Any Good Movies Playing In Iran These Days? Well, Yes As A Matter Of Fact.

So I just finished watching Bahman Ghobadi's "A Time For Drunken Horses" again, and I must say, it was better the second time around. After having time to sort my thoughts and place my historical knowledge into context, I was able to watch this movie with a much more sophisticated perspective.

Ghobadi, the director, is an Iranian that grew up Kurdish, a race of people situated in-between the borders of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. He was an assistant director on many other well known Iranian films, but "A Time For Drunken Horses" is his first feature film. The film is mainly about a group of Kurdish children of various ages trying to survive in the region known as Kurdistan. It's a quick movie, and worth a viewing.

After the movie was over, I was prompted once again to do more research into the "Kurdish question". That is, what is their current state of affair? Well after hours of searching, and reading multiple articles, I have selected a few that I thought interesting and in sinc with the tone of the movie. If you have not seen it, I suggest adding it to the netflix list, or getting a copy and taking the 60 minutes or so to watch it.

Links to a few articles to check out:

To Kurdistan as a tourist? Yep.

http://www.kurdishglobe.net/displayArticle.jsp?id=E86607D4037F609E1C8D1D484C076A21

Who are the Kurds?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/daily/feb99/kurdprofile.htm

http://www.cool.mb.ca/~kakel/kurds.html

A MUST VISIT:

http://www.thekurds.net/

The huffington post for Kurds:

http://www.al-bab.com/arab/background/kurds.htm

Was it the PFLP-GC who fired those rockets across the Blue Line?

Let me be the first person on the Internet to suggest that the PFLP-GC was responsible for firing those katyushas rockets into Israel today.

It sure does not seem like Hezbollah style. They do not mess around with two rockets. And, they might get some serious power now that our dear friend Saad has resigned from forming a government in Lebanon.

Remember, it was confirmed that it was the PFLP-GC did it last January. They have two military training bases in south Lebanon and they have shown that they are not afraid to shoot across the Blue Line.

As for the question of "why now?" I can give three reasons:

1. According to the Ma'an news agency, "Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has released a fully researched and cross-referenced list of casualties from Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip in December and January." Half, it turns out, were civilians. This kind of stuff really angers Palestinians--and for good reason.

2. Saad steps down in Lebanon. And this attack helps weaken UN Security Res 1701, that ended the 2006 War. Perhaps the PFLP-GC could have done this with Hezbollah's blessing, as they too want to see 1701 weaker. Most Middle East people I know seem to say the next clash between Israel and Hezbollah is only a matter time.

3. PLO is looking a little too ready to sign a deal at the moment. Keep in mind that the PFLP-GF (and the PFLP) is not interested in a two-state solution, but still, they would not "get in the way of it."

So, we wait and see if any of these speculations are worth a damn.

Update: Israeli channel 10 news has reported that "Palestinian faction in Lebanon has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire." Still no word on the PFLP-GC though.

Update II: UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army have found the "wooden platforms" used in the Lebanese rocket launching. NOW Lebanon confirms that Israel responded with 15 rockets in the village of al-Qleileh.

"So wait, you're saying that Lebnaon isn't a democracy? Well, then, what is it?

Ok. Fine. Plenty of Lebanese will tell you that Lebanon is a democracy. But let's be honest, it is a "participatory system," at best. Remember how March 8 won over 60% of the popular vote last June 7, yet March 14 won the most MP's? Lebanon is gerrymandered beyond even Lebanese humor. (And then we could go into the National Pact, and so forth...)

(The cedar tree is perhaps the only symbol of unity in Lebanon. It is thought to go back to the days of Mount Lebanon: the only thing that resembles a historical polis in the area.)

So there is a weak government in Beirut. That is for sure. But what kind of state is Lebanon? I mean, who holds the power in this diverse Mediterranean country?

