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13 Oct 2011 10:51

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World: Man at center of alleged Iran assassination plot not the brightest bulb?

  • His socks would not match. He was always losing his keys and his cellphone. He was not capable of carrying out this plan.
  • Tom Hosseini • Discussing his friend and former college roommate, Mansour Arbabsiar, considered the mastermind behind the the assassination plot that’s landed Iran in hot water with the U.S. While Arbabsiar did have some supporters among those who knew him from his days in Texas, many more weren’t so kind towards him, calling him “worthless” or “very creepy.” On top of this, he had a bit of a rep for being a somewhat shady/unsuccessful businessman. So, the real question: How did this guy get mixed up in this plot? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Oct 2011 10:52

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U.S., World: Iran assassination plot: U.S. officials take super-hard line

  • The U.S. has something it’s trying to sell to the world. In case you’re wondering what that is, it’s that Iran is a very bad country — particularly in the wake of an assassination plot involving a Saudi diplomat —and we need to make sure they know it. “It’s critically important that we unite the world in the isolation of and dealing with the Iranians,” Vice President Joe Biden said today. “That’s the surest way to be able to get results.” He suggests that down the line, actions could go beyond sanctions, even, though we’re not at that point yet. He’s not alone. Here’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “This really, in the minds of many diplomats and government officials, crosses a line that Iran needs to be held to account for.” You get the feeling from reading these that the U.S. has been waiting for a moment like this for a while. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Sep 2011 10:37

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World: Saudi Arabia: What women can and can’t do in the country

  • can Vote, and run for office, in local elections. King Abdullah has opened up a significant route of social reform for women in the country, which is incredibly conservative to this day.
  • can’t Drive. Leave the country on their own. Work without approval from a male guardian. And so on. While the equality movement has gained a significant victory today, it has a very long way to go. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Aug 2011 04:51

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World: Arab League, Saudi King denounce Syrian violence

  • 200 Syrian tanks rolled into the city of Deir el-Zour on Sunday, accompanied by soldiers and armored cars
  • 50+ people were killed in the assault, which took place during the dawn call to prayer  source
  • » For the first time, the Arab League has condemned the al-Assad regime’s violent assaults on the protesters, and Saudi Arabia has withdrawn its ambassador to Syria. Saudi King Abdullah strongly denounced the violence, calling for “an end to the death machine and bloodshed.”
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jun 2011 17:29

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World: Hillary Clinton voices support for Saudi women driving in protest

  • What these women are doing is brave and what they are seeking is right, but the effort belongs to them. I am moved by it and I support them, but I want to underscore the fact that this is not coming from outside of their country. This is the women themselves, seeking to be recognized.
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton • Speaking about last week’s protest in Saudi Arabia, where many women took to automobiles to violate one of the country’s sexist laws, which prohibits female drivers. Clinton is clearly stressing the internal origin of the protests, as the claim of foreign interference is one that Saudi Arabia could potentially get a lot of mileage out of. Regardless, she’s voiced her support, and we feel nothing but pleased about it — protests against laws like these just need support, pure and simple. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Mar 2011 10:01

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World: Bahrain declares “state of national emergency” amid protests

  • Due to the ongoing circumstances in Bahrain … King Hamad has announced a state of national emergency as of Tuesday for three months.
  • An announcement on Bahraini state television • Announcing a “national state of emergency” in the country. The announcement comes a day after troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the country to help quell the protests. The U.S. government has called for restraint in the wake of fresh military action. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 Feb 2011 10:42

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World: Oman’s leader trying to appease protesters very generously

  • 50,000 the number of government jobs Sultan Qaboos has promised will be installed in the country
  • $390 the amount Oman’s unemployment program would pay job-seekers each month until they find work source
  • » But it’s not working: While Sultan Qaboos doesn’t appear to be in danger of losing his leadership role, protesters are still unhappy and are pushing for political reforms in the country. “We want new faces in the government and we have a long list of social reforms,” said civil servant Habiba al-Hanay. “We just hope he will hear us and make changes.”
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Feb 2011 11:28

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World: Next on the list of popular Middle East uprisings? Oman

  • Protests in the country turned deadly today. The country, situated between Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen on the Mideast pie chart, has seen its share of anti-government protests pop up. Today, two anti-government protesters in the industrial town of Sohar were killed in clashes with police. State media claimed that the protesters were trying to storm a police station. “Police and anti-riot squads confronted this group of wreckers in a bid to protect people and their properties, which caused casualties,” the report said. The protests in the country are a little different, by the way, because they have largely emphasized loyalty with Sultan Qaboos, one of the world’s longest-serving political leaders. The sultan, in response to a prior protest, recently reshuffled his cabinet. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

20 Feb 2011 16:50

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World: Tunisia doesn’t know if Ben Ali is dead. A little help, Saudis?

  • issue For quite obvious reasons, Tunisia wants to extradite former president  Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia to force him to stand trial. Many protesters are out in the streets asking for the same thing.
  • complication Tunisia doesn’t know whether Ben Ali is dead or not, so it had to send a note to Saudi Arabia asking about “the possibility of his death” or possible illness, and for his return if he’s healthy. Odd. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Jan 2011 10:09

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World: What do Egypt’s neighbors have to say about the protests?

  • saudis Saudi King Abdullah called Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak to say this: “No Arab and Muslim human being can bear that some infiltrators, in the name of freedom of expression, have infiltrated into the brotherly people of Egypt.” So, he’s totally on Mubarak’s side still.
  • palestinians Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Mubarak and “affirmed his solidarity with Egypt and and his commitment to is its security and stability.” Thats’s not as direct as the Saudis, but still clearly favoring Mubarak. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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