Hezbollah "Spotlights in the Ring"

Iran, in recent days has informed the United Nations of the development of a new uranium enrichment plant in the city of Qom, amidst rising tension and threats of sanctions from the West. Two days before the security council is to meet with Iranian officals, word of the firing of two new rockets capable of travelling 2000 kms, hits the headlines of Israeli and World dailies. Hezbollah, Irans so called proxy militia, with dual loyalty, one nationalistic towards fellow Lebanese and the other Religious towards Shiite Iran, will have to walk a tightrope. Hassan Nasrallah will take steam on what stance to take if Iran is attacked by Israel or the U.S. Two possibilities are conceivable, a premptive strike on Tel Aviv from long range Hezbollah rockets, which will draw the whole of Lebanon into a destructive war, and further isolate a crippled Hezbollah from the demographic fabric of Lebanon. The second possibility would be to not get involved whatsoever, and win the support and backing of their brothern Lebanese by remaining neutral. Such a position would dissappoint and frustrate the Iranian leadership, and be regarded as a U.S backed decision with the support of a Syrian guarantee in keeping Hezbollah on the sidelines. Iran would be in isolation, with increased regional pressure into abandoning its nuclear ambitions and face mounting U.N sanctions. Hezbollah on the other hand would save face internally, and gain needed points with the West, the United Nations and world community as a whole. The issue of their weapons would be further postponed and their involvement in forming a cabinet in the Lebanese government this round would be viewed upon by the west as fundamental. Syria in turn, would improve bilateral relations with the U.S, and gain a wild card in pressing Israel to return the Golan Heights and resume peace talks under no pre conditions. Hezbollah once again will find themselves in a tight ring with spotlights glaring down on what decision to take. Lets hope this time around they take a calculated initiative and not an 'adventurous' move similar to 2006 which paralyzed Lebanon and threw the country into an impasse. The Party of God, will be in for some party, facing extreme internal and external pressure by trying to preserve their clinching victory against Israel on one hand, not betraying Iran, and taking a more nationalistic approach that would gain the respect of their fellow patrons in the streets of Beirut and not Tehran.

The 'Son'

Barrack Obama's inspiring and uplifting 38 minute speech at the United Nations General Assembly this week turned many heads especially those in the anti-American camps of the Middle East. Coming off as ' Im not George Bush' will help earn him points with those whose minds always regarded America as Israel's Mideast backup and sole protector. Speaking in a more moderate and balanced tone than his predeccesor has allowed him win the hearts and minds of those skeptical of Americas past wrong doings. Elaborating on four main pillars for the world to deal and achieve success in, has shown America's new found commitment to a more honest and just hand in world affairs. Be it the Middle east peace initiative, of a two state solution, the cutting down of world nuclear stockpiles, curbing state terrorism by keeping Iran and North Korea at bay and finding a more global solution to the worlds environmental issues, all seem to sit well in most foreign leaders agendas. The 'Son' as Gaffadi reiterated of Obama, has received a glorified backing from even those rogue nations like Libya that at one time labeled America as the Great Satin. Let's hope North Korea and Iran can join the bandwagon and allow true change take form for the benefit of the world as a whole, and not just for a Hawkish few in the high ranks of American power. Change can happen, lets give it a chance, yes it can!

A Beiruti Awakening

This is a poem from my archives' past of 2002,
when Beirut was named the 'cultural capital' of the world.