A few posts ago I quoted Robert Fisk in his book, Pity the Nation (A must read for all Casbahites). After two months in Lebanon--traveling, reporting and continuing to better my Arabic--I think Fisk hits the nail on the head when he says:

"For Lebanon was run by the zaim (or, more accurately, zuama), the 'leaders', the powerful feudal chieftains’ whom the Lebanese would describes as 'honored families' but whom the average Westerner would quickly identify as mafiosi. Every community, every tribe had produced its leaders who pronouncements, conspicuous wealth, bodyguards, cruelty, education and private armies proved more efficacious than any electoral appeal. Their principal characteristics were a declared love of Lebanon, a publicly expressed desire to respect the National Covenant and the ruthless determination to ensure that their power was passed on to their sons."

And I am serious when I recommend reading this passage a few times over.

When Saad Hariri recently stepped down from PM-designate, he didn't just step down, but he did along with his flashy, Future Movement, Sunni Muslim kin. Who shall be next? Fouad Siniora? After another Doha round? Only time shall tell.

But what is clear is that the next PM will come from within one of these quasi-feudal systems.

This is Lebanon: a political scientists dream of clear cut institutions on the outside, a meddling of cut-throat internal "who's who" on the inside.

Anyone disagree?

Obama comes to Bethlehem

Walking into Bethlehem Olive Wood and Supplies the other day, I was greeted by a most unexpected guest. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Ok, so it wasn’t Obama himself, but a bust carved from Bethlehem olive wood.

Nevertheless, there he stood: head high and staring off into the distant hills of Bethlehem.
But really, when was the last time anyone saw a tribute to an American president in the West Bank? It was time for questions.

The Master who runs the shop (his customers literally refer to him as The Master) said that the production of the Obama head is the latest idea to come out of his Bethlehem-based workshop.

“People like Obama here in Palestine. None of us thought he could win. And when he did, well, it gave us hope. People thought that if he could do it, so could we.”

“We kept hearing that Obama was going to come to Bethlehem, so I thought I’d carve him something. It was going to be a gift from the people of Bethlehem.”

“But he never came. I still have my head. Do you know how I can give it to him?”

Bethlehem Olive Wood and Supplies is located just down the street from the Church of Nativity, the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Tourists and locals alike often visit The Master’s shop as it represents the highest quality in Bethlehem wood crafting.

“This is how many Christian families [in Bethlehem] make a living.” “We learn how to carve olive wood from our parents and grandparents… since the days of Jesus our families have been doing this. We carry on their tradition.”

Bethlehem craftsmen get their wood from the clippings of the olive trees on the outskirts of town. It makes for a sustainable business and causes no harm to the actual olive trees.

“People are always asking questions on how we get our wood. With all the [Israeli] settlements that are being built around here, they keep uprooting our olive trees. This is very sad for us.”

“Really though, it is about respect. We have always respected this land, the trees. It has been like this since the time of Jesus.”

With tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims coming to visit Bethlehem every year, many look to buy a souvenir from the Holy Land that supports its people and fits in history.

“Tourists have been asking about the Obama head. They, like you, can’t believe that we would have something like this [Obama head] out here. We want to welcome everyone from everywhere. Jesus is important to all of us. We want people to see that Bethlehem is a peaceful place. We are a peaceful people.”

“I really like that phrase Obama uses: ‘Yes we can.’ It gives me hope just saying it.' And many of us thought that with Obama’s background and everything, well, he would come to free us.”

“See, Palestinians live with the Israeli occupation. We are constantly going through checkpoints, getting arrested and having to deal with Israel telling our tourists that we are terrorists.”

“Please, we are from Bethlehem.”


The Obama head is now being sold for 74.95 with a mahogany base that has “Yes we can” inscribed on it. The original still waits at The Master's shop for President Obama’s himself.

Originally published at the Ma'an news agency

Cult leader Jaerock Lee leads pro-Israel 'crusade'

Amidst a beaming glimmer of flashing lights stood Korean Evangelist leader Dr Jaerock Lee, at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on Sunday night.

