Seasonal re-affected disorder: revel in the Middle East's approaching winter

Don't get depressed, winter is coming but there are so many things to look forward to; is there anything to fear in the new Libya?; What can Turkey do about its Syrian problem? and what will Egypt's Islamist government turn into?

And Far Away [2]

10-Step Guide to Looking Forward to the Winter in Amman

It’s almost September. For those of us who appreciate the summer, September only means one thing: it will soon be winter. I know we have a couple of months ahead before winter hits properly, but it isn’t really the cold that’s the main problem. It’s the shorter daylight hours. It’s the lower levels of energy. It’s the feeling of a new season. So… just to keep you (and myself) upbeat, here are ten things you can remind yourself of that are nice about the next six months.

From the Rock [3]

A new kind of fear in Libya

In the Gaddafi era the living had ample reason to fear, in the new Libya the living and the dead live in fear from now on .. Or do they? This fear is pervasive it makes grown men tremble while hundred year old heritage is razed to the grownd.

Syria Comment [4]

Turkey’s Syria Problem

Syria used to be the poster child for Ankara’s “zero problems with neighbors” policy. At the peak of their rapprochement, Turkey and Syria were holding joint cabinet meetings and talking about spearheading a common market in the Middle East. Then the Arab wave of reforms reached Damascus. The relationship turned hostile as [...] With the support of Prime Minister Erdogan, Turkey’s foreign minister Davutoglu positioned Ankara in the vanguard of the community of nations seeking regime change in Syria. Thus Ankara gave support to the Syrian National Council and harbored the Free Syrian Army. Even when former UN secretary-general Annan’s plan for a political settlement was announced, the Turkish leadership made it clear that there could be no solution with Assad in power.

A Sense of Belonging [5]

Will Islamism Yield to Christianity?

I was invited to comment on an article posted on the Mission of God blog, concerning the inevitability of the Arab Spring turning Islamist, and then the rejection of Islamism for Christianity. Please click here for the video post; my response (slightly edited) follows below. I think Dr. Cashin’s core point is correct: A system that does not allow questioning of itself cannot stand. But there were a few points which lacked sufficient nuance. A great number of the Arabs in their revolution (at least in Egypt) did not choose Islamists out of love for Islam, but because they were the only viable alternative. While many others did so because they believed (or were told) it was God’s will, what is happening is not a massive choice for Islam.