One of the most interesting concepts for me as a history major is how a nation is specifically organized. America is the home to the longest standing democracy, England has been a constitutional monarchy for longer than that. However, the idea of a theocracy is extremely interesting to me because i find it to be one of the most difficult ideas to pull off. Imagine uniting millions of people under one flag, one religion, and one leader that is completely unquestioned. Then imagine unanimous agreement on these wholesale changes and it becoming the flag bearer for an entire region.
This is basically what has occured in present-day Iran. The Irani revolution has been refered to as being swift and for millions to take to the streets in what has been refered to as the largest united protest in the world's history. Plus the idea of implementing Sharia Law into mainstream society and modernized culture is extremely daring and could have resulted from widespread scrutiny from the intellectual center. That would have been my assessment had i been alive in 1979. But in the end Iran represents the opposite end of the spectrum with respect to the United States. The United States prides itself on being a world leader and cutting edge in the Westernized world while Iran prides itself on currently being the voice of the Islamic World. One of the more interesting relations with respect to foreign policy will be observing the communications between the two nations and gauging they perspective they have of one another. And is Iran really producing nuclear weapons?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The House of Saud
I think one of the more egregious topics that we have overlooked during the course has been the role of Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. This is the richest nation in the Middle East and arguably one of the most powerful nations in the world, but we have spent less than a class period discussing their role in the region, instead taking time to focus on conflicts. The big picture in the end is what matters and yes while Palestine and Israel have our ear because of the diplomatic magnitude of the situation, i think that one has to look towards Arab neighbors and to hope that their role will only get bigger in these situations.
One has to realize that Saudi Arabia needs to take a more active role in their own area. They represent the center of the Islamic community, housing the most holy city for Muslims, as well as having a bustling commercial sector. This includes their oil supply which makes up for over a 3rd of the world's oil. They have the ears of both the Muslim and the Western Worlds yet have not taken to the role as one would expect. Allies with the United States for years, this relationship soured through the presidency of George W. Bush, but now with Obama marking a new beginning, efforts need to be made to secure ties with the Saudis. That way an united front may represent added incentives for sides to come to agreements to prevent compromising diplomacy and to help bring peace to this war-tore region. Saudi Arabia represents a possible helping hand that can aid in quelling the Islamic Fundamentalist resistance that has been gaining popularity for its anti-westernized thinking over the last decade or so.
One has to realize that Saudi Arabia needs to take a more active role in their own area. They represent the center of the Islamic community, housing the most holy city for Muslims, as well as having a bustling commercial sector. This includes their oil supply which makes up for over a 3rd of the world's oil. They have the ears of both the Muslim and the Western Worlds yet have not taken to the role as one would expect. Allies with the United States for years, this relationship soured through the presidency of George W. Bush, but now with Obama marking a new beginning, efforts need to be made to secure ties with the Saudis. That way an united front may represent added incentives for sides to come to agreements to prevent compromising diplomacy and to help bring peace to this war-tore region. Saudi Arabia represents a possible helping hand that can aid in quelling the Islamic Fundamentalist resistance that has been gaining popularity for its anti-westernized thinking over the last decade or so.
Diary of a Palestinian Mother
Based off of another recommendation from my history professor, i have recently been following along with the blogs of a Palestinian refugee. She, like many families during this time in Palestine, have been displaced from their home due to the recurring violence. She recalls the arrival of Israeli troops in her town as well how scared her children were when the bombs were being dropped and the gun were being fired. As any mother can attest, our own fears are only compounded when we see how fearful our children are.
In reading her blog i came to several conclusions. One of them is that people are inherintly the same and maybe our most important quality is that we are all human. Any woman, american, islamic, black or white, would have had the same reactions to her perdictament (fear and discomfort). I can picture my own mom fighting sleep deprevation in an effort to improve our situation and to make our voices heard in order to help us. Coupled with the novel Gate of the Sun that we have read and other Pro-Palestinian i feel that the class overall may be biased in favor of Palestine. I could be wrong, but many of us here in America kinda stand back and dont take a stance in this conflict because of our lack of political and historical awareness in terms of this situation. Yes the United States government is biased towards the needs of those in Israel, but that does not make us sheep and automatically mean that we are predetermined in our alligences. I guess im just frustrated that both perspectives in our class have not gotten equal play.
