Author Archives: admin

Here is an excellent interview with maps, covering the more significant of changes made in Iraq’s provincial borders over the 20th century, by an American PRT planning consultant. There are a couple of information typos by the blogger, but otherwise … Continue reading →

Today this came in from Tahrir: “They just had a priest lead a Christian prayer and they’ll have a Muslim one at noon followed by another Christian prayer at one. During the Christian prayer a Sheikh from Al Azhar was … Continue reading →

In order to keep this blog from going silent, I’m going to try reverting back to what I used to do with truthtalkz, and summarize important news analysis every day.  It adds a step for me, but it might keep … Continue reading →

Over the years I’ve noticed a disturbing trend by government officials all over the world to progressively remove themselves from those needing their services — with many discrepancies remaining between tourism destinations, rich and poor countries, and those who fear … Continue reading →

Dear Governor McDonnell: I write to you today in great distress and concern, about the ongoing state of Commonwealth employees in general, and those toiling in higher education in particular.  After more than 3 years with frozen salaries, on the … Continue reading →

Below is a supplement to the application statement I made in 1998 while applying to Princeton University’s Near Eastern Studies Ph.D program.  At the time, Chicago was pretty much giving me the boot (long story), and I was searching for … Continue reading →

According to BBC, today the UN Security Council lifted most sanctions on Iraq. To understand why most Iraqis would greet this announcement with a mixture of repressed anger, resignation, and cynicism, one needs to review the history of UN sanctions … Continue reading →

Rod Nordland’s article “Killings of Afghan Aid Workers Stirs a Debate” is a solid summary of a longstanding debate about the relationship between humanitarian NGOs and military actors in combat zones.  I have personal recollection of this debate raging within … Continue reading →

The article linked here features an interview with a Pakistani who recently lost his brother-in-law to a drone attack in North Waziristan.  According to the interviewee, his relative died while participating in an evening congregational prayer.  As a result of … Continue reading →