Kuwait Airways and the World

A few members of my family are, or have been, employees of Kuwait Airways, and as a consequence, I've been privy to some of the perks of being related to an airline employee in the past (special treatment discounted tickets, etc..), but that was a different time, and the airline world was quite a different one as well. 

Back then, Kuwait Airways 'loaned' some of their aircraft to the likes of Emirates and Gulf Air, the quality and skills of Kuwait Airways' Engineers (real engineers, not licensed mechanics, although even they were quite proficient) were neck-to-neck with the most intelligent and successful people in the industry - it was that good, and it was the '90's...before the Iraqi Occupation.

10 Years Later: Iraq & Kuwait

Image source:AFP

I've noticed quite a lot of hype over the Western Media about the 10th Anniversary of the US-led Invasion of Iraq (and Arab media, who of course copy-and-paste all current events from the Western Media, as they usually do!).

"U.S.-Led Invasion"! Think about it....

Sh. Saud Nasir Al Sabah

I'm not easily moved by any particular public figure, as I have an overall belief that any public figure isn't as public or as open as one may be led to believe. Ulterior motives and conspiracy theories aside, however, there are a select few of them that I feel personally attached to, Sheikh Saud Nasir Al Sabah was one of them.

I say "was", because I'm quite saddened to say that he has passed away last night, after a long struggle with illness lately. And while a part of me is quite saddened to have heard this news, another part of me is relieved that he has passed onto the afterworld, finally rested and free of the grim realities of this world.

Shutterbug: Recent Events In Pictures

During the last few months we've been seeing and hearing things that were so alien and uncommon to our recent history that some international observers named it the Arab Spring! We've had revolutions, Parliamentary fist fights (with the 'igal' no less!), public and unreserved exchange of personal and profane verbal attacks, scheming and plotting and secret deals made under the table, assassinations, in other words, the usual business of politics, I suppose.

The End Of A Terrorist

This is the day many people in the world have been waiting for, certainly in the US and UK; The death of Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaida's mastermind. Apparently gone down fighting, he died in the way he's chosen for himself, and I'm not shedding any tears over him. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. In my humble opinion, he has not served anyone in his 'Jihad', contrary to some opinions. In fact, if at all, he's turned the entire world against Muslims everywhere. What was once a misunderstood religion is now one whose benevolent principles are spontaneously regarded as suspiciously terrorist-related. 

Why Bahrain Matters

The latest developments in Bahrain are as painful to me as the Iraqi Invasion, and quite frankly, everyone else in Kuwait, but not for the same reasons. Many back the legitimate government of Bahrain, and many others support the Rioters-again for various reasons. I'll be explaining my position in this post, and it will be a long one.

Let me begin by first mentioning that had it been any other GCC country (besides Kuwait) these riots wouldn't even exist, since they're mostly managed by predominantly Shiite and/or Old School Baathist Bahrainis. I'm not just referring to the recent events, I'm also referring to the events that preceded Bahrain's conversion into a Monarchy back in the late 1990's and 1980's. What many don't remember (or fail to admit) is that only in Bahrain did we see a head of state visit with the opposition figures any chance he gets, or travels to the UK in order to meet with them and invite them to participate in Bahrain's Democratic process.

Crazy Politics: What If 'Dubya' Was Right?

The George W. Bush Administration

Back in 2001,Al Qaida made a hero of a weird, senseless American President called George W. Bush, or 'Dubya' by his people (XXXXXX by others!). His spontaneous reply to one of the hecklers who wasn't listening to him clearly from among the ruins of the destroyed World Trade Center, made him larger than life to many distraught American citizens who, before that moment, were questioning whether they made the right choice in voting for this man.

Of course, that feeling was more pronounced when he and his administration decided to invade Afghanistan, something that was short-sighted and painfully expensive in many ways than one can discuss. But they did it, and without a sound, clear exit strategy, they're still doing it. Al Qaida in Afghanistan is reduced to a fraction of what it was before 2001. Globally, it's got a loud bark, and many people hear it, but it's muzzled and 'so far' tied to a lamp post, far away from mainstream civility. 

Terrorism for Kids in Kuwait

I was walking in one of the streets of Downtown Kuwait City earlier tonight looking to get a toy for my kid. I walked into one of those shops that sell bicylces and other kids stuff, and I vividly remember those old days when I would ask to be driven to the Al Waleed store or the 'Kids R Us' ripoff from the US's "Toy's R Us" brand during Eid festivities. 

