Saturday, February 28, 2009
Interior details
The stream of details in the harmonious whole inside the Sultan Hassan madrasa is endless...
Sweden - reading in February
A number of links didn't really fit into the last posting because they are more focussed on Sweden and Europe.
Mats G Larsson has written on Vikings and their European activities.
Svenska Dagbladet visited a seminar on 100 years of Swedish public diplomacy and dealing with the press. Dagens Nyheter wrote here on the same.
I previously shared a critical link on a Maria-exhibition in Stockholm, here comes the answer.
A reflection from Dagens Nyheter on the debate on marriage rights.
A debate on the research agenda in Sweden.
Europe and european identity are also a topic of discussion.
The activities of the pope have been much in focus recently too.
Honour violence and the incapacity of western society to take care of it's victims is revisited by Dagens Nyheter too.
Swedish politicians have been active in Belarusian politics.
Another outlook to Europe discusses the identity of young muslims in France.
Mats G Larsson has written on Vikings and their European activities.
Svenska Dagbladet visited a seminar on 100 years of Swedish public diplomacy and dealing with the press. Dagens Nyheter wrote here on the same.
I previously shared a critical link on a Maria-exhibition in Stockholm, here comes the answer.
A reflection from Dagens Nyheter on the debate on marriage rights.
A debate on the research agenda in Sweden.
Europe and european identity are also a topic of discussion.
The activities of the pope have been much in focus recently too.
Honour violence and the incapacity of western society to take care of it's victims is revisited by Dagens Nyheter too.
Swedish politicians have been active in Belarusian politics.
Another outlook to Europe discusses the identity of young muslims in France.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Back in Sultan Hassan madrassa
Back in Cairo, the minbar and mihrab of the Sultan Hassan. I love the lamps!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Abu Dhabi Friday recreation!
Just jutting in a few shots from our Friday excursion yesterday - not bad, heh?
More reading in February - Middle East
As usual, I try to thematize the links I collect to share with you... so I try to keep this to the Middle East.
Hussein Agha and Rob Malley for NY Review of Books on how NOT to gain Middle East Peace....
Tulin Daloglu for Middle East Times on change in the Turkish political landscape, also related to the Middle East.
Ingvar Oja for Utrikesbloggen on Al Jazeera and the Middle East media landscape.
Aftonbladet sees "Waltz with Bashir" on Israel and Lebanon.
More commentary on the film on Farah Diba, this time from Aftonbladet and a review from Dagens Nyheter.
The Guardian talks about Iranian president Ahmedinejad's domestic position. BBC meets Shirin Ebadi to talk about women's rights in Iran.
Al Jazeera meets everyday life in Kabul, during a month. Dagens Nyheter writes on renewed American policies.
BBC shows lovely photos from the desert in Oman. also in phptos, Arbaeen in Iraqi Karbala.
BBC also commemorates 20 years of the Iranian fatwa against Rushdie and his book.
Per J Andersson writes for Dagens Nyheter on modern slums, mainly in India and other parts of the Third World.
The National reports direct UAE-Kashmir flights.
In the UAE, new press legislation is being worked out - the National reports. Also the position of Persian-related individuals and families in the Emirates is discussed. Heritage preservation in Sharjah is also a topic of reporting.
The continued debate on the need for development of not least the knowledge economy in the Arab world is mirrored in the National.
Issues of women and wealth in the Gulf reflects another aspect of this needed development.
Al Jazeera shows a series of programmes on terrorism.
A shrine in Morocco draws Sufi visitors from all over western Africa.
Hussein Agha and Rob Malley for NY Review of Books on how NOT to gain Middle East Peace....
Tulin Daloglu for Middle East Times on change in the Turkish political landscape, also related to the Middle East.
Ingvar Oja for Utrikesbloggen on Al Jazeera and the Middle East media landscape.
Aftonbladet sees "Waltz with Bashir" on Israel and Lebanon.
More commentary on the film on Farah Diba, this time from Aftonbladet and a review from Dagens Nyheter.
The Guardian talks about Iranian president Ahmedinejad's domestic position. BBC meets Shirin Ebadi to talk about women's rights in Iran.
