Planet.Syriamirror.net - Across the Bay

On Sovereignty and Hypocrisy

Mon, 3 Apr 2006 18:10:14 +0300

I just heard this story on the radio and found this short report at Naharnet:

Syrian border patrol shot at a Lebanese farmer in the eastern region of Zamrani near the frontier between the two countries, the National News Agency reported Monday.

"Mohammed al-Hujairi from the village of Irsal suffered four gunshot wounds while planting trees along with several farmers in the region of Zamrani that is five kilometers deep into Lebanese territory," the NNA said.

Needless to say, this is hardly the first time this kind of thing has happened, and it comes in a long list of offenses, such as the smuggling of arms to pro-Syrian thugs inside Lebanon.

Three Reviews of Fukuyama

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 04:42:13 +0200

Here are three very interesting reviews of Francis Fukuyama's latest book that are worth a click. Unfortunately, I don't have the time now to comment on them at more length, but would be interested to hear your thoughts in the comments section (if you've read the book).

First, Paul Berman's in the NYT.

The Brammertz Report

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 03:11:12 +0200

The new head of the UN probe into the assassination of Lebanese former PM Hariri, Serge Brammertz, has submitted his first report to the UN Security Council. The report itself can be read here (PDF).

I Should've Known

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 06:38:11 +0200

Never give a phone interview. Always do it by email, so that you make sure your own words are printed, and so that you wouldn't have to do what I am about to do right now.

The Daily Star ran a piece about the Lebanese blogosphere in which I was interviewed. The article was unfortunately very sloppy in how it misquoted, rephrased, and misrepresented most of what I said.

Khaddam on Syria, Iran, and Hizballah

Wed, 8 Mar 2006 22:03:09 +0200

Former Syrian VP Abdel Halim Khaddam gave an interview to the Israeli-Palestinian radio station "Voice of Peace" in which he reiterated his accusation that Bashar personally gave the order to kill Hariri.

Lebanon: Communalism and Democracy

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 22:17:08 +0200

My colleague Raja over at the The Lebanese Bloggers recently posted on Lebanese democracy and the effects of Communalism (also referred to as "sectarianism" or "confessionalism") on that democracy.

Mideast Monitor

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:53:07 +0200

I am very pleased to announce to you the launching of a new online publication, Mideast Monitor, edited by the formidable Gary Gambill.

Why the Embassies Burned

Tue, 7 Feb 2006 17:49:01 +0200

A few important items on the matter. First, a sharp article by Lee Smith in the WS.

Juan Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Mon, 6 Feb 2006 20:36:07 +0200

Juan Cole, being the perennial "expert" on everything, decided to once again stake a foothold in Lebanese affairs. The result, as always, is that his foot found its way deep down his mouth.

What Happened in Beirut?

Mon, 6 Feb 2006 17:46:04 +0200

Some people took my last post as a quick and easy "Syria did it" bailout. It's actually not that simple, even when it seems clear that Syria was involved. At this point, and the picture is far from complete, here's what I think happened in Beirut.

Burning Embassies

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 17:14:01 +0200

After the Syrian regime helped burn down the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus yesterday (with utter transparency I might add), the trend moved to Lebanon today.

All the Nonsense that's Fit to Print

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:19:28 +0200

I spotted this piece of utter nonsense this morning, and I just had to post it.

Your Patience, Please!

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 21:24:23 +0200

I apologize to my readers for the long absence and the spotty posting. I've been incredibly busy doing a few things, which has prevented me from posting on a number of interesting items.

Across the Bay

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 02:58:36 +0200

Swimming Against the Current

Assef's Frozen

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:35:21 +0200

The US Treasury Department has decided to freeze the assets of Bashar's brother-in-law and head of Syrian military intelligence Assef Shawkat who was named in the Mehlis report as a suspect in the assassination of PM Hariri.