Beirut who, what, where are you?
To your mysterious lure, give us a clue
your lovers and loathers and hoping to discover
whats your endeavor?
the femme fatal , thats you forever

Beirut you are the pearl rising from the ashes
Bey-routh, you are the lady with unique long lashes
you are the movie flick giving me nostalgic flashes
everyone is trying to capture your heart
for your true admirers loving you is an art

Beirut with your history, your passion, your feelings
your suitors are discovering what your concealing
what it is you are dreaming
the lady of all seasons
you are forever heart, mind and soul pleasing

Adorn...
A city reborn from the tragedies of the past
A city for the future a city built to last
your peoples admiration is steadily growing
in their heart of hearts your flame is glowing
as sure as your skills are in surviving
millions flock back and hope to get thriving
to your rejuvenated heartbeat
up from your prolonged paralyses
back on your feet
amidst your summer heat and tourists to meet
to us you are our God given treat

Beirut, you're the mistress refusing to grow old
forever a beautiful image you try and uphold
glittering with shiny pearls, minks and gold
dignity, serenity, your entire entity
you're one of a kind charming us politely
they chip away at you heart and try to make it new
no matter what the chisel they'll never get through

Your magic your smell, your colors, your tone
rushing though my nerves really hitting home
so what is this they are trying to do to you, whats their hidden scheme?
are you our reality or a foreigners dream
are you for sale to the highest bidder?
lets set this straight you will remain ours forever

Ghaddafi Glitz?

                                        

                      Image Source :sky news

Ghaddafi made his big debut at the United Nations General Assembly, in the 'big apple' under the watchful eyes of 'former' enemies he now regarded as new-found English and American friends. His impressive yet at times confused speech, with all the paper tossing and eye brow raising comments, covered matters ranging from the Kennedy assassination, to Darfur, Vietnam War, Somali Pirates, his Jet lag, and of course new found son, Obama. The General, tired and weary, actually amused the slight few who remained awake or those that were present with his hour and a half long talk of just about everything. He received a few rare hands of applause when he discussed a more positive stance towards the Israeli- Palestinian problem, Americas Post-Obama role in the world and Libya's return to the community of nations. At one point causing an atmosphere of humour and laughter, he called those in the assembly attendance a 'decor', who look pretty yet who's voices go unheard and dissapear. At first it sounded like an elementary a,b,c speech, with no introduction, body, or conclusion, just rambling ideas, thoughts, opinions and proposals dug up from somewhere afar. A performance that will go down in United Nations' Speech archives alongside Yasser Arafats of heyday and Ahmedinajad's of last year will be the talk of the town and late night shows for days to come. What more can you say of a man who has questioned everyone and everything about the history of the worlds events, except himself and the wrong doings of his evil past. With his uncommon protocol choice of female bodyguards, and decision to reside in a tent on the outskirts of the city of bright lights, the man seems to know how to hit New York City with a big bang. Humbleness aside, there is nothing more striking about this four-decade old tyrannt but his hairdo,colorful outfit, and 'unjust' finger flashing peace/victory sign.

Hizbullah and Harriri: A True Unity Government?

 The firing of two rockets from Lebanon into Israel  in response to Hariri's resignation from his PM post yesterday is an 'explosive' signal initiated from Damascus that no new goverment without Syria's conscent would be permitted. A week ago Iran sent signals to the west that if given the green light to pursue its nuclear ambitions it would leviate and stop meddling in other crises in the region; i.e Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Beirut is stuck once again in a regional tug of war game, with the fate of its government cabinet formation now lying at the heart of the conflict. Hariri will be reposted as primeminster with strong backing support from the majority, including Berri's vote, leaving Michel Aoun, once again cornered without a complete Hizbullah umbrella coverup. For it is Hizbullah that has suprisingly pushed for Hariri's re-nomination stressing the importance of partnership in a unity government. Gebran Bassil may have to sit on the sidelines, accept defeat, stand and support reform and change that his party preaches instead of trying to salk and sneak his way back in through the back door. March 8 has received enough concessions from the ruling party, with a 15-10-5 formula to their favor, a ministerial seat close to the president supported by hizbullah, and the re-election of Nabih Berri as the Speaker of the House. Not to mention the number of portfolios designated for the FPM and the blocking one third vote in government that was the root of this crisis three years ago. Hizbullah out of all parties concerned, seems to be emerging with a matured level of political manuevering, working to unite all parties with its powerful defiance to Israel this time through words not rockets. The firing of rockets into Israel these days is left to those groups trying to rise into Lebanons political arena as proxy tools while Hizbullah has passed the test and proved time and time again that it can comfortably enter through open doors.

