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.
The Ottomans and Their Lasting Effect
The Ottoman Empire was one of the most fascinating of all of the World Empires. At its peak, it covered southeast Europe (the Balkins), Eygpt, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. It frequently gets overshadowed by the extensive Imperialistic empires of Spain, England, and the French, but was nonetheless able to last more than 600 years. To be even more frank at the height of its power, everyone just avoided the trade routes by land and sought overseas routes to access Africa and Asia.
One might ask how this was able to be accomplished. I point to a reasonable order of sucession, power commerically, and the nationalism of the people in the region. Allow me to explain; the sucession was determined very simply during this time. If you were the oldest male son of the Sultan, you were the one who was entitled to the throne. From an early age you were bred to be a leader, learning the political fabric that encompassed the dead annals of the palace, and understanding the importance of delegation. Commerically, all land trade routes to Africa and Asia led through the Ottoman Empire. Often times you could travel more than 5,000 miles and still be in Ottoman territory. Have so many travellers in their lands, allowed for merchants to set up shop along the routes and conduct lucrative business dealings, which in turn always is great in terms of boosting the economic flow within the empire.
The other part i mention is the nationalism of the people in the region as a binding point in making the empire as strong as it was. This nationalism came from their religious beliefs, most notably their belief in Allah and Islam. There is always a mutual respect that is there from the beginning if one has the same religious beliefs and with many swearing their undying alligence to one particular God, it has all the makings for a Theocracy in which religious law is the basis for all operation and infrastructure. This would also end up being the downfall of many of their political ideologies, for as the world around them ushered in revolutionary ideas and looked towards the future, many Ottoman leaders chose to stand pat and allow for things to stay as is. Finally when the world was thrust into a global battle (World War I) the Ottomans were so far behind technologically that they were just completely wiped out.
One might ask how this was able to be accomplished. I point to a reasonable order of sucession, power commerically, and the nationalism of the people in the region. Allow me to explain; the sucession was determined very simply during this time. If you were the oldest male son of the Sultan, you were the one who was entitled to the throne. From an early age you were bred to be a leader, learning the political fabric that encompassed the dead annals of the palace, and understanding the importance of delegation. Commerically, all land trade routes to Africa and Asia led through the Ottoman Empire. Often times you could travel more than 5,000 miles and still be in Ottoman territory. Have so many travellers in their lands, allowed for merchants to set up shop along the routes and conduct lucrative business dealings, which in turn always is great in terms of boosting the economic flow within the empire.
The other part i mention is the nationalism of the people in the region as a binding point in making the empire as strong as it was. This nationalism came from their religious beliefs, most notably their belief in Allah and Islam. There is always a mutual respect that is there from the beginning if one has the same religious beliefs and with many swearing their undying alligence to one particular God, it has all the makings for a Theocracy in which religious law is the basis for all operation and infrastructure. This would also end up being the downfall of many of their political ideologies, for as the world around them ushered in revolutionary ideas and looked towards the future, many Ottoman leaders chose to stand pat and allow for things to stay as is. Finally when the world was thrust into a global battle (World War I) the Ottomans were so far behind technologically that they were just completely wiped out.
Saladin- A lost hero
Sorry guys but i slacked off on the blogs a bit (BIG UNDERSTATEMENT). I've been working on my senior thesis(The Evolution of the Professional Athlete) as well as having midterms, so i have not been as responsible as i could have been with these assignments. With that said, please forgive me for the following posts, as they are one-on-top of another. I also appreciate the comments. I hated the idea of blogs when they were first mentioned in the class as a requirement, but now as i have sat here reading your responses, they are starting to mean something as a way of positive reflection. As someone who plans on being a teacher, i find this idea to be kinda cool.
Anyways, one of the questions that I feel gets constantly lost when we are studying the places of the past is the the question "What was it like before?" Recently we have been studying Mamluk Egypt, but i think one of the times periods that left damaged relations between Middle Eastern and Western Culture was the Crusades. In simple terms, the crusades were a religiously based military conflict that saw Christian Europe trying to "recapture" the holy land from the Muslims who had assumed control following the Fall of Rome. This story unto itself would make a great research paper. More interesting perhaps is some of the things that occured during the Crusades and some of the lost Islamic Heros that have been denied a true place in Western History Books.
It could lead to a lengthy argument if you were trying to determine who was the dominant Christian figure during the Crusades. Maybe point to Pope Urban (who called for the first Crusade and granted indulgances for all who fought) or Richard the Lionhearted (who chose as King(!!) to lead a christian army to the Middle East to reclaim Jeruselem.) However, the chief commander of the Muslims during this time, Saladin (refered to as Salah al Din in class), constantly finds himself relegated to the back pages of history books.
Saladin is referred by all cultures when researched. Muslims remember him for his valor and bravery as he fought for Allah and all that the Koran stood for at this time. Militarily he was brilliant, staving off countless Christian offenses and expanding the borders of his Ayyubid Kingdom from as far north as modern-day Syria, into Egypt and Yemen. One of the few Muslim figures written of fondly by Western biographers, he was noted as someone who never took the pride away from his oppenents, not taking prisioners of war, and for not attacking those again who he had already vanquished. He captured and then held Jeruselem, fending off dozens of offensives against his army. His army was responsible for the victory at the Battle of Hadid (sp?) in which he annilated the Crusader Army and forced their retreat, effectively ending the greatest opprotunity for the Crusaders to stake their claim in the Middle East.
Now while this is a brief description of Saladin's accomplishments as head of the Muslim army, it is important to understand that they were operating with less man-power and with far inferior technologies than that what the Europeans were using. He effectively broke the moral of the Europeans that he thought against and this discontent fostered centuries of malcontent towards the region as a whole. Pretty impressive for one guy.
Anyways, one of the questions that I feel gets constantly lost when we are studying the places of the past is the the question "What was it like before?" Recently we have been studying Mamluk Egypt, but i think one of the times periods that left damaged relations between Middle Eastern and Western Culture was the Crusades. In simple terms, the crusades were a religiously based military conflict that saw Christian Europe trying to "recapture" the holy land from the Muslims who had assumed control following the Fall of Rome. This story unto itself would make a great research paper. More interesting perhaps is some of the things that occured during the Crusades and some of the lost Islamic Heros that have been denied a true place in Western History Books.
It could lead to a lengthy argument if you were trying to determine who was the dominant Christian figure during the Crusades. Maybe point to Pope Urban (who called for the first Crusade and granted indulgances for all who fought) or Richard the Lionhearted (who chose as King(!!) to lead a christian army to the Middle East to reclaim Jeruselem.) However, the chief commander of the Muslims during this time, Saladin (refered to as Salah al Din in class), constantly finds himself relegated to the back pages of history books.
Saladin is referred by all cultures when researched. Muslims remember him for his valor and bravery as he fought for Allah and all that the Koran stood for at this time. Militarily he was brilliant, staving off countless Christian offenses and expanding the borders of his Ayyubid Kingdom from as far north as modern-day Syria, into Egypt and Yemen. One of the few Muslim figures written of fondly by Western biographers, he was noted as someone who never took the pride away from his oppenents, not taking prisioners of war, and for not attacking those again who he had already vanquished. He captured and then held Jeruselem, fending off dozens of offensives against his army. His army was responsible for the victory at the Battle of Hadid (sp?) in which he annilated the Crusader Army and forced their retreat, effectively ending the greatest opprotunity for the Crusaders to stake their claim in the Middle East.
Now while this is a brief description of Saladin's accomplishments as head of the Muslim army, it is important to understand that they were operating with less man-power and with far inferior technologies than that what the Europeans were using. He effectively broke the moral of the Europeans that he thought against and this discontent fostered centuries of malcontent towards the region as a whole. Pretty impressive for one guy.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Imperial Harems
To be honest, when I was leafing through the books I had just purchased for the semester and I saw the book Imperial Harem I laughed a little bit. My family and I, (mainly my mom and myself) referred to our neighbor's home as The Harem mainly because they had 6 daughters and frequently you could hear parties coming from the house. Now obviously this is not a harem but nonetheless it was how I have associated with the term for quite sometime. Pretty naive for a history major I think.
In reading this book, I came to understand not only the origin and the history of harems but their larger purpose as well. I find it fairly easy to generalize the nature of such things like this and find it even more convenient to fantasize as to the nature of the many women living there, much as the Europeans of the 17th and 18th centuries had done. In reality these women wielded a stick of immense power, holding influence in an empire that stretched throughout the Middle East. These women came from having a slave's background and then through beauty, cunningness, and a little bit of fate were able to infiltrate into the good graces of the Sultan (the ruler of the Ottomans) In competing for the heart of the Sultan, they were holed up in Kafes, which could have been mistaken for a large jail cell, with its metal bars enclosing the ladies.
In the event that the women were able to win the heart of the Sultan their power would become immense. Not unlike many of the Victorian Era rulers that dominated Europe during the same time period, the women that would become the Queen Mother (mother to the sultan) would have say in policy, the schooling of her children, and lest we forget how one can influence one in their own bed chambers. Overall, the book Imperial Harem had good substance, but was a dry read, making it the opposite of a page turner. As a history major, it appealed to me but i doubt that the general public would be so enamored with this publication.
In reading this book, I came to understand not only the origin and the history of harems but their larger purpose as well. I find it fairly easy to generalize the nature of such things like this and find it even more convenient to fantasize as to the nature of the many women living there, much as the Europeans of the 17th and 18th centuries had done. In reality these women wielded a stick of immense power, holding influence in an empire that stretched throughout the Middle East. These women came from having a slave's background and then through beauty, cunningness, and a little bit of fate were able to infiltrate into the good graces of the Sultan (the ruler of the Ottomans) In competing for the heart of the Sultan, they were holed up in Kafes, which could have been mistaken for a large jail cell, with its metal bars enclosing the ladies.
In the event that the women were able to win the heart of the Sultan their power would become immense. Not unlike many of the Victorian Era rulers that dominated Europe during the same time period, the women that would become the Queen Mother (mother to the sultan) would have say in policy, the schooling of her children, and lest we forget how one can influence one in their own bed chambers. Overall, the book Imperial Harem had good substance, but was a dry read, making it the opposite of a page turner. As a history major, it appealed to me but i doubt that the general public would be so enamored with this publication.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Understanding culture and Islam
Technically this blog is a week late, but I am going to space this one from the third one by a couple days so it should not be too bad. Looking through my notes from last week, a lot of what we had discussed in class had to do with the history of the Middle East and more specifically the spread of Islam and its political affect on the region. It is undeniable that its effect has been felt, Islam is currently the 3rd most practiced religion in the world with close to 800 million people. Throughout history, the world from Europe to the United States have felt the impact of the Middle East and its distinct culture and values. It is seeped in tradition and makes it specifically unique more so than many other places in the world.
One of the most elementary of characteristics one notices is the impact of Islam. Many of the countries in the region today are Parliamentary Theocracies. This means that these countries practice Sharia Law (Islamic Law) as a way of governing over the people. Notable countries that practice this philosophy include Iran and Saudi Arabia which double as two of the more progressive economically in the region. Iran has long been trying to modernize and Saudi Arabia has always been a hub for culture and business with its vast amount of wealth derived from the OPEC and the oil trade.
Having taken Islam as a world religions minor, I love being able to relate much of what we study historically with the Middle East, into how religion may have affected these events. The Middle East represents an area of religious conflict as three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all have roots in the region. From the Crusades to the sacking of Constantinople, to the present-day Israel-Palestine conflict these events represent examples of these conflicts and it will be interesting to see how various viewpoints interpret these events.
One of the most elementary of characteristics one notices is the impact of Islam. Many of the countries in the region today are Parliamentary Theocracies. This means that these countries practice Sharia Law (Islamic Law) as a way of governing over the people. Notable countries that practice this philosophy include Iran and Saudi Arabia which double as two of the more progressive economically in the region. Iran has long been trying to modernize and Saudi Arabia has always been a hub for culture and business with its vast amount of wealth derived from the OPEC and the oil trade.
