46. Where are the Arabs?

A question people have asked over the last year (and half a century). A constant mark of shame for the entire 'arab world' but also the beginning into a very serious inquiry - which I would contest has radical potentials that have yet to be fully explored. As I develop my next video essay, on this very topic, I'm doing this episode to just explore the things I'm thinking about out loud.
I also provide some - incomplete - highlights on the latest developments in Lebanon and Palestine. One thing I definitely neglect to mention, specifically in southern Lebanon, is how great the losses are of Israeli soldiers who are trying to invade Lebanon. They cannot win real confrontations, so they use their aerial superiority to bomb hospitals and civilians.
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[@fromtheperipherymedia]

Deleted a comment denying the gas attacks against Syrians. Deleted it with the same confidence I would against any Zionist denying the atrocities and war crimes Israel is committing in Gaza.

[@merbst]

AFAIK, they happened, but the OPCW couldn't seem to agree upon where & by whom.

[@merbst]

thank you for caring

[@nnazem]

Also, more generally, I appreciate you, and everything you do. I can hear from your voice and how you carry yourself that this conflict has been a heavy burden on you, as it has on everyone else.
I can't give you words to ease your pain, your guilt that you can't do more, but I assure you that you're making a difference, and I want to thank you for how much effort you're putting in these pieces to make every life matter

[@mandyh9576]

Thank you for this episode. Stay strong

[@KCKGB]

Ayman, my understanding of Syria's recent history is so embarrassingly incomplete and mostly informed by the 'noise' on social media. Are there any good access points for gathering a fledgling perspective?

[@fromtheperipherymedia]

Thanks so much for this earnest comment. It definitely is difficult (much more so at the time) to cut through all the noise. If you're interested in reading in-depth books on the Syrian revolution, here are 3 I would recommend.
Burning Country - Leila Al-Shami and Robin Yassin-Kassab
The Syrian Revolution: Geopolitics of Death, Politics of Life - Yussif Munir
Assad or We Burn the Country - Sam Dagher
Otherwise, if you want something online, there's this incredible 12 part Webinar series that was made 4 years ago. I just compiled them into this neat Playlist:
th-cam.com/play/PLmDN0QYn68jdJdbKmyc8B3s_OyqYRcbqR.html&feature=shared

[@KCKGB]

@@fromtheperipherymedia Appreciate it, Ayman.

[@metmanik]

thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@Minkrumple]

I hate that the invasion of your home is how I found out about your channel. Praying for your safety and am eager for your analysis. Please stay safe

[@vess2530]

thank you for your work

[@sammysadventure5468]

Thanks for the great podcast! Oh and welcome to Belgium!
On the Arab Revolt, I think it's important to differentiate between the Arab Revolt and the Arab intellectuals in the cities at that time. It's actually quite remarkable when you read Lawrence and others involved and realise their hatred of the Arab intellectuals who dream of Arab independence, preferring instead the idealised 'noble savage' bedouins from the South, almost juxtaposing the two.

[@Free-g8r]

Regarding your critique of Khalek and Blumenthal.
I'd say it's good to take a page of out the right's playbook here and focus on results rather than moral purity.
If Rania and Max are presently acting as effective critics of zionism and have been able to educate more people on the topic. Then I see no benefit in trying to tear them down at this point in time.

[@rebellerevelle]

Yes I think Max at Grey Zone News along with the Electronic Intifada and Mondoweiss did a good job on disproving Israeli atrocity propaganda when no one else risked their careers to do so. I only learned of Max and Rania after October 7th so I'm unaware of their previous stances on other issues. I see people critiquing Max for being too apologetic for Russia, and people criticizing Rania for being too apologetic for Iran and other leaders in the Arab world for their human rights violations and people who oppose those dictatorships are somehow anti revolution against imperialism. A Lebanese guest on Rania's show, Ghadi Francis, was admonishing the Afghanis who desperately tried to escape by hanging on to US planes and died when the Taliban took over. Commentators who rightfully criticize the West but vehemently oppose any due criticism of non Western nations leaders or military groups aren't helping anyone in my opinion.

[@nnazem]

You should read trita parsi's piece
No Clean Hands: The Interventions of Middle Eastern Powers, 2010-2020
The governments of the middle east are not representative of the people. As you mentioned, Israel may have had a military failure in Lebanon 06, and hezbollah could claim a success by surviving, but Lebanese masses lost.
These armies or governments do not represent anyone other than their own self interest.
Also, if Iran wanted to end the Gaza conflict, it wouldn't need to use proxies. It could organize an OPEC oil strike with a couple other key countries. But none of them are willing to sacrifice their profits for the lives of anyone.

[@KCKGB]

Ish is absolutely effed.

[@Just-Browsing-123]

You should be angry, not scared. That's your problem

[@WillYouVid]

Have you been through something like he's going through?