Mahalla Strike Falsehoods

I received this update from journalist Jano Charbel on the Mahalla textile strikes. Apparently there are falsehoods in the Reuters and government lines. A Reply to the Blatant Falsehoods Announced by the Labor Ministry, the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, and their Sensationalist Mouthpieces Officials from the Labor Ministry and the state-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation [...]

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Aid’s bloomberg?

Sebastian Mallaby praises the Development Executive Group, that centers on a website designed to act as a clearing house for development and aid procurement and employment. He goes as far as to compare it to what bloomberg has done for finance. It’s a great idea that will hopefully go a good way towards solving some [...]

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Big Brother

You’d think with the number of dystopias i’ve read and the pervasive someone’s-watching-me feel of Cairo, this wouldnt creep me out so much.

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US and China should cooperate to counter OPEC

On CFR. ummm.. duh How bout these ideas: What if Americans toned down their grossly decadent consumption? What about canceling tax breaks for oil companies? And giving them to alternate energy research? Maybe slow down global warming while you’re at it? Give up your SUVs or stop complaining!!

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“I Will Stand Up for the Muslim Brotherhood”

Since a much-removed relative that i’d met for the first time pointed me to Mona El Tahawy, i’ve periodically checked in on her writing. I just noted this small piece where she explains that despite distaste for their beliefs, she believes in the MBs right to participate.

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“Taking the War on Terror to Africa”

Apparently the US government seeks to establish a strategic command for Africa (AFRICOM) that would be the aid, policy, military and counterterrorism nerve-center for Africa. The idea is that this will help raise the profile of Africa and improve efforts through coordination and increased attention. Ultimately, more US government drivel: The Pentagon says AFRICOM will [...]

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Premortem rumour legacies

Now that the worry has passed and we are all reassured of the health our dear Mr Mubarak, perhaps it is time for reflection on the consequences of the crisis. I wont dwell long where others already have. Here‘s an Arabist look at the recent jail verdicts against 4 newspaper editors supposedly for spreading the [...]

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Rights Center Dissolved

AHRLA, a human rights organization that i think has really been one of the most active on a broad range of issues including refugees (something uncommon for Egyptian organizations) is being shut down by the Ministry of Social Solidarity under apparent pressure from state security. AHRLA first heard they were being shut down when staff [...]

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“Finkelstein’s Legacy at DePaul”

Article in CounterPunch by a DePaul professor reflecting on Finkelstein’s settlement with the university.

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Rights groups protest NGO shutdown; support anti-torture

I just received an announcement by a significant number of Egyptian human rights organizations protesting security measures to crack down on AHRLA (Association for Human Rights and Legal Aid) recently. They’ve been one of the most active rights lawyer groups, even supporting refugees. They’ve also recently upped their torture-combating profile. Mid last week i was [...]

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“Israel’s Cost to the Arabs”

Another one thanks to the Arabist; this article, written in light of the recent reemergence of the Saudi peace plan, enumerates the many ways in which Israel’s existence and policies have had direct negative impacts on Arab development over the last 60 years.

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Documentary: Rabbena Yesahhel

I also recently watched a documentary on youth unemployment in Egypt. It’s a decent look, despite horrible production, at the problems, perceptions and attitudes associated with Egyptian youths’ growingly impossible employment situation. I didnt learn anything new, but i felt that it offered a decent narration, making sure to cover higher-income, mostly hi-tech; manual labor; [...]

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Movie: The Situation

I recently watched The Situation (IMDb), by Philip Haas. It attempts to bring out the side of Iraq that is often neglected in the media. The review on indieWIRE is a little harsh on the timidity, especially given that i know they had serious problems with funding and, later, with finding a willing distributor. I [...]

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Mubarak dead. again.

Abu Aardvark provides a pretty good roundup of last weeks wildfire rumors of mubarak’s death. What i find the most amusing is that they’re blaming the MB. Obviously there’s no logical reason why they would do this. Aside from that, the rumors, based on the order of sources i heard them from, seemed to start [...]

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Labor in Qatar

The Angry Arab has posted an anecdotal letter on the plight of laborers in Qatar. Naturally, this extends to other gulf countries like Saudia and the Emirates.

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