In reading her blog i came to several conclusions. One of them is that people are inherintly the same and maybe our most important quality is that we are all human. Any woman, american, islamic, black or white, would have had the same reactions to her perdictament (fear and discomfort). I can picture my own mom fighting sleep deprevation in an effort to improve our situation and to make our voices heard in order to help us. Coupled with the novel Gate of the Sun that we have read and other Pro-Palestinian i feel that the class overall may be biased in favor of Palestine. I could be wrong, but many of us here in America kinda stand back and dont take a stance in this conflict because of our lack of political and historical awareness in terms of this situation. Yes the United States government is biased towards the needs of those in Israel, but that does not make us sheep and automatically mean that we are predetermined in our alligences. I guess im just frustrated that both perspectives in our class have not gotten equal play.
Juan Cole Blogs
Recommended to me by my Modern Middle East/North Africa Professor Cynthia Metcalf, i have recently been following another blog hoping that it would stimulate some reactions. One of the ones i have been following is that of Juan Cole (Juancole.com), who is President of the Global Americana Institute. He takes a very scholarly view on the events of today, making his opinion known from the very beginning of his posts and having the message reiterated as he continues through his arguments. He accentuates his opinions with evidence, facts, and personal experiences which in my opinion are three characteristics that make for a great contemporary historical theologian.
One of his recent posts has piqued my interest when he was discussing the impact and the developing controversy surrounding pirates off the coast of Africa and the Middle East. There is great foreign investment in the Middle East which is possibly the reason why for America's everlasting presence in the region but i feel that it is important to note that Africa is just as equally volatile as the Middle East. The disorganization of many of the governments has led to martial law being the principle rule of the land, and many enterprising criminals have used this lack of supervision to carve out lucrative niches for themselves. In the Middle East, criminals have been at this for decades, extracting millions in ransoms in exchange for the safe return of loved ones. Mainly this has happened in places like Afghanistan where it is just as poorly regulated. Moreso than rogue governments, the individual actions of view can paint a blearly picture when looking ahead at efforts to curb the violence in the Middle East.
One of his recent posts has piqued my interest when he was discussing the impact and the developing controversy surrounding pirates off the coast of Africa and the Middle East. There is great foreign investment in the Middle East which is possibly the reason why for America's everlasting presence in the region but i feel that it is important to note that Africa is just as equally volatile as the Middle East. The disorganization of many of the governments has led to martial law being the principle rule of the land, and many enterprising criminals have used this lack of supervision to carve out lucrative niches for themselves. In the Middle East, criminals have been at this for decades, extracting millions in ransoms in exchange for the safe return of loved ones. Mainly this has happened in places like Afghanistan where it is just as poorly regulated. Moreso than rogue governments, the individual actions of view can paint a blearly picture when looking ahead at efforts to curb the violence in the Middle East.
Gate of the Sun
Recently i wrote a paper assessing specific themes from Elias Khoury's novel entitled Gate of the Sun. One theme that i touched on that i would just like to reiterate in this blog is the correllation between memory and storytelling. It is common for one to spin lore as a way of discussing themes and events. Commonly, stories evolve from the past that are told and retold on so many occasions that at points it seems impossible to discern reality and fact from embellishment and fiction.
One of the specific reasons that i chose to speak out on this topic is because there are so many personal stories that are available for us, the public to read on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is commonly known and publicly stated that the United States is allies with Israel and supports their efforts for peace. While Israel uses the media here in America to paint a portrait depicting them as the victim, recently i have been exposed to numerous pro-Palestinian themed literature that speaks to the opposite of what Americans are used to being preached. I personally feel that we have been programmed, OK maybe not programmed but swayed towards an unfounded bias towards Israel, something more of us should question. Usually i look at all the evidence before i make a decision but now when I'm examining the Israel-Palestine conflict i find myself in need for more information because of all the propaganda that is being perpetrated by both sides. Just think...how many videos have you seen in the the last 6 months that take firm stances and paint the other side as the enemy? i cant count that high.
