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Dear Peter, in your Syria 155 post you are showing a photoshopped picture of the syrian peace talks in Vienna. Although I personnaly love the german Postillion and the whole story is a funny, but sad joke – it should be quoted as this. You can read the full story here: http://www.watson.ch/!594175821
Vielen Dank Johannes! A very funny wind-up that went viral! My radar was suspicious at the time – you develop a nose for these things – but was unable to check it further. Very funny all the same. PC.
You are welcome Peter! By the way: I really like your blog. It is the best source of information on Syria one can get today. I read it every second day . Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your comments, Johannes. Much appreciated – and blog now amended! PC.
Democracy is the best..but sometimes..in certain places..a group bad people will take advantage on open democracy to oppress and enslave others..For example ,now America in in the hand of Zionist Jews who planning to destroy Arab by using American force.I see clearly how America divided them badly to fight each others.In democracy a group of bad people will bribe the rest of people to gain power..and they will win.Otherwise in monarchy and dictatorship the best and the cleverest among people can,t be leaders.This is bad.I guess it is morally people who is the best to be leaders..not refer what kind of political instrument they have…that is my guess.Your web is amazing..it is in very detail on new in syria.and Iraq.Thaks.
Thanks for your comments Zab. I too have my doubts about “democracy”. Too often it is controlled by the elite and wealthy and not representative of the people and the majority aspirations at all. Perhaps we need something else – though I am not quite sure what that is yet. Something I hope to write about in the future. And most “royal families” (that’s a joke in my view – as though in reality they are any different from the rest of us!) that control countries, do so with abuse and despotic power to further the ends of the their family and relatives. As for murdering dictators like Assad … well words fail me. And of course the Islamic State, murdering left, right and centre while masquerading as religious and spiritual – that’s about the worst. PC
Peter, I’m disappointed you let the broad accusation by Zab on American “Zionists planning to destroy Arabs” comment go unnoticed. This is a ridiculous calumny, to accuse Jews in America that support for the tiny Jewish State is a plot against Arabs in general. Further, Israel already lost 77% of the Mandate for a Jewish Homeland, to Jordan, unrightfully. Israel hold a miniscule fraction of a percent of the huge Arab landmass of 22 countries. So this comment was the all too common falsehood and slander used to deny the Jewish people a minimum sized refuge, while the slanderers hold huge territories and run undemicratic states that are the worst abusersof human rights.
Thanks B Zion. I don’t remember this particular comment, it must be a while back. However, I tend to keep out of the Israeli/Zionist/ Palestinian debate as it is not my current focus. Having said that, I have lived in Israel for a while, so probably know more about the real situation on the ground than most. Again, rigid sectarian and religious views on both sides sadly restrict people’s ability to be humane. PC.
I’m interested to know, after reading this biography, why you are focusing on the Middle East/North Africa here? Whereabouts are you at the moment?
UK. though I have travelled widely lived in 4 countries and worked in 7. PC
Have you lived in the Middle East as well? Why are you specifically writing about Bahrain, Yemen, Syria and Libya?
Best wishes, Katy
Just human rights issues which I found interesting and current.
There is no formal (accurate) census regarding the % of Shiites to Sunnis in Bahrain. The Shiite population may be slightly higher but they are certainly not the majority as promoted everywhere in the West by our own Human Rights activists.
We too believed for a long time that the Shiites were discriminated against, that they were not treated well by the Government, that the Government had their own small circle of citizens (both Shiites and Sunnis) which were favoured for promotions, appointment to prestigious positions, receive grants and gifts of land and property etc etc. As a result of this belief many Sunnis supported Shiite recruitment, traning, promotion and gave them preferential opportunities in employment in public and government organizations or even provately owned businesses. It is a known fact that the majority of businesses that are owned by Sunni business people have both Sunni and Shiite Bahrains working for them. But you will not find Sunnis in businesses that are owned by Shiites business persons. It is a known fact that the Shiites discriminate and not discriminated against. It is a known fact that there are 100s of very rich Shiites in Bahrain and yet they continue to claim oppression and unfair treatment.It is a known fact that once a Shiite is in a postion of decision making that there is no chance in hell for anyone other than their own people to get employed or promoted. The discrimination that is practised by some goes beyond discriminating between shiites and sunnis. Some discriminate on the basis of the villages they come from or the religious leader they follow. Some of those who are now appearing as activists and Human Right fighters are simply jumping on the opportunity to get rid of the ruling family becasue of the historic hatred they held for this family. The Shiites consider themselves the ethnic citizens of Bahrain. All the rest are foreigners. This is completely and utterly not true. Many of those Shiites have originated from Saudi Aribia, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran. This is also true in the case of the Sunni population. Bahrain has been and still is a port and Island and as such movement of people back and forth was a natural way of life. My own Grandfather came from the South of Iran in late 1800s, my father was born in 1918 and died at the age of almost 100 in 2004. The Shiites still refer to me and to my grand children as Persians.
The situation is not as it seems. No doubt the Government has not acted very wisely in some instances but in general our Government is not as bad as it has been made to look.
Regards
Mariam
Mariam, I have had to edit this slightly as it was rather long. Was going to cut more, but decided in the end that viewpoint was balanced. Wikipedia quotes the Shia population as 70%, as agreed by most analysts. I am aware that there is a very large population of non-national immigrants,which make me inclined to think that the Government is determinedly trying to swing the population towards a Sunni majority. Nor do I think, by the way, that the Shia population always get it right. Their treatment of some Asians during the disturbances was appalling. Equally, the treatment of many middle class Shia who supported the protests has successfully alienated a generation of well educated Moslems. None of what you say however, gets away from the fact that the Al-Khaifa family is autocratic, probably corrupt and has been in power far too long for their to be any chance of transparency or proper accountability. The only real way forward is a democratically elected Government that protects the rights of all citizens equally. PC
Dear Peter
I read your various blogs about Bahrain with interest and respect the fact that you are entitled to express your views and opinion about the situation in Bahrain. However, you should be aware that your articles are annoying and very hertful to the cititzens who do not share your views.
It is fine to side with whomever you want but its not fine for you to speak in a tone that separates Bahrain into “Shias and Al Khalifas”!!! as if no one else lives in this country. No sunnis, no Jews, no Chirstians, no Budhist, no Bahaies etc etc
You are entitled to voice your opinion and side with whomever you wish with or without having real evidences. But you have no right to dismiss the existance of other citizens simply becasue they disagree or disapprove of the recent up rising. To disagree with the up rising methods and language, does not make me a supporter of tyrani or oppression but, like you, I have the right the have a view.
regards
Mariam Janahi
Dear Mariam, Thank you for your comments. I respect your views too, which is why I have published them in full. I only wish well for all Bahrainis, whatever their ethnic, tribal or religious backgrounds. However, human rights abuse in Bahrain has clearly been demonstrated to an extreme degree and it has mainly been concentrated against the Shia majority. That is why I have concentrated my ire on the controlling minority Sunni population and the Al-Khalifa family, for they are the key to all this. If they can move into the 21st century and share their privilege, power, land and wealth in a more equable and democratic way then all will be well. And I will write about somethng else. Best wishes, PC.
I merely wanted to tell you how much I appreciate every little thing you’ve contributed to help enhance the lives of folks,through your current articles. It truly is truly a tribute to your endeavours. Thanks.