Monthly Archives: March 2010

Flags of Arabia, Part 1: The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf

If you look at the flags of the Emirates and States of the Persian Gulf, you may note a common theme in those flags that appear above the line in the graphic: the prevalance of white in the flags of … Continue reading

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A Victory for Secular Iraq

The final results from the 2010 Iraq election are almost in, and the conclusion is very reassuring — the winner is, by just a few seats, Iraqiyya, or the Iraqi National Movement, the “list” led by former Prime Minister Ayad … Continue reading

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Book review: The Accidental Guerrilla

Upon handing in the first draft of my master’s thesis, my supervisor subtly criticized my magazine-influenced writing style. He gave me an invaluable piece of advice concerning academic writing: “Keep it dry. Nobody is going to read this for pleasure.” … Continue reading

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Russian Bombers in UK Airspace

Britain’s Ministry of Defence has released images taken earlier this month of Russian Tu-160 bombers — known as Blackjacks by NATO — as they entered UK airspace near the Outer Hebrides islands off Scotland’s northwest coast. It was just one … Continue reading

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Army visits Apple

My two worlds come together in this article from Ars: Army officials get VIP tour of Apple, talk mobile tech. Here is the key quote: Our job, as stewards of the taxpayer’s dollar, is to adopt and adapt appropriate commercial … Continue reading

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Oman’s Unique Foreign Policy

Oman is an outlier in the Persian Gulf and in the Arab World. The people are mainly Ibadhi Muslims, a unique sect that is neither Sunni nor Shia. It is the only Arab state with a Sultan (as opposed to … Continue reading

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Ahh, Saudi!

A friend forwarded me this travelogue from a brief trip through Jeddah and Riyadh, the two key commercial cities of Saudi Arabia. * * * SUNDAY: My flight to Jeddah is delayed by 2 hours. I eventually takes off at … Continue reading

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“Extremely” funny

This movie trailer for Four Lions made me “explode” with laughter. “You are gonna die in that gear, lads.” “S’all for a good cause though…” Innit, though?

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Repealing “Don’t ask Don’t Tell”

<i>Map reflects a compilation of states allowing gay service via the Palm Center.</i> Last month chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen made headlines with this: <blockquote>“No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape … Continue reading

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Context behind the news

Gaza Rocket Attack Into Israel Kills a Thai Worker The foreign agricultural worker, Manee Singueanphon, 30, from Thailand, was the first fatality from Gaza rocket fire since the end of a three-week Israeli military offensive into Gaza in January 2009. … Continue reading

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