Al Jazeera meets everyday life in Kabul, during a month. Dagens Nyheter writes on renewed American policies.
BBC shows lovely photos from the desert in Oman. also in phptos, Arbaeen in Iraqi Karbala.
BBC also commemorates 20 years of the Iranian fatwa against Rushdie and his book.
Per J Andersson writes for Dagens Nyheter on modern slums, mainly in India and other parts of the Third World.
The National reports direct UAE-Kashmir flights.
In the UAE, new press legislation is being worked out - the National reports. Also the position of Persian-related individuals and families in the Emirates is discussed. Heritage preservation in Sharjah is also a topic of reporting.
The continued debate on the need for development of not least the knowledge economy in the Arab world is mirrored in the National.
Issues of women and wealth in the Gulf reflects another aspect of this needed development.
Al Jazeera shows a series of programmes on terrorism.
A shrine in Morocco draws Sufi visitors from all over western Africa.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Four legal schools
Inside the madrasa are, in the four corners of the courtyard, a door in each corner. Each leads to a college, specialised in teaching each of the four legal schools of sunni Islam. The last time the premises were used was apparently some mere twenty years ago, as student dorms for the Azhar University. Each of the portals is unique, although similar in style.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Delightful reading...
I brought a bunch of books from Cairo, with a lot of Arabic fiction in translation in the lot.
One delightful acquaintance was this book, though I realized it was the second in a series.
But the language and the dreamy sense of the story is lovely in it's inner drama.
One delightful acquaintance was this book, though I realized it was the second in a series.
But the language and the dreamy sense of the story is lovely in it's inner drama.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Entering the madrasa
Once entering, the severe outisde gives way to calm and harmony and great attention to details and symbolism.
Central asia and more
Dagens Nyheter analyzes the taliban-resurge in Afghanistan.
Even more interestingly, Danish journalist Carsten Jensen has written a 3part article series on visiting Afghanistan, for the fourth time and last in 2002. Part 1, part 2 and part 3 are definitely worth reading, as well as the concluding remarks. He severely questions the added value of the international presence in the current form, saying we don't do it for Afghanistan but for ourselves and for some unknown good - but what I really lack is a recipe for a viable alternative?
Amnesty displays a photo exhibition on people displaced by oil pipelines in the Caucasus.
And Swedish Television broadcast the first part yesterday in a documentary series on Iran.
Even more interestingly, Danish journalist Carsten Jensen has written a 3part article series on visiting Afghanistan, for the fourth time and last in 2002. Part 1, part 2 and part 3 are definitely worth reading, as well as the concluding remarks. He severely questions the added value of the international presence in the current form, saying we don't do it for Afghanistan but for ourselves and for some unknown good - but what I really lack is a recipe for a viable alternative?
Amnesty displays a photo exhibition on people displaced by oil pipelines in the Caucasus.
And Swedish Television broadcast the first part yesterday in a documentary series on Iran.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Blogging the Gulf
I haven't yet encountered a strong local blogging community here in the Gulf, but maybe I am looking in the wrong places? Here are at least some I have encountered (some of which have closed done or are blogging only intermittently) - but please suggest any other you may know!
Many of these from the Emirates, are expat-driven or oriented against expat communities (but if anyone knows of blogs by or for specifically non-Western residents that would be much appreciated):
UAE community, Emirates Economist, , Grapeshisha, An Emirati's Thoughts (as far as I know the only Emirati blog), Dubai Daily Photos (pretty inactive, as far as I can tell), Fake Plastic Souks (on media and expat life in the UAE).
From Bahrain, we have 2 bright women: Silly Bahraini Girl and Bint Battuta.
I'll also share a recent Global Voices collection on internet access in Bahrain and Qatar (which is not even represented above - enlighten me!).
Many of these from the Emirates, are expat-driven or oriented against expat communities (but if anyone knows of blogs by or for specifically non-Western residents that would be much appreciated):
UAE community, Emirates Economist, , Grapeshisha, An Emirati's Thoughts (as far as I know the only Emirati blog), Dubai Daily Photos (pretty inactive, as far as I can tell), Fake Plastic Souks (on media and expat life in the UAE).