Having taken Islam as a world religions minor, I love being able to relate much of what we study historically with the Middle East, into how religion may have affected these events. The Middle East represents an area of religious conflict as three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) all have roots in the region. From the Crusades to the sacking of Constantinople, to the present-day Israel-Palestine conflict these events represent examples of these conflicts and it will be interesting to see how various viewpoints interpret these events.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Intro Video
Thurday January 22nd.
Today in class we watched a video (which unfortunately I forgot to write down the title of) that profiled the Israel/Palestine conflict. Obviously much of the world's attention has been focused on the region for quite some time when the land that Israel now occupies was given to them by a coalition of nations. They felt that it was proper retribution for the horrors survived by many of the Jewish people of Europe and around the world who had been victims of antisemitism, acts against humanity, and an overall practice of diaspora that has spanned for centuries. The video was very pro-Palestine in that it focused on the bias nature of the media in America in its coverage of the more recent conflicts. Some of the most interesting information that was shown in the documentary to me was how there are media checkpoints and certain words to "puff" up the pieces and depict the conflict in a certain way. One example of this is the frequent news reports that depict Israel as a victim. There was always stories that are released that describe the acts of Palestine as heinous, suicidal acts that are constantly trying to inflict more and more suffering onto the people of Israel. There is now arguing that the American media is slanted towards the support of Israel. While we are on the subject of American media bias, did you know that Israel receives over 6 BILLION in aid per-year from the American government...
Personally, even more so as someone who was raised Jewish, I find myself in support of land being given back to Palestine and some sort of arrangement being reached that allows for BOTH an independent Israel and an independent Palestine. It may be just a pipe dream as many mediators from presidents to media celebrities have tried to bridge the political and ideological gaps between the two groups with not so much success. With Iran undergoing internal modernization both politically and militarily and Hamas having control of missiles, there is always going to be a threat for Israel and with America standing behind them like a big brother, this hurtful game of words, is soon enough going to snowball and become a major military conflict if the rest of the Islamic world decides to fight for their sacred land and protect their "brothers". It may have only been the first class, but I envision this scene as a constant theme in my Modern Middle East and North Africa class and look forward to learning more not only about the history, but on what steps have been made to remedy this gap in political ideology in the past and more importantly with the recent outburst of violence, what will be done in the future.
-Ben
Today in class we watched a video (which unfortunately I forgot to write down the title of) that profiled the Israel/Palestine conflict. Obviously much of the world's attention has been focused on the region for quite some time when the land that Israel now occupies was given to them by a coalition of nations. They felt that it was proper retribution for the horrors survived by many of the Jewish people of Europe and around the world who had been victims of antisemitism, acts against humanity, and an overall practice of diaspora that has spanned for centuries. The video was very pro-Palestine in that it focused on the bias nature of the media in America in its coverage of the more recent conflicts. Some of the most interesting information that was shown in the documentary to me was how there are media checkpoints and certain words to "puff" up the pieces and depict the conflict in a certain way. One example of this is the frequent news reports that depict Israel as a victim. There was always stories that are released that describe the acts of Palestine as heinous, suicidal acts that are constantly trying to inflict more and more suffering onto the people of Israel. There is now arguing that the American media is slanted towards the support of Israel. While we are on the subject of American media bias, did you know that Israel receives over 6 BILLION in aid per-year from the American government...
Personally, even more so as someone who was raised Jewish, I find myself in support of land being given back to Palestine and some sort of arrangement being reached that allows for BOTH an independent Israel and an independent Palestine. It may be just a pipe dream as many mediators from presidents to media celebrities have tried to bridge the political and ideological gaps between the two groups with not so much success. With Iran undergoing internal modernization both politically and militarily and Hamas having control of missiles, there is always going to be a threat for Israel and with America standing behind them like a big brother, this hurtful game of words, is soon enough going to snowball and become a major military conflict if the rest of the Islamic world decides to fight for their sacred land and protect their "brothers". It may have only been the first class, but I envision this scene as a constant theme in my Modern Middle East and North Africa class and look forward to learning more not only about the history, but on what steps have been made to remedy this gap in political ideology in the past and more importantly with the recent outburst of violence, what will be done in the future.
-Ben
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