Asia

Hizbollah on edge in face of Syria revolt

By Rana Moussaoui Agence France-Presse, Jordan Times. BEIRUT – The unprecedented revolt threatening the regime in Syria has placed key ally Hizbollah in a tight spot and prompted the Lebanese group to adopt a more measured attitude, analysts say. “Hizbollah’s margin of manoeuvre is currently very limited because the strategic […]

Israel, Palestinians Clash Over UN Recognition

Israeli and Palestinian envoys have squared off at the United Nations Security Council over plans to seek U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state in September. The Palestinian U.N. observer, Riyad Mansour, said Tuesday that seeking recognition would not hurt the peace process and would instead strengthen efforts to achieve a […]

Colonising with impunity

There was hardly any international reaction, or an even Arab reaction for that matter, to the latest Israeli plan to build hundreds of housing units in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority did voice some concern but it was also muted. It is as if the world has become numb […]

Country profile: Iraq

Iraq, in an area once home to some of the earliest civilisations, became a battleground for competing forces after the US-led ousting of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. The Shia-led government struggled to restore order until a “surge” of US troops in late 2007 began to push insurgents and militias […]

Sitting in Israel, seeing Norway

Mia Habib tries to make sense of misplaced irony in Norwegians, Israelis reaction to tragic weekend events in Oslo …….. As a Norwegian in Israel, I have spent my time on Facebook catching the Norwegian reactions to the attacks and reading news non-stop. I would like to refer to quotes […]

Editorial: Terror strikes Norway

The Jakarta Post Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the people of Norway following the death of more than 90 people in two separate, but most likely coordinated, attacks on Friday. News of the bomb attack at the prime minister’s office in Oslo was later followed by reports of […]

Sufi ensemble provides touch of spirituality

By Muath Freij, Jordan Times JERASH – The Turkish Galata Mevlevi Music and Sema Ensemble provided music fans with a touch of spirituality at the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts on Saturday. More than 1,000 attendees were exposed to the beauty and spirituality of the Sema, the Mevlevi whirling […]

Ashkenazi Jews rank smartest in world

Studies show descendants of Jews from Medieval Germany, throughout Europe have IQ 20% higher than global average Is it possible for your ancestry, religious affiliation, or nationality to determine your intellect? According to a study performed by Cambridge University called, “From Chance to Choice: Genetic and Justice,” Ashkenazi Jews have […]