Blogs Roundup

April 4, 2012

Is International Law allowing certain countries to avoid responsibility?
International Law Loopholes: A Get-Out-of-Jail Card for Guilty States?
14:21 GMT
International law is an essential part of international relations, but sometimes it creates loopholes where faulty state behavior goes overlooked; Lebanon news via Internet memes; Was being a Muslim Shaima Al-Awadi's only crime?
Lebanon has small, but surviving, Jewish community. - Shown for illustrative purposes
Sidon Synagogue Opens its Doors
11:00 GMT
One of Lebanon's few remaining synagogues opens for prayer for the first time in decades in light of a tour sponsored by the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta International movement; Mohamed Merah is a French problem, not a Muslim one; Is the Muslim Brotherhood homogenizing Egypt? Sidon Synagogue Opens for Prayers: First Time in Decades

April 3, 2012

From the pages of the Internet to the walls of Cairo, Twitter has left its mark all over the revolution.
Being Part of the Revolution: 140 Characters at a time!
19:17 GMT
There is no denying the role of social media in the Arab Spring, so here is a look at one of the pioneers, Sultan Al Qassemi; Women put in a box- literally and discursively; Lebanon's graffiti- a sign of the times? ; A book about love, Peanuts-style; Eat after reading!
Lebanon will be getting its game on at the 2012 Olympics!
Going the Distance: Two Lebanese Female Athletes Reach the Olympics!
08:44 GMT
In some exciting sports news, two Lebanese female athletes qualify for the Olympics- one for table tennis, the other taekwondo; Jordan's Lifetime diplomatic passport fiasco! ; U.S. withdrawal from Iraq is hardly a situation changer in the region; In the context of Palestine, there is no divorcing politics and economics.

April 2, 2012

The idea of nuclear power plants in the Middle East is already making foreign forces queasy and hostile. So would one in Lebanon cause more conflict?
Lebanon Preparing for Nuclear Power Plant: Is the Electricity Crisis Over?
13:10 GMT
For better or worse, there is talk that Lebanon is in the preparation stages of opening a nuclear power plant in an attempt to resolve the electricity crisis; Haifa Wehbe and Elissa- Bosom buddies? ; Right on the heels of April's Fools Day is World Autism Awareness Day!
Arabic content is becoming a hot commodity, as interest in the Middle East continues.
Arabic Content: One of Wikipedia's Most Growing Communities
12:15 GMT
Although there are 280 languages on Wikipedia, Arabic ranks as 27 in terms of content volume; What do grassroots movements and startups mean for Egypt's future; Naguib Mahfouz- A man of literature and cinema; Female hunger striker Hana Shalabi urged against deportation deal.

April 1, 2012

'Fo' Shizzle'- Cool cat Snoop Doggy Dogg makes a segue into Middle Eastern pop music through a collaboration with Tamer Hosny.
East Meets West: Tamer Hosny and Snoop Dogg Collaborate over Song
19:42 GMT
Famed American rapper Snoop Dogg is joining forces with Egyptian superstar Tamer Hosny for 'Si L Sayed'; A belated Valentine's Day lament- Love is not a P. Diddy song; All the single ladies, you don't need to put a ring on it! ; Lebanon gets Marilyn fever; Cats doing funny stuff- enough said.
International powers need to take into account previous cautionary tales, such as Iraq, when discussing their options.
Syria's Morning After: What About Plan B?
09:01 GMT
As Syria's condition gets more critical, it seems that the 'Friends of Syria' need a Plan B; Reactions to El-Shater's candidacy; Egypt's Porn conundrum; Land Day highlights the age-old fundamental problems; Photo essay of life in the Palestinian territories.

March 30, 2012

Commemorating the events of 1976, pictured is one of the demonstrators in Jerusalem, silenced by the blood-stained past of Palestine.
Palestine's Land Day 2012: Filled with Emotion & Violence
22:32 GMT
As we remember Palestine's unsung commemoration day and the martyrs it represents, Land Day still resonates with Palestinians and Arabs alike, illuminated with the resounding passion of its activists. Here is what the blogosphere had to offer on this special day!

March 29, 2012

U.S. Troops face an uncertain identity.
'Infidel Apparel': U.S. Troops' Badge of Pride or Scarlet Letter?
14:58 GMT
U.S. troops proudly label themselves as 'pork-eaters' and 'infidels'? ; The 10 Commandments of being Lebanese; Part of Tahrir Square's magic is its expressive, revolutionary murals; Jordanian Reform - a personal story.
Supporters of the Palestinian cause are receiving solidarity from all over the world.
Female Rabbi Supports Land Day March
09:48 GMT
One of the first eight female rabbis in the world, Lynn Gottleib is an active Palestine solidarity supporter; 13 Interesting Ads; What the Middle East can learn from Brazil; Saudi Arabia's growing fear of women; Coffee themed jewelery for caffeine addicts!

March 28, 2012

Lebanese bloggers: Quirky, funny and always have politics on their minds.
Top 40 Lebanese Blogs! - Includes Many Familiar Faces
20:27 GMT
Although it has caused quite a stir in the Twittersphere, here are 40 of the top Lebanese blogs; One Lebanese blogger takes his blog ranking in stride; Lebanon Aggregator is now accepting Jordanian blogs! ; Is Lebanon trying too hard to model itself after the west?
They couldn't decide on the place that served the best falafel.
Arabs Got Arguing Talent: Research Shows Arguing Beats Brainstorming
10:18 GMT
A new research shows that arguing is better for innovation than brainstorming. If there is anything that Arabs love to do, it's arguing; 12 stressful ways of thinking you must banish; Misyar marriage- do it offer proper marital rights? ; Pockets of beauty on Lebanon's walls.

March 27, 2012

SCAF Vs. The Muslim Brotherhood: Is this the ultimate showdown for Egypt?
Muslim Brotherhood V. SCAF: More Than a War of Words?
18:49 GMT
SCAF and the Muslim Brotherhood clash as accusations fly; The Lebanese have their power in numbers? ; 10 pitfalls to avoid when studying gender in the Middle East; Japanese retailer Muji comes to Kuwait!
Is Asma Assad a wronged party in spite of the scandalous Assad E-mail leaks? Asma still remains the international woman of mystery.
Anonymous Syrian Defends Asma Assad!
09:24 GMT
Syrian First Lady Asma Al Assad has had a bit of a bad rep as of late, but an anonymous Syrian blogger comes to her defense; Hate crimes are on the rise in America; Whose voice are we hearing in the Arab Spring? ; Social Media Update: What's the latest; Mad Men YouTube Game revisited.