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Fudge Country

The tiny Arab emirate of Qatar is actively seeking to become a land where extremes coexist.


Can Bin Jassem seal the deal?

When Aljazeera was first launched in Qatar, it sported a slogan considered to be a novel idea back then in the Arab world: “The opinion and the other opinion”. Their Anchor Faysal el Qassem became notorious for banging heads from opposite sides of political spectrums together, resulting in spirited and often nasty debates.

Qatar, a tiny state with one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, raised many eyebrows by managing to simultaneously host Aljazeera (an Arabist, sometimes demagogical pan Arab TV station), the largest American Military Air base in the region and conferences which invite Israeli officials like Tsipi Livni to Doha to address Arab leaders.

It seems Qatar has a unique ability to have things both ways. It has managed to have a good relationship with both Syria and Saudi Arabia (a relationship that has thawed considerably of late), it gets along with both Hezbollah and Israel, it hosts both Ahmedinejad and Bin Laden, and it pleases both the American military elite and the much vaunted anti-American “Arab street”

Today will mark the start of the ultimate trial for Qatar: Will it be able to use its skills to fudge a deal between the two most irreconcilable of foes, the Lebanese majority and its opposition?

14 thoughts on “Fudge Country”

  1. If you’re a zillionaire, you can do whatever the hell you want. Hey not even Hezbtizi will call you names for talking to Israel.

    As to hypocrisy, it’s always been a big plus in the Arab world.

  2. Also,

    I say “fudge” both the majority and the minority, and if Qatar keeps all the “fudgers” over there for good, the nation of Leb will be forever grateful.

  5. Ummm, Qatar has as many people as Lebanon.

    Why are Lebanese so deluded as to their insignificance? You’re like a corner prostitute. Everyone has a go at you and you can’t do anything about it.

    Qatar could buy and sell your country 100 fold

  6. I too am an american, and I also wish to say disparaging things about the lebanese in this blog. did I say I was an american? thats a person from america, and as an american I have a low opinion of lebanese, them being all the way over there and totally not in america. and I even talked to all my american friends and they wish to tell you similar sentiments. we’re not sure exactly where lebanon is, but we’re damn sure we don’t like it. so remember, I’m american and this is my opinion as an american from america. thank you very much.

  9. GDP of Qatar: $57 billion
    GDP of Lebanon: $40 billion

    Source: Same as those linked above

  12. Pingback: Global Voices Online » Lebanon: National dialogue in Doha

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  14. Dear Friend,

    Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get. I am Mrs. Ethel Coy from Greece. I was married to Late Mike Coy. The Director of Vikhroli Link.Ltd,a seasoned contractor in West African Region. He died on Monday, 31 July 2007 in Paris.
    We were married for seven years without a child. After his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive, he has over the sum of $5.2 Million USD in banks and security companies in Europe, which is yet unclaimed. My Doctor told me that I would not last long due to cancer problem that befalled me. Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction.

    I want the funds to be used in funding religious organizations, orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are very unkind to me and I don’t want my husbands hard earned money to be misused.
    I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank.
    For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me, any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose. If you are not interested, kindly pardon me for contacting you.

    Thanks,

    Yours sincerely,
    Mrs. Ethel Coy.
    email:mrs_ethelcoy65@sify.com

    May God bless you as you walk in the light and glory……………………….

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