10 New Year's Resolutions for Amman Locals

10 ways Ammani citizens can make their native city a better place; An 8-year-old boy is Iraq's youngest photographer; Kafa continues its battle for criminalizing marital rape; Is Ron Paul the answer to our political dreams?

BeAmman [3]

10 Ammani Resolutions for 2012

People always make resolutions for themselves, but what if we did some as the denizen collective of a city? One Jordanian blogger writes down 12 resolutions that all Ammanis can do to make Amman a better place to live- for everyone! "Enjoy the city, enjoy the year and let us all collectively make Amman our home for all of its citizens."

Boing Boing [4]

Meet Iraq's youngest photographer. He is 8 years old.

Inspiration can come in the smallest forms. In this case, it is 8-year-old photographer Qamar Hashim. Already a winner of several local photography awards, he is the youngest Iraqi to do so. Click on to see some of his work! "The dangerous pictures like fire, blasts, other incidents but I have been sent off the site. They say I am a child. Also I wish to get a picture of the triangle of migrant birds."

Lebanon Spring [5]

The religious farm of Lebanon: marital rape is allowed

Although it should be a given that marital rape is a fact and a crime, religious institutions are still battling it out trying to cut out rape altogether from criminal jurisdiction. It also seems that Lebanese politicians are more interested in learning about NGO funding than solving the problem. "It’s very pleasing and reassuring to see members of the Lebanese parliament drafting a law to protect women from domestic violence, or rape in some cases. But such law can never pass without our disease getting in the way – religious Lebanese theocracy."

The Arabist [6]

Why I root for Ron Paul

Ron Paul has been a bit of a dark horse in American politics as he reaches the idealogical forefront of the Republican primary due to the sheer incompetence of his contemporaries. Also, his popularity is catching on in Arab sphere due to his "isolationist" foreign policy. According to this blogger, this Ayn Rand-loving, libertarian could be the savior of American politics! "Precisely because Paul brings in, along some wacky libertarian ideas, this anti-war, anti-imperialism, 'isolationist' element to US foreign policy. It's a strong plus for him, one of the few things that really makes him stand out if you can stomach the other stuff."