Monthly Archives: March 2011

Hizbullah’s Throne of Bayonets

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 27/12/2010 It is obvious that given the true balance of power in Lebanon, the special tribunal investigating the murder of former prime minister Rafik Hariri is largely a virtual exercise. As Michael Young pointed out in a column … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Illusion and Reality Clash in Lebanon

Posted on March 16, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Global Politician- 08/03/2010 Initially, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the murder of Rafik Hariri focused on Syria. Lately, indications suggest that the main focus is now on Hizbullah. Tension is currently rising in Lebanon, amid reports that the Special … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Muslim World: Iran’s Execution Binge

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

22/01/2011 In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 15 in the isolated and overcrowded Orumiyeh prison in western Iran [Iranian Kurdistan], the authorities hanged one of their opponents. Hossein Khazri, an alleged activist with the Party for Free Life … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Rise and Rise of Hizb ut-Tahrir

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 09/10/2007 Sitting in the best bar in Jerusalem about four months ago (it’s called Sira, in case you’re interested), I entered into conversation with a tall, ginger-haired young man who turned out to be a member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

More United, Less Passionate

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

The Guardian- 25/03/2006 Three days now remain until the elections in Israel. The election campaign has been the most sedate in living memory. One may walk the main streets of the three main cities, and hardly be disturbed by activists, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Along with the Boycott, Some Good News

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

Haaretz- 09/06/2006 The decision by NATFHE, the British college lecturers union, to initiate a blacklist with respect to their Israeli colleagues has been met with shock in Israel. It has rapidly become clear that the instigators of the boycott belong … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iranian Quickstep: 1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

15/02/2010 Latest Ahmadinejad statement suggests that Teheran still believes it can find a few partners for the dance it has been performing since 2003. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this week told Iranian state television that “we have no problem sending … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fire from the Mountain

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

23/10/2010 In the badlands between the borders of Iraq, Turkey and Iran, a small band of Kurdish separatists continue to wage their war. Our PKK contact and driver arrived at the appointed time outside the hotel in Erbil. We had … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Weatherman and the Wind

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

05/04/2010 Bob Dylan wrote that “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” With great respect to Dylan, however, if you are truly looking to ascertain the direction of the winds in a particular place and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Culture of Tyranny

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jonathanspyer

13/02/2008 The ancient city of Damascus received another mark of recognition last week. Following in the wake of Liverpool – which was recognized as the European Capital of Culture, and Stavanger in Norway, which was named the non-EU European Capital … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment