About a month ago, Christopher Hitchens, one of the great English-language essayists of our time, passed away. In the time since that unfortunate loss, a flood of obituaries has honored the man. According to the standard accounts, Hitchens was a writer, a rascal, and advocate possessing a remarkable talent for provoking and alienating others – even when [...]
Archive for January, 2012
Mr. Hitchens Goes to Beirut: Lessons on Violence and Silence in the Levant
Posted in Lebanon, Levant, Syria, tagged AUB, Beirut, Dissent, Hamra, Hitchens, Lebanon, SSNP, Syria, Violence on January 26, 2012 | 7 Comments »
“It’s Time to Finish the Job:” Biggie’s Take on the Region (Christmas Conversations, Volume II)
Posted in Hizbullah, Lebanon, tagged Arab Spring, Christmas, Iran, Lebanon, Oil, Steve Jobs, Syria on January 19, 2012 | 2 Comments »
As if the advice and probing questions of “Guest” weren’t enough, I’ve had to sift through hours of tape to bring you the best of “Biggie’s” take on the region. While that’s not a problem from an entertainment standpoint, it’s a little frustrating to listen to successive barbs directed towards you in what amounts to a [...]
“Go Back to America:” The Guest Strikes Again (Christmas Conversations, Volume II)
Posted in Lebanon, tagged Arab Spring, Christmas, Conversation, Lebanon, Steve Jobs, Syria on January 13, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Year after year, “Guest” has entertained the family with his worldly take on politics and culture. He’s an experienced traveler who’s done business in all kinds of places. In our conversations, Guest has developed a new international relations discipline that I’ll call “Realist Conservative Conspiratory Casual (RC3).” For the most part, his speculations are merely [...]
Christmas Conversations, Volume II: Introduction, Arab Spring, and Steve Jobs
Posted in Lebanon, Levant, tagged Arab Spring, Beirut, Christmas, Conversation, Lebanon, Steve Jobs on January 2, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Forget about winter merriment. As well as challenging waistlines and livers across the country, Lebanon’s Christmas season offers no respite from intense political debate. Indeed, with members of the family back in town, the holidays are closer to a prolonged political brawl – with breaks to eat and drink, then eat and drink some more [...]