From Bahrain, we have 2 bright women: Silly Bahraini Girl and Bint Battuta.
I'll also share a recent Global Voices collection on internet access in Bahrain and Qatar (which is not even represented above - enlighten me!).
Saturday, February 14, 2009
New communications
Global Voices encourages us all to use new technology for social (and other) needs - by asking us to teach our friends to micro-blog for Valentine's!
I just joined Twitter, by the way!
I just joined Twitter, by the way!
Caring gifts
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here I offer you a set of links where especially caring gifts, making our world a little bit brighter not only for the recipient, can be found. Maybe not the typically romantic Valentine's thought, but with a greater impact.
Diakonia, Swedish Red Cross, Swedish Save the Children, Swedish Unicef, Swedish Society for Nature Protection, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, IM
I know there are more, give me your favourite recommendations!
Here I offer you a set of links where especially caring gifts, making our world a little bit brighter not only for the recipient, can be found. Maybe not the typically romantic Valentine's thought, but with a greater impact.
Diakonia, Swedish Red Cross, Swedish Save the Children, Swedish Unicef, Swedish Society for Nature Protection, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, IM
I know there are more, give me your favourite recommendations!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Photo prize
Dagens Nyheter's photographer came second in an international photo competition for his news photography from the war in Georgia in August 2008. A set of Lars Lindqvist's praised photos can be seen here, telling a story of war.
Beneath the Cairo citadel
Beneath Salah ed-Din's and Muhammad Ali's Citadel on the Eastern rim of old Cairo, lies the Sultan Hassan madrassa and the newer Rifai mosque, and an open plaza outside them. My longterm readers have seen photos from here before, but I made a renewed visit about 2 weeks ago.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Exhibitions
A little discreet push for some exhibitions I would like to see...
I have strong views on exhibition production and really enjoy a wellmade one!
An exhibition on India in London is featured in a set of photos in Dagens Nyheter.
and British Museum has a historic exhibition on Iran.
The Museum of Ancient and Near East art (is that the name? Medelhavsmuseet!) has a special exhibition of it's unique Cypriot collection.
And finally, Ebba Witt-Brattström om the Stockholm History Museum's Maria-exhibition, displaying medieval Swedish madonnas. She is not impressed! ;-)
I have strong views on exhibition production and really enjoy a wellmade one!
An exhibition on India in London is featured in a set of photos in Dagens Nyheter.
and British Museum has a historic exhibition on Iran.
The Museum of Ancient and Near East art (is that the name? Medelhavsmuseet!) has a special exhibition of it's unique Cypriot collection.
And finally, Ebba Witt-Brattström om the Stockholm History Museum's Maria-exhibition, displaying medieval Swedish madonnas. She is not impressed! ;-)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February reading
I keep trying to update more often, but again I have a backlog of reading I want to share. A lot of Gaza again of course - and some I am keeping for more thematic posts.
About 2 weeks ago I blogged about the Day of Remembrance for holocaust victims and here are a few articles surrounding that: on recurring rasism in society as seen from a victim, on the specific situation in the Ukraine, a love story in the midst of living hell, about spreading the word, on a German officer disliking his own regime and leaving a distinct European heritage,
Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was ultimately my boss at the time of her tragic death. Here is a review of a book on her by her colleague and friend, witness to her murder, and here another and a third reader.
Aftonbladet calls on Jazeera pictures from Gaza to be widely used by media globally. Aftonbladet writes from the ruins of Gaza and meets an old acquaintance from the intifada. Also heritage is destroyed.
BBC reports on phosphorous wounds in Gaza. Strong opinions in Svenska Dagbladet on responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thomas Friedman also expresses his opinion, for New York Times. Pierre Schori for Aftonbladet on strategies to meet Israel. Kjell Jonasson from the Church of Sweden writes of the (im)morality of war in Gaza and is interviewed too. Svenska Dagbladet meets the Palestinian doctor who works for peace and in Israel, losing several children in the recent war.