So there I was, enjoying myself reminiscing about what had happened to all those Lego sets and model cars I used to buy with my Eid money, when my eye caught the toy pictured below. I suddenly felt a rush of anger and disgust at what had happened to our world today, when people, responsible men and women, would carelessly allow such items of vile disgust to be sold as 'toys' to our young children!

For the past few weeks I've been following Kuwait's latest attempt at promoting mediocrity as a patriotic and courageous fact of life and history. As if there isn't enough mediocrity to around already anyway!

Long story short, a retired Army Commander (I'm not sure about the exact rank upon retirement) and former MP called Nasser Al Duwailah has made some extremely grandiose claims about Kuwait's Military past in a book he'd published about 4 years ago. However, it's only now making it to the top bookshelves, albeit not for it's literary beauty nor it's historical accuracy, not by a long shot! While I admit that I haven't read it personally, nor do I own a copy, nor do I know of anyone who does, I have made a great deal of effort at concentrating on some of the details that were divulged in a series of television interviews with the author himself. I won't discuss his claims about Kuwait's navy occupying the Southernmost territories of Persia during the 18th and 19th Century, or the fact that Kuwait's Military might span the entire Northern part of the Arabian Gulf during that time (yes, that's what he wrote!)

The U.S.- Kuwaiti Friendship

Friendship between individuals can be based on personal, as well as psycho-social needs. One may opt to befriend a wealthy, powerful, influential person for a number of reasons: Bragging rights, personal gains, purely coincidental mutual likes & dislikes, etc.. On the other hand, one may befriend a down-to-Earth simpleton, either due to simple old fate or a more complex need for self-actualization. Quite frankly, the reasons behind many personal relationships are as many as the people themselves, but I'm only referring to non-romantic relationships here, where the term "We're just friends" means exactly what it sounds!

What It Means to be a Kuwaiti Patriot

In my previous post I searched through Youtube Videos for a long time to find the right clips to support this post. 

Lately we've been bombarded with speeches and gestures that speak to the tune of "Kuwaiti Patriotism" and "Love of Kuwait" and "Kuwait for Kuwaitis" and all that, but I haven't seen or heard of any activity or event that accurately summarizes what it means to be a Kuwaiti.

We Must Never Forget!

The Times of London Thanks Kuwait

With all the work that's accumilating on my plate recently, it's hard to keep up with what goes on around Kuwait. But this latest entry in the Times Online's Website made me drop all 40 of my pending work emails, two major projects, and other work stuff so I can post this blog.

A small excerpt from the editorial;

"It is true that Britain has come to Kuwait's aid in the past, and that Kuwait is grateful for Britain's contribution in repelling Saddam Hussein's forces during the Gulf War in 1991. But such acts of reciprocal support are the fruit of friendship rather than the calculation of diplomatic book-keepers. In an era of heightened international Islamic terrorism, it has taken courage for Kuwait to stand shoulder to shoulder with America and Britain. And for that it deserves our thanks."

Thank you Kuwait....what a nice gesture of appreciation, it makes me feel proud to be a Kuwaiti Citizen.

For Kuwait's Teenagers: Read This Post Please!

If you're birthday happens to be on or around the same year Kuwait was invaded and occupied by Iraq, this post should hopefully shed some light for you as to why Kuwait is going through all this political and economic turmoil these days.

If you're not there already, you will soon be of the age when you would be able to vote for your representative in the Kuwaiti parliament. It's a great responsibility, and it's nothing short of an honour to be a registered voter, since you would be able to send your Constitutional representative to speak "in your name" to the government, and help it in creating the atmosphere that you envision your contry to have.

I say 'your country', because it's still Kuwait for Kuwaitis, open to all who live & work in it with honor and dignity, but it's still ours, it still belongs to us, it's still vulnerable to misuse and threats, and it's YOUR responsibility to understand why, and how to protect it from these threats.

• In this link, I posted a transcript of some radio transmissions that occurred on August 2nd, 1990.
• In this link, I posted a few bits of information about Kuwait's Democratic History.
• In this link, I wrote about the difference between Kuwait's First Democratic days and today.

I hope this helps.

Policy of Lies

How come this report in Al Qabas says that the summit was a success, and this report says it's mended the Arab-Arab relations, while both this one by VOA News and this one by BBC says something to the contrary??



