Global

As I watch former President Trump on the campaign trail, attempting to reclaim the White House, I feel compelled to share a fable that has been on my mind since his first impeachment trial in 2021. This fable from Arab culture, involving a wolf and a dog, provides a striking analogy to the perplexing loyalty many continue to show toward Trump —a man whose flaws are as glaring as his ambitions.

Before diving into the fable, it’s important to understand the cultural significance of dogs and wolves in Arab culture. Historically, the dog, despite being revered as a loyal companion and hunter, is also viewed by some as unclean and impure. This perspective is not unique to Arab culture; similar views are found in Jewish tradition, though Islamic teachings offer a more nuanced view. The Quran, for example, recounts the story of a dog that faithfully accompanied a group of righteous youths fleeing persecution, symbolizing loyalty and protection.

There are some simple truths surrounding all the nonsense being spewed by Israel’s agents and its cheerleaders in the United States, Canada, Europe as well as elsewhere in the Anglophone world. First of all, Israel is no democracy and never has been one since its foundation over seventy-five years ago. It used massacres of entire villages and other assorted terrorism to drive three quarters of a million indigenous Palestinians from their homes. It then passed laws to forbid any return home by those refugees. Many of those displaced are to this day still living in United Nations (UNRWA) funded settlements, up until recently in Gaza, and also in neighboring countries. Diaspora Jews with no roots in the historical Palestine were by way of comparison allowed to enter and settle freely and were given the stolen Palestinian properties. The Palestinians who did not flee and unfortunately found themselves within the new Israeli borders had only limited rights compared to their Jewish neighbors even though many of them were nominally Israeli citizens.

Promises of "absolute victory" in Gaza are nothing but "gibberish", according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Gallant's comments were not meant to be public, but somehow were leaked and published by Israeli media on August 12. 

 The explanation of why Netanyahu is pursuing a losing war in Gaza has been largely confined to the prime minister's personal interests: avoiding the outcome of his corruption trials, preserving his extremist government coalition and avoiding early elections. 

The Democratic National Convention was happening here in Chicago — my city — and I sat frozen at my desk, staring at my computer. Earlier in my life, yeah, I’d have gone down to the United Center, linked arms with the sane and outraged, joined the cry: Stop funding genocide!

Instead, here I was, gawking at the event’s opening ceremony of day two: A pastor delivers a public prayer, at one point saying we should treat all humans “as sacred creations of the Almighty.” Huh? Is he serious? Does he really mean this? The word “sacredness” has been let loose; joined by “God.” Someone sings the National Anthem. The delegates recite the good ol’ Pledge of Allegiance, their hands ceremoniously pressed against their hearts. Then “God bless America” fills the hall.

The message I hear, quietly hovering behind the words, is this: Democrats are as patriotic as Republicans! Democrats are as religious as Republicans! We can put on a good show too — our clichés are fantastic.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- A Bangkok to Beijing train journey became one clickity-clack link closer with the completion by Thailand and Laos of a Mekong River railway bridge and tracks last month, enabling cross-border rail transport with Laos for the first time and only several dozen miles remaining as the last trackless gap to reach China.

With the Thai-Lao railway's new opening, a 12-hour-long train trip now runs from Bangkok's main Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to Khamsavath Station in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Vientiane's small Khamsavath Station, about six miles outside of the capital, is the final stop for the new Thai-Lao railway's carriages.

To reach China, passengers and cargo arriving by train from Bangkok still need to cross Vientiane's streets via taxis, vans, and other vehicles to traverse the several dozen miles from Khamsavath Station to Vientiane Railway Station, until that last rail link is constructed.

Some officials indicated those final tracks could be laid by 2028.