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Compiled by faculty members at the German University in Cairo, this working paper series addresses the effect that watsa has on competence and morality in Middle Eastern economics and society. The authors define watsa as, "the intervention of a patron in favor of a client to obtain benefits and/or resources from a third party." In simpler terms it is a system of social networking in Arab culture in which family and social ties play a significant role in the attainment of economic advantages and resources, largely in the hiring process in businesses and organizations. A person applying for a job seeks out watsa to increase their chances of getting hired. Comparable to nepotism and cronyism, but is not restricted to friends and associates, watsa can also involve strangers linked through some social web of people. Watsa runs somewhat parallel to a Chinese concept of guanxi, based on Confucian ethics and focusing on strong collective ties. While guanxi is a part of Chinese ethics it actually defies Muslim ethical values, which advocates hiring the person most capable. In a Jordanian survey, 87% of respondents want watsa eradicated. While we know that unemployment in the Arab region is widespread, we can assume that this motivates people to do anything they can to improve their chances of obtaining a job. However, the practice of watsa as a whole is actually degrading the economic systems in the Arab sates even further. The article explains the linkage between watsa and poor job performance, economic decline, and the festering of injustice and frustration among the masses in Arab countries.

This looks super interesting, but I can't get the link to open. Thanks for writing a thorough summary of it!

The people of Tunisia responded to the attack on the museum with an anti-terrorism march. The people walked around the streets chanting "'Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!'". Political leaders supported the people on this one. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said, "' The Tunisian people proved today that they do not bow to terrorism, and that as one man and one woman, they defend the nation. When Tunisia is targeted, the whole nation stands as one'". The march was to show that they are democratic people, Tunisians are moderate and there is no room for terrorists here. Some leftist political groups chose to boycott the rally because they feel it is a participation of an Islamist party and they are the ones accountable for the rise of Islamic extremism in the country.

This article talks about how poetry is similar to the revolution because of the way it has transformed the people; the revolution has changed common moments and common people into inspiring times the way poetry changes common words into something extraordinary. It talks about how both poetry and revolution have been able to seek justice and tear down symbols of powers. For these revolution, poetry has been able to keep the needs and wants of the people alive and real.

Another attack on the Syrian people occurred on Monday, March 16. The attack killed at least six people, including infants and injured many others. The attacked occurred in a village in northwestern Syria. It is reported that there was use of chlorine gas.

Another attack on the Syrian people occurred on Monday, March 16. The attack killed at least six people, including infants and injured many others. The attacked occurred in a village in northwestern Syria. It is reported that there was use of chlorine gas.

A new analysis of the data available to the public about drone strikes, conducted by the human-rights group Reprieve, indicates that even when operators target specific individuals - the most focused effort of what Barack Obama calls "targeted killing" - they kill vastly more people than their targets, often needing to strike multiple times. Attempts to kill 41 men resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,147 people, as of 24 November.

Gunmen entered the Tunis museum to take ancient treasures and its tourists hostage. It was a beautiful day filled with tourists from everywhere. Many tourists and locals were killed and injured. Many were just stuck in shock with what was happening and when it was all over. Just when the people thought Tunisia was on the right track some tragic event like this happens and takes the people two steps back on what the government is really doing to protect them. The museum is in a top security place so for these gunmen to get in there with guns and take order scares the people. The prime minister said they may of had help at the security check points they are not for sure but are looking into it. This hurts Tunisia because majority of its economy is based off of beach resorts and foreign visitors.

This article offers a more lighthearted perspective on media and freedom of speech in the middle east. It focuses on the idea that comedy and satire can be used as a form of free speech through platforms such as youtube. People can relate to comedic forms of entertainment, so it can often be a great way to spread important messages to people who wouldn't see them otherwise.

This article offers a more lighthearted perspective on media and freedom of speech in the middle east. It focuses on the idea that comedy and satire can be used as a form of free speech through platforms such as youtube. People can relate to comedic forms of entertainment, so it can often be a great way to spread important messages to people who wouldn't see them otherwise.

