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......

On Being Thankful Always.......

It is the eve of Thanksgiving Week in the United States.    It is a time for us all to step back and remember ever more all that we're thankful for.     As we go "dark" for this Thanksgiving Week on all #Outsider Channels, we wanted to simply say thanks to all who have supported this "labor of love".  We also remain ever so hopeful about our World as we look forward to reflect upon a World that although challenging, it is one to embrace and believe in.

Wishing all the happiest of Thanksgivings....

Notations On the Eve of The Week-End: On #Iran, #IranTalksVienna & #DiplomacyIsPersonal

We here @ #Outsiders have been continuing to monitor the talks in Vienna.   As reported by +i24News earlier this evening, there are comments attributed to US officials that ssignificantgaps remain and that the Secretary Kerry may propose another extension.    As the meetings are continuing, we were gratified to see the handshake between Dr. Zarif and Secretary Kerry as witnessed by Baroness Ashton who continues her role as the meditator despite no longer being the European Union Foreign Policy Chief.   We wanted this picture to be at hand (courtesy of the team at +i24News just in case some dead-enders in Tehran or Washington decided not to have it available .    Although the agreement is the first step, getting it through a hostile US Congress and going through the "worried" in Iran is a whole different matter.

It will be an interesting and challenging Week-End.  The team at the National Iranian American Council has undertaken a concerted effort to help push for an agreement which we here @ "outsiders' were happy to lend our support to with the hashtag #DiplomacyisPersonal that we had noted earlier. This Twitter feed was to help lend further support to Congressman Rohrbacher earlier tonight:

@DanaRohrabacher hoping to count on support for #IranTalksVienna in how #DiplomacyisPersonal...Happy Thanksgiving :) pic.twitter.com/bAkolPsCVH
— Mike Pouraryan (@mikepouraryan) November 22, 2014

Despite the apparent low expectations, we here @ #Outsiders remain hopeful for a deal. It will be a welcome respite for a region in turmoil especially as we just reviewed late breaking reports of riots again breaking out in the occupied West Bank and as Syria and Iraq continue to burn.