Who controls the Oval Office?

Alan Hart in the the Sabbah report comments on Obama’s decision to abandon efforts to halt Israeli settlement building, arguing that Israeli lobbyists control America rather than ‘the man who occupies the Oval Office.’

But the piece goes one step further, branding the implications of the move as “truly terrifying.” It argues that unconditional support for Israel is not in America’s interests, particularly as it creates anti-Americanism in the Arab Street “if not yet at government level.”

It concludes with two priorities. The first, to prevent the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. To prevent anti-Israeli feelings from turning into anti-semitic ones.

A short but revealing post from Beirutspring.com centers around a quotation of a US diplomat in the region made to the New York Times.

According to the post the diplomat referenced the “obligatory half-hour lecture on the Palestine question” that began every “official meeting with an Arab leader” and suggests that “if we could get down to other business we might get something done”.

Beirutspring suggests the Americans shouldn’t be too surprised at growing Iranian influence in the region.

This post makes some interesting points about the wikileaks revelations in regard to Morocco. The lack of cables on Israel is questioned as strange, while Sarkozy’s gesture of crossing his legs and pointing the sole of his shoe at the King in Morocco – a taboo gesture in the Isalamic world – is dubbed as “too relaxed.”

A cable from the embassy in Rabat which observed that “corruption is prevalent in all levels of Moroccan society” caused shockwaves in the country, even if it was “hardly fresh news.”

On the street the piece argues that Moroccan’s are thankful for the leaks as its provides an insight into the attitudes of American diplomats. The view from Fez concludes with the ‘blustering attacks on Assange’, saying “don’t shoot the messenger.”

American Bedu looks at expat life on the compound from a female perspective in Saudi Arabia. She writes that it’s harder for a female expat to make friends with Saudi residents, and that it’s seen as unnatural for a female to live along in an apartment.

Still, she writes that working in a medical or education compound can still provide insights into the culture, and it is possible to invite friends for dinner – but not a man on his own.
The post suggests that integration requires a lot of effort, as does travel, but that it certainly will never be boring.

Another humorous look at Lebanese outdoor advertising. This time a poster asks “which flavor are you? Garlic or Lemon?”