When people are long distances away from revolutions, it is easy to not focus or forget about them. That is why the use of video is so important. This article discusses the uprising in Libya and how the over 9,000 videos uploaded to youtube impacted their causes. It also discusses another platform called Citizentube that helped people upload videos even when youtube is blocked. Being able to see all of the whats really going on really puts things in perspective and helps to spread message on a global scale.

When people are long distances away from revolutions, it is easy to not focus or forget about them. That is why the use of video is so important. This article discusses the uprising in Libya and how the over 9,000 videos uploaded to youtube impacted their causes. It also discusses another platform called Citizentube that helped people upload videos even when youtube is blocked. Being able to see all of the whats really going on really puts things in perspective and helps to spread message on a global scale.

Filmmakers are filming a film that talks about the sexual harassment issue that occurring in Egypt. Ninety-nine percent of women in Egypt have faced sexual harassment. It also shares the common misbeliefs that people believe due to American news. 

After Western powers suspected that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against the Syrian people, tensions grew against them and Russia, China, and Syria. The Eastern Powers believe that Western powers are overstepping their bounds for their need of power but the Western powers think that they need to interfere to help the people. 

France is continuing to oppose Syrian President Bashar Assad stating that his government will not be the best group to combat terrorism. They continue to side with the Syrian people and their aspiration to forma civil democratic state. 

It is a trope among people who loathe and fear Islam that their fear and loathing has nothing in common with racism because Islam is not a race, the implication being that hating Muslims is rational and wise whereas hating black people is deeply irrational and stupid. Very relevant topic to my Research project, really brings home why people who have a prejudice towards Islam make tolerant people uncomfortable. Hopefully this article can influence others who feel the need to express their hatred for a religion they don't know much about.

There are still numerous foreigners attempting to enter Syria in order to join the group ISIS. Many of these foreigners attempt to go through Turkey and while some Western countries criticize Turkey on the number of people still crossing, the Prime Minister believes he is doing as much as he can. 

In a recent breakdown of the different people who are often victims of human trafficking it was determined that 12% are men, 22% are children, and women make up 66%. Majority of the people who are part of trafficking belong to Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asian nationalities.

This article states the problems of humanitarian aide. Assads regime has slowed the process. Also the fact that so many people are displaced makes it difficult for NGO's to reach the people that need help.

"The Poetry of Revolution" discusses the ideas behind the street chants shouted out by the Egyptian people in their times of revolution. It focuses on the history of Egypt's uprisings and how they have changed before. This article was written a few days after the initial January 25th uprisings and attempts to explain how the chants take on a greater meaning to the protesters. Because they are given words to yell and shout, they are able to bind together and announce the same goals. Colla discusses how if the people did not have these chants, they would be too afraid to stand for their revolutions.

This article focuses on the graffiti on the streets of Cairo and how the graffiti has started to stand for more than just an expression of tagging, but rather art and a way of the revolution. The artists use graffiti as a way to communicate to others that they are seeing the injustices that are going on. This street art also binds together the artists of this city and their ideologies.

In this article, the Smithsonian presents Egypt's murals more than just art but as a part of the revolution.

This article was a great introductory to what graffiti art has become in Egypt, what it stands for and the meaning behind the paint. It explains that around 2011 individual people and other artistic groups began documenting the wrong doings, brutality and cruelty of the Egyptian regime. The author interviewed artist Ahmed Naguib, and he said, " people singing revolutionary slogans come and go, but the graffiti remains and keeps our spirits alive."

540 people had been killed in fighting in Yemen, including 311 civilians, 74 of which were children. More than 100,000 people had been displaced

With a new economic agenda being created and putting into place the people of Tunisia are worried. With the term "reforms" people of Tunisia are worried that the wrong issues are going to be handled. Like for instance creating jobs instead of increasing prices. Authorities tried to raise money by imposing a tax of $20 on foreign travellers, that angered residents but also hurt trade with Libya. This caused protests, caused officers to react with physical abuse.

This article is a view of the chemical warfare in Syria from someone who survived the attacks in Damascus. The survivor writes of how joining the OPCW will do nothing in saving and protecting the Syrian people and how by taking away chemical warfare it will jut lead to Assad regimes finding new ways, such as starvation, to kill the innocent people of Syria.