The 40 of the Arabs

Well I was sitting with a friend who had a very amusing comment about the title of the blog. He said it is interesting that I used "Around the Middle East in 40 Days", with a little twist it can be fitting to the current situation. We can call it the "40" (Alarba3een) of the Middle east (Which is the reference to remembering lost ones after 40 days of their death) before the birth of the New Middle East as Condi calls it.

Is it Syria next?

Recent statements by Bush sound so similar to those I heard in 2001. Although the players at the time were different, but Iraq was placed, out of context, in the statements then and the blame was put in them, and now where are we? 3 years into the invasion of Iraq, and total devistation in a great country. Now Syria is also put in a statement out of context, and suddenly it is blamed for no obvious reason. Will we see Syria being target like Iraq in the near future?

All in all, I think the "civilized" world is pointing fingers in the wrong direction. Blaming the wrong people and avoiding blaming themselves and the really evils of this world. It will only mean more trouble and more problems.

Resistance all the way

I am personally not a fan of Hizballah, and always though of violence as the way of the weak. As humans, we should have the ability to understand and communicate and reach a "civilized" agreement (although I am having my doubts now about civilized when it is associated with nations that have no human feelings). However, as events unfold I find myself supporting the only choice left which is resistance, resistance to bullying, and unfairness. Resistance seems to be presenting itself as the only way to fight the feeling of deprival and helplessness that nations have felt for so long. Hizballah has successfully defeated Isreal in Lebanon in 2000 and continues to present itself as the only positive in recent years.

I am disappointed with myself being in Egypt now

I have been disappointed with myself for thinking about the football game early next week as I watch the news about Lebanon, how have I turned to be so sallow and selfish. What can we do as individuals to help in this situations. Waiting for governments to act will be a stupid choice really. We need to come up with ideas. Personally I will be planning a trip once the roads are back and Lebanon is accessible once more to do anything to help. Until then there must be something we can do, other then simple notions of protest. Even that simple activity has not happened and people seem to be focusing on their tan rather than their lives here. It is disappointing to say the least.

LEBANON ALL THE WAY I wished to be there now

Just simply watching the news as it develops is very saddening. Even more now since I can relate to places and people in Lebanon. As a matter of fact I am so disappointed that I am in Egypt now and not there. The helplessness I feel to do anything makes me hoping I was there, at least to show solidarity with the Lebanese people at this stage. The Lebanese are always stereotyped as soft people, but after meeting them I have different views on them. They are tough people and have gone through so much in recent history that I am sure will make them emerge out of this stronger people, despite being left alone by all the "neighboring" countries (some of which I hope would shut up rather than talk absurdly). The bombing currently bringing Lebanon many years behind is unacceptable on any front. As usual the world is turning a blind eye and politics are taking a biased view, which is expected in this unfair world.

Is the suffering of so many equal to the life of one person

Whoever he may be, but in my understanding one person can never be considered more valuable than a whole nation. I guess this is against what Israel thinks. They retaliated for the worth of one soldier by destroying the life of all the Palestinians in Gaza. Honestly, I have always been against bloodshed and violence, I strongly believe that violence is the way of the weak, those who don't have the understanding of how to deal with situations appropriately. Even with this mindset, I have been struggling with the urge to call for the killing of that soldier, if he is worth more then so many people then the only correct action is to payback in the same fashion. The most annoying thing is the reaction of the world, more so the Arab world. The "developed" world says that it is acceptable for Israel to retaliate in this fashion for the captured soldier. It is amazing, that so many Palestine prisoners are not given the same benefits. Are they better beings then us, as an Arab I don't think so.

Disspointed for France and Zidan

I guess after beating Brazil, I was hoping that France would go all the way. Not only becuase of the quality of their game, but also for Zeineldine Zidan. It would only be the best way to finish his career. I guess I started watching the final stages of the worldcup in Egypt. It was nothing like my experience in Lebanon, Syria and Jordon (Lebanon being the greatest). The excitment was less entertaining in Egypt.

Well I watched the finals, same as billions worldwide, and was disspointed that France ended in the fashion they did. Especially for Zidan. He should have controlled himself a little more, although after seeing people in Algeria I can understand his reaction. I guess it might have made the psycological difference, but in the end the lesser team won. Italy, only played 30 mins in this tournoment, yet was successful in taking the prize in the end. I was disspointed for France not to win this one again. More so, that the career of Zidan ended on such a note.

Outside of Damascus, another spectrum of people

It’s a more simple life outside of Damascus. The people are much more conservative compared to the city and much more simpler. The scenery again is different, especially in the areas adjacent to Lebanon, and everywhere you go history just hits you. I was especially pleased to choose to use public transport rather than a cab from the hotel to go to places like Mearet Elnouman. The interaction with people was very nice.