Initially I wrote a blog about the tragic bombing of a playground that claimed the lives 10 children last weekend, but that just devolved into an angry rant. Thus, I believe a reflection of this past semester is in order. Foremost, I know there has been concern voiced about the increased ambiguity involving the Pluralism […]

Read more "In Conclusion…"

Iran is locked in a “fierce internal debate whether to hold bilateral nuclear talks with the United States.” Even though they are insisting that their nuclear program is solely meant for civilian purposes. But something doesn’t quite add up to me. The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has shown no interest in accepting the dangling offer […]

Read more "A Fork in the Road"

Late musician John Denver was once quoted as saying, “Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, […]

Read more "Israel and Palestine on the Same Page… of Music"

Last week Russia slammed Hillary Clinton in her remarks concerning Syria. Fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Russia also stated that Clinton’s comments (which I will not be focusing on) directly contradicted what the U.S. and Russia agreed upon over how to handle the crisis in Syria back in June. Ok, so maybe […]

Read more "Transitional Government in Syria Not a Good Idea"

Earlier this weekend I saw a headline concerning the conflict in Syria that read “Syria Ceasefire: Regime Agrees to Holiday Truce.” I remember thinking, “Finally! At least (even if not for good) people will be able to enjoy the holiday in peace.” The conflict in Syria stems from sectarian differences among Alawis, who belong to […]

Read more "Killing in the Name of…"

The rebels and government forces have continued to relentlessly wage war on each other in Syria. However, in a recent twist of events Hezbollah has been exposed in aiding Syrian government forces. Many people “have long accused the Islamist party of taking a direct role in the Syrian conflict” prior to the accumulating evidence that […]

Read more "More Spill Over Violence in Lebanon"

Last week a drone was shot down in Israel. There was a cloud of suspicion surrounding where the drone originated from in the initial reports, however a handful of days later it was confirmed that the drone belonged to Hezbollah stationed in Lebanon. More specifically, according to news reports, the drone was “manufactured in Iran […]

Read more "Two “Wrongs” Lead to a Downed Drone"

The climate of social media in Lebanon is as powerful as ever. This power is ever present not only in Lebanon but also in the United States. Political campaigns have noticed the dramatic growth in social media and taken advantage of it. Between 2005 and 2009 candidates have become aware of using social media as […]

Read more "How Campaigns Embrace Social Media"

Like the United States, Lebanon has an article in their constitution which protects freedom of speech and press-  at least partly. According to a publication called “Freedom of the Press 2011” it states that in Lebanon “media rarely faces direct interference from the government.” However, under Article 75 of the Lebanese constitution it clearly states […]

Read more "Freedom of Speech and Press"

It’s evident that there is a significant spillover of conflict on the Lebanese-Syrian border. However, the question that brings worry to most people is: will Lebanon be engulfed in a sectarian civil war much like the conflict that Syria has become a witness to? In recent weeks “spillover clashes” have become more common in the […]

Read more "An Ever Deepening Rift"