Middle East Focus-Arabia Deserta: Political FourPlay in Cairo, Death of an Iraqi Sheikh, A Saudi War Demand

Arabia Deserta

Political FourPlay in Cairo, Death of an Iraqi Sheikh, A Saudi War Demand

Foreplay in Cairo: an Egyptian state court has sentenced the sditors of four (4) independent newspapers to one year in jail for 'insulting' President Mubarak and 'his son'. I did not realize it was possible to insult an Arab leader, let alone his son. The editors were also accused of spreading rumors and lies about leaders and 'symbols' of the ruling party ( i.e Mubarak et fils). Reports claim there is now some anger in the Egyptian Journalists Union: but don't hold your breath, it was never known for its defense of the freedom of speech- they just want to show that they can think independently of the ruler.

Sheikh Abdul-Sattar Abu Reesha (a.k.a al-Reeshawi) was shown recently on TV basking in the presence of President Bush, eating qoozi (roast stuffed lamb to you infidels), and doing a good PR spin for a desert tribal thane. He was being built up as a hero (a la Pfc. Jessica Lynch, remember her?). Today the young leader of the ad hoc Anbar Revival Counci was blown up along with some bodyguards at the entrance to his home. Clearly al Qaeda is not completely finished in al-Anbar, unless it was an inter-tribal rivalry.

Looks like the Tawafuq (Sunni) front may be fragmenting. One of its ministers (Planning) has decided on his own to rejoin the Maliki cabinet. Meanwhile, there are disagreemenst that will delay finalizing the Oil Law, especially between autonomous-minded Kurdistan and the Arab center.

In the meantime, a slow case for a nasty war with the ruling mullahs of Iran is being prepared through almost daily media leaks that Iranian-made weapons were found in Iraq. It is almost certain that British, American, German, Russian, and Chinese weapons are also found on a daily basis in Iraq (and Afghanistan). Many countries are the sources of 'normal' weapons that are to be found in Iraq, except Arab countries: Arabs haven't yet learned how to make weapons. However, the IED's and cutom-designed weapons like armor-piercing missiles are another thing: no other country is known to make them.

A Sheikh Al Khalil, member of the royal-appointed Council in Saudi Arabia was pissed yesterday while talking on CNN. He was foaming at the mouth that "Iran must get out, be forced out of Iraq, completely out". Fine and dandy, many people inside and outside Iraq agree with the noble sentiment. But Al the worthy thane did not offer his country's blood and treasure to that end: he was implicitly demanding that American boys and girls do his bidding, do the fighting for him as usual. But let's not lose faith, his country is finally 'considering' opening an embassy in Baghdad: now all they need is to find someone who is brave enough to reside in the Iraqi capital. That is what influential countries do, that is what the USA and Iran have done for the past four years.
Cheers
Mohammed