No Peace on Earth for Syria this Christmas

Yes. No? Maybe! Three different bloggers weigh in their opinions and views on the recent Syrian car bombing. Was it the Syrian regime or security-breaching revolutionaries? ; One year later, Bouazizi lives on in the memory of Arab youth in spite of naysayers; 14 tunes to listen to this Christmas; Experience this "year in pictures" in three slideshows.

There was great hope that the situation in Syria would calm down after the arrival of the Arab League observers, but the recent car bombing has put doubts in that happening anytime soon.

Lebanon Spring [2]

Syria can’t sell us security anymore

"Whether Al-Qaeda (or some Syrian rising militant force) did it or not, it’s clear that the Syrian regime can’t sell us ‘security’ anymore. It was the only proud Syrian national product that was ‘exported’ to us for the past four decades," a political-minded Lebanese blogger comments. Could Syria be running out of "products" to sell to the Arab League and the international community?

Beirut Spring [3]

Not Rushing to Call This One

Mustapaha from Lebanon is not sarcastic in the title of his timely blog entry on the Syria car bombing. In his view, it could be the Syrian regime trying to deflect or bomb-savvy revolutionaries making their presence known. "There are people out there who believe that the Syrian opposition is entirely peaceful. They dream of a Ghandian resistance that will overthrow the thugs of the Assad regime with the sole power of their will and conviction. I’m not one of those people."

Qunfuz [4]

Now the Bombs

English-born blogger Robin Yassin-Kassab professes his immense dismay with the current situation in Syria. In spite of previous bloggers having doubts about the car bombing, Robin is not giving the Syrian regime the benefit of the doubt. "There is no evidence of anyone’s guilt, and there won’t be any credible evidence while the criminal Asad regime remains in power and continues to lie and to block journalists’ access."

Kabobfest [5]

Bouazizi: A Year On

Although some have tried to dispel the iconic power of Bouazizi's act of despair one year ago, one blogger is proud that his actions and plight remain an inspiration for the change in Arab youth. It may not have offered a final solution, but it indeed offered a beginning of one. "Cliches are in abundance when it comes to Bouazizi. He is the ‘flame’, the ‘spark’ and the ‘butterfly effect’. For once, the cliches aren’t an exaggeration."

A Separate State of Mind [6]

My 2011 Christmas Playlist

Christmas is more than shopping. There is a slew of music to go along with it. Elie for Lebanon shares his top 14 (one of which is a bonus). Some are classics; others are more contemporary. Almost all are sung by contemporary artists, including one Glee version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

Boston.com [7]

The Big Picture

A picture speaks a thousand words. How about three slideshows showing 2011 in pictures? Pictures include a defiled mural of Khadafi and one of his capture.