Remembering Madiba

It is fitting today on the 2100th write-up here in #Outsiders  that this is dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela Today represents one day since Madiba passed away.     South Africa will be remembering Madiba.  We here at Outsiders also remember him and shared observations earlier visiting the +Nelson Mandela Foundation Website:  

 by Mike P 

It has been one year since Madiba left us. For me, he was the example to follow to forgive, to overcome, to persevere and to do what can be done to make a difference. May his soul RIP and may we all be inspired by his example.

•  & Remembering this admonition from him on this day which was amongst the thousands of tributes on the Website  

Notations On Our World: On the plight of Jason Rezaian & Other Thoughts

It has been a challenging few days yet again around our World.    We were quite intrigued by this from France24:

“@PostBaron: Detention of @jrezaian of a 'fiasco', says Iran's human rights chief http://t.co/N9pX5Drro5 @FRANCE24 good news I guess 🙏
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) December 4, 2014

For everyone's benefit, Iran's Human Rights Chief is the brother of the Chief Justice of Iran and the the Parliamentary Speaker.   The three brothers are probably the most powerful trio in Iran Today.    His comments is especially poignant as reports also surfaced that Jason Rezaian's detention was extended yet again for 60 Days.    His acknowledgement of it being a fiasco seems to potentially bring in a sense of realism that somehow a resolution on this unjustified detention is at hand.

Beyond his comments on the Jason Rezaian case, his comments on the detention of the leaders of the Green Movement Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi may be ending soon.   Although some hopeful signs have been floated before, the fact that he's noted this is quite a development.    As Rosewater continues to play in theaters that continues to remind all of the utter brutality of 2009, it will be quite a development if this occurs.

Notations on our World: On the Latest From the Middle East

Israel is headed for elections.    We here @ #Outsiders caught excepts of the the Israeli Minister's Statement on his rationale for the elections and commented on it earlier on:

listening to #Israel PM #Netanyahu on @i24news_EN as @lucyaharish anchors the special...@lucyaharish is on pointe..he's nervous.
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) December 2, 2014

It was amusing how Lucy Aharish sarcastically noted about the "House of Fun" that Israel has become.   As the discourse continued and the Prime Minister accused Tzipi Livni and Yair Lapid of a defacto "Coup", he went on to note why he think he's the best man to lead Israel again.   It was ever so a mirror image of the discourse in the United States.   Some noted how The Israeli Prime Minister was a bit nervous--couldn't agree more in this regard.   It is quite shocking though as the fundemental challenges facing Israel are being ignored and how the politics of blame, shame and fear seems to be the order of the day in Israel right now.

As Israel enters elections season, the polls are not looking good for the Centrists (Lapid/Livni).   Beyond Israel, though, there is Syria and this latest tragedy is ever so disconcerting as the fire in Syria rages on and on: 

Mike Pouraryan saw this and thought of you!
FRANCE 24 English@France24_en  Follow UN cuts food aid to 1.7 million refugees from Syria f24.my/1y8V89Lpic.twitter.com/uzrE2yHuJB 06:53 AM - 02 Dec 14
As we went to press, we also saw reports of the Leader of Dayesh (also referred to as Islamic State) being detained by the Lebanese Army along with his child.   It may well show how he is under pressure to have sent his family out.     Challenging Times....

Notations on our World: On #India & Sisters of Steel

It was such a gratifying scene from India as these "Sisters of Steel" stood up to their attackers.   +NDTV  featured them with this interview:

 

Right on Sisters of Steel!! :-) Profile in courage: Go Restrict Boys 1st, Then Lecture Us:Rohtak Rockstars 2 Khaps http://t.co/HZ8fZT1Pg7
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) December 1, 2014

They are to be honored--and rightly so.  It is a true profile in courage.

