10 Goods Reason to Like Arabs!

Arabs just want to have fun- and other reasons why you have to love Arabs; A tragic account, among thousands, detailing the Gaza War for one family; Where were you when the Gaza War hit? One blogger wants to know; An experience that will make you think twice about flying over Israel; The "Aardvark-certified" best books on the Middle East.

One of the reasons to like Arabs: Their easy-going attitude.

Carl Medearis [2]

10 Reasons why you Should Like Arabs

Theistic Lebanon-based blogger Carl Medearis lists down his 10 reasons that make Arab people so likable- David Letterman-style. Although not void from stereotypes (by Carl's own admission), there is a lot of truth to it. "Arabs are good friends. They understand the power of friendship. They will, quite literally, do anything for a friend. When they say someone is a friend – they mean it."

Ken O'Keefe [3]

On the verge of Cast Lead II, a look back

A harrowing experience. A cruel unnecessary death. A damaging aftermath. This is the experience of several Palestinian families used as cannon fodder for Israeli soldiers. Ken O'Keefe shares the tragic story of one family during one faithful day in the Gaza War. "Ibrahim lifeless but possibly still alive, a gunshot to his stomach. Unimaginably, while his mother watched just 20 metres away, the soldier shot Ibrahim in the eye and his brains and head exploded."

Sixteen Minutes to Palestine [4]

Discuss: Where were you three years ago?

Everyone seems to remember where they were when some truly life-altering global event happens. One blogger shares where he was when the Gaza War broke out. Do you remember where you were? "By this time, hours had already passed since the onset of the invasion and relatives in Gaza City later told me that land was submerged in thick gray plumes of smoke."

Thuraya and the Terrorist Donkey [5]

When You Fly Above Israel

One blogger shares an account of flying over Israel on a flight from Amman to London. Apparently, side effects of flying over Israel can include fear for your life, loss of bladder control and spontaneous bouts of strangling Israeli passengers. "Tension among the passengers, it's that tension when Arabs meet Israelis in a closed space, where they can neither talk, threaten or bomb the hell of each other."

Foreign Policy [6]

Best Books on the Middle East, 2011

Foreign Policy website blogger Marc Lynch gives his "Aardavark-certified" list of the best books covering the Middle East for 2011. Unfortunately, there were no books of significance covering the revolutions, but many Middle East research books that could of interest. "First, the ground rules. The awards are limited to English-language books that were published in calendar year 2011 and which dealt primarily with the contemporary broader Middle East."