Group items tagged

As the United States has closed its embassy and withdrawn its last troops, Yemen has slid into total chaos, with rebels and jihadists on both sides capturing military bases and seizing tanks and heavy weapons.

This article describes the position and demands of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party of Egypt. The relationship of the youth protesters with the Egyptian Left was solidified when the Left provided the youth with the political power to make their revolution successful. The Socialist Popular Alliance demands a new constitution and a new government structure that is based on democracy, human rights, and freedoms. Their political position and ideal social structure are very similar to typical American ideals, especially those of the American left political parties. However, the Public Alliance seems very angered over Mubarak's previous friendly relations with Israel. This population feels as though they were forced to abandon the Arab people and support Israel instead of Palestine. This is interesting because Egypt's relations with Israel has garnered tremendous political and economic support from the United States. Having an Arab ally has been an advantageous point of negotiation for Israel and the US. With the Popular Alliance in severe opposition to this position of Israeli sympathy, it is a surprise that they seem to embrace "Americanized" ideas. In addition, it is worth noting that the youth finds a great identity with the Arab culture, although not so much with a specific religion.

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!

This article explores both the street and the formal art scene after the events of January 25. It discusses how these scenes have had both positive and negative signs (positive: the concept of social art "seems to be winning grounds in the fabric of social enterprises"/negative: the art scene is still "underdeveloped, fragmented and alien to the majority of its own people.").

The Canadian government on Tuesday said it would expand its military mission against ISIS by launching air strikes against positions in Syria.

The Canadian government on Tuesday said it would expand its military mission against ISIS by launching air strikes against positions in Syria.

The Canadian government on Tuesday said it would expand its military mission against ISIS by launching air strikes against positions in Syria.

Both the current Egyptian authorities and the Muslim Brotherhood have failed to attract the support of the youth, while women participated in the recent referendum to support stability. The youth see the remnants of Mubarak's administration through the government structure. The revolution wouldn't be important without changes to the government. Many political groups are trying to coax the youth to being on "their side," and meanwhile, the Egyptian youth are struggling to find any positives. Gaining the vote of the youth generally means a win or loss for the politicians.

Both the current Egyptian authorities and the Muslim Brotherhood have failed to attract the support of the youth, while women participated in the recent referendum to support stability. The youth see the remnants of Mubarak's administration through the government structure. The revolution wouldn't be important without changes to the government. Many political groups are trying to coax the youth to being on "their side," and meanwhile, the Egyptian youth are struggling to find any positives. Gaining the vote of the youth generally means a win or loss for the politicians.

This article conveys that AS has claimed Benghazi as an Islamic Emirate. While Haftar argues that only certain positions are under Islamic occupation, but the fact that they control the whole city is something he denies. 

The main opposition group in Syria, the HNC, recently held what  they view as positive talks with the UN. It was in regards to humanitarian issues in Syria, and the group now awaits the Syrian government's response. 

This site stats that women's rights have improved over the years. A new law made in 2010 gave women 12% of he seats in Parliament.

Information on women rights in Egypt are presented. Women political, voting, educational and health rights are included.

This piece talks about women in politics, voting, and it public positions. It also gives facts dealing with women's health and education.

This article provides a counter argument to statements that US military officials are making about ISIS "spreading like cancer" through the Syrian refugees. Maybe the reason they seem to support ISIS is because all the US is doing is making enemies.

This article and video by Adam Gallagher discusses the election in Tunisia, and the importance of the media during a period of democratization like the one they were experiencing. I thought that this article was particularly valuable because it not only focused on the issues and problems that the media was perpetuation, but also positive actions that the media was taking.

This article and video by Adam Gallagher discusses the election in Tunisia, and the importance of the media during a period of democratization like the one they were experiencing. I thought that this article was particularly valuable because it not only focused on the issues and problems that the media was perpetuation, but also positive actions that the media was taking.

Mariam al- Mansouri took part in an air strike against ISIS. She was the first women to lead an air strike in the country. In the UEA women do have hight positions in government minister, police officers, and as executives, but it's still a men dominated country.

I'm looking forward to reading this article. What do you think about the convenience of ignoring rights abuses? Which positions on globalization would take that approach, and which do you think would reject it?

Though so far remaining neutral,Sryian Druze now demanding weaponry from the Assad regime as defense against IS and other extremists, or will find elsewhere. Threat? Are the Druze growing tired of neutral position? Will they eventually be tied into the war?

A brief look at Syrian Christian positions in the civil war. It is also brought to light that Christians have been attack from almost every angle, so who is there to truly trust and support?

Activists who led the 2011 revolt reflect on growing disillusionment with prospects for positive social change. A vast majority of the youth have become apathetic toward any political policies. In the vote for the constitutional referendum, the youth mainly acted in boycott and did not participate in the voting. In addition, the Egyptian media outlets have been accused of participating in a smear campaign against the activists that led the 2011 revolution. Wael Ghonim, for example, has had to handle his public image as he has been accused of benefiting from the revolt that he helped to orchestrate. A blogger, who goes by the name "Sandmonkey" accused the older generations of resisting change. He claims they act on their own accord even when they have no plausible or other alternative solutions. He points out that the youth represents 70% of the population but receives no official representation and only pity from the older generation who continues to make decisions on their behalf.

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.