I thought we were done with censorship and drum-beating in favor of political leaders, or was that a pipe dream after all?

Palestine: What is expected and what can be done?

After the dust had settled, and the guns in Gaza are gradually falling silent - cautiously - one cannot escape the inevitable question: what's next? An Arab initiative, at least two Arab summits, various promises of assistance and relief, all's good, but the man whose home had been obliterated from the map and reduced to rubble is now living in a 2x2 tent right next to that rubble, along with his wife and children, waiting for what comes next.

What is expected from the Arab world in order to relief this poor family, whose only fault is being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Financially, money is no object in the Arab world - it never was - so there's no problem there. GCC countries can commit to billions and billions in aid, but it seldom goes to the right recipients, and controlling it is even more difficult - curiously enough! One needs only to look at the facts to see just how messy their financial aid has become: underground tunnels, rocket-making material, uniforms, weapons, smuggling operations, they all need money, which arguably comes from donations. Hamas isn't state-sponsored like Hezbolla, it's sponsored benevolently by all the Arab and Muslim world, which makes things worse, because the only victim here is the man on the streed waiting in line for his five pieces of bread, since the money's been diverted to make useless rockets.

Militarily, the Arab governments are as harmless as a fruit fly, any any form of supporting paramilitary groups to fight proxy wars instead comes with the wrath of global condemnation and threats to cut trade, so that's off the table.

Diplomatically, the Arabs are about as effective as a band-aid on a gushing wound, even though they hold many valuable tools with which they can promote their agendas peacefully. They're not doing so - in my opinion - because they lack the leadership to even say so, despite their glamorous claims in high-profile summits.

Religiously, we Arabs, as Muslims, Christians and other religions, can only sit back and pray to God, asking for forgiveness and peace to roam the land, and at the same time, asking for his wrath to sweep over the land and punish the criminals - whoever they may be - once and for all.

The fiction that is Palestine today is - simply put - two disconnected plots of land, squeezed by and between three giants who would easily trade it for an Oil contract if no one was looking. But to shift fiction into reality needs more than a cheque, a flag and a national anthem. It needs a political imperative to exist, a social plan to expand and an economic basis to continue to cater to its people. With the rise of Hamas, all these things have been replaced with rockets and martyrs, and while our leaders sit and watch what comes next, organizations like Hamas are claiming their unilaterally achieved victories, with little help from the outsiders, all music to the ears of the poor man living in the makeshift tent, pitched beside a mound of rubble that was his 3-storey home.

Venezuela kicks out Israeli Ambassador over Gaza

Venezuala's outspoken President Hugo Chavez did what most Arab leaders only dreamed of doing in light of current events: he kicked out the Israeli Ambassador and most of his staff, as a show of protest and solidarity with the Palestinians over the recent Gaza massacres.

He's the same man who called George W. Bush a 'donkey and a drunkard' some years ago (link) and also called the Iraqi Shoe-thrower a courageous man.

This man is a Latin American and a Roman Catholic, and a mixed Indian-African-Spanish background who grabbed control of the country through a quirky series of events and immediately set up to implement his plans to improve his country's image and interal social status, with very heavy communist and leftis overtones. I've always been impressed (and amused) with his style of politics, but never more so than when I decided to call the pan black and criticize Israel for it's recent actions in a way that can only be described as accurate and factual.

If only some of our leaders have the cohones to do the same!

Ghaza: An Arab Opportunity

I was following the news and commentary on the latest Israeli attacks on Ghaza, and was not surprised to see and hear the usual rhetoric from so-called 'analysts' and journalists who frequent extremist news channels like Aljazeera. But I was surprised to hear some common sense emanating from the notorious loudmouth BS artisit, AbdelBari Atwan (bio here).

Basically, this character (who looks to me like Bert from Sesame Street!) refutes all the efforts of the Arab Politics, especially Egypt, for not doing enough to help diffuse the Ghaza situation, just like everyone else. But what caught my attention is is recommendations for the Arab countries to exert political and diplomatic force onto the UN and other world powers to do what is required towards the Palestinian cause.

