Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The first recorded world-historical pandemic took place (541–750 CE) in the Roman Empire and Sasanian Iran, as well as neighboring […]
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Israeli Airstrike on Syria ups the Ante, Draws Iran Threats
The Syrian response to Sunday’s Israeli air strike on Damascus, which killed 42, was twofold. Beleagured President Bashar al-Assad announced that soldiers manning the country’s […]
Alabina, “Habibi ya Nour el Ain” (Music Video)
Some Spanish lyrics, some Arabic. In medieval Arabic poetry this genre was called mulamma`at. Alabina, “Habibi ya Nour el Ain,” rare version As This source […]
China and the Israel-Palestine Conflict: Enter the Dragon?
This video report on China’s new interest in Middle East diplomacy begins by pointing out that the Obama administration has announced a pivot toward Asia […]
UN has strong suspicions Syrian Rebels used Sarin Gas
A UN commission unvestigating the situation in Syria has strong, concrete suspicions that Syrian rebels used sarin gas, but does not have firm proof, according […]
BS Happens: Parody of 24/7 Cable News
Parody of 24-hour cable news from The Onion that that nails it:
Israeli, Hizbullah Proxy War in Syria
Israel and Lebanon’s Hizbullah, who fought a war in 2006, are increasingly being drawn into a proxy war in Lebanon. Hizbullah supports the Baath regime […]
Shiraz, Iran: Timelapse Video
Timelapse of scenes of Shiraz, Iran. The southwestern city is known for its poets and shrines to poets and gardens and, in the old days, […]
The Conservative Logic of Ferguson’s Smears of Gays, Muslims, Obama and Krugman
Harvard historian Niall Ferguson apologized Saturday for having said that economist John Maynard Keyes did not care about future generations because he was gay and […]
Saudi Arabian Women, Unveiled (VICE video)
VICE reports on Saudi Arabian women, unveiled, showing the strong private/ public divide in the Kingdom (and moreover private and public are drawn differently there).
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