Kameel Majdali's Road Ahead

Barack Obama has many admirable qualities: intelligent, hard-working, and charismatic. Coming from a mixed-race background with virtually no input from his biological father, he rose from being a top student of Harvard Law School, to an Illinois State Senator, US Senator, and eventually President of the United States. Though he does not, as he once quipped in 2008, look like ‘those Presidents on the dollar bill,’ he does carry himself like a President. From all appearances he is a dedicated family man, devoted to his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, serving as a role model to the nation, and especially to the African-American community. Furthermore, Obama claims to be a Christian who believes he has eternal life. He told Christianity Today in 2008: ‘I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.’ He started his Presi...

What a difference a mere 3 years can make! In a part of the world where once time was considered to have ‘frozen,’ since 2010, the Middle East as we knew is changing forever. Snapshot 3 years ago: • Israel had only 1 border out of 5 that was troubled; • Israel had a functioning military alliance with Turkey; • Israel was totally dependent on outside sources to meet is oil and natural gas needs • Israel had relations with two of the most friendly of US presidents to towards the Jewish state: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The powershift began in earnest, starting with the Tunisian Revolution of December 2010 to January 2011, when President Zine el-Abidene Ben Ali resigned and fled the country. The power shift moved to Egypt, where President Hosni Mubarak was removed from power after only 18 days. Neighbouring Libya was hit, too, and after months of protracted war, Gaddafi was ousted and brutally murdered. Then, in probably the most ‘peaceful’ of transitions, Yemen Pr...

It is one of the most important countries in the world. Strategically sandwiched between Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, the Black Sea, the Arab Middle East, and the Mediterranean, with an international waterway flowing right through the middle of its former capital, Turkey deserves far more attention that it receives. While its name recognition is high, the knowledge of this key nation is low. Turkey the country is also known as ‘Asia Minor’ and the Anatolian Peninsula. Its central location means it was occupied by various people throughout history, indeed, until the 20th century, it was multi-ethnic. Only after World War I did it become ‘mono-ethnic,’ meaning all Turks and all Muslim (15 million Kurds are also part of this nation of 80 million and their issue is not resolved). The ethnic Turks migrated to Asia Minor from Central Asia a thousand years ago, where at the same time they embraced Islam. Once they arrived, they consolidated into what was known as the Seljuk Empire. Thi...

Even while I am traveling internationally, a furour back in Australia has caught my attention. The Australian ‘Girl Guides,’ the female counterpart to the ‘Boys Scouts,’ has adopted a new pledge. Have a look and see for yourself: Old Promise “I promise that I will do my best: To do my duty to God, to serve the Queen and my country; To help other people; and To keep the Guide Law.” New Promise: “I promise that I will do my best: To be true to myself and develop my beliefs To serve my community and Australia And live by the Guide Law.” The major change in the promise is the removal of ‘God’ and ‘The Queen.’ This is no small omission. To understand the significant shift of emphasis reflected in this new promise, it is important to remember that Robert Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts in 1908, and Girl Guides in 1910 (along with his wife and sister). His goal was to instill values and character from the Bible and Christian faith. This is clearly reflected in the old promise yet ...

I have just completed my eighth visit in nine years to Russia, the great Land of the North. Specifically, I was part of a Singapore-based team that that went to the great Siberian cities of Ulan Ude and Irkutsk. So why do I keep going? Why do I love Russia? While there are many worthwhile destinations in the world, for me, Russia is exceptionally special. Here is why: Russia is Hospitable: Russia is a unique mix of Asia and Europe; note that the stereotypical Russia has a fair complexion, often fair-haired, yet with mild Asiatic eyes (courtesy of the Mongols and Tartars who came storming through the land centuries ago?). From Beirut to Beijing, Asia is the hospitality continent. Probably more so in Siberia than Moscow, the Russians are very attentive to their guests and their homemade food is delicious. I did not have to worry about meals or companionship on this trip. Yet like Eastern Europeans, Russians can be very warm-hearted and relational. Russia is big: Russia is 17 mi...

It is a brilliant and catchy marketing slogan: ‘Malaysia, truly Asia.’ How many tourists this phrase has attracted I don’t know. Yet it does raise the question: what does it mean and is Malaysia the role model of Asia? Asia: From Beirut to Beijing Since I have completed my 12th trip to Malaysia and umpteenth to Asia, it is time to make some comments. Regarding Asia, I have found that this continent -- the world’s largest -- is both diverse but amazingly homogenous. It is Asia that has the majority of the world’s population with 2 countries, China and India, claiming to have over 1 billion citizens each. Asia is the birthplace of all the world’s major religions. It arguably can be called a ‘democracy-challenged’ land mass, since only a handful of countries can be truly called democratic. Another way to describe Asia is ‘From Beirut to Beijing.’ So what else can we say about Asia? Asia is noted for its hospitality, importance of family, respect for education and the elderly. I...

Introduction: Recently to a packed house in Melbourne, I gave what I called my ‘most important message yet’ on the Middle East conflict. It is under the auspices of the ‘Free Public Lectures,’ which I have been conducting since 2008 twice a year. This event is being repeated annually in Perth and periodically in other places, including Singapore. I was especially gratified to see a good response in Toowoomba, Queensland, a state normally known for being ‘parochial.’ Even more heartening was the attendance of several dozen ‘under 30’s.’ I announced that the ‘Free Public Lecture’ is being renamed YEWS (Your Early Warning Service). So for those who could not come and hear me in-person, but would like to catch what was said, here is the entree. Wars & Rumours of Wars: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet -- Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:6 (KJV) There have been seriou...