In his glorified speech, he mentions the following:

That the Arab world, who has succumbed to it's defeatist stance, could possible rise up against the west in the form of non-violent protests, by refusing to continue assisting world powers in the following:
-Logistic assistance with the War on Terrorism
-Policing illegal migrations and people trafficking
-Refusing to help decrease the price of Oil
-Dismssal of all Israeli Diplomatic representation in the Middle East and the rest of the Muslim world.
-Protesting to the International Court of Justice

This sounds to me like a do-able plan, if it were properly supported by the majority of the Arab League. And while I agree to the Egyptian position of not opening up it's borders at Rafah to allow the refugees in for security reasons, I disagree with Egypt not doing enough to assist in Humanitarian assistance. However, should Egypt propose Atwan's recommendations to the Arab League, I believe it would-at least-make people think twice before wasting time deiberating over where to meet and what should be the correct wording of their statements.

Then again....this could all simply evaporate into misty dreams!

Words from the past

This is Mohandas K. Ghandi, or Mahatma Ghandi, or Bapu, depends on what ange of history you're reading about him. 

I won't delve deep into his history or achievements, but I'd like to highlight a few of his words and quotes:

1)When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall — think of it, always.

2) What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?

3) An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

4) There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.

5) I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.

6) It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.

7) The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

In an atmosphere of charged political turmoil and a grossly outgunned Arab world, one needs to take a step back and think for a while about how the in-actions of a single wise (non-muslim) man affected the retreat of an empire.

Throwing Shoes at Bush: A few Questions

By now, every man, woman and child on this Earth has seen the notorious shoe-throwing footage that happened a few days ago in Iraq, so I won't dwell on that.

What I would like to know is this: 

1) What brings a man to throw a shoe at two world leaders, (well, one world leader and one wannabe)?

If we're talking about an unjust war, where the counter-argument was that the Iraqis would have been better off living with Saddam than with American-instigated terrorism, (it depends on what point of view you'd be listening to) fine, but imagine how desparate the simple Iraqi feels when there is not a single sense of gratitude towards the man who was instrumental in removing a tyrant like Saddam!

2) Where the hell was Bush's security detail we see and hear about? All those Hollywood-produced movies like "In the Line of Fire" talk about the Secret Service's dedication to their principle (US President) and how they would gladly take a bullet for him, etc...So where were all Bush's Secret Service men? The perpretrator threw his shoes TWICE, and the SS got to the President only AFTER the other journalists subdued him to the ground, and later on, the Iraqi Security jumped in and bound him down too.

3) What the Hell was Nouri Al Malki so calm and cool about while all this was happening? It was't until the Iraqi perpetrator threw his SECOND shoe did Al Malki budge and spring out his arm trying to block the show's fligt path. Before that, he was just as cool as a cucumber!!

Of course, towards the end of the SECOND shoe-throwing incident, the Secret Service men rushed towards Bush and flanked him according to their usual trained way, one of them even shoving his hands into his inner pocked-assumable to get his sidearm ready for any 'additional' incident, with Bush asking him to calm down. But check out the guy to the left of Bush, calmly looking behind someone's shoulders at the perpetrator, as if he's looking at a street-mime!

Now, having said all that, the perpetrator has now become a folk hero all over the Arab world! Is that now the Arab standard for heroism? Throwing shoes at people? People are rallying their voices in support of the shoe-thrower, lawyers are pooling their resources to build a legal defense for him, some are offering US$10 million for one of the shoes that were thrown at Bush...but really, what has this man done besides make himself look like a follish Don Quixote on live TV?

Is the situation in Iraq getting better? Have conditiones normalized? Is Al Qaida in Iraq finally destroyed? Has Jerusalem been liberated? Not a chance....

What he's done is just enforce a general opinion that all Arabs hate the west, care nothing for dimplomacy and care even less for simple good manners. We're one step closer to total damnation by all the nations of the world simply by siding with a rude and obnoxious Iraqi, disgruntled as he may be....now hows is that to our benefit as Arabs and Muslims? 

One may sympathize with a disgruntled man suffering all the pains and fears of a war on Terrorism, one may even praise his bravery, but was it really bravery, or desparation? Was he a champion of the Arab/Iraqi cause or was he a terrified simpleton who'd lost every nerve in his system due to the massive mistakes of the U.S. Administration? I don't condemn nor condone this poor man, he's just venting anger, just like any desparate human being would do. 

I do, however, condemn those who think that his actions were right and justified, and strive to defend him in the most popularized of ways, and who feed on the media's frenzy in order to gain more exposure by their imbicile remarks.

Personally speaking, it actually made me feel sorry for Bush to have been subjected to this incident, and in any case, if victory favors the bold, it is better to weep with wise men than to laugh with fools!