Archive - Sep 8, 2008 - Article

Persian Gulf's "occupied territory"

Last month, Tehran announced it was building maritime offices on the Persian Gulf island of Abu Musa, reigniting the long-standing territorial dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since 1970, the disagreement over the island and the neighboring Greater and Lesser Tunbs has been mired in legal uncertainty and historical claims and counterclaims, hindering diplomatic relations between Iran and the Gulf Arab states. The recent diplomatic intensity surrounding the issue, however, including the UAE's August 21 formal protest to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon, is a significant break from the past, and may be a forerunner to a future escalation>>>

Albie's Last Confessions

The doctors knew that he had liver cancer. They had done all types of tests and were certain that sixty percent of his liver was covered with cancer cells and he had only days to live. I was very sad and upset that after so many years of knowing and loving him, now I was about to lose him. He and I were very close. I knew everything about him and he knew me well too. One day he and I sat and had a long conversation. I did not know at the time that this was going to be the last time we talk.
- How are you feeling today? >>>

Men 101

Ghouls and goblins
Rostam and dragons
Neo and the sorcerer
Seemorgh and Zahaak
All live in the expanse that is my imagination.
Centerfolds and pole dancers
Sexy vixens and damsels in distress
My mother and my sisters
My first girlfriend and my first lay... >>>

Paper spoon

This night holds me so tightly in its palm,
as if to never love another, but outside
what remains is the inheritance
and an unfriendly notice.
I fumble through the memories, recalling
promises of life, never loving another.
Softly, I wait until the lush beginning
comes to me. I am pale yet ripe, >>>

Diaries & Jallad

I am very upset that I can't find my new notebook and the 100 rupee inside it. I hope no one has stolen it from me. It has got to be somewhere in my room. I was able to finally get through to my mother. Baba is in Tehran trying to get them forgive me so that I could come back. Knowing them, I doubt he will succeed. I am not even sure I want him to succeed. How could I go back to Mohsen? Doesn't Maman know we are absolutely finished with each other? Today I like to sort things out, put everything into proper perspective. That means I have to write about Ahmad. If I had the will I would not bother with it. If.>>>