Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,”

“This will become the backbone of the Afghan economy,”

Yet the American officials also recognize that the mineral discoveries will almost certainly have a double-edged impact. Instead of bringing peace, the newfound mineral wealth could lead the Taliban to battle even more fiercely to regain control of the country.

Tripoli the "Green House", until its English gardening connotations were pointed out.  More reminiscent of other revolutionary trajectories was his renaming of the months of the year (the Roman words being too reminiscent of the Italian imperial yoke), and his attempt to replace all English words by Arabic (even such good friends of the people as "Johnny Walker" [Hanah Mashi] and "7 Up" [Saba'a Fauq].

after 9/11, when Libya took a strong rhetorical stand away from its earlier use and endorsement of state terrorism;

Since the early 2000s it has become common to argue that Libya is changing. Libya has for sure altered its foreign-and defence-policy course: many countries do in the course even of a long period of rule by a single leader - even Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union or Kim Jong-il's North Korea, for example. But at home, and the regime's heart, the changes are cosmetic.

Ruba Saqr sings her self-composed folk songs as authentically as her vocal improvisations inspired by Islamic mysticism.

this talent is not mine, it's a gift from God, or rather an amaneh one is entrusted with.

adio interview with me on Watan FM (Jordan) a few months ago. The interview talks about alternative Arabic music, commercial waves and the general media strategies in the Arab World and how they prefer to support morally deteriorating forms of so-called art on the expense of productive and creative forms of self expression.

Al-Arabiyah news

Underground music with Arabic lyrics

Bakiyev had effectively been removed from power.

Recent widespread anger over the 200 per cent increase in electric and heating bills unified opposition factions and galvanised support for them.

The unrest followed rising tensions between the opposition and Bakiyev's government, which they accuse of cracking down on independent media and fostering corruption.