As Jan 25 Nears, SCAF Still Causing Jitters

Military involvement has always been a large part of Egypt's formation within its contemporary setting. Yet, in this entry, one blogger makes comparisons between SCAF and the military in the now defunct USSR. In spite of its strong military background, SCAF is not unshakable and will find its adversaries with the Egyptian civil society in the battlefield of political ideology.

"With the Muslim Brotherhood taking a clear majority in the parliamentary elections (followed by the Nour Party), SCAF now finds itself with a more concrete array of forces to work to manage."

YouTube has become a forum for unknowns to become viral entertainment stars. One particular rising star is Yousef Erakat, the Palestinian American founder of FouseyTube, who was featured on Al Bawaba's Blog Roundup before. Yet, his Arab-based humor has led to a string of criticism.

The very Middle Eastern criticisms range from allegations that he is trying to raise an army of female fans so he can have a decent selection when it's time to marry, to accusations of undermining Arab culture.

Going back to yesterday's topic of Jordanian identity, here is one Jordanian citizen who isn't ambiguous about her national allegiance.

Yet, what is ambiguous is the law dismissing women from passing their nationality to their children should they marry a foreigner. If Jordanian women are equal to Jordanian men as citizens, shouldn't they pass this birthright to their children?

As the cliche would have it, when you think Lebanese, you think svelte fashionable types. Apparently not so. This registered dietitian and health blogger points to a study done by AUB on health in Lebanon, showing that 36% of adults are overweight and 26% would be marked as obese!

The study gives statistics on health deficiencies and obesity in youth.

Meanwhile in Israel, things are looking like the McCarthy trials. The witch hunt hits Israeli academics. Apparently, a recent study shows that 10% of Israeli academics are "anti-Zionist", including journalists, writers and former Israeli cabinet members.

"Three self-proclaimed watchdog organizations have labeled about 10 percent of Israeli academics as anti-Zionist, according to a recent study by a group of academics, artists and university students who aim to counter the categorizations."