While I studied Chinese, my boyfriend went to the same university to study Arabic. We were both in the languages department, with intense interests in history and politics, and we were both crazy enough to choose some of the most difficult languages in the world. People still ask us “which one’s harder?” And honestly, I’veContinue reading “Why He Studied Arabic”
Tag Archives: Middle East
Why Today Is Important: 20th March
It’s Iranian New Year folks! Or Persian New Year, or Nowruz, depending on who you ask. Where I am, we talk about the Western New Year, or Chinese New Year, but we rarely talk about others, which is a shame because Nowruz is really intriguing. Its origins lie in Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religionsContinue reading “Why Today Is Important: 20th March”
The Arrow
Israeli security is some of the best in the world. It’s excellent out of necessity. If Israel slips up, even once, an attack would be inevitable. The countries of the Middle East have not forgotten, nor forgiven, the land that was taken so forcefully from them in the 60s. And while many would sympathise withContinue reading “The Arrow”
Why Today Is Important: 9th March
This day is important for more than one religion, in two distinctly different parts of the world. The first holiday I stumbled across, was Purim. Purim, a Jewish festival that falls on different dates each year on the Western calendar, but routinely falls on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/earlyContinue reading “Why Today Is Important: 9th March”
Coronavirus and Cocked Up Legs
Last summer I overdid it with walking to and from work on rough terrain, running about after customers, squatting down to lift heavy boxes, etc, and ended up with a groin strain on both legs. I went to the doctors in October, they diagnosed the problem and said to just rest it, so I did.Continue reading “Coronavirus and Cocked Up Legs”
Israel And Military Reforms
Israel is sparking concerns again as they bring out new plans to improve their armed forces. Their already impressive military is seeking to maintain their reputation by restructuring their forces to prepare for what may come in the next few decades. The plan has been in place for over a year, and is prepared forContinue reading “Israel And Military Reforms”
Iran’s Lost It’s Nuts…Pistachio Nuts, That Is
You would think that after decades of competition and tension between Iran and the US that an all-out military conflict is inevitable. But if I were to ask you, will the US defeat Iran with nukes or nuts, we all know what the first reaction would be. And yet, here we are. It’s 2020, andContinue reading “Iran’s Lost It’s Nuts…Pistachio Nuts, That Is”
Academic Research 