Monthly Archives: September 2012

Guest Post: News from Tunisia

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Matt

Via Amanda Sebestyen, a translated update on recent events over the last few days in Tunisia from Tunisian blogger Charfeddine Nasri of the Karama association for unemployed graduates in Kasserine, Tunisia: – A man has died from police beatings when … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Spring | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Barack Obama gives the world a hug

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Matt

You have to hand it to Barack Obama – the guy can talk.   When George W. Bush appeared on the world stage,  the spoilt frat-boy was always embarrassingly visible beneath the presidential veneer, and his attempts to sound statesmanlike were … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Middle East, Uncategorized, US politics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The revolt of the Catalans

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Matt

Barcelona is a city where I spent nine years of my life and where I have many good friends.   So I’ve been following with special interest – and not without some anxiety – the upsurge in separatist sentiment in Catalonia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of austerity | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

The Innocence of Muslims protests: politics, religion and opportunism

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Matt

The impact of the ‘Innocence of Muslims’ video continues to reverberate across the Muslim world.   Yesterday the Pakistan government’s declared a public holiday and a ‘Day of Love’ in honour of the Prophet Muhammed, which descended into violent chaos. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments