This Blog is intended for use by students in the Islamic Middle East course at Northfield Mount Hermon School and guest students and teachers from other participating schools.
A UN forum held near Stockholm this past week has noted the progress Iraq has made over the course of the last couple of years. Prime Minister Al-Maliki asked for debt forgiveness (primarily from Arab states) so that Iraq could move forward more speedily with its reconstruction.
Story at BBC
In an article in today’s New York Times, Lawrence Pintak, Jeremy Ginges, and Nicholas Felton quote President Bush’s criticism of coverage by the Arab media and then evaluate it:
“’ARABIC TV does not do our country justice,’ President Bush complained in early 2006, calling it a purveyor of “propaganda” that “just isn’t right, it isn’t fair, and [...]
Steve Coll’s recent book, The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century (Penguin Press) is reviewed by Christopher Caldwell in this Sunday’s (May 25, 2008) New York Times Book Review.
Go to review
Ahmed Rashid, noted Pakistani journalist and author of the well received book Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central Asia (published in 2000), reviews several recent books on jihad:
Ahmed Rashid, “Jihadi Suicide Bombers: The New Wave,” The New York Review of Books, June 12, 2008, 17ff.
Three articles in today’s (May 22, 2008) New York Times merit attention:
Ethan Bronner, “Israel holds Peace Talks With Syria”
Helene Cooper, “Advice From White House is Not Always Followed”
Robert F. Worth and Nada Bakhri, “Deal for Lebanese Factions Leaves Hezbullah Stronger”
IME Course Study Guide on the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Delegates from the contending political factions in Lebanon have reached a deal. While it pulls Lebanon back from the brink (at least temporarily), the agreement advances the interests of the opposition alliance, including those of the heavily armed Hizbullah militia.
Story at the BBC
Israel confirmed it is holding “indirect” peace talks with Syria, mediated by Turkey. Story at BBC
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert hinted that “painful concessions” on Israel’s part may be in the offing. In the case of Syria, that may mean Israel giving the Golan Heights back to Syria. Story at BBC
A Northfield Mount Hermon colleague today called my attention to a recent case in Afghanistan where a student was sentenced to death for downloading a report on women’s rights.
Story from The Independent
A friend in Beirut called my attention to the article linked below by Anthony Shadid on the grim mood in Lebanon these days as its citizens wonder whether they have moved a step closer to renewed civil war.
Anthony Shadid, “Hezbollah Emerges in the Forefront of Power in Lebanon, The Washington Post, May 18, 2008
Rabih Alameddine’s new novel The Hakawati is reviewed in today’s New York Times Book Review by Lorraine Adams. “Hakawati” is an Arabic word that means “storyteller.”
Go to review
BBC Middle East