Dagens Nyheter tells the story of the shoe thrown at president Bush, landing in Tikrit, in giant shape. ;-)
MERIP on Obama and change in the Middle East policy field. Rob Malley for New York Review of Books on the Middle East, "What next"? Christian Science Monitor discusses Turkey's mediating position against the backdrop of recent events. Rumors of Al-Qaeda connections in Turkish robberies, showing fragmentation.
More about Nahid Perssons film on Farah Diba. The children of the revolution speak to Svenska Dagbladet. Trita Parsi for Utrikesbloggen on Khatami.
A much-discussed report from the Defence Research College on extremism and violence in southern-Sweden Rosengård.
Hanne Kjöller for Dagens Nyheter on the pain of humanity and trust in society. Also Dagens Nyheter, on relationships - to be or not to be...?
Pia Bergström writes for Aftonbladet on saving photos in the digital age - a very important topic for this blogger as you may imagine!
About 2 weeks ago I blogged about the Day of Remembrance for holocaust victims and here are a few articles surrounding that: on recurring rasism in society as seen from a victim, on the specific situation in the Ukraine, a love story in the midst of living hell, about spreading the word, on a German officer disliking his own regime and leaving a distinct European heritage,
Foreign Minister Anna Lindh was ultimately my boss at the time of her tragic death. Here is a review of a book on her by her colleague and friend, witness to her murder, and here another and a third reader.
Aftonbladet calls on Jazeera pictures from Gaza to be widely used by media globally. Aftonbladet writes from the ruins of Gaza and meets an old acquaintance from the intifada. Also heritage is destroyed.
BBC reports on phosphorous wounds in Gaza. Strong opinions in Svenska Dagbladet on responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thomas Friedman also expresses his opinion, for New York Times. Pierre Schori for Aftonbladet on strategies to meet Israel. Kjell Jonasson from the Church of Sweden writes of the (im)morality of war in Gaza and is interviewed too. Svenska Dagbladet meets the Palestinian doctor who works for peace and in Israel, losing several children in the recent war.
Dagens Nyheter tells the story of the shoe thrown at president Bush, landing in Tikrit, in giant shape. ;-)
MERIP on Obama and change in the Middle East policy field. Rob Malley for New York Review of Books on the Middle East, "What next"? Christian Science Monitor discusses Turkey's mediating position against the backdrop of recent events. Rumors of Al-Qaeda connections in Turkish robberies, showing fragmentation.
More about Nahid Perssons film on Farah Diba. The children of the revolution speak to Svenska Dagbladet. Trita Parsi for Utrikesbloggen on Khatami.
A much-discussed report from the Defence Research College on extremism and violence in southern-Sweden Rosengård.
Hanne Kjöller for Dagens Nyheter on the pain of humanity and trust in society. Also Dagens Nyheter, on relationships - to be or not to be...?
Pia Bergström writes for Aftonbladet on saving photos in the digital age - a very important topic for this blogger as you may imagine!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tulun revisit
Just as the photos from my previous Cairo visit at New Year ran out, I went back!
The shadow below is me at the Tulun mosque, my definite Cairo favorite.
The shadow below is me at the Tulun mosque, my definite Cairo favorite.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Remembrance
Today, the 27th of January is the Day of Remembrance for victims of the Holocaust. 63 years ago today, Auschwitz was freed by allied troops. Today, we need this remembrance more than ever.
Here are some articles on related themes:
on Jews in Ukraine, on anti-semitism today, on remembering the wounds - more to come if I find more on the theme.
Later: on investigations, photos from Ukraine, surviving and loving
Here are some articles on related themes:
on Jews in Ukraine, on anti-semitism today, on remembering the wounds - more to come if I find more on the theme.
Later: on investigations, photos from Ukraine, surviving and loving
Saturday, January 24, 2009
January reading
This article is not new, but all the same interesting: Boston Globe about Iranian bloggers on the US elections. If any of you read Persian (I don't!), this is supposed to be one of the concerned bloggers. Three American voices write on dealing with Iran, for New York review of books. BBC writes about a coming exhibition of Iranian treasures. Svenska Dagbladet meets Nahid Persson to talk about her new film on Farah Diba.