One of the specific reasons that i chose to speak out on this topic is because there are so many personal stories that are available for us, the public to read on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is commonly known and publicly stated that the United States is allies with Israel and supports their efforts for peace. While Israel uses the media here in America to paint a portrait depicting them as the victim, recently i have been exposed to numerous pro-Palestinian themed literature that speaks to the opposite of what Americans are used to being preached. I personally feel that we have been programmed, OK maybe not programmed but swayed towards an unfounded bias towards Israel, something more of us should question. Usually i look at all the evidence before i make a decision but now when I'm examining the Israel-Palestine conflict i find myself in need for more information because of all the propaganda that is being perpetrated by both sides. Just think...how many videos have you seen in the the last 6 months that take firm stances and paint the other side as the enemy? i cant count that high.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Touba
There are two types of people in the world; those who are trying to force change and embrace it as common advancement of our society. Then there are those who are against it fight for everything to remain at the status quo. Touba an Iranian woman during the rise of Reza Shah, sees change as a necessary evil and remains stoic even as the society around is undergoing mass change. I found the book to be relevant in reference to the struggle that civilization is faced with. I believe that in general Western Civilization to be more forward thinking in the idea that there seems to be the need to modernize and for there almost to be a "breaking news" quality to the existence. Everything is much more media centric. Even in the 1920s and 30s, as it struggled through the great depression, this progressive thinking remained as change was embraced as part of the way of life.
What we see in Touba at times is the fear of what new ideas, beliefs, messages, ways that can alter one's existence. The time of Reza Shah brought fear to those who for great periods of time had been used to a certain way of life. We seeing in recent times how Iran was forced to deal with more change during the Iranian Revolution, when the monarchy that has been in place for several decades is overthrown and placed with the Ayatollah Khomeini. During that time Islamic Fundamentalism reigned as a supreme force and altered greatly the existence that had been heavily influenced by the Westernized perspective. Even today the struggle continues with the U.S. occupation in Iraq and the constant conflict that exists between Israel and Palestine.
What we see in Touba at times is the fear of what new ideas, beliefs, messages, ways that can alter one's existence. The time of Reza Shah brought fear to those who for great periods of time had been used to a certain way of life. We seeing in recent times how Iran was forced to deal with more change during the Iranian Revolution, when the monarchy that has been in place for several decades is overthrown and placed with the Ayatollah Khomeini. During that time Islamic Fundamentalism reigned as a supreme force and altered greatly the existence that had been heavily influenced by the Westernized perspective. Even today the struggle continues with the U.S. occupation in Iraq and the constant conflict that exists between Israel and Palestine.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
To Die in Jerusalem
i think that this video could not have done a better job in evoke emotion from the viewer. Honestly it got a little dusty in here. The video is a poignant example of the how the world is tearing itself apart. The Israel-Palistinian Conflict is represented by two seperate sides with radical prejudicial views of one another. It has bred a hatred that is tearing at the hearts of millions in the Middle East.
What is even scarier is that these are people that have lived alongside one another for centuries, yet the ones who are carrying out these suicide attacks are the young, ideolistic men and women. I can not comprehend, even after hearing her story what drove her to the point of attempted mass murder. I can understand how many have seen things that we will never comprehend and the Israel Raids represented that for many of those who chose Matrydom as their career path including our antagonist. One of the damning things are the people that are left behind by their actions are the ones in mournings and it just continues a circle of revenge that is preying on the psyches of an entire region. Damn the UN and the Allied Powers for carving out a region not their own and reordering the natural way of things. Sometimes when things are left be, they resolve themselves. In the modern age that we live in today, it is impossible not to be influenced by a documentary like this one and not feel the pain of the Levys. I am a true believer that when it comes to the Palistinian-Israeli conflict, one must have the facts and be working towards mutual understanding, rather than allowing raw emotion to dictate ones actions. Thats how senseless violence happens, protests, and political referendums happen which leads to just more frustration that nothing is getting done.
What is even scarier is that these are people that have lived alongside one another for centuries, yet the ones who are carrying out these suicide attacks are the young, ideolistic men and women. I can not comprehend, even after hearing her story what drove her to the point of attempted mass murder. I can understand how many have seen things that we will never comprehend and the Israel Raids represented that for many of those who chose Matrydom as their career path including our antagonist. One of the damning things are the people that are left behind by their actions are the ones in mournings and it just continues a circle of revenge that is preying on the psyches of an entire region. Damn the UN and the Allied Powers for carving out a region not their own and reordering the natural way of things. Sometimes when things are left be, they resolve themselves. In the modern age that we live in today, it is impossible not to be influenced by a documentary like this one and not feel the pain of the Levys. I am a true believer that when it comes to the Palistinian-Israeli conflict, one must have the facts and be working towards mutual understanding, rather than allowing raw emotion to dictate ones actions. Thats how senseless violence happens, protests, and political referendums happen which leads to just more frustration that nothing is getting done.
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