Why names come and go 19, May 2009
Posted by thegulfblog.com in Random.Tags: Freakonomics, Names, New York Times
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Simply put, the quicker a name comes into fashion, the quicker it goes out. The theory being that people don’t want to name their kids ‘fad’ names. Taken from the Freakonomics blog in the NTY.
Hezbollah’s graduation ceremony 19, May 2009
Posted by thegulfblog.com in Random.Tags: graduation ceremony, Hezbollah, Time Magazing
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As Time reports, there are a few differences between a graduation ceremony at Harvard and Hezbollah. First, Hezbollah’s graduates don’t get a degree as such, for there is no University; second, Hezbollah’s male graduates are trained and probably seasoned guerrilla fighters, whilst the same can probably not be said of Harvard’s graduates; and third (to name but three differences), as the author points out,
the most noticeable difference between a Hizballah graduation and one at Harvard is that the keynote speaker at this ceremony appeared via telecast from an undisclosed location because he is being hunted by assassins.
Truer words have, indeed, never been spoken.
Qatar articles 19, May 2009
Posted by thegulfblog.com in Qatar.Tags: Doha Centre for Media Freedom, Doha Decleration, Japanese school doha, LNG, MEED, North Field, Qatar, Robert Ménard, tanks
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Some recent articles on Qatar:
- LNG supply to be mopped up by thirsty China, according to Qatar’s Energy Minister.
- A good summary article of the LNG UK-Qatar relationship which will, among other things, reduce Russia’s strangle-hold on European gas supplies.
- A far more detailed overview of Qatar’s LNG in MEED.
- Germany are to sell main battle tanks to Qatar.
- ‘The Doha Deceleration’ – Qatar’s ‘Doha Centre for Media Freedom’ and UNESCO have made something of a (relatively) bombastic statement on the importance of media freedoms.
- The opening of a Japanese school in Doha.
- A very good Economist article on the limits of freedom facing Qatar’s ‘Doha Centre for Media Freedom’. It focuses on its controversial French director, Robert Ménard, and his apparent desire to either poke, prod and push the powers that be in Qatar into sacking him or to really test the boundaries of Qatar’s press freedom.
- Qatar set to reopen its North Field after a long moratorium.
Article catch up 19, May 2009
Posted by thegulfblog.com in Kuwait, Middle East, Saudi Arabia.Tags: Democracy promotion, Egypt Daily News, Emirates Economist, Gregory Gause, Joseph Nye, Marc Lynch, Saudi Deradicalization, Saudi shia, The National, The Republic of Eastern Arabia
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A few days away from the Internet leaves a veritable mountain to sift through when returning, hence a list of interesting articles over that last few days that I don’t quite have the time to write about in a more extended fashion:
- Greg Gause’s excellent article at the National about the GCC, Iran and US relationship. Summary articles don’t come any better than this.
- Nye in the Egypt Daily News on America’s apparent reconsideration of its democracy promotion campaign.
- Stratfor on the limited success of Saudi’s de-radicalization programme.
- Greg Gause on Marc Lynch’s Foreign Policy blog on the Kuwait elections. Positive as it may well be to have four women elected to parliament, which it indeed is, it does not solve the underlying problems in the country’s system.
- A probably spurious article on Iranian Press TV about the oppression of Saudi’s Shias and their (very) alleged declaration of ‘The Republic of Eastern Arabia’
- A good NYT article discussing Norway’s distinctive character and its sovereign wealth fund that has led it to succeed in today’s troubled financial times. Hat Tip: Emirates Economist.
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