Thursday, May 26, 2011. A new reality for Syria. A new reality for Syria. The ground under the Syrian regime is shifting rapidly, and relations with its precious few friends outside Iran have deteriorated dramatically. Perhaps none of these reversals in friendships has been as sudden and curious, but also as telling of the geopolitical flux underway, as the rift with Qatar. Thursday, May 19, 2011. An end to the Syria pipe dream. An end to the Syria pipe dream.

Beirut, Beijing, Beyond and Back. Why France should NOT ban the burka. This piece is a response to an article. There are several points of contention with the arguments of those who see the banning of the burka as a desirable move. The article mentions that if a pending government inquiry into the matter found that the burka was forced it would contradict republican principles .