by snipers, or kidnapped by security forces, tortured and killed. [includes rush transcript]
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/13/syrian_troops_pursue_scorched_earth_policy
Saudi newspaper publishes a computer generated image of ‘Syrian activist’ fighting tyranny’
Syrian opposition websites (with integrity) have been exposing the torrent of lies and fabrications … Most recently, western media has been flooded with news of ‘Syrian soldiers and gendarmes’ being shot for mutiny … Most names provided (of the killed) are those of living and active members of the Syrian armed forces and security services.
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/06/saudi-newspaper-publishes-computer.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+friday-lunch-club+%28%22friday-lunch-club%22%29
Inside Story – Is Syria exposing Security Council divisions?
The world spotlight is once again on the United Nations at a time of crisis in the Middle East – this time in relation to Syria. And once again, the Security Council – and the divisions within it – are being exposed. It is the classic split – trans-Atlantic powers on one side, China and Russia on the other. There are 10 other Security Council members, but none of them have veto power. And it seems that is what China and Russia will use against a proposed resolution on Syria by Britain and France. But, even if the weak resolution – which makes no mention of action or sanctions – is passed, what will it achieve? Inside Story discusses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mQDclLXyj4&feature=youtube_gdata
Maher Arar: My Rendition & Torture in Syrian Prison Highlights U.S. Reliance on Syria As An Ally
As Syria continues its brutal crackdown on demonstrators, we speak to a Canadian citizen who was repeatedly tortured by Syrian authorities after he was rendered to Syria by the United States in 2002. Maher Arar was seized at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in September 2002 and sent to Syria, where he was tortured and interrogated in a tiny underground cell for nearly a year. He now works as a human rights advocate in Canada. “The cooperation with the Syrian government, as well as other dictatorships post-9/11, gave some legitimacy to those dictatorships,” says Arar. He calls on the United States and the United Nations to declare the Syrian regime illegitimate, and refer the matter to the International Criminal Court.
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/13/maher_arar_my_rendition_torture_in
Syrian opposition website exposes the lies and fabrications of the Saudi media
A Syrian opposition websites exposes the lies and fabrications of Saudi media (Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat–mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons–in particular) regarding Syria.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/syrian-opposition-website-exposes-lies.html
The Syrian Army
Unsurprisingly, my confidential Syrian source tells me that it is a joke: that it is “ill-equipped and unemployed for a long time. And corruption penetrate security [services] and all apparatuses of the state. There are no strong men in the Army, only Mafias revolving around in the atmosphere of corruption. And Mahir Al-Asad is the facade. Mahir is an idiot and empty and does not know how to talk with others. [He mentioned the incident when Mahir shot at Asaf Shawkat, his brother-in-law]. [He also tells me about Muhammad Qasim, who is deputy commander of the Presidential Guard, but is the actual commander. He is a corrupt man who has no direct link to Bashshar.] The state and its apparatuses are completely out of order. No strong men except the men of corruption. What postpones everything is that Shaykh Muhammad Sa`id Al-Buti runs Damascus, and Mufti of the republic, Ahmad Hassun controls Aleppo. All is postponed until Libya falls. And God is all-knowing.”
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/syrian-army.html
Israeli propaganda in Saudi media (and in the media of Syrian Muslim Brothers)
Saudi media clearly are taking the script from Israeli propaganda. Media of Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and of the Saudi state are now repeating a story that members of Iranian Revolutionary Guards and of Hizbullah are participating in shooting at protesters in Syria. Now why? Why would the Syrian Army need help from Hizbullah? I mean, is there a shortage of people in the Syrian security services who are willing to shoot at people? What would a handful of Iranians or Hizbullah fighters (trained to fight Israel) bring into the repression festival in Syria? This is very much a typical Mossad lie. Did you forget that the liars of the Mossad claimed in 2006 that they found the bodies of 3 Iranian revolutionary guards but then they failed to produce the bodies? We are used to Israeli lies. The Syrian Muslim Brothers is a tool of not only Saudi Arabia, but of Israel too. Make no mistake about it.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/israeli-propaganda-in-saudi-media-and.html
Lies about opponents of the US and Israel
Let us say this: when the US goes against a regime, it adheres to no standards of ethics, morality, accuracy, or truth. We know how much lies were spread about Iraq by successive US administrations. We remember the propaganda story about babies taken from incubators in Kuwait–only to learn that a PR firm on K street in DC invented the story. I am sure that there are many lies being said about Libya’s army (as much as I despise the regime and want its downfall). Don’t be intimidated: tell them when they lie, even if it does not fit into the US/Israeli propaganda stories. I have been looking at a particular video aired around the world showing Syrian soldiers stomping on bodies of Syrian civilians. Saudi media are having a field day with them. Let me say this: the Syrian army of Al-Asad family is capable of the most heinous crimes and atrocities. They have committed crimes against Syrians and Lebanese and Palestinian civilians over the year. But this video seems more like an acted scene designed by either a US or a Lebanese PR firm. I mean, in the age of war crimes prosecutions (only against enemies of US and Israel of course), it is most unbelievable that Syrian soldiers would pose for a camera phone while they are stomping on the bodies. They all but announced their names and gave their addresses. Lying is a staple of the Syrian regime: but it is also a staple of the opponents of the Syrian regime (I am talking about the Muslim Brothers and their regional and international sponsors).
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/lies-about-opponents-of-us-and-israel.html
Who is behind the violence in Syria?
Now this is the key question. I have been asking and talking and thinking and here are my conclusions: 1) The regime is the major and primary culprit of violence in Syria. There is no question about it. The notion that there are “criminal gangs” roaming the country and killing protesters and soldiers alike is a clear fabrication. It does not even make sense. Why would they do that? Who are they, and how did the regime allow them go grow and spread? There are civilians who are shooting and killing but they belong to the people. But the regime bears double responsibility for all the killing in Syria: this oppressive regime drew its legitimacy from its bragging about its ability to provide security to the people of Syria, and thus they are responsible for killing by opponents of the regime (if they are directed at the people as regime propaganda claims) too. 2) Why do you assume that the Muslim Brotherhood is a peaceful organization? The rebellion of the Brothers back in the late 70s and early 80s was not peaceful and I dont expect them to have stumbled on the theories of the funny guy, Gene Sharp (who the New York Times believes inspired the Arab uprisings), and decided to suddenly shun violence. The Jordanian regime admitted in the early 80s that they have armed the Brothers and they also got weapons from Israel (through the Phalanges). Back then, the Brothers not only targeted regime armed men, but they went indiscriminate on innocent `Alawites. Their sectarian violent campaign only solidified `Alawite ranks and turned even those `Alawites who were opposed to the regime in its favor. 3) There are from what I am hearing Wahhabi and Salafite groups with money and weapons who have been active in Syria. I won’t be surprised if the Harirites are involved too. I find it very likely, in the service of Hariri agenda. A reliable informant of this blog in Syria tells me (I am translating from Arabic): ”Yes, there are professional, trained, and organized gangs which are controlled by clerics who all have lived in Saudi Arabia, like `Adnan Al-`Ar`ur, and they kill and use violence against other sects…In Latakia, there are professional elements which used to live a normal life like sleeper cells and they perpetrated acts of sabotage and sectarian sedition and I saw that myself as i was there then…In Tell Kalakh, there are splinter groups from Fath-Islam which are moved by Hariri money, and not Hariri men as spread by Syrian media. In Banyas, it is said that there are officers from Saudi Arabia and UAE and a Mossad element who are now in custody of the security service. There were booby traps there because it has a generator and an oil refinery and a pipe line from Iraq. In Homs, there are extremist pockets from prior to Ba`th and it has been reactivated and is still strong with Saudi money. Now Idlib is all in flame and Turkey is supplying all with weapons and with fighters. Army is facing difficulty advancing because all passages and bridges have been booby trapped.” This last passage is from my informant and I have no way of verifying the information. And as they used to end books of Islamic theology, I say: And Karl Marx is the all-knowing.