Prime minister Reinfeldt travels to Afghanistan, followed by Svenska Dagbladet (also with photos).
Also from December, Abu Dhabi's National published this article on the Gulf states and nuclear issues.
Swedish journalist Bernt Hermele writes on Newsmill on the potential role of Jews and Palestinians in Sweden in the current conflict. another Jewish voice in the Swedish debate is Jackie Jakubowski, here writing for Dagens Nyheter on everyone being victims. Uri Avnery for Aftonbladet on why "Israel can never win".
Dagens Nyheter writes on the cost of the war in Gaza. Lars-Gunnar Erlandsson writes for Utrikesbloggen on the patterns of conflict in the region and how to break them. Dagens Nyheter again, on the "normalcies" of war and a world order of rule of law...
Dagens Nyheter reviews a new book on the Swedish Social Democratic party and their policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The National writes about Algerian warrior legend AbdelQader (to millions of rai-fans best known for the song played an any rai-concert worth the name - we last danced to it in Cairo on New Year's Eve!). Also an obituary of the last of the Rahbani brothers. A frank Israeli film on Israel's actions in Lebanon in 1982 is up for nomation at the Oscar's.
Dagens Nyheter analyzes the image of Michelle Obama.
Dagens Nyheter has also visited eastern Finland and the Russian border, a focus-zone for both bridging business and the sharpest income-divide in Europe. Finlands foregin minister says the an application to Nato will take time.
Svenska Dagbladet reviews a book on the split between Sweden and Finland, 200 years ago this year!
A forthcoming documentary on the Foreign service is discussed in the media...
Also controversial is a Czech work of art to celebrate Europe in Brussels during their presidency.
The town museum of Stockholm displays old fire places with beautiful tiling work.
Prime minister Reinfeldt travels to Afghanistan, followed by Svenska Dagbladet (also with photos).
Also from December, Abu Dhabi's National published this article on the Gulf states and nuclear issues.
Swedish journalist Bernt Hermele writes on Newsmill on the potential role of Jews and Palestinians in Sweden in the current conflict. another Jewish voice in the Swedish debate is Jackie Jakubowski, here writing for Dagens Nyheter on everyone being victims. Uri Avnery for Aftonbladet on why "Israel can never win".
Dagens Nyheter writes on the cost of the war in Gaza. Lars-Gunnar Erlandsson writes for Utrikesbloggen on the patterns of conflict in the region and how to break them. Dagens Nyheter again, on the "normalcies" of war and a world order of rule of law...
Dagens Nyheter reviews a new book on the Swedish Social Democratic party and their policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The National writes about Algerian warrior legend AbdelQader (to millions of rai-fans best known for the song played an any rai-concert worth the name - we last danced to it in Cairo on New Year's Eve!). Also an obituary of the last of the Rahbani brothers. A frank Israeli film on Israel's actions in Lebanon in 1982 is up for nomation at the Oscar's.
Dagens Nyheter analyzes the image of Michelle Obama.
Dagens Nyheter has also visited eastern Finland and the Russian border, a focus-zone for both bridging business and the sharpest income-divide in Europe. Finlands foregin minister says the an application to Nato will take time.
Svenska Dagbladet reviews a book on the split between Sweden and Finland, 200 years ago this year!
A forthcoming documentary on the Foreign service is discussed in the media...
Also controversial is a Czech work of art to celebrate Europe in Brussels during their presidency.
The town museum of Stockholm displays old fire places with beautiful tiling work.
Houses in Cairo
Just like in Istanbul, Cairo treats the eye to amazing builidngs absolutely everywhere...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Downtown Cairo
On a Friday afternoon in the middle of the holiday season, downtown Cairo was almost spookily quiet.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Rashid on Central Asia/Afghanistan
I still haven't read the book, it's waiting for me. William Dalrymple reviewed it last week for the New York Review of Books and is eminently readable as usual, echoing Rashid's views in his own recent experiences of Pakistan.
The Swedish Committe for Afghanistan argues with the defence minister about the need and direction for Swedish aid.
Svenska Dagbladet here writes about the Swedish PRT in Mazar and development in the northern provinces.
Dagens Nyheter goes to the cinema in Kabul.
Swedish/Pakistani Ishtiaq Ahmed writes of the talibanization of Pakistan.
Other highlights from the past months on Central asia include ICG's report from October on media freedom in Uzbekistan (an issue also at the core of Swedish journalist Elin Jönssons book on Andijan).
Street sales
We spent an early January afternoon walking around in downtown Cairo, enjoying the sun and the absurdly quiet city. As you know from previous excursions, I am fascinated by fruit and vegetable sales!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Congratulations Barack Obama!
And congratulations America!
I remind you today of the name Barack, "blessing". Let us hope, for all of us, that is the case and that Obama can live up to at least some of the hopes placed on his shoulders and his presidency.
I remind you today of the name Barack, "blessing". Let us hope, for all of us, that is the case and that Obama can live up to at least some of the hopes placed on his shoulders and his presidency.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New year's war - and other links...
A nasty flu and deep sadness over the mad war going on has kept me from blogging lately. Now there is at least a ceasefire and a lot (but not all) of the below relates to recent events in the Middle East.
The Nobel prize-awarding Swedish Academy has been given a new permanent secretary, the eminent historian Peter Englund, mostly known for his writings on war and on mentality history-style essays. His most recent book is an expose over individual fates in the first world war, elegantly combing the 2 genres. He is probably the single person to have done most to reach out to a broad readership with a soundly academic historic writing in Sweden today. My (belated) congratulations, not least to the academy!
Irak
Dagens Nyheter writes a longer analysis of Kirkuk and the situation in northern Iraq.
Svenska Dagbladet tells the story of a Palestinian family from Iraq, earmarked by UNHCR for resettlement in smalltown Sweden.
A debate has also taken place on how the situation of Christians in Iraq is viewed, here also from Svenska Dagbladet.
Good news though, Iraq Body Count counts a significantly lower number of Iraqi casualties in 2008 compared to previous years. BBC writes of the Basra museum.
Palestine
ICG published several reports on the situation in Palestine, both before and after tha war in Gaza broke out.
A number of Swedish articles during the Gaza war (some translated):
Nathan Schachar in Dagens Nyheter on the coalition opposing Hamas, Michael Winiarski (same paper) on the marginalization of Abbas, Bitte Hammargren for Svenska Dagbladet on civilian suffering and the passive world, Göran Rosenberg on evil circles of conflict, Amira Hass published in Dagens Nyheter on Israel in the Gaza war, Bitte Hammargren remembers Gaza, Anna Dahlberg for Expressen discusses how to handle Hamas, Olle Svenning for Aftonbladet on all the losers of the war, Peter Löfgren on nurturing monsters, Gideon Levy for Dagens Nyheter on "talking peace, making war", Dagens Nyheter meets the man in the film on Young Freud in Gaza, Dagens Nyheter on Gaza's history, Peter Weiderud in Dagens Nyheter on the need for a dialogue with Hamas, and exploring the importance of Al-Jazeera coverage in Dagens Nyheter.
Athanasiades for the National on Turkey's role in the Gaza war.
Other
ICG also calls attention to the dire straits of Turkish reform and the challenges of 2009... Yavuz Baydar for Utrikesbloggen worries over it too, as does Svante Cornell (also published via Utrikesbloggen - check it out!). I can only agree with Svenska Dagbladet recommending a visit to Cappadocia.
Svenska Dagbladet also writes on government-sponsored matchmaking activities in Iran! Iason Athanasiadis writes for the National on Iran. National also tells of coming 3G services in Iran.
Dagens Nyheter explores the concept of hawala. Their photographer Paul Hansen visited Yemen. The National visits the art biennale in Cairo. Svenska Dagbladet talks to Swedish burger-chain Max on establishing in Saudiarabia (read the whole article, is my tip!).
Dagens Nyheter also writes on prostitution in Europe.
Ingrid Hedström writes for Dagens Nyheter on recent mother French justice minister Dati.