Leb Vote: for hope...nope.

Syrian free elections
nostalgic reflections of the past
its about who got grassed
used, forgotten and sadly trashed
and the lucky allliance baathist few who made it fast

You gotta be from a feudal political family to get ahead
honesty, good deeds, and will dont buy you bread
with our infamous political history dont expect to be led
a wasta to roam for, or else your pretty much left dead
why vote for anyone?
when the outcome is the same as the past 15 years with nothing really done
a political lord, maintaining, preserving, gaining and reserving that seat is priority job one
with his rigged elections to run
a political war fought today without the barrel sounds of a gun
2005, you'd expect a vibrant society consciously alive
2009, you' anticipate some real change that things are now fine
its around his bee hive
they swarm to stay alive
polling to the voting
bribes and lies
ballots stollen
campaigns rolling
with maufactured lists
foreign money n dollars twisting a few wrists
gift as a bribe you cant resist
or take it the other way; a flat end of a fist
whats the aim of this absurd game?
it aint who to blame
its all about filling the empty pockets of some no name
trying to grab a seat and clinch their way to fortune and fame
they've mastered their control over a blinded society they've learn to tame
we've all become numbers, weve all become the same

Post Elections '09 After thoughts

After voting for an electoral list of my own liberal choice in my hometown in South Lebanon, I was surprisingly handed a thank you gesture note as I departed the polling station. Bribes, what bribes? I actually thought i'd cast my vote and come home empty handed, but luckily what do you know, a full gas tank isnt that bad now is it? So much for the 'transparency' in the elections lol, and how did the generous folks of that electoral team know who i voted for anyways? beats me

In the end, some people were given free airline tickets to Lebanon, free car rentals, and others household gifts. I voted for the people i wanted and got a free ride home, sweet.

Springtime 09: Election time

So it was the big summer opener, no not sky bar but the June parliamentary elections 09, where Lebanese from across the world flocked back to cast their 'honest' votes in search for a renewed post-Syrian occupied Lebanon. A stable, progressive, and prospective Lebanon one can return to, years' long ambitions stored in the back of every Lebanese in the Diasporas' mind. A record high turned out for the polls, at Beirut's Rafiq Harriri International airport, planes were landing faster and in larger numbers ever precedented, the elections were to be a success. Yet in Lebanon, we have no winners, or losers, in fact we rarely have results we can agree on let alone rely on as facts. March 14, the victors, as pre-announced by the Hezbollah electoral mechanism, and eventually the Ministry of Interior was in for a harder battle post election time. Cabinet formation in itself has proved to be a daunting nightmare for all, with March 14, clinching victory, their camp was entitled to a larger number of ministerial portfolios in comparison to the march 8 camp. The essential block of 4, namely the ministry of justice, foreign affairs, interior and finance are the most sought after seats to claim with each side pulling them to their favour.
The juggling of numbers for each side in government has become small talk in every Lebanese household, 15-10-5, 14-11-5, 10-10-10, just like keeping score for international sporting events. In Lebanon we don't have televised events to keep us buisy par say and keep score, politics has sadly become our sole national sport. The long forgotten successes of our basketball clubs, Sagesse or Sporting have become a distant memory in Lebanon's historical sport fads of the past.
Now jump ahead from June to September of this same year we are still without a functioning government represented by all Lebanese. This is our status Quo of today, or has become such for the past decade, and will remain so in the future, as long as our political rival leaders keep the bickering and disagreements ahead of the national interest of their country. We will just have to wait and see who gets what in Lebanon's' musical chair saga and if there will be enough seats to please everyone and leave the events of May '08 in our long forgotten memory. Yeah right.