This map has been promoted by almost all tabloid newspapers in Jordan and the Middle East. It is a "theoritical" representation of the New Middle East by Ralph Peters of the "Armed Forces Journal", a commercial American military magzine published an military consulting Company. In this map Jordan is expanded into a double of its current size . The map and article can be read here:   http://www... [read more]

The highly-promoted "We are all Jordan" forum has ended yesterday with the declaration of a 30 page action plan filled with promises on political reforms and other issues of priority in Jordan. I will post some detailed articles about specific recommendations of the forum but would like to address the issue of how this forum was managed and what are the critical factors that make people very skeptical... [read more]

In this analytical essay published by the Carnige Arab Reform Bulletin (July 2006) Dr Fares Braizat (Researcher and polling expert at the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan) provides an assessment of the factors hindering political reform in Jordan.   In the essay Dr Braizat's arguments can be summarised as follows: 1- Despite the continuous demands from the King and... [read more]

The Israeli Palestinian center for Research and Information (IPCRI), which is a think tank for peace headed by Gershon Baskin and Hanna Saniora, has released recently a plan of its own for halting the conflicts in Lebanoan and Gaza with a linked approach. I have to say this proposal DOES make sense, but again it is based on the intent of leaders in both sides to adhere to peace. This genuine belief... [read more]

The Center for the Strategic Studies in the University of Jordan has released its annual poll on "state of democracy". The annual poll is a good indicator for the advancement, or retreat of democracy in the country as expressed by samples from "public opinion leaders" and "national sample" representing citizens. In this year's poll the main message was that people in Jordan still think democracy... [read more]

The Government will have its hands full in trying to restrict the damage caused by the Amnesty International (AI) report on torture in Jordan that was released two days ago. The report, available online at http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE160052006  Is a bone-shivering account of torture cases, that seem to be systematic in our country. Moreover, it claims that Jordan is becoming a... [read more]

Dear Readers of my blog;   Within the next 24 hours this blog will under go a major change process after careful examination of the blog record and objectives in the last 6 months. I have been doing an "honest" self-criticism of this blog and found the following results: 1- I am not satisfied with the depth of content in the blog. I want more analytical writings and discussions. 2-... [read more]

As the Israeli destruction of Lebanon continues, and the horrific images of killed children and other civilains are aired throughout the Arab World and as the Arab regimes prove again how "impotent" they are in face of the Israeli crimes, we can easily expect a massive new wave of recruitment for Al Qaeda and other religious fundamentalist organizations. Arab youth are us. We are angry, humilated,... [read more]

The monthly Jordanian magazine "Jordan Business" which is one of the most respectful and professional publications in Jordan came up with a nice idea to identify the 30 most influential people in Jordan. The list was published in this July 2006 issues and for the record I would like to post the names in a packaging system that I have developed. The magazine drew the list without particular order ... [read more]

I think the Independent is the most respected and honest mainstream newspaper in the West, maybe in a close competition with Guardian. This is another remarkable frontpage for Saturday 22-7 with a clever comparison between the rhetoric and reality of the actions taken by Geirge W. Bush    [read more]

A few people in this world are schizophrenic, having two split personalities that keep rotating with the same psychology of the person. In a similar situation, I admit to having nine personalities that alternate during the 24 hours of one day, with every passing day.   Here is a profile about my nine personalities:   8:00 a.m- 3:00 pm: Environmentalist: This is my profession. I have a... [read more]

This is a special day for me. On July 21st 1993 I had a turning point in my life, and the moment I have always dreamed of bacause in that great day I have met my sweetheart who became my lovely wife. As a Master's degree student at the University of Jordan, faculty of Science I was busy with my Master's programme on environmental management, actively engaging in political initiatives in the University... [read more]

As a remarkable contribution from the Arab World to the process of civilization in Great Britain, and after considering all opportunities and priorities for spending £390million, and after leaving out the unnecessary issues of fighting hunger in the Arab world, rebuilding Palestine and Lebanon, fighting illeteracy and stopping infectious disease, the Emirates Airlines (Fly Emirates) has decided to... [read more]

In my capacity as a writer and journalist, I was invited to participate in the "We are all Jordan" forum along with other 699 people in the gathering that took place yesterday along the Dead Sea coast. The Forum had a major objective, stated by the King in his opening remarks which is to "prioritize" the main challenges and political and socio-economic priorities facing Jordan and having a national... [read more]