Heretical Offerings

Rosy Scenarios & Regional Realities

Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:00 AM EST

The Saudis, led by prince Bandar, seems to be doing a really great job trying to break up the HISH Alliance. They are doing this by engaging both the weakest and strongest links in the Alliance.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , ,
3
0 Comments

The New Revolutionaries

Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:52 AM EST

When I launched my blog on February 6, 2005 I never imagined that it would become an obsession of mine or a mini-phenomenon for many people interested in the region.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , ,
8
0 Comments

So, What's on My Zune?

Wed Feb 7, 2007 1:01 AM EST

In the second part to the interview with Assads (video, text) Diane Sawyer managed to redeem herself slightly at least by raising the issues of the Hariri investigation and human rights. But hers was still a light approach that allowed our very own spineless version of Mr.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , ,
5
0 Comments

So, What Do You Have On Your iPod?

Mon Feb 5, 2007 9:53 PM EST

Imagine this: you are a well-known TV correspondent and you now have a rare occasion to interview one of the main troublemakers in one of the world's most turbulent and troubled regions, so, what would you do? What would you ask him about?

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , ,
8
2 Comments

To Engage or Not to Engage

Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:55 AM EST

I have been repeatedly asked before as to my policy recommendations to the current administrations will be. This statement of mine, which I recently sent for inclusion in the European Parliament file on the Association Agreement with Syria, might be helpful in this regard.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , ,
4
0 Comments

The Heretic & the Cause

Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:39 PM EST

I never really had high expectations for the American venture in Iraq, because I have always known that the challenges of modernization and democratization are too enormous to be handled in such manner.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
5
0 Comments

Blood & Circumstance

Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:34 PM EST

The attacks on Syrian refugees in Iraq are increasing by the day, scores have been killed so far, and dozens have been rendered homeless or under arrest as terrorists.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
5
2 Comments

Notes from a Conference

Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:13 PM EST

* You can always hold our leaders to their words, for they always speak in good faith, right until they act in bad one.

Continue reading this entry ...

,
5
11 Comments

The Year of Living Farcically

Tue Jan 2, 2007 1:59 AM EST

The year of 2006 has been quite a strange one indeed. But then any year that starts with the defection of a Khaddam, the long time VP of an embattled regime, and ends with the execution of a Saddam, the father of all VIPs of a fallen one, is just bound to be strange I guess.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , ,
9
3 Comments

A Heretic in the Wind!

Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:14 AM EST

A recent article in the Time paints me as the central figure of some cockamamie covert plot to overthrow the Syrian regime.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , ,
15
6 Comments

A Call for Action

Thu Dec 14, 2006 6:22 PM EST

Well, it seems that a stream of senators is planning to follow in the footsteps of Senator Bill Nelson and go to Syria to engage the ever so charming Ass…ads. Well, I say, let's give them a piece of our minds about that.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
10
3 Comments

The Death of Moderation

Mon Dec 4, 2006 2:23 AM EST

What can be said about the current developments in Lebanon except that we might be seeing the prelude to a civil war? What could really be more telling than this?

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , ,
4
0 Comments

A Tragicomedy of Errors!

Sun Dec 3, 2006 1:04 AM EST

Voices are being raised on a daily basis tying progress in resolving the current situation in Iraq and the standoff with Iran to a peaceful conclusion of the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , , , ,
6
4 Comments

Of Exile, Guilt and Messianic Aspirations

Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:09 PM EST

I seem to be on my way back to the spotlight again, at least for a brief spate.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , ,
4
0 Comments

The HISHee Rebellion

Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:03 AM EST

The assassination of Pierre Gemayel is not some haphazard ill-timed event, but a carefully calculated one meant to help push Lebanon further and further along the path of internal implosion.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , , , ,
6
2 Comments

A Heretical Contribution towards A New World Order

Thu Nov 2, 2006 2:32 AM EST

This whole divide between neocons and realists, between democracy-advocates and engagement-advocates is in fact quite meaningless and rather beside the point.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , ,
9
5 Comments

Engaging Syria - Opportunity or Ambush?

Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:47 PM EDT

The following is a bullet-point summary of my recent presentation at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. The "other side," so to speak was represented by my favorite sparring partner Joshua Landis.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , , , ,
6
6 Comments

A Few Heresies in Honor of the Ramadan Season!

Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:51 PM EDT

Ramadan. The most hedonistic time of the Muslim year. So, hedonistic, in fact, it might as well be called the Muslim Christmas or Hanukah.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
8
2 Comments

Few personal notes on the making of suicide bombers

Mon Oct 9, 2006 5:09 PM EDT

Much has been written and said about the phenomenon of suicide bombing recently, and though only recently launched, the Tharwa Commentary could not but address the issue.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
11
2 Comments

Democracy vs. Engagement!

Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:26 AM EDT

In the aftermath of 9/11, democracy became a catch-word that was repeatedly enunciated by various American officials and commentators, from the President down, and brandished as some kind of magic weapon that can help make the differenced in the Global War on Terror.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , , , ,
7
2 Comments

War Cries & Blame Games

Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:38 PM EDT

Cool heads do not seem destined to prevail in the region these days. They are too few to begin with. In fact, I can only count one: Fouad Seniora.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , ,
10
0 Comments

We, the Barbarians

Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:54 AM EDT

Have all leaders, religious and political, in the so-called Muslim World, become illiterate all of a sudden? Or are they intent on using every little opportunity that presents itself to prove in deed what they continue to deny in words, namely: that Islamic civilization and cultu …

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , , , , ,
19
24 Comments

Dont Be Too Quick to Thank the Assads

Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:56 AM EDT

Previous Islamist attacks in Syria have always looked suspicious, even staged, to most onlookers and analysts, their particular sympathies, be they pro-regime or anti-regime, notwithstanding. The reason for this was the choice of target, namely: empty buildings.

Continue reading this entry ...

, , , , ,
5
0 Comments
– Show More

About Ammar

Articles Posted: 53
Links Seeded: 10
Member Since: 7/2006Last Seen: 5/20/2007

Ammar Abdulhamid was born on May 30, 1966 to a well-known artistic family in Damascus, Syria.

– Read More

Articles & Seeds By Tag

Ammar's Friends

Neron Kesar
urbane gorilla
Ali Mostofi
Keld Bach
AdipicAcid
Lance
Jim Dent
roger3000
Marilyn L
Captain Nemo
– Show More

Recommendations

Ammar is not offering any recommendations at this time.

Watchlist

Authors:

Tags:

  • (none)

Ammar's Feeds

Subscribe to Ammar's content using the feeds below. Use RSS for your newsreader and JSS to insert onto your own blog:
  • Articles
  • Seeds