farewell to shadowlands

One of the last true giants of the twentieth century has departed. [read more]

the unlamented end of pan-Arabism

Last week Tony Badran of Across the Bay posted a most enlightening essay: The Irrelevance of Political Arabism. He defines that movement as follows. [W]hat exactly is political Arabism? There are two essential elements: 1- Pan-Arab unity, and 2- the... [read more]

bigger

Yesterday's pro-independence demonstration in Beirut drew in excess of 800,000 people. Here's what it looked like. Lebanon's population is just over four million—meaning that somewhere north of 20% of the population was in the streets. That's a lot of flags.... [read more]

unforgettable

My good friend Peter Gornell sent along a link to this large gallery of images from the Iraq elections. Be forewarned: the first few are unpleasant viewing. But some of the rest are unforgettable. Like this one. More: The price... [read more]

election day

Voting in Iraq has been underway for a couple of hours now. From the snapshots being offered by our 24-hour networks, it is of course impossible to know how things are really progressing. There has been some violence, but casualties... [read more]

three days

On 9 April 2003, the statue of Saddam fell in Firdos Square, Baghdad. That afternoon I went to mock antiwar protesters in the main square here in Bloomington. Twenty-one months and more have passed since. The news has often been... [read more]

liberty

In America's ideal of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service, and mercy, and a heart for the weak. Liberty for all does not mean independence from one another. Our nation relies on men and women who... [read more]

in defense of Rummy

Andrew Sullivan managed to wrench himself away from his bimonthly vacation long enough to stage an attempted fisking of Hanson. The link is here: but not like there’s much need to follow it. Just imagine a battle of wits between Maureen Dowd and William F. Buckley, Jr., with Sully in the role of elderly schoolgirl. [read more]

solidarnosc

My favorite image thus far of the Ukrainian Orange Revolution comes via the PostModern Clog: Which, I suppose, requires a bit of context. Back in 1982 I was a fresh-faced high schooler who, although certainly more aware of world events... [read more]

long may she wave

USS Constitution displays the colors 7 August 2004 Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. And yes, she is now a floating tourist destination. But being onboard was nonetheless a treat. And we're back—actually have been for... [read more]

footprints (and other musings)

Thirty-five years ago today Apollo 11 touched down on the lunar surface. The image above is one of the most famous of that mission; the footprint belongs to Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon. I... [read more]