Tag Archives: Middle East

The Syrian Background

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Tex

Once considered the  heartland of the Arab world the Syrian nation was often spoken of as the linchpin of any agreement  between the Western nations and the Arab world. No peace with  Israel was possible unless the Syrians regime agreed…this … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Culture, Arab Military, Arabs, Communism and Fascism in Middle East, Cross-Culture, Iraq, Islam, Islamism, Middle East Politics, Military, muslim brotherhood, Syria, Terrorism, Uncategorized, Western media | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Sally Meets Ahmad: The Clash of Civilizations

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Tex

No book has aroused the ire of academia more than Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations, describing the clash of civilization between East and West, particularly the World of Islam and Christianity.  Although the book mirrors conventional conservative Islamic doctrine … Continue reading →

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Academia’s Twitter War with State Department over women’s status in Iraq’s tribal society!

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Tex

At the State Department a recent award program was held to single out women of courage from ten different countries. One of them was Aliyah Khalaf Saleh of Iraq who in June 2014, hid cadets of the Military Academy at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cross-Culture, Iraq, Terrorism, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Destruction of the Turkish Army

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Tex

Since the abortive coup attempt in Turkey there have been truckloads of political pontifications  concerning the future course of the Sultan Erdogan’s “new Turkey.” Most  of the Western leadership and the Arab Gulf states have announced their support for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Military, Islamism, Middle East Politics, Military, muslim brotherhood, Shia, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Islamism and Islam – Update

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Tex

  Below is a  paste of an extract from an article in the Wall Street Journal ( 12 Dec 20015) written by Maajid Nawaz, a liberal Muslim, originally from Pakistan now living in the U.K.   “Islam is a religion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Military, Arabs, Cross-Culture, Islam, Middle East Politics, Shia, Terrorism, Uncategorized, US Foreign Policy in Middle East, Western media | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where does Iraq and the “Islamic State” go now?

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Tex

    With a very propagandistic announcement by “the Islamic State of the Levant” that its occupied areas of Syria and Iraq would now be called the “Islamic State” and with a call for all Muslims to declare fealty to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Military, Iraq, Middle East Politics, Terrorism, Turkey, US Foreign Policy in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iraq: Still there, Still in Crisis, Fragmenting?

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Tex

The elections are over. It was a larger turnout of voters than many anticipated and the present prime minister,  Nouri Al-Maliki drew the most votes, but not enough to form a government.  Now the horse trading will begin. It seems … Continue reading →

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Arabs As Refugees: Cultural Challenges

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Tex

  This blog entry is about the massive problem of displaced people of the Arab world. From Iraq to Syria to Palestine to Libya there are millions of people who have been uprooted from their homes. We read about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Culture, Arabs, Cross-Culture, Iraq, Middle East Politics, Shia, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Middle Eastern Potpourri

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Tex

It has been a while since I have posted. Part of the reason is the one-week I spent as a cultural advisor with a U.S. marine detachment preparing to go to a Middle Eastern country. The week was spent going … Continue reading →

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Can Oil Companies in Iraq Avoid Incidents like Schlumberger’s?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Tex

Dozens of angry Shia Muslim workers stormed the Schlumberger Ltd camp in Basra, Iraq last week after a British employee took down a flag that was placed on the company’s car to commemorate the death anniversary of Imam Hussein, Prophet … Continue reading →

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