On Dr Lee’s self-described “crusade to Israel,” the controversial pastor brought at least 3,000 of his followers, from over 36 different countries to an international multicultural festival and mass prayer rally.

(The video I took of the rally. Make sure to see the guy at the end.)

In the past, Dr Lee has made bizarre assertions that he has divine powers and can medically heal illnesses including as cancer and now swine flu.

Responding to a question from Ma’an, Dr Lee reaffirmed these claims on Sunday night, adding that he “only obeys the will of God.” In a sermon in 1998, according to the Jerusalem Post, Dr Lee also claimed to be “sinless and exempted from dying."

Click here to read the rest.

How many a Gazen killed?

Everyone remembers Operation Cast Lead, right? It was the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza last January.

In short, it was largely a political war. Israeli parties Kadima and Labor were both behind in the polls and they wanted to show people that Likud wasn't the only option for being "tough of terror." And so they cracked down on the Rafa tunnels and broke the cesefire. (Hamas also helped in this process as well. They are an easyir sell when Likud is in power.)

According to the Ma'an news agency:

…the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has released a fully researched and
cross-referenced list of casualties from Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s war on
the Gaza Strip in December and January.

In short, here are some of the numbers: 1,419 Palestinians were killed including 1,167 non-combatants and 252 resistance activists. Only a few Israelis were killed. And about half was friendly-fire/self-inflicted.

Click here to read the report in English.


Update: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia last Monday to talk about the arms flowing to Syria, Iran and Hezbollah. He was originally reported as "missing."

Update II: A very interesting piece (and the comments as well) on the issue of "return" for the Palestinians. It is from the Israeli perspective.

Only in Lebanon could the Israelis have allied with the Nazi admirers

I just finished reading the 1,000+ page Jewish epic, The Source. Whoa, what a book. I could not recommend it more.

Since then, I have turned to Beirut-based Independent journalist, Robert Fisk, for an account of the Lebanese Civil War. Yep, I’m reading the 800+ page not-so-epic tragedy, Pity the Nation. Excellent read I may add.

Both books tell a side of history that are similar, yet different in perspective. For the Jewish Zionist, it was about connecting to an ancient past and security for the kin. As for Fisk and the Lebanese perspective, Lebanon seemed to be doing just fine until the Zionist created hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees that fled into Lebanon, thus creating Lebanese refugees in their own country.

I want to share an irony from Fisk’s book that seemed to illustrate just how crazy the Lebanese Civil War was. Here is what Fisk wrote after meeting with Christian nationalist leader, Pierre Gemayel:

“He calls them the ‘fifth column’ [Palestinian refugees in Lebanon] and he
means it. ‘They were a subversive presence here,’ he says. ‘There was a war, not
between us and the Lebanese, but between us and the Palestinians, who tried to
conquer Lebanon and take Lebanon and occupy it. They wanted to dissolve Lebanon
in the Arab world.’ And one is conscious as Pierre Gemayel speaks—unfairly
perhaps but the parallel is there—of another, infinitely more vulnerable
minority which another government blamed, back in the 1930s, for its own social
ills [Jews].

--Pity the Nation, P73.

Pierre Gemayel also said:

“We went to the Olympic Games of 1936 in Berlin. And I saw this discipline and
order. And I said to myself: ‘Why can’t we do the same thing in Lebanon?’

Keep in mind gang that Gemayel’s Christian nationalist Phalange Party found a lot of inspiration in the national-socialist movement in Germany. Keep in mind gang that they were a close ally of Israel during the Lebanese Civil War. Unbelievable, right? Only in Lebanon could the Israelis have allied with the Nazi admirers.

I have a feature coming out about the Sabra and Chatila massacre in a few days. It will further address and explain this tragic and bizarre history. And yes, it shall be posted on The Casbah.


Update: Current wacko and former Presidential long shot Mike Huckabee has said: "that Palestinians deserved a state of their own, just not here in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." As for the new proposal? Move Palestine to California. Wow. And I thought that Korean cult guy in Jerusalem I covered the other day was nuts.