On ElBaradei

I'm feeling a little cynical on this whole ElBaradei thing. It just feels to me like the western press is trying to discuss about the reform efforts towards democracy Bush tried to implement, which had little-to-no results, most likely due to the $1.3 billion we give Egypt in military aid every year. When it comes down to it, the US likes their strong-arm dictators in the Middle East, especially Mubarak (and according to some reports, Gamal Mubarak is being groomed under the watch of the US). But ElBaradei is smart in not using rhetoric that is too harsh, but whether he will actually run, or be able to run, remains to be seen. Again, I will remain doubtful for the time being.

Israel: Masters of Double-Standards and Hypocrisy

Israelis complain about discriminatory practices when Dubai announces they will screen and profile white people coming into the country to weed out Israeli dual-nationals. Excuse me, but have you guys checked out Ben-Gurion Airport lately and what goes on in there? Until you stop your own racist policies you have no right to comment on.......anything.

Twelve-Year Old Prosecuted as Adult in Israeli Court for Throwing Rocks

And you wonder why Israel needs to go on a wide-ranging public relations campaign? Here are a few reasons: war crimes, racist and exclusionary governmental policies, the "security" wall, Gaza, exploitation of Palestinian labor, stolen land, illegal settlements, the murder of civilians, need I say more? And then there are things like this.

Dahlan, Dubai, and Dastardly Deeds.......Allegedly.

I can't lie: I really am fascinated by Muhammad Dahlan. Previously, he's been accused of colluding with Israel and Abu Mazen in assassinating Arafat and failed the US plan for security under George W. Bush when his "underwear army" got chased out of Gaza by Hamas. Now there are lots of people connecting him to the Dubai assassination, saying that the two Palestinians implicated were his men. Not to mention mutterings here and there of properties he own in the Emirates. This doesn't seem too far out of the realm of possibility, in my view. Either way, he's an interesting character and anyone interested in Palestinian politics should definitely read up on this guy. I recently talked to someone who knows him personally (whom I will not name) and they said he actually is a very charismatic individual, which only makes me more fascinated. If he does manage to rise in the ranks of the PA any higher I am really excited to see what happens. Oh, the drama. (I'm not going to rail against him like most Arabist blogs do. For some reason, with Dahlan, I just like sitting back and watching what happens.) (I also love this picture of him- it looks like something out of a movie, no?)

"This Time We Went too Far"

Norman Einstein's new book seems to be getting great reviews. Here's an excerpt that was just released.