Wikileaks - something Netanyahu and Gaddafi have in common?

According to Kabobfest - apart from a tendency for dramatic hand gestures – both have expressed support for Wikileaks. Natanyahu is a fan because the leaks show the concern of Arab governments in regard to Iran’s nuclear program, while Gadaffi just loves conspiracy theories.

American bedu remarks on how, at the end of every year, international magazines compile a list of the years “most influential” people. American Bedu asks for suggestions for the most fascinating Saudi of 2010 – but reserves her own vote for her husband, Abdullah, who “even though he married a foreigner remained a true and loyal patriot of his country and to his faith.” He died from leukemia a short time ago.

She goes on the mention friends and brothers who she would put at the top of her list, for their generosity or compassion. In short the point she seems to be making is that “fascinating” people are perhaps more interesting than “powerful” or “famous” ones.

“Not far from the extravagant palaces and the spacious tiled villas of Jeddah, lives a Sudanese camel herder named Hussan” writes Susie of Arabia. Susie features Hussan in an earlier post. She remarks how the brutal climate and humble abode must make things difficult – but despite this he always has a smile on his face.

The Emirates Economist asks an interesting question: what if polygamy were legalized in a country like Canada? He suggests that although western countries almost universally frown on the practice, the same was once true of homosexuality.

The Emirates Economist argues that serial monogamy, high divorce rates and pre-marital relationships in the west have already created an ‘open society where individuals are free to make their own choices.”

He goes on to paint a reality in which women would be more controlled than ever, even if they might defend the practice: a system of “institutions,” “values” and beliefs to keep women in check.

At the same time he reasons that if a man can take several wives, unmarried men will compete for fewer women, which gives them more bargaining power.

This strange debate is based on an article in the "Globe and Mail", in which an “economics of marriage” professor provided a review of Canada’s ban on multiple marriages.

This is a heavy one, but for students of geopolitics or those interested in the region it’s probably a must. The "Moor Next Door" divides actors in the Maghreb into first, second, third and “fragmentary” tiers, and then goes on to explain the nature of their involvement in the region.

He begins with an analysis of established actors such as the US and EU… but the piece might be more interesting for what it has to say in relation to emerging players such as Russia and China.