Terror in Bangalore
I wasn’t born in Bangalore. I don’t live there now. But ever since I was a child, it’s been the seat of my family. I’ve smelled the jasmine and diesel in the air. I’ve seen the elections of...
Month: July 2008
We, the Potheads
Please note that an audio verion of the poem is available below the text. Rise and Shine, Wake and Bake, Eat the Cake After some Shake 'n Bake... We, the Potheads, sure Love Pissin' Smokey off by Not...
Gods and Nymphs: the myths and realities of modern life and love
A few months ago, I read that Russian women have lost the war against sexism, and that one of the symptoms of said defeat is the dominance of the Nymph - "a professional beauty," the ideal partner...
Bounty hunter: embrace your inner weirdo
The historic streets adjacent to the University of Arizona in Tucson are famed for their oddity shops and restaurants that sell unusual art and bold the house-made seitan on the menu. It’s only...
Interview with Ahron Bregman: Israel, Syria, and the Elusive Peace
Ahron Bregman teaches in the War Studies Department at King's College, London. He specializes in the Arab-Israeli conflict and is the author of several books, including Israel's Wars: A History Since...
Montepulciano and the birthplace of the Renaissance
I recently stayed in Montepulciano, a town in southern Tuscany, famous for its “Nobile” wine. On the drive there, looking out the window, I was hypnotized by the harmonious landscape: there was...
“Honor killings” contort religion
ATLANTA — As an American Muslim, I was horrified to read about the tragic death of Sandela Kanwal in Clayton County, Ga., allegedly at hands of her father in a supposed "honor killing." According...
Messy Jesse
Please note: An audio recording of this poem is available below the jump. The poem is read by the author. Enjoy. - The Editor. That's just messy, Jesse, You are not Kanye, Though, your rhymes Are on...
Mirror of the Arab World: a review
This is a review of Mirror of the Arab World: Lebanon in Conflict by Sandra Mackey. W. W. Norton. 2008. For more, please see Jonathan Mok's interview with the author. Why has the curse of...
Makotai, Ancient Jews, and a 2500-year-old ship: globalization in an ancient world
YaleGlobal, the magazine of the Yale University Centre for Study of Globalization, describes globalization as a historical process that began with the first movement of people out of Africa into...