PS Nir Rosen added this: ”there is also the iraq and zarqawi factor syria was a key staging area for zarqawi types, they had safe houses in damascus and allepo, they had a network of facilitators, as the americans like to say and i’d love to know whats happening in the border area with iraq’s anbar where families have close ties on both sides and where zarqawi people had safe houses. the town of abu kamal for example, which borders the iraqi town of husseiba in al qaim. the americans raided abu kamal a couple of years ago and killed some key al qaeda guy. abu kamal had an uprising against the regime a couple of weeks ago. i think the zarqawi factor is an important one. these people always spoke about how the final battle will be in Sham”.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/06/who-is-behind-violence-in-syria.html
Yemen
Yemeni forces in deadly clash with fighters
Trouble in southern Zinjibar province, while president is said to be “recovering” in Saudi Arabia.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/2011611181556569781.html
Protesters may not get a say in Yemen’s future
Despite their tenacity and desire to fashion a new order, protesters face a threat that it is the contest between President Saleh’s family and a rival clan that will decide what change, if any, comes. For months, the protesters have made their home in Change Square, a colorful patchwork of improvised tents, generators with snaking wires, bags of mildly narcotic khat leaves slung over handles of ceremonial daggers and stalls selling the ubiquitous snack of egg-and-potato sandwiches.
http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/middleeast/~3/LMllrZa1tEg/la-fg-yemen-protesters-20110612,0,2908874.story
Analysis/Op-ed
Gays, Islamists, and The Arab Spring: What Would A Revolutionary Do?
This past May, the blogger behind the “Gay Girl in Damascus” site responded to an alarmist front-page article by CNN International on the future of LGBT rights in the wake of the Arab Spring. The crux of the blogger’s response centered on the ways in which gay rights rhetoric is being used to undermine the revolutions sweeping the region and with them, the first tangible possibilities of democracy in states that have suffered under decades of brutal authoritarian rule. In the past few days, news has spread like wildfire that Amina Arraf, the blogger mentioned at the beginning of this article, is in fact a fabrication. Arraf, a self-described out Syrian-American Muslim lesbian living in Damascus, rose to meteoric stardom in the West after she posted an incredulous story entitled “May Father the Hero”, in which she claimed that an eloquent and firm speech delivered by her father shamed the Syrian secret police into not arresting her. The post got little circulation in the Arab world, with many immediately suspecting that the story was contrived. Meanwhile, Amina was hailed by none other than the Huffington Post as a “heroine of the Syrian revolution”.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1836/gays-islamists-and-the-arab-spring_what-would-a-re
Three Powerfully Wrong–and Wrongly Powerful–American Narratives about the Arab Spring
The “Arab Spring” that actually began in the dead of winter has spread from Tunisia to Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria…and the year only half over. As the media, policymakers, and global audiences struggle to make sense of changes that have inspired hundreds of millions to “just say no” to decades of dictatorship, a number of narratives have taken hold in the US—evident in remarks on cable news talk shows, at academic and policy symposia, and on Twitter—about precisely what is happening and what these massive crowds want. While elements of these narratives have some foundation in truth, they also present such a simplified view as to obscure crucial dimensions of the power struggles across the region. Below we unpack three of the most common narratives whose “truth” has become almost conventional wisdom, tossed out at cocktail parties and across coffee shops and metros. We aim to highlight what kinds of politics are made possible (and what kinds of challenges to power are foreclosed) as these narratives become part of the “common sense” that shapes our understanding of these extraordinary events.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1826/three-powerfully-wrong_and-wrongly-powerful_americ
