Africa Defined

I thought of the Lion Kind because it is one of my favorite childhood movies, and is one of the first things I think of when I think of Africa. This is just a trailer for the Lion King that I found.

Emirates Palace

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

 

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirates_Palace

 

Kempinski Hotels: Emirate Palace

http://www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace/welcome/

 

Interesting Facts

1. Facilities include approximately 247 acres of landscaped gradens, 1.3km of exclusive beach, two swimming pools (one for adventure and the other for leisure), tennis courts, cricket, a rugby pitch and soccer facilities, fitness suites and a spa, besides water sports
2. It cost approxiamtel 3 billion USD to build and took 3 years to complete with 20,000 workers
3. Contains marble imported from 13 different countries
4. Has 114 domes, with the central dome having a height of 72.6 meters above ground
5. 200 tons of oranges squuezed for fresh orange juice each year
6. 5kg of pure edible gold is used per year for decoration aminly on desserts
7. Occupies 850,000 square meters of  floor space

Above is a video of Emirates Palace Hotel's own commercial video

Dear Syria

If I were to write a letter to a Syrian freedom fighter, I would ask them what their thoughts were on the civil dispute taking place, as well as the following questions.

1. What are your thoughts on the international world's involvement or lack thereof?
2. How do you view people of other countries? How do you view things like ignorance, greed, carelessness, etc. differently than before the war?
3. What do you believe will happen in the end? How fast do you believe it will be over? 
4. What are your feelings towards the corrupted leader? 
5. How has the war affected your life personally? What do you see yourself doing in reacting to the affects the war has had?
6. What do you ultimately hope to gain at the end of all of it?
7. At what point would you be willing to stop, if any? 
8. What is the most drastic measure you can see being used to fight the government?
9. What keeps you going? What is your ultimate motivating force?
10. How has your life changed since the war? What has been the hardest thing to adapt to?
11. Do you think that after the war, drastic changes will be made on behalf of the people? 
12. What is something you now appreciate more than you ever could have imagined you'd appreciate before the war?
13. What are a few things you want people to know aobut the war and life lessons in general?

These are all questions that I would want the answers to because I really want to know a lot of things that aren't necessarily addressed when talking about Syria. I'm also very interested in knowing things regarding how the rest of the world is viewed by the people affected by the Syrian war.

As far as sending a message and what I would want it to say, I would want them to know that not all people in the U.S. are ignorant as to the matters going on. People around the world support the Syrian people and their efforts to fight collectively for their freedom. This is an astonishing war, and I would just want them to know that people around the world are supporting them. Just because our governments aren't necessarily getting involved doesn't mean that the people don't care.

Possibility of Peace and Coexistence

I think that peace and coexistence is definitely a possibility for Israel and the Arab world. I feel like if genuine effort was put in, a solution and agreement could be found. However, I feel that it is highly unlikely that this will happen because the people of both sides refuse to recognize the similarities they have with the other. For instance, both are religious, although from different standpoints, yet they kill one another regardless of the fact that religion regards murder and such as a despicable crime. Both sides also have refugees that are struggling to make ends meet. In order for the conflict to change and problems to be resolved, I firmly believe it is necessary for both sides to recognize the vast number of similarities rather than focusing on the negative aspects. When people focus on the negative things in life, they self-destruct. This is exactly what's happening between Israel and the Arab world. A balance and type of peace needs to be found, and the first thing that needs to be done is for them to recognize that they shouldn't sweat the small stuff.

A Nuclear Iran and My Red Line

I think that Iran should be allowed to pursue nuclear technology and nuclear weapons, because like the Iranian youth said in Jared Cohen's book, so many other countries have nuclear capabilities and nuclear weapons; the U.S. is one of them. That being said, who are we to deny another country that right? Granted that the U.S. is part of the UN Security Council it is partly our duty; however, that duty is to ensure safety. Yes, Iran has terrorist groups, but so do many other countries, yet Iran is one of only a few countries who has attacked us at home. I think that this is what's causing such a large problem. Had the events of 9/11 never occurred, I feel like this would be a non-issue.

When it comes to how nuclear capabilities and weapons will affect the country and the Iranian government, I think that, although it's not ideal because it would strengthen the regime, it's up to the people. I do understand that it is very hard for the people to be involved in government outside of the voting process, which is questionable in itself, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything they could do. We already see the way that technology is allowing the youth to rebel against the government, and once the youth are the ones in power, which will happen, things are going to start changing quite drastically. So, in this way, the people will have their say and the decision, I believe, should ultimately be theirs.

As for what I would consider my red line, it's hard to say. I don't know if I would consider nuclear weapons or capabilities a red line or if I would consider the closing of the Strait of Hormuz a red line. I don't think there's cause to take action against Iran just because they acquire nuclear capabilities or weapons. I also don't think closing the Strait of Hormuz is reason to take action. I do understand that the Strait of Hormuz provides 1/4 of the world's oil, but the closing of the Strait of Hormuz would be to upset the world. If we show how angry and desperate we are over this issue, Iran will gain the upper hand; they will be the puppeteer, we the puppets. Because of this, I'm not sure what issue I would exactly consider to be the red line and I'm not sure what a good enough reason is to take actions against Iran.

What Cyberspace Means

Technology, especially in the hands of the Iranian youth, will, in my opinion, completely change Iranian policy and perspectives. As the older generation disappears, perspectives and policies will greatly be formed through today's youth. The youth in Iran today are free-thinking, but often times disagree with their government just to disagree. I think that technology will start to allow access to a myriad of information as the youth begins to take over, allowing the Iranian people to make more informed decisions about how they should go about enforcing policy which in turn will affect perspectives. Right now, the information that the Iranian people can access is very limited so as the gates to technology begin to open, so will the minds of the Iranian people.

Technology is constantly changing world policies and perspectives. Much of the information that we have today relies in one way or another on technology, whether it be the technology used to collect and observe data or the email used to share the data or the newspaper article reporting the data. Our lives are being shaped by technology and being affected by it as I write this post in response to the blog prompt. Internet usage around the world has sky rocketed as seen in the two charts. Technological advancement has created such a large boom that it is practically the central focus of our lives. All technologies from weapons advancement to computers to music devices to the internet have drastically shaped, and continue to shape, our policies and perspectives.

After learning about Iran's attempt to stunt, or limit, the youth's technology use, it makes me drastically rethink what I do on the internet. Although we live in the United States of America, our government has access to everything that we put on the internet. It also makes me value the freedom that we have. So much of our lives are centered around technology, especially the internet, that it would be hard in the United States to be restricted from such a vital part of our lives. Not to say that it is vital as in survival, but vital to daily activities which are prevalent in our lives.

In Their Shoes

I don't know how I would react to being put in their shoes but I do know that I wouldn't be happy. Having grown up in the U.S. makes it difficult to relate to people who started off with very little freedoms. I believe; however, that due to little freedoms in the beginning it would make it very upsetting to have those freedoms restricted even further. I would definitely feel the urge to rebel if in this situation because I would know what it felt like to have at least some freedom. Like the saying goes, "You can't miss what you've never had." I feel like my opinions as a youth in Iran after the revolution would be that we, Iran, should become more Westernized. I would feel that it's not impossible to embrace both Western ideals of freedom and that of my religion because we then could have our freedoms but adapt to our lives.

My Definition of the Middle East

I don't know where to start when it comes to defining a region. Do I start with what I think about the people? The culture? The terrorist organizations? The geography and climate? How does one go about defining such a region, especially being uneducated about it? Well, I will give it a shot, but bear with me!

When I think of the Middle East the first thing that comes to mind is oppression of women and lack of acknowledgement of women's rights; however, even from reading the prologue of Children of Jihad my opinion on that has drastically been swayed. Another thing I think of is hot and arid climate. I am also reminded of religion, especially the large clashing of religions in Israel. And of course, let's not forget terrorists, which I sadly do associate with the Middle East. Being a citizen of the U.S. has made this one thing that I will probably always associate the Middle East with as well as constant war.

So, overall, my definition of the Middle East is (was) a hot and arid region where women are oppressed and have limited freedoms; lots of war/clashing over religion, weapons or whatever it be; infusion of cultures; and terrorists.