Opinion
Normalization in exchange to settler-ization?
Six months into the Obama administration, it is clear that one of the ideas floating in Washington circles is: Normalization between Arab states and Israel, in exchange for an end to Israeli settlement in Palestinian territories. During his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in 2009, Obama stressed that settlements must come to a halt in Palestine. Netanyahu did not respond positively to US pressure, and actually tried playing around it, through Jewish pressure groups in the US, as well as by sending his Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Washington DC, to talk Obama into changing course. This is when the idea came up; normalization in exchange for a settlement halt.
Obama and the return to ideals
Within the context of the “American Concept,” the confirmation of the first African American president on January 20 evoked high emotions and engendered an intense popular sensibility of national pride. It was a manifest nationalism that in the scope of modern American tradition is rare, and, since the turn of the century, limited possibly to the widespread intense and doleful response to the violence of the catastrophe that rocked the Nation in 2001.
Seeing Syria inside out
A short while ago, I was invited to take part in a workshop with European journalists visiting Syria as part of Syrian-European dialogue. Judging from their questions and our answers, one can find a deep gap between us, as Syrians, and them, as Europeans. On a larger scale, it is a gap between us as Arabs, and them as Westerners.
Handshakes won’t do
Ziad Haidar
The Syrian delegation to the Kuwait summit was just preparing for the opening session, when the head of the Saudi intelligence service, Prince Moqren ibn Abdul-Aziz came forward, shook hands, and kissed Vice President Farouq al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mu’allem, as well as Syrian envoy to the Arab League Ambassador Yussef al-Ahmed. The Syrian delegation, astonished by the move, figured it out as Saudi King Abdullah started his speech, and began to carefully calculate their steps for the end of the day.
Information warfare
It is very common for journalism students at any university around the world to hear their professors lecture about the "ethics of the profession." Other words that come up are "neutrality," "independence," and "objectivity." Reality, however, is very different, and never so black and white. This is especially true if any journalist is covering a war against those who share different social, political, and religious beliefs, or if one's own country is being invaded or attacked by an outside power.
The Arab Khrushchev?
The Arab world was divided over Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who threw both his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad last December. There were two views: one popular and one elitist.
Better late than never?
Drivers and pedestrians share responsibility to make it home safe and sound
A popular cliche that decorates the bumper of vehicles in Syria reads, “Daddy, better late than never.” With the change in the local traffic laws, FW: takes a look at how effective these regulations have been, how successfully they’ve been implemented, and the urgent need for environmentally friendly mass transit.
Changing the tune
Nicolas Sarkozy succession to the presidency has been welcomed with a certain enthusiasm and ambivalent skepticism by several administrations in the Arab World. After more than a year in power, French policy towards Syria seems to be placed under the sign of change and pragmatism. However, it remains to be seen if Sarkozy’s diplomacy will bring concrete advancements for both parties.
The last few months have seen a rare and concrete evolution in the French-Syrian relationship, unexpected for some, long awaited for others. With the invitation of President al-Assad last July to France by his counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy within the framework of the plan for “Mediterranean Union”, a clear will to engage in fresh dialogue and direct review of the principal “casus belli” between Paris and Damascus took shape.
Autism and my child’s right to be understood …
Our story is one many families with autistic children will know well – the worry, the confusion, the desperation and the lack of understanding from society. Our eight year old son Fares, the eldest of our three children, is autistic.
In the past, I used to associate autism with the movie “Rain Man.” I didn’t really know much about it, until the early 90s, when I met the adorable 5-year-old son of a friend of mine in London. He was a bright, intelligent boy who was suffering from a mild form of autism called Asperger syndrome, and who sensitized me the fact that every child regardless of his health conditions is unique in his own way.
Autistic children are still hardly understood in Syria; in fact, many people don’t even know what autism is. Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects the function of the brain and makes it difficult for the child to communicate with others and to relate to the outside world. It is as if the child is trapped within himself, unable to interact with others. First discovered in the 1930s, autism was considered a rare disorder. Only ten years ago one in every 10,000 children was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. In the last few years there has been clearly a sudden increase in autistic children worldwide, and today the latest figures show that it may be affecting as many as one in every 150 children.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
“De l’audace, et encore de l’audace, et toujours de l’audace!”
“Audacity, more audacity and always audacity!”—Napoleon Bonaparte speaking to his generals
When he spoke these words to his generals, Napoleon was in the depths of both national and personal and despair, standing at the gates of Moscow, suffering the bleak prospects of a failed attempt to bring the Russian giant to heel, and the biting Muscovite cold. He was trying to inspire his generals to rally their creativity and “audacity,” to make the dream of a greater France come true. They did fail, but what a gallant statement coming from such a true giant!