Thursday, December 31, 2009

She Became a Celebrity..



She does not know how to speak, although been a journalist.. Not in Arabic, and certainly nor in English.. Using vulgar terms and vocabularies, which most illiterate commons are using.. Apparently, her UN Press position was a gift from someone.. The same mystery about the Sudanese Press League, which kept a silent despite who the whole thing provokes their credibility in the troubled, yet reading country..!!
She was a shock to our distinctive culture.. in Sudan, conservatism is potted with open-mindness, where sky is the limit for your imagination, yet respect the fundamentals of our grassroots and common perceptions..
She was not that moral-driven one, nor dressed as modest as shown in press.. Police had caught her at midnight in a suspicious club.. A witness claimed her dress was totally different, almost naked; yet some activists helped her to change all to embrace the government in highly charged time of politics and power game..
Regretfully, she ashamed her country, and aided who want to shame Muslims.. She is too small to be any player, yet a tool for big players.. Now, she is immunized in Europe, and will be forgotten shortly.. but the hurt she caused will be deeper and wider to heal..!!
Unfortunately, Sudanese Government was not such smart to leak the picture of her custody states.. which normally, any statesman would do, as precaution for foreseen political row.. I'm sure such a photo is there somewhere, awaiting someone to leak.. yet also awaiting for a particular deal to expire among the political players..!!





Sunday, December 27, 2009

Geopolitics..



The first lesson in Geopolitics; is to know how:
To read both historical and recent maps,
To understanding resources, relationships and communications; then
To position yourself according to best interests..!!


African Historical Colonies


Commonwealth World 2009


Sudanese Accessiblity 2009


Undernourished 2008


Peace in the World 2009


Oil concessions 1997


Arms Route for Hamas

In April 2009, Israeli planes had attached and destroyed truck convoy somewhere on the Egyptian Sudanese boarders.. Earlier an Israeli navel ship had attacked and sunk an unidentified cargo ship within Sudanese waters.. Certainly, none of such was revealed except within the international political publications.. This is how geopolitics works..!!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Chimamanda Adichie

It is sensibly lengthy, yet attractive and goes deep in analyzing how stereotyping is generated, enforced and affects our intellectual world.. so, no wonder that people go unwilling to discover the depth of each other…
Thanks Iyad for sharing..



http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

If the World were 100 People..


(World map redrawn by wealth..)

The following statistics are an abbreviated version of the research that we commissioned from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. The detailed research and source information can be found here. The statistics contained in the email that originally inspired the project have been retired, but can still be viewed here for purposes of comparison.

If the World were 100 PEOPLE:


50 would be female
50 would be male



20 would be children
There would be 80 adults,
14 of whom would be 65 and older


There would be:
61 Asians
12 Europeans
13 Africans
14 people from the Western Hemisphere


There would be:
31 Christians
21 Muslims
14 Hindus
6 Buddhists
12 people who believe in other religions
16 people who not be aligned with a religion


17 would speak Chinese
8 would speak Hindustani
8 would speak English
7 would speak Spanish
4 would speak Arabic
4 would speak Russian
52 would speak other languages


82 would be able to read and write; 18 would not
1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer


75 people would have some supply of food and a place to shelter them from the wind and the rain, but 25 would not
1 would be dying of starvation
17 would be undernourished

15 would be overweight
83 would have access to safe drinking water

17 people would have no clean, safe water to drink

Sources: Fritz Erickson, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and John A. Vonk, University of Northern Colorado, 2006; Returning Peace Corps Volunteers of Madison Wisconsin, Unheard Voices: Celebrating Cultures from the Developing World, 1992; Donella H. Meadows, The Global Citizen, May 31, 1990.
http://www.100people.org/statistics_100stats.php?section=statistics

Saturday, December 19, 2009

In Dubai; we Trust..



Across the board; three negative values had gradually concurred the business culture in Dubai during the decade of 2000th.. These had created the messy situation of 2009.. Root-cause is simply the improper planning for cultural foundations to synchronize the economic boom.. Neverthless, no economic breakthrough can be build on a real estate cycles.. The question: who to blame.. Apparently, every party; Indigenous, Expatriates or Rating Agencies; has his own legitimate excuses.. Yet, the commons are paying the cost of a roughly-shaken economic model..

(1) Greed; to make more money by salaries, bounces or any profits; which had crashed many good values.. That Greed had been created and mastered by the Senior Executives, who understood the value of Balance Sheets to boost their glamorous success.. Thus; their excessive moneys were justified; which fed both service and retail sectors with more than $ 50 billion a year; creating the great urban bubble in Dubai.. There were no tangible products to define the economic boom, but massive luxurious benefits and privileges.. In the process definitions were twisted and values were misspelled..

(2) Selfishness; as companion to Greed and on contrary to praised causes; yet it had created a layer of incompetent executives; who would do anything to maintain their personal gains.. The absence of Cultural Mandate had enable all streams of thoughts to exercise, conditioned to run parallel the legal and political red tapes.. Even so, some professionals, who are the true fuel of the happenings, had went the extra mile to create legacies and myths; which had spelled magic on minds and hearts.. It was all around the ego: I & Us; against We & Them.. Regretfully, Dubai alike most Arab, Islamic and underdeveloped nations lacks those Sociologists; who can draw the navigation routes in the challenging world of fast foods and fast assembly..

(3) Disloyalty; as very few had cared about the consequences of her/his inputs on future and sustainability of public interests.. The graffiti’s which been circulated in emails, describing the chaos of Dubai and awaited dark future; were expression of extreme disconnect between the system and its aggregates.. Discomfort and disbelief was growing along the sharp curves of revenues, as no substantial efforts proven critical for the astronomical gains.. In a City-State, no secrets, and many shared the true stories of misconduct, yet everyone set himself distant from the story..



Regretfully to say; when the Financial products took it over from the Engineered ones.. there was no rationale lift to wrap the economic consensus.. Same, when the flood of many nationalities and cultures take over the city, no culture framework was there to wrap up the urban glance.. Yet, I need to condemn all so-called professionals, who shared directly or indirectly in turning the dear dream to make things right into a chaos.. This would including me as well..!!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Are you “Professional” ??



Are you “Professional”??


Probably not..!!

Many of claims to be professional, after earning a degree, spent some years working, and wrote few mails, or attended few meetings.. The fact that all these exciting venues are not sufficient to designate anyone as “Professional”..


Professionalism bridges yourself into the corporate and business world, where you are not yourself anymore, but part of a machine.. These machines are mostly for money making, some for regulating and governing our world, and few for building a goodness: knowledge, charity or priesthood..!! Notably, money making in some sectors means Money Saving/Controlling; which includes hospitals, low class housing, free schooling and subsidized food.. This is the Art of Enterprising..

My many years had been among many unintentionally unprofessional and few truly professional, yet, had inspired this heat-generating article.. Despite the many write-ups on the subject, apparently, little value is there, as the big words, double meanings and controversial definitions, had twisted the value, and misplace the message to the reading eyes, not the realizing brains.. Therefore, I will try my bet.. Hopefully will work..!!

 1. Just be on Time: No excuse: if this needs clarification: Forget it..!!

2. Swift Action. Swift Actions: When the exciting and enthusiasm are gone, things will inevitably taste different; and so the results..

3. Sorry; you have to please the Boss: This is not for debate, argument or research.. Take it or quit..!!

4. Do not mix Personal with Business: This is the black spiral hole that most are sunk in.. Do not claim emotionless because we all slip into this paradox. Not a shame to work on yourself, but do not expect quick results. It is almost a life time endeavor..!!

5. Do not misuse Physical Attributes: Handsome men are more trustworthy in business than pretty women.. Simply; most women cannot easily gear out of bed and be in their way to office in 15 minutes, but men can.. Dress attire is meant for women rather than men; yet it is easy for men to follow, but women try many tricks to work around it.. Maybe most women should stay at home..!!

6. There is always something new to know: Knowledge grows faster than our ability to acquaint. No one knows everything; yet many contrarily acts. Listen to everyone carefully; then elaborate and ask.. Later you can put your wonderful smashing smoking-guns statement..!!

7. Do not underestimate potentials: As a senior executive, I carefully listen to my clerk on file-labeling..!!

8. Communications Etiquette: Simply; either coming from a tropical jungle, or down town Manhattan..!!

9. White, Gray, Black or fashioned: I’m from an old school.. it is all about your hair.. BTW; Bold is white.. Ranking is the backbone of organizational structure.. Please; do not reinvent the wheel..!!

10. Look positively good and Fresh: Personally, I choose my city, wife, company, secretary and car; to express good karma..!!



Good Professional Luck...!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Gration Hearing..



Only, 12 hours ago, I posted my comments on Prof. Mamdani incorrect assessments on Sudan.. Today, I received support from The Capitol on some items..

There is no defined Policy on Sudan,
There is no Annex of comprehensive Incentives and Measures
Gen Gration is just clowning around, and
Thick fog is covering the whole thing..!!

Prof. Mamdani on Darfur & Sudan

One of the repeated and inevitable mistakes in today’s politics; is the referral to academic professors as advisors on setting strategies and roadmaps. It is a mistake, as people and communities are not constant matters with sustainable probabilities and predictable reactions. Human nature would drive a community to diverse its course of actions due to uncontrolled circumstances, including rumors and gossips. These facts, and others came bright to my mind when watching a JSC interview with Professor Mahmood Mamdani of Columbia University, as a world leading expert of African Studies, debating on backgrounds, developments and predictions of future of Darfur, Southern Sudan, and International Theater.. I have no doubt on his vast experience and knowledge about structures of African geopolitics and socio cultural compositions. Certainly, he advises authorities, think tanks and development institutions, as such academic credentials are the most reachable to get prepared for any actions. Yet, as always; there is blank black holes, which make most of this intelligent analysis and predication unreal, and rarely matching the forthcoming people’s actions or on-ground activities. No wonder, the common say on academic ivory chairs or watch towers..!!

I went thru his last book; Saviors and Survivors.. which is a very nice work, advocating the conspiracy behind Save Darfur Coalition, and explaining how historical the fights between various tribes over water and land, not on racial facts. Yet, his book, alike many other writers; is not addressed to Sudanese readers, but those Westerners who are thousands of miles away from battle zone or drought regions. Discussions on their strategies, not ours.. on their interests, not ours..!!


Nevertheless, the deliberate mindset of Al-Jazeerah (JSC) to only host controversial guests, who should have a definite criteria of expressing against the general consensus of any issue; is long questioned, and rather discomfortable to me on a personal level. This is well known to any observer who knows the history of lunching its service, and the agreed challenges for funding and promoting certain political visions. The aim is never to promote the truth, but the channel itself.. Then its commercial viability works..!!

Prof M. had summarized the situation in Sudan as follows in Italian Bold, followed by my comments:

1. Darfur victims and causalities are exaggerated in numbers for political purpose, against WHO data..
Darfur is not only count of displaced or murdered or raped, it is a count of brutality and systematic armed vacation of land and villages. Yes, both parties; rebels and government-backed militia had contributed to the bloodshed, but Government is meant to govern, and control escalation of matters that would fuse any threats to national settlement and way of life.. Darfurese escaped to every direction, as Southern Sudanese done earlier, even Israel was forced to host some.. No one can say that nothing happened there, or demount the magnitude.. The same applies in events in Bor, Awerial, and many more to come..!!


2. Bush Administration had great role in igniting and blowing up the crisis in Darfur for particular agenda..
Yes, Decomposition of Sudan was an old plan, as part of the then called: United States of East Africa.. It is strategic plan, which serves higher targets than any administration would occupy the white house. Changing US Presidents doesn’t mean changing strategies, particularly the main ones related to resources, political controls and opening markets; otherwise the famous American Dream would fail. Changes are limited to how to execute strategies, not to set them.. USEA is coming like it or not; sooner or later..!!

3. Save Darfur Movements are currently frozen without support from Obama’s Administration..
Accordingly, Decomposition of Sudan was an imminent quest few years ago, yet been delayed till circumstances and environments are more adequate. Meanwhile; to serve multiple and complex interests, a joint venture was lately planned and negotiated to partner both Sudanese government and rebels in a mega enterprise to utilize the resources, defuse both local and regional tensions, and draw a big pretty picture to calm the poor illiterate (and literate as well) people with physical attractions that would last only for few decades. Not only Save Darfur slogan is dying, but also ICC plea. This reminds me with an old school punishment, to order the bullies to stand on their toes for a while..!!

4. Referendum of Jan 2011 will certainly come with voting for independence of Southern Sudan ..
Democratic election is a global phenomenon since 1990th. The merit is never to get people share the ruling process, but to get them shut up, as their voice had brought their rulers.. Sounds crazy, but very true.. Natural carve had clearly defined the majority as incapable to wisely choose, while only direct voting is used in Switzerland. Elections are great festives everywhere on earth, an opportunity to get everyone busy, while all critical decision and covert operations are done away from reports, politicians and public realization. Sorry Guys, these are the facts of life.. Therefore, no wonder about the amount of parties in-formation, candidates in-negotiations, and the dead who suddenly come alive, and deployed battalions to register the confused voters, and great chaos in every corner.. Outcomes would change or deliver nothing but tearful patriotic speeches, and sky-rocketing circulation of newspapers..!!


5. None of the surrounding countries, nor US is interested in dividing Sudan in smaller ethnic or cultural states..
Yes, no one cares about partitioning Sudan, same as done in India or Iraq. Ironically, the books-worms in Sudan did not realize the true political world around. Geopolitics means focal interest on your own national interests, National Security requires defining that National Interests, and threat opportunities they confront. Both are not available in Sudan: What we care for? and what risks associate? I doubt that any of the so-called political institutions or parties has a detailed document on any; therefore, we have chaotic and unsystematic choice of friends, aliens and enemies, as how it comes.. driven by personalities of Rulers, Ministers, Executives, or Police Officers; not the national consensus, or at least the intelligentsia’s..!!

6. Arabs are not interested in Sudanese politics, apart from direct economic and investment benefits..
Certainly, Arabs and any other, only see in Sudan appealing business and investment opportunities, not more. Global politics does not recognize emotional or cultural attachments. Grand Turkey, Grand Israel, Grand India, Grand Russia, United Germany, Grand Morocco, United Ireland, Grand Armenia, etc; are examples of political projects that never fade despite all wars, hardships, and conflicts. Strategists worldwide are setting their schemes based on such understanding and realization. This is how the other would value our existing and capacity; or to ignore it.. This is the roadmap for our Sudanese Strategy and existence on the globe.. No one would love you, but respect or disrespect you..!!


7. Egypt is certainly concerned on Nile issue, and already extended its hands to Southern Sudanese politicians and movements..
Egypt Quest should be the biggest in Sudan. Forget those emotional conversations, or Egyptian ads in Sudan TV, but look to it strategically. Assume; no language, religion, culture or history, but series of hostilities between Sudan & Egypt. What you would draw in your Egyptian policies? Should Sudan exercise his water rights the same Turkey done to Iraq and Syria? Or should trade its water rights with Egypt the same European countries are doing? What is the value of water if we lack adequate infrastructure to utilize our fertile land? What the parameters of any deal can be reached with Egypt, as it already uses the Sudanese surplus on top of its quote? Let’s admit it: Egyptian are far advanced, and historically as well in defining their national interests and security, and this is the core of their relation with Sudan.. In politics; there is no Love..!!

8. Finally, US Envoy driven by personal passion to support Sudan’s unity..
Finally, his great mistaken statement, which overturn any creditability of his talk.. USA has stable, fixed, defined institutions and decision making process.. Appointed envoys or ambassadors are not free to draw or plan, but to execute, observe, and justify changing recommendations. Their personal value or weight will never come to an effect, unless proven extraordinary politicians or visionaries. Even so, they have to confront the Congress Committees..!!


Dear All:
I think there is nothing new in all what he said; yet sounds great and amazing for anyone who is not updated on the whole quest. On the contrary, I think he already missed critical issues; either not familiar with, or does not want to speak about. In addition; some of his statements are not precise as should academically be, nor set grounds for any strategic understanding or processing..

Regretfully, our politicians are not geared up to build our country.. None of them is a Statesman.. This is a big problem, and the true obstacle towards the future.. Mercy For All of Sudanese..


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

15 Years in Dubai; and Counting..



Today, UAE celebrates the 34th National Day..
It was the 18th, when I landed in Dubai 16 years ago..
During the years, I did not realize what I was losing.. nor what I gained.. Belonging to those "Intellectual Temporary Immigrants" is a very tricky thing..!!
Streets and Places around remind me with efforts and years invested to build something others will be proud of.. You are not allowed to feel the same.. nor to claim it yours..!!
This is the principle difference in such forced Diaspora..
Those ITI had never lift homeland seeking wealth, but opportunity to share their passion to deliver rightful things.. Yet; the little savings they made are much less than their natives back home..
The true merit of saving is not money or assets, but emotional.. You save a relationships for time of need, passion for time of loneliness, and love for time of getting old..
Being here: You are simply: Homeless.. You belong to nowhere..!!
If you may complained; answered: why you came in..?

If a person is sick, hungry or naked: Charities and NGOs will help.. But if Homeless: the entire globe is too small too tight..!!

Homelessness is a state of mind and soul, not body..
It is the forced Diaspora from the places you know..
It is the walk into continuous uncertainty..
It is the endless search for warmth and content..
It is ugliness of being permanent stranger..
It is the unmarked grave awaiting in the middle of nowhere..
It is the optimum challenge to know that life is worthless if you are not a believer..
It is a fate more than 130 million share worldwide..!!
They call them "Temporary Immigrants.."









I do respect a lot the western systems that declared their need for immigrants to maintain the urban civilization they created.. Mostly as Gears n Fuel, occasionally as Operators, and rarely as Planners.. In all levels, your value as a human being, a member of a community, and a tax-payer is fully respected, honored and considered.. Therefore, who had made it into there, are no longer Homeless.. Yet; bitterly, we are..!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Dubai Crisis: My Brief Testimony



These days are witnessing a massive market shakes due to the Dubai Government announcement to restructure its main conglomerate Dubai World, which owns 70% of Dubai $ 80 billion debt (some estimates put it at $90-120 billion..). Such action had recalled chaotic times of Lehman Brothers and Universal Credit Crunch; which threaten the fragile results of collective efforts to bring stability and sustainability to world financial order.. Critically to agree on a basic approach that true civilization or economic breakthrough will not be achieved through massive real estate developments, whatsoever. Real Estate as an economic cycle is closed and not sustainable, it is supportive to industrial or productive sectors, it serves and generates temporary payback not sustainable revenues.. It cannot be a horse, a wagon, a wheel or a coachman.. but a necessary Bonnet..!! Placing the role of Real Estate in Dubai economic model was the gates of hell, that yet to be closed..!!

I’m not a financial expert, nor a well-versed in investments..Yet, my core expertise in Technical Development is very close to these areas, which had forced me to look into the tie-in linkage between what I’m doing, and what those numerical-wizards used to do.. When I go through the archives and records of my chronicles on Dubai, I’m personally amazed.. Something in early 2000, told me that I should keep records; and I did.. At that time, I was working on my PhD thesis, but my archive went widely behind my research platform.. Not the thesis was completed, nor the thirst for knowledge faded out.. In 2002, I felt the happenings were too much and too many; and inevitably have to expand my work; against all roles of academic research.. Then, the degree lost its value, as mount of knowledge has more temptations.. I do recall my clam supervisor, Dr Soumyen Bandyophaya; of Liverpool citing: No one had the privilege to witness a community transforming from tribes into a nation; from nomad into a metropolis; yet you had that unique chance..!!

Dubai-2000 was a magnificent story, that surprisingly shocked the world, and changed the perspectives of how to do business.. Everybody was taken by the amazing reporting on how to create millions by simple change of your mind set.. The media had appreciated the same, with massive campaigns meant to deep-rooting the success story, and accordingly, fund-raising more investments to flow in.. Senior Managers were extremely “high” in their victorious announcements, enabling them to say anything, whatsoever.. No wonder that the cycle of monetary was great enough to confuse bankers, rating agencies, decision makers and also rotating back to finance managers themselves..!! In this massive colorful black hole, spinning around a great real estate bubble, retail, services, aviation, luxuries, etc., were spiraling up in greater speed that caught all  by surprise and confused the systematic patterns of valuation and monitoring..!!

Dubai success story had been launched by Engineers, who were both realistic on what to do, and also eager to mark the history with technical achievements.. Therefore and critical to note, that none of the projects carried out during 1996-2003 had failed..!!

In 2004, Finance managers wanted to get their name in bold on the newspapers, therefore, they managed to take the lead, turning all blue prints into spreadsheets, with maze of numbers. Associated by Lawyers, who advocated the need to run due diligence and compliance exercises to assure setting liabilities and obligations. 2004-onwards problems showed that all spreadsheets and legal documents were faulty and wrongly-tailored made to deliver a twisted massage that has no roots, yet allowed for massive (but truly temporary) profits to fire-work..!!

Now, you may understand, why as an Engineer, I have little faith in professionals working on Finance, Investment, Law, and Media..!! This four fields had created the chaos in Dubai Model, which had symbolized the hope for economic reforms throughout the Middle East and third world; confronting radicalism and futuristic threats.. I do acknowledge some fetal and mistaken issues that created the hidden roots of chaos in Dubai-2009, therefore, I share my views for possible benefit or record.. Many of these symptoms were related to Dubai itself, making its model not replicable in any other country. Qatar was the first to understand and withdrew all high hopes to compete with Dubai in 2005, then replaced with traditional growth formulas. Bahrain, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi as well had taken very conservative steps and measures to draw their own developments and achievements.

The relatively shallow bureaucratic history of Dubai did not support administration stability through the change. Despite Dubai management was always based on innovations; to confront siege of environment, surroundings and ambition on all socio economic and geopolitical fronts; the happenings were behind capacity to master. The hard-to-understand democratic system that was based on tribal ethics and mindset, had narrowed the chance for expatriate experts to dig deep and provide sustainable culturally adopted solutions for both problems and ambitions. This is in my view, is the most critical drawback in Dubai Model. Yes, there are many truly successful projects and initiatives that took place. However, the following Four elements would summarize the story, and give reasonable justification for why things went wrong:

Exaggerative Competitions: The slogans were excessively circulated, arguing all staff to break all codes and come up with extraordinary ideas and concepts. A senior manager once said: “If a tire busted, we do not stop the vehicle, but we repair it while driving..!!” You may imagine the resulted chaos in name of innovation.. In the process, many expatriates were imported on basis of personal likelihood not the professional capacity.. Many UAE nationals were pushed away from the lights of fame; while many festive were created..

Irrational Decentralization: In the vivid search for delivery, all text books were shelved and great sense of decentralization took the helm as sole route to innovate and bring the extraordinary alive.. Suddenly Dubai was ruled by more than 15 urban authorities, who do not communicate and acted being in a war zone.. Implications on services, utilities and infrastructure were time bombs, while plans for better living were often confronted with simple equations of resources and operations management..

Culture of Greed: The quick loud gains of 2000-2003 had inspired the newly appointed senior executives to shoot up their corporate revenues and profits. No demise was identified between the Managers personal interests and the Corporates’. Simply, boards were almost idle.. as no one dares to bridle, restrain or control the energetic horse.. No one examined the critical success factors of real estate boost: the facts of demographics, legal system, or micro economics.

Socio-Demographics Challenges: National resources are not more than 4-6% of human resources required to gear up Dubai-2008. Yes, some managers had successfully built up teams and created unique models of multiculturalism, but most were great failure as narrow minded selections to their natives. Certainly, the fruits of such boom did not add value to the national population, not as Kuwaiti example of richness, nor as Omani one of preparedness.. As no authority manages the social platform, the incapable media took it over in full blindness.

If the above are acceptable as root causes for Dubai Crisis, The solutions for both long and short terms plans can be extracted in a reflective exercise.. In addition, there is an imminent need to find a role for the produced and delivered real estate assets during 2007-2010, in order to draw a reasonable economic consensus and financial cycle.

Innovative Modeling of Surplus: It is a mission-critical, to utilize more than 100,000,000 square footage of built up areas; in appropriate, profitable or revenue generating usages. Laws of bankruptcy are close for issuing, which will knock down the prices further down within first half of 2010, leading to more bitter loses for existing developers and micro investors. Creating a business model which enables these assets to contribute to an economic cycle is an imminent necessity and critical demand. Replicas of Monte Carlo, Las Vegas or Singapore is not out of reach, considering the massively-built infrastructure, subject to restructuring of administration, strategic objectives and realistic resourcing.

Quality as a Driving Culture: This is a global call, which is inevitably addressed if any nation wants to participate in the economic universal drive. Dubai does not need more energetic cow-boys, but gray-hair administrators who are well versed in setting up agencies, policies and operations, apart from quick catches and wow-syndromes. Quality is not certifications or celebrations, but simply cutting short the potential shortfalls and ill-handling of procedures. It enables to build upon what received, without wasting time to check suitability and corrective-ness of inputs.

Social Cultural Planning: A social mandate is critically required for Dubai. This element was neglected for long, despite the influx of expatriates, representing more than 120 nationalities. The paradox had been created when the national identity was near crashing by multiple magnitudes while not ready for the challenge. Dubai is not exception in the third world, yet the imbalanced demographics had squeezed and cornered many individuals to situation of defense rather than competency. NGOs and Governmental efforts were not in focus enough to create a momentum, yet many praised attempts were launched, but need stronger and meaningful support.

Transparency for Good Governance: Strong and effective governing is usually not transparent.. This is a fact. To rule, a blank blind space is required between the boss and his subordinates. Building up an organizational structure means the up you go, the more critically you know. Transparency was never meant to construct relationships within the corporate itself, but in its interactivity with the government. Transparency is required for rating agencies, regulatory authorities and academic institutions to study, assess and establish general consensus on how things are going, or how to make them performing in a better way, to serve agreed targets and objectives.

More readings and tracking on recent financial stand:
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/574684-dubai-debt-news-latest%20http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091127/NATIONAL/711279794/1005
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=16310
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091127/NATIONAL/711279786/1133
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091118/BUSINESS/711189902
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/56620,business,is-dubai-about-to-default-on-its-50bn-debt?DCMP=NLC-daily
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=6§ion=0&article=128906&d=28&m=11&y=2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/nov/27/british-banks-exposed-dubai-crisis
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1943212,00.html
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/574653-dubai-debts-crisis-latest-news
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/574548-uae-real-estate-market-has-hit-bottom---analysts
http://gulfnews.com/business/markets/investors-show-trust-in-dubai-1.532880?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20091127_GN_Morning_Newsletter_27_November&utm_content=&utm_term=Article%20click%20-%20Business+133342
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/574645-moodys-cuts-dubai-gri-ratings-amid-debts-delay
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/574645-moodys-cuts-dubai-gri-ratings-amid-debts-delay
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/56620,business,is-dubai-about-to-default-on-its-50bn-debt?DCMP=NLC-daily
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091128/BUSINESS/711289904/1183/enewsletter

Friday, November 27, 2009

US Mechanism


This is how the USA Establishment works
A chance for setting free your imagination to feel a regime based on complex, yet optimum scientific formulas and findings..
To feel it, as hard to understand it
If you manage to understand it.. Take next flieght, Land anywhere there, in a couple of years you can be a Congressman..!!
I really liked it.. It is a Piece of Art
Therefore, I'm a great fan of West Wing..!!

One day, a year ago; I had quoted:
"Change brought Obama, not Obama brings Change"
So far; very true..

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sudanese Refugee Day (29th Dec 2005)


In November 2005, hundreds of Sudanese refugees united to stage a peaceful sit-in protest. They constructed makeshift camps for themselves in Mustafa Mahmoud Square outside the UNHCR office in Mohandisin, Cairo. This wasn’t the first protest organized by the Sudanese. The year before, they staged a protest surrounding the issue of obtaining “yellow cards” from the government which had become a months long process. This protest, however, was centered around their living conditions within Egypt.


After months of protest, the UNHCR remained steadfast in their refusal to grant Sudanese refugee status. Conditions within the park were quickly becoming dire due to overcrowding and lack of any sanitation. Finally, UNHCR officials handed the matter over to the notoriously aggressive Egyptian police.
After months of protest, the UNHCR remained steadfast in their refusal to grant Sudanese refugee status. Conditions within the park were quickly becoming dire due to overcrowding and lack of any sanitation. Finally, UNHCR officials handed the matter over to the notoriously aggressive Egyptian police.

On the night of Dec. 29, according to published accounts, Egyptian riot police began blasting the group with water canons and yelling through bullhorns that the protesters would be removed by force. The drenched refugees huddled together in the cold, steadfastly refusing to abandon the park
The next morning, 5,000 Egyptian riot police stormed through the group of unarmed protesters. The security forces, under order to end the protest, began “beating people indiscriminately”. The beatings resulted in 27 deaths, among them: 11 children and 8 women.
News of the massacre spread throughout the world, but quickly lost the interest of the international community.

Read More Displaced



More Reading:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-140425988.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/03/international/africa/03egypt.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6915187.stm
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68039907456
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudanese_refugees_in_Egypt
http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR33/52-53.pdf
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article19503
www.jihadwatch.org/2005/.../egyptian-police-kill-10-sudanese-in-cairo.html
www.flickr.com/photos/fahamu/sets/1157901/
http://hub.witness.org/en/node/203
http://www.scdp-egypt.com/scdp_school.htm
http://news.adventist.org/2006/01/egypt-suaese-avetist-kille-i-cairo-violece.html
http://photos.cmaq.net/main.php?g2_itemId=6543
http://www.aucegypt.edu/ResearchatAUC/rc/cmrs/reports/Documents/schafer.pdf
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/30/AR2005123001331.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-115186740.html
www.northwestern.edu/studyabroad/documents/Emily_Eisenhart.pdf
http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php?t=256756
http://www.maplandia.com/sudan/news/26
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Weekly/Sudan/20051226.html
http://www.rsdwatch.org/index_files/Page4070.htm
http://www.darfuraustralia.org/files/Sudanese%20Refugees%20and%20Asylum%20Seekers%20in%20Cairo.pdf
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/770/eg14.htm
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article13388
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05481280.htm
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/01/13/cairo_sudan/index.html
http://www.buzztracker.org/2005/12/30/Cairo.html
http://www.gossmission.org/goss/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=144&Itemid=192
http://www.anhri.net/en/focus/2005/pr1100.shtml
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2005/11/28/egypt-sudanese-protest-in-cairo/
www.fmreview.org/textOnlyContent/FMR/27/50.doc
http://jrs.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/19/3/287
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/dec/30/sudan
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/world/africa/30iht-cairo.html
http://www.scdp-egypt.com/

Are We Ready for 2080..??



A majority of the population in sub-Saharan African lives in rural areas, where income and employment depend almost entirely on rain-fed agriculture. This population is today at high risk. Sub-Saharan Africa already has a highly variable and unpredictable climate and is acutely vulnerable to floods and droughts. A third of the people in the region live in drought-prone areas, and floods are a recurrent threat in several countries. With climate change, large parts of the region will become drier, increasing the number of people at risk of hunger and poverty by tens of millions.

Climate change is already affecting the region. Reduced rainfall across the Sahel, an increase in the incidence of drought and greater volatility are among the current symptoms. But the future points to far more extreme changes: warming between 0.2°C and 0.5°C per decade, with 10% less rainfall in interior regions under intermediate global warming scenarios, and water losses increased by rising temperatures. The warming will be greatest over the semi-arid margins of the Sahara, along the Sahel and interior areas of southern Africa. Climate-induced changes to crop yields and ecosystem boundaries will dramatically affect some of the poorest people in sub-Saharan Africa partly because many of them live in areas most prone to extreme climate events and partly because they have little capacity to adapt by turning to irrigated agriculture, improved seeds or alternative livelihoods.
Recent modeling has provided important insights that should serve as an early warning system. One illustration, shown on the map, is based on evidence of the relationship between water availability and productivity in the cereals sector. It highlights areas of acute threat, including a wide band across the Sahel region, stretching from Mauritania across Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Sudan. Large swathes of southern Africa face the prospect of steep declines in yields, along with chronically food-insecure countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia. (UNDP Human Development Report, 2006)

www.unep.org/dewa/vitalwater/article152.html

Taboo Ta Nina




It talks about the Second Sudanese Civil War that started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. It took place, for the most part, in southern Sudan and was one of the longest lasting and deadliest wars of the later 20th century. Roughly 1.9 million civilians were killed in southern Sudan, and more than 4 million southerners have been forced to flee their homes at one time or another since the war began. The civilian death toll is one of the highest of any war since World War II.[1] The conflict officially ended with the signing of a peace agreement in January 2005.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Handhalah.. where are you..?

נִדרָשׁ

ודא הוא כבר מת ..!




ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR WESTERN ASIA (ESCWA) 2007






WANTED
Make sure he is already Dead..!!

Report on Aging Arab Population 2007

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Arab or Maghreb..??

between Building a case, and Distroying another..





For more than thirty years, I was hard activist on Arabic Unity.. Was not an ethnic drive, but geopolitical and Cultural one.. Today, I watch the concept falling apart because of 90 minutes Football game; which was successfully monopolized and driven but many hands.. Bitterly enough, that the leading force for that proposed cultural unity, are the gear for its destruction.. Yet, need to salute the Algerian Media, who utilized the incident to promote for their own purpose: Maghreb Unity..!!


I had spent few hours browsing the web sites; which are intentionally created; following the hysterical football battle between Algeria and Egypt for the world cup 2010 bid.. Not only unprecedented amount of emotions and energy revolutionized, which would change the landscape of both countries, but also; lots of irrationality, hatred and awfulness that would mark history.. I believe the coming weeks would witness much more, as the Eygpt’s Mubark spoke firmly on protecting national pride and dignity against whoever breaches.. On the other hand, formal Algerian channels had played calm, allowing its private media to respond.. Meanwhile, FIFA had fined Egypt on earlier incident in Cairo against an Algerian player, as Common Egyptians are wishing actions against Allergies despite no complaints are legalized..

Regretfully, the amount of anger hysteria is growing fast in Cairo, while victory celebrations had lift minor space for the same among Algerians. The strong calls against Algeria mounted to be against Arabs in general, as a gift for pro-Pharosism lobby in Cairo. Some called to retreat all Egyptians working abroad, another called to deport all Algerians from Egypt, third took it into religious affirmation of Quranic note on Egypt superiority, fourth discussed the Algerian ethnicity, and so on.. Within the chaotic situation in Egypt, a rare and unique celebration of patriotism supersedes everything else; which uniquely drove the government to follow, not to control or guide as how things used to be. Many symptoms of government lost-control were observed, while funny tactics of crises management were advised to lead the chaos not to confront it..

The significance of the issues shows a repeated scenario of famous revolutions, when the intellectual elites followed the commons and justify their hysterical demands. Business leaders who are investing about $ 20 billion in Algeria started to announce actions of pulling out, the famous Egyptian entertainment league denounced any activities in Algeria, high quality posters were created and circulated in massive logistic operations, voluntary and unknown continuous feed was supplied for heating-up the public anger, a minister announced possible deploy of armed units to protect abroad citizens, Mubarak’s son publicly cursed Algerians, and so on.. Shocking enough, that high profile decision makers had joined the hysterical commons and comments. Fortunately, fewer academics had joined the madness; so far.. Some loyal Nasserists, who fought the regime in favor of Arab-unity and solidarity in the past, had amazingly joined the frenzy..

Potentials of agent hands and minds behind this escalation is not overruled, as other critical and serious issues had been temporarily shelved. The regular Sharm Elsheikh economic forum had been moved to Morocco, deadlocks of Gaza issue had widely hurt regime’s influence, deteriorated inter-Arabic relations affected flow of investments, open and loud condemnation of ill-governance spread all over the sectors, crack between social layers had grown enough to hurdle crossing dreams, cyber activists been encouraged after beating Husni in the UNESCO bid, modeling Iranian campaigns against a much tighter regime had encouraged repetition, the annual black smoke cloud above Cairo is helplessly growing, and many more.. Notably, while the tight and deteriorated living conditions are soaring in Egypt, it is not the same in Algeria, as commons still enjoy oil and gas revenues in more socialist approaches, despite the common political corruption, rising living costs and complex fundamentalist threats; which both countries shares..

There are few cultural notes, which triggered the latest chaos, as well as any previous confrontations between Egyptians and their Arabic speaking league.. Many of both sides do not understand the hostile situations that suddenly blow whenever an Egyptian-Arab competition takes place.. However, my own observations had brought the following conclusions:

1. Most Arabs are hot-tempered, Bedouin-mannered and extended-family people; believing in these social features which had declined in Egypt due to urbanism, mature bureaucracy and ethnic mixture. This had created a discomfort among Egyptians temporarily or economically migrate to other parts of Arab world, while they have to welcome the petro-dollars to feed Egyptian economy. State of false harmony was widely established..

2. Historical Egyptian prosperity was great magnet for fellow Arabs; which granted Egypt a Big-Brother role since the restoration of Abbasid Caliphate. Such a role is eventually declining with rapid economic and political growth in other Arab countries; which was widely ignored by Egyptian statesmen, leading to the eventual competition on changing roles. A state of patriarchy vs. munity was bitterly created..

3. Modern Media in Egypt was born mighty with rich heritage of theater, cross-border-communications, and significantly-long monarchy. The complexity of media structures, tools, and products were conceived with pro-Arab political projects that created a hidden monster which rules all aspects of Egyptian life. Recipients are powerless with well structured campaigns to exercise government controls and interests. This justifies the alliance between politicians and beneficiaries inside and outside the country. Therefore, reactions of both intellectuals and commons are not necessarily their independent choice, but resultant of complex and scientifically-driven political landscape. A state of totalitarian; occasionally turns fascism vs. enlightenment; occasionally turns democracy..

4. As how agreeable the popularity of Egyptian Slang among Arabic speakers, which was always empowered by both media and modernization, as it creates uncalculated element of confrontations. The same represents the difference between UK Slang and USA one. In Egypt, naming parents is commonly used in different levels of severity to curse someone; which contrarily means forbidden manner among Arabs. While in Egypt; it represents social, economic or political humor or disgrace, it ignites death fight among Arabs.. Adding to an urban value which replaces life-threatening-fight with words-temporary-fight, concluding a situation of risky misunderstanding and awful consequences. A state of mutual epistemic-blindness develops vs. cultural intimacy.


Yet, despite all above; location, population and urbanism of Egypt is critical for Arabic profile, which was always and in complicated manner, targeted by all anti-Arab lobbies in international politics. Arabs represent considerable resources for international economy, which did not diminish by Asian or African potentials due to various geopolitical factors. Therefore, it is well understood that cracking the Arabic solidarity starts by Egypt, as proven in endless occasions along history. Regretfully, Egyptian elites became addicted to miss the lesson, that their own security is not a matter of armed control of the neighbors, but in spreading urbanism and integration with. This is the scheme both Mohammad Ali Basha and Nasser had understood quite well, yet were interested in contrary results..!