Monday, July 29, 2013

Twisted Perceptions In The Digital Age

In a time where every event has to be covered live down to its most boring detail, we find ourselves oversaturated with more information than we ever need. Such as what the neighbors had for lunch or where total strangers spent vacation. The digital space has been invaded by real life people seeking the fantasy of belonging to an age where strangers become close friends and family bonds (or lack of) are measured by “Likes,” “follows” and small talk across the oceans or across the street; and sometimes, unfortunately, across the room and across the same sofa we’re sitting on. The digital space today belongs to corporations selling products or services, celebrities amassing fans and governments and organizations brainwashing the masses. Not to forget a few still trying to make a difference in their community or in the world.

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Monday, July 22, 2013

The European Union Has Spoken Up.. Will Israel and Hezbollah Get The Message?

The European Union has twisted Israel’s arm and hit the country where it hurts most: The Economy! The EU made it official and permanent that it will exclude West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements from its free trade agreements with the state of Israel. By doing so, the EU recognizes the settlements’ illegal status and highlights Israel’s role as occupier of those areas. If Israel wants the money and the free trade deals, it has to agree to those terms as well.

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Monday, July 15, 2013

Egypt.. Defying Conventional Political Science?

Should the U.S. halt its military aid to Egypt or not is a hot debate consuming western and Arab pundits as if their lives depended on it. Some groups’ anger and bewilderment at the United States for not declaring the June 30th to July 3d unseating of President Morsi a “coup” are obvious. They are filling media pages and airwaves to make their point, but nothing is changing, which makes them only angrier and more vocal.

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Monday, July 8, 2013

It Is Called ‘Tamarod’ for A Reason

When Egypt’s youth launched a campaign they named Tamarod (Rebellion in English) many pundits and world leaders were sleeping at the wheel. Exactly as they were prior to January 25, 2011 when they used to refer to Hosni Mubarak as the President of Egypt and never once referred to his rule as a dictatorship or his regime as autocratic. The race to use these labels, loudly and unapologetically calling him a dictator and tyrant was more than surprising and showed ignorance of the situation and its history. Some media’s quick godfathering of the new situation on the ground showed ignorance of the past and signaled their new ignorance and non-appreciation of the future and the challenges it must hold.

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