Shameless Sibling Promotion

So for the second post in a row, my sister makes an appearance.

Check out this cool merch she designed to remind you just how terrifying Sarah Palin really is.

Busta Rhymes' Orientalism [updated]

My sister pointed me towards Busta Rhymes' newest (and most hilarious?) song, "Arab Money," off the soon to be released CD, BOMB (Back on My Bulls**t):



Busta makes some interesting points not only about our dependence on foreign oil, but on the role of petrol-dollars in the current financial crisis. But more importantly, could this song be the first fruits of a cross-pollination of American consumerism (which has reached its highest stage in the Baconator) and Gulf consumerism (which may have reached its highest stage in the diamond-studded LCD TV)?

Busta Rhymes: my new favorite orientalist!

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I recommend you check out the lyrics.

Oh, and There's this War Too

This video is a truly fascinating look into the functioning of the Taliban in Afghanistan.





(From Prisoner of Starvation by way of 3arabawy)

War, What War?

So in case you missed it because you were freaking out about that massive financial crisis that the rest of the blogosphere seems to be really interested in, Iraq finally reached a deal on a provincial elections law! (This in the same week that they reached a deal with Shell Oil and tied for second on the Transparency International list of most corrupt countries.)

Iraqologist over at Abu Muquwama (perhalps the best blog period?) has a great post on how the elections will actually work and some fo the problems that may arise. (And as an explanation for the abreviations: PTB=Powers that Be and PTA=Powers that Arent. These come from another great post here.)

Back to Work, Back to Blogging

FINALLY! A new post. And while i still have some things to write about from my most recent trip to the ME (like the hooded tank-tops which are all the rage with young men in the West Bank nowadays), this blog is a bout take a radical turn.

Over the next several months, as I immerse myself in my thesis work and in trying to find a way to go back to the ME after graduation, I plan on blogging mostly about this process. One of the main things I'd like to do, is to compile useful resources for other students trying to do work in Islamic or Middle East studies or seeking to move to the ME.

I already have some stuff I've been thinking about to post on. But for now I actually am going to do some work.

Time to Drink the Nile Water

According to reports in the Egytian media, Saudi Sheikh Abdel Aziz Ibrahim, owner of the Grand Hyatt Cairo (which I actually think is the best Hotel in Cairo, if for no other reason than their gym and lobby), poured roughly $1.5m worth of alcohol into the Nile. The whole process, which took place at the back part of the hotel (which takes up most of a small island in the Nile), was observed by a "small committee." I wonder if there was crying.

Some worry that the decision by the Sheikh to no longer sell alcohol may endanger the Hotel's "five-star" rating. Another member of the management said:

“This is one of the things a foreigner would look for at a five-star hotel. As a foreigner, you know, you might need a beer when you have lunch.”

Funny thing is, I think the foreigners most upset about it would be the Saudis.

More importantly, does the ban effect the Hard Rock? LE100 wings and Heineken just isn't the same without the beer.

The Situation in Lebanon

So I've been following the goings on in Beirut and trying to make sense of exactly whats going on. Honestly I can't say I know that much about the situation, or Lebanon in general, but these are the news sources that I have found useful:

By far the best coverage (with virtually up-to-the-minute updates) is Naharnet.

The CS Monitor has good coverage as well here and here(maybe because they actually have foreign bureaus). Their coverage is especially useful for understanding how this started.

As you will recall, Lebanon was the site of political unrest this fall over electing the government. Read a brief summary here.