On an Ever So Challenging Time In the Middle East: On #Iran, #Egypt & #Syria

This has been another challenging Week-End yet again.    Mubarak was acquitted of the charge of Murder in Egypt and there were celebrations--but also demonstrations: 

“@Ikhwanweb: #Tahrir now RT "@engmahmoud2014: #التحرير الأن و #عوض_في_التحرير .. :D pic.twitter.com/7Jjk9vP54j"”we r with u 
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 29, 2014

Such are the heroes as they somehow find the courage after 4 years and the brutal suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood to come out and protest.    This is as Egypt had a General assassinated in Cairo this past week and the insurgency in Sinai rages on with no end in sight.

Beyond Egypt, there is Syria.    Al Nusra is gaining, Dayesh (referred to as ISIS/Islamic State/Etc.) continues to grow despite US-Led airstrikes.    We have seen reports of Iraqi Forces supposedly gaining ground as reported by the Islamic Republic News Network.   In the meantime, Assad and his thugs continue the reign of terror as well.    This picture from AFP says it all: 

.@AFPphoto's Pictures of the Year, 2014: Number 1 - victims of Assad's barrel bombs in #Syria http://t.co/61EpksXLr8 pic.twitter.com/p1FFXXzDmY
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) November 29, 2014

How such factions are getting their arms is one of the profound puzzles at hand.   They can't be getting them all from captured Iraqi and Syrian caches.   They can't just be getting them from Turkey.  Jordan's King has said that they have full control of the border.   The only avenue is Lebanon thru Hezbollah for the Syrian Army which Iran supports.   The question is Dayesh & Al Nusra.    The so-called Free Syrian Army is a non-entity which throws the policies of the Obama Administration into doubt.    Syria's Chief Patron, Iran, has run into own set of profound difficulties though as the Price of the Iranian Currency fell as the agreement extension came into being which will undermine Rohani's  Position.    Iran also has to deal with the total collapse of the price of oil.   Based on estimates available, Iran has to sell Oil at $ 130/Barrel to balance its' budget--and it is not even close.  

The Economic deprivation is set to continue as the region continues to grapple with the insurgency that has engulfed it.

Notations also released to http://www.outsiderviews.com 11292014//All Rights Reserved

A "Musical Interlude" For the Week-End 2 Enjoy: Dave Koz - Only Tomorrow Knows [HQ]

Wishing all a beautiful Week-End..and the best of tomorrows :-)



The Daily Outsider Team.

Notations on Our World While On the Grid on #Nigeria & #Israel

It has been an ever so challenging week in our World as America celebrated Thanksgiving.   The need to give thanks is something that is ever so critical daily on a constant and consistent basis.     Our World is ever so challenging as the news of the horror in Kano, Nigeria underscores the challenge we face in our World:

horrific news from #Nigeria as the Grand Mosque in #Kano was attacked by the #BokoHaram Scum...when will The Gov. of #Nigeria do something?
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 28, 2014

It is absolutely horrific to have worshipers having been attacked at the Grand Mosque in Kano during Friday Prayers.   Boko Haram continues to attack at will with no apparent concerted response from the Government of Nigeria.   Nigeria matters because it is the largest economy in Africa and 10% of the current population of Africa.

As we have been witness to such carnage and horror, we are also witness to a potential election in the near term in Israel as the Israeli Foreign Minister came out with his so-called peace plan which was frankly a bit shocking: 

How can he've the nerve 2 say this: #Lieberman unveils peace plan offering #Israel Arabs compensation 4 leaving: http://t.co/xiCpynsnUp
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 28, 2014 

But it was also interesting that he also noted that Israel has no choice but to come to a territorial compromise with Palestine.   This is as Mahmoud Abbas has said he's ready to formalize the State of Palestine with the 22% of the land originally allocated to it.    The challenge is that Israel is moving to the right and the unfortunate  fascist tendencies is of concern.  What is hopeful in Israel is the vocal opposition to such moves and the new Jewish Nationality Law by President Rivlin and Former President Peres.   Current Polls show the current Israeli Prime Minister to be re-elected.   

Beyond the immediate, we've also been witness to an extension of the talks with Iran as Iran and the rest of the oil producing nations deal with a massive drop in the price of Crude Oil.      It will present a new challenging front in the ever shifting political landscape we're faced with.

Interesting times......