A continuation of the Alexandria declaration. I think cultural reform is the most crucial, yet the most difficult aspect of anticipated reform in the Arab World   Fourth: Cultural Reform   34- Participants in the conference took into consideration all local and regional cultural problems and challenges, addressing them from a perspective that asserts a set of indispensable cultural priorities... [read more]

A continuation of the Alexandria declaration in 2004. In my opinion, this section on social reform should be the biggest priority for any reform effort in the region   Third: Social Reform   30- Recognizing that the Arab community as a whole possesses great social and cultural resources, it is time to make maximum use of these resources to establish a viable, cohesive Arab society that... [read more]

A continuation of the Alexandria declaration 2004   Secondly: Economic Reform   17- Economic reform includes all legislation, policies, and measures that would free the national economy and turn it efficiently in accordance with market mechanisms. This would be done in a manner that would ensure economic prosperity and facilitate integration with regional and global economies   ... [read more]

No word has ever been more "exploited" in Jordan and the Arab World more than "reform" in the last few years. As if it has been magistically discovered in a deep cave in the Arabian political desert, reform has been the most welcomed guest in all political projects developed by the USA and EU for the Arab World after September 11th and has been the silver bullet for the political and socio-economic... [read more]

If there is one prize for not being committed to a decision, it should go to me. Just 24 hours earlier, I reached a decision to end updating in this blog. I thought it was a product of intensive thinking, but once I posted the note I got a strange feeling of depression. I just do not want to desert this blog and do not feel that I have both the energy and the time to start over a new blog although... [read more]

After around 30 months of blogging in Jordan Watch, the curtains will be closed here and opened somewhere else. I feel that I am both satisfied with the content and not very much motivated for more. Now I will go and pursue an old dream of establishing a media project focusing on science writing and journalism about the scientific trends and conditions in the Arab World which reflects my academic... [read more]

For the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the so-called "economic reform" process based on structural adjustment on the middle class in Jordan has been conducted. The study conducted by Dr. Ibrahim Saif and Yasmin Tabba'a aims to explore the effects of structural adjustment and economic reform in Jordan through the lens of income distribution. The main objective of the paper is... [read more]

This is a very inspiring short stories that I have just read from paolo Coelho's book of essays and reflections "Like the Flowing River". I would like to share it with you as I am feeling that I am going through the same experience, and feel positive each person who contributes to the world of writing should do.   The story of the pencil   A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter... [read more]

I am enjoying reading the fascinating book written by Jordan's former Minister of Foreign Affairs and deputy Prime Minister for reform Dr Marwan Mouasher entitled "The Arab Center: the Promise of Moderation". Although the main theme of this book is a sound description of the justification and potential of Arab moderation with a documented history of the betrayal of the Arab moderation vision by various... [read more]

Human Rights Watch got it right this time. Instead of campaigning for the sake of Al Qaeda terrorists held in Jordan the HRW has finally tackled the real issues that are necessary for creating a civilised and modern political society in Jordan by criticising the regressive drafts of the public assembly and non governmental organizations laws currently discussed by the Parliament. I agree and... [read more]

This is really funny and eccentric! It seems that our Iranian friends (well, not a lot of passion is shared at the official levels) are furious with Jordan and causing us of supporting terrorism. We are not talking here about Al Qaeda and Fath Al Islam but as supporters of Mujahedin Khalq Organization. The hardline leftist military opposition to the Islamic regime in Iran has generously invited... [read more]

I was disappointed to learn that Mr Ahmad Obeidat has resigned from his position as head of the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) in Jordan, most probably due to "requests" delivered to him by the Government after his participation in signing a public petition with other 149 Jordanian figures critcising the official liberal economic policies and privatization options. Ahmad Obeidat is one... [read more]

Jordan was taken by surprise with the candid interview given by HM King Abdullah II to the official Jordanian news agency Petra. The complete text of the interview can be read in Black Iris Blog. The interview answered a lot of the hot questions and worries that were vibrating through the minds of Jordanians in the past two months. I am not gonna comment on the answers here, but to reflect again... [read more]

Just when I started to think that football can still be fair and allow the better team to win (Spain beating Italy) this cruel match of tonight brought me to the reality of lack of justice in most football matches. I started watching the Germany vs. Turkey semi-final as a neutral. I was grateful for Germany after sending spoiled boy Cristiano Ronaldo packing in the quarter final and I enjoyed... [read more]

Jordan Business Magazine is yet aiming to identify the 30 most influential people in Jordan (apart from the Royal Family) and for this purpose have designed a good voting system. The results should apear in the July edition. Here is my own list of the most influential 30 persons. The list should be divided by three categories, with 10 names in each. In my humble opinion, the second category of... [read more]

I would like to share with you this fascinating speech by Dr Ismail Serageldin, the Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the former vice president of the World Bank for Water and Environment. Dr Serageldin is a phenomenal person with an encyclopedic knowledge on science, culture, development and politics in one holistic humanist package. This speech is about his selection of the ten books that... [read more]

I am writing this post in the few hours before the Turkey-Croatia game trying to put my expectations of the three remaining matches of the Quarter Finals of the Euro 2008. I was thrilled to see Germany defeat Portugal. It seems that we Circassians have a special affiliation with Germany. Maybe two in each three Circassian people I know support Germany. I am not an avid supporter of the German team... [read more]

Although this particular blog is focused on socio-economic and political issues in Jordan, my real passion is about football where I consider myself as a self-declared expert on international football. This is why I am sure I will be enjoying this review of Euro 2008 first round and I hope you find it useful.   To begin with I love the European Championship since it is way better than the World... [read more]

In my last post, I wrote about a statement by John McCain's political advisor of foreign Affairs (Robert Kagan) during a "lecture" he is supposed to have given in New York University saying that Jordan should be the alternative country for the Palestinians. The source of the news was Ammon News portal, a Jordanian tabliod news that is very popular. I wrote about the same issue in my daily column as... [read more]

Update on June 18th: Most likely we have been fooled with this fabricated news. Check http://www.jordanwatch.net/archive/2008/6/598062.html   Two news items have struck me this morning as they include dangerous signs and strange antagonism. According to Ammon news Republican candidate John McCain will consider Jordan to be THE Palestinian state, bringing back into life the Jordanian option... [read more]