Monday, May 28, 2012

When Syria's babies are killed their cradles scream, "Freedom!"

Heartbreaking images have been coming out of Syria since the beginning of the uprising sixteen months ago. They represent a crucial documentation of some of the worst violence against civilians we have seen during the historic Arab awakening we have been following with angst and high hopes. In every conflict, there exists a gut-wrenching point where the atrocities are too much to stomach and the images too graphic to fathom. In the Syrian uprising, the Houla massacre this past weekend represents that turning point for Syria and the Baathist regime of President Bashar al Assad.
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Monday, May 21, 2012

Lebanon's war never ended to start again

We have watched Tripoli's violence escalate for a couple of weeks knowing fairly well that things cannot end well for Lebanon. The concern and angst were apparent as politicians made predictable statements, pundits offered analysis and speculation, while others simply prayed that things end soon and everything goes back to "normal."
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Monday, May 14, 2012

Syria’s pain in Lebanon’s neck

It did not require a prophecy to foresee clashes in Lebanon as a direct result of the Syrian revolution. It was only a matter of time with so many Lebanese supporting one side of the conflict over another. What’s interesting is that a year ago, the term Syrian loyalist meant only one thing: Loyal to Syria’s president Bashar al Assad and his Baath Regime. This meant only one faction in Lebanon led by Hezbollah and its satellites.
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Monday, May 7, 2012

Waiting for the Arab media Renaissance? It might never come!

When I wrote about my excitement to be part of a media revolution to accompany the Arab awakening sweeping the region, I meant every word I said. I truly believed and still do, that a free flow of information and an independent media corps are essential to the advancement and thriving of any free or aspiring to be free society. I also believed that Arabs are ready for a major media shift and that they will fire their media propaganda machines as they were overthrowing their tyrants and dictators.
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