Åsa Petersen for Aftonbladet writes on homophobia and catholicism in Lithuania - another complicated chapter.
Dagens Nyheter on ethnicity and daily life in Sarajevo.
The Nobel prize-awarding Swedish Academy has been given a new permanent secretary, the eminent historian Peter Englund, mostly known for his writings on war and on mentality history-style essays. His most recent book is an expose over individual fates in the first world war, elegantly combing the 2 genres. He is probably the single person to have done most to reach out to a broad readership with a soundly academic historic writing in Sweden today. My (belated) congratulations, not least to the academy!
Irak
Dagens Nyheter writes a longer analysis of Kirkuk and the situation in northern Iraq.
Svenska Dagbladet tells the story of a Palestinian family from Iraq, earmarked by UNHCR for resettlement in smalltown Sweden.
A debate has also taken place on how the situation of Christians in Iraq is viewed, here also from Svenska Dagbladet.
Good news though, Iraq Body Count counts a significantly lower number of Iraqi casualties in 2008 compared to previous years. BBC writes of the Basra museum.
Palestine
ICG published several reports on the situation in Palestine, both before and after tha war in Gaza broke out.
A number of Swedish articles during the Gaza war (some translated):
Nathan Schachar in Dagens Nyheter on the coalition opposing Hamas, Michael Winiarski (same paper) on the marginalization of Abbas, Bitte Hammargren for Svenska Dagbladet on civilian suffering and the passive world, Göran Rosenberg on evil circles of conflict, Amira Hass published in Dagens Nyheter on Israel in the Gaza war, Bitte Hammargren remembers Gaza, Anna Dahlberg for Expressen discusses how to handle Hamas, Olle Svenning for Aftonbladet on all the losers of the war, Peter Löfgren on nurturing monsters, Gideon Levy for Dagens Nyheter on "talking peace, making war", Dagens Nyheter meets the man in the film on Young Freud in Gaza, Dagens Nyheter on Gaza's history, Peter Weiderud in Dagens Nyheter on the need for a dialogue with Hamas, and exploring the importance of Al-Jazeera coverage in Dagens Nyheter.
Athanasiades for the National on Turkey's role in the Gaza war.
Other
ICG also calls attention to the dire straits of Turkish reform and the challenges of 2009... Yavuz Baydar for Utrikesbloggen worries over it too, as does Svante Cornell (also published via Utrikesbloggen - check it out!). I can only agree with Svenska Dagbladet recommending a visit to Cappadocia.
Svenska Dagbladet also writes on government-sponsored matchmaking activities in Iran! Iason Athanasiadis writes for the National on Iran. National also tells of coming 3G services in Iran.
Dagens Nyheter explores the concept of hawala. Their photographer Paul Hansen visited Yemen. The National visits the art biennale in Cairo. Svenska Dagbladet talks to Swedish burger-chain Max on establishing in Saudiarabia (read the whole article, is my tip!).
Dagens Nyheter also writes on prostitution in Europe.
Ingrid Hedström writes for Dagens Nyheter on recent mother French justice minister Dati.
Åsa Petersen for Aftonbladet writes on homophobia and catholicism in Lithuania - another complicated chapter.
Dagens Nyheter on ethnicity and daily life in Sarajevo.
Full moon over Abu Dhabi
Due to a flu-thing, I had very little energy last week. But one evening, I couldn't resist trying to catch the full moon through the net on the kitchen balcony!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Annual human rights report
HRW has published their annual report.
Here is the actual report, released yesterday by Human Rights Watch. You can also find links there for donating to HRW and give your support to the struggle for human rights.
Here is the actual report, released yesterday by Human Rights Watch. You can also find links there for donating to HRW and give your support to the struggle for human rights.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
No Christmas spirit?
Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate with the orthodox today - even if the reasons for joy and peace are far from sight in today's Middle East.
ICG appeals to the world to stop warfare in Gaza.
Thursday update: BBC writes about the terms of reporting from Gaza on the ground these days.
ICG appeals to the world to stop warfare in Gaza.
Thursday update: BBC writes about the terms of reporting from Gaza on the ground these days.
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