Monthly Archives: October 2012

Qatar and Gaza between Perception and Reality

Posted on October 27, 2012 by nervana111

Image credit AFP In politics, perception is reality, a simple basic rule that is hard to evade or abolish. No country understands that concept better than Qatar. The monarchy, with wide ambitions that defy both history and geography, is working … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaza, Qatar | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Lebanon, Syria, and the Death of al-Hassan

Posted on October 20, 2012 by nervana111

(photo by Reuters) I’ve lost count – my bad math is not coping very well with the series of events that has been unfolding in Lebanon. Should I start from 2005 and the murder of the late Prime Minister Rafik … Continue reading →

Posted in Lebanon, Syria | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Our Own Mongols

Posted on October 18, 2012 by nervana111

(photo CNN) In 1258, under the leadership of Hulagu Khan, Mongol forces invaded Baghdad, massacred its inhabitants, burned its prestigious library (the House of Wisdom), and used the books to literally form a bridge across the Tigris River. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Libya, Mali, Tunisia | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Turkey, Syria, and the Cyprus Scenario

Posted on October 14, 2012 by nervana111

  In his article in The New York Times,  Sonar Cagaptay cited possible scenarios for Turkish intervention in Syria: “If the situation continues to escalate, Turkey’s history suggests that it is likely to follow one of three paths: continued low-intensity … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Turkey and the pitfalls of the Ottoman revival

Posted on October 9, 2012 by nervana111

It smelt of Ottoman, it tasted of Ottoman, and it certainly looked like Ottoman. During my recent visit to Istanbul, I could feel the growing sense of pride among many Turks regarding their past and their desire to revive it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Photo Essay: Istanbul

Posted on October 8, 2012 by nervana111

Istanbul is a city that I love  (for many reasons , many personal), it is  very charming, old and new melt together in one unique place. Few weeks ago, I revisited the city, in search of the ‘Turkish Model.”  here … Continue reading →

Posted in Photo Essay, Turkey | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

President Morsi and the 6th of October War

Posted on October 6, 2012 by nervana111

(Photo: AP) Today marks the 39th anniversary of the 6th of October (Yom Kippur) War. For Egyptians, this was a heroic struggle that restored their dignity after the humiliating defeat of the Six-Day War in 1967. The fact that October … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Israel | Tagged , | 27 Comments

Sexual Harassment: The myth of the dress code theory.

Posted on October 4, 2012 by nervana111

  Egyptian women demonstrate infront of presidential palace 5th of October 2012 This piece was initially published as part of the sexual harassment response by Fikra Forum “Silly girl, why did you take the metro when you saw that it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Iran | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Saladin and the current Arab-Israeli Conflict

Posted on October 2, 2012 by nervana111

October 2, 1187: Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and leader of the Muslim forces battling the Crusaders in the Holy Land, captured the city of Jerusalem. Interestingly, this anniversary was only covered by two newspapers, Haaretz and al-Hayat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Palestine | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments