Links from my del.icio.us account for January 24th:
- Grande Finale of Inauguralpalooza: God, Gays and Gaza – The Sleuth – I saw Ben Affleck speak on the issue of Congo on TV the other day (he is involved with the UN on this.) He is surprisingly articulate and obviously interested in foreign affairs. Plus Armageddon is the ultimate American movie of all time. So welcome to Israel-Palestine, Ben, it's the south Boston of the Middle East.
- Diplomacy after the Gaza war | Now get back to making peace | The Economist – Analysis of post-Gaza for Fatah and Hamas, and prospects for reconciliation.
- Obama acts fast on Mideast, but substance familiar | Reuters – Jonathan Wright analyses lack of changes in Obama's Mideast policy, Arab disappointment.
- Tramway de Jérusalem : Veolia sanctionné en Suède – Les blogs du Diplo – French corp. Veolia loses big Swedish contract in part due to opposition to its role in Jerusalem subway – go swedes!
- BBC under pressure to reverse decision not to air Gaza aid appeal | Media | guardian.co.uk – Govt, Muslim and aid associations to protest against Beeb.
On Jerusalem and trams: the Ottomans were planning a tramway in Jerusalem in 1910, and from what I’ve read it was supposed to reach the Haram gates, cutting through the Old City. The concession went to a Greek buisnessman, who was also supposed to supply the city with electricity.
The British cancelled both projects in 1918.