Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem
French Protests Want More Brioche and Less Croutons In a democracy, legality, electability and accountability are the foundation of a political party. By Abdennour Toumi French President Macron, in a conciliatory tone on Monday night, offered a minimum wage rise, tax-free bonuses and reversal of pension charge, yet the majority of the “Yellow Vests” protests…
Read More “French Protests Want More Brioche and Less Croutons ” »
From a Social Movement to an Urban Insurgency in France The anger is not about simple social demands for a decent and a better life, it has become for a large majority of the protesters a personal fight with President Macron. By Abdennour Toumi The anger and determination of the “Yellow Vests” protests against rising…
Read More “From a Social Movement to an Urban Insurgency in France” »
Grand Pardon or Repentance! The evaluation of the past should not stop with memory alone, and spectacle bold decisions in a local political tempest. By Abdennour Toumi Then-candidate Macron speaking from Algiers in February 2017, described French Republic atrocities in Algeria as “crimes against humanity,” which sparked outrage from the far-right and the right political…
Migrants Asking for Protection, Aid not Five-Star lodging Migrants are not looking for “five-star” lodging, once accosted safely they need protection and aid in norms with these countries’ human, egalitarian and fraternal values. By Abdennour Toumi Tragic images showing coffins containing bodies of those who drowned in the Mediterranean assembled in the Tunisian coastal city…
Read More “Migrants Asking for Protection, Aid not Five-Star lodging” »
“Olive Branch” Paris Position: Reticence and Opacity Ankara’s Operation “Olive Branch” in Afrin indicates a new orientation to reinstate Paris’ position in the Syrian civil war by trying to be a major player in the process of Syrian peace talks negotiations. By Abdennour Toumi Turkey’s current military foray Operation “Olive Branch” in Afrin, a northwestern…
Read More ““Olive Branch” Paris Position: Reticence and Opacity” »
How Soccer is Becoming a Major Player for Qatar Soft Power France football/soccer, a new direction for Doha to seed influence and international presence By Abdennour Toumi Neymar’s transfer from F.C Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain is good news for the club, the city, and the Qatari Royal family, according to the French media and political…
Read More “How Soccer is Becoming a Major Player for Qatar Soft Power” »
Political Tsunami in France, how to stop the waves The majority of the Arab/Muslim communities are not voting homogeneously because of their societal, social, cultural and intellectual background differences. By Abdennour Toumi The first round of the presidential elections in France has provoked a historical duel in the run-off election on May 7th. Mr. Emmanuel…
Read More “Political Tsunami in France, how to stop the waves” »
Politics on the French Beach. The French are afraid for their Christian identity, hence the Muslims and the Arabs seem to threaten changing France’s rich political culture, its custom and societal fabric. By Abdennour Toumi The question of the “Burkini” and what a woman has to wear on the beach and in the French public sphere…
The elimination of the banlieusards provokes effectively the revolt of the banlieue subculture and confirms the rebous (Arabs’) political message of resistance and existence. It is also a statement of identity, the reality is, there is a constant influx, don’t assimilate and acculturate. By Abdennour Toumi All these manners of speaking appropriate foreign language can…
Read More “Oral Language: Social exclusion & identity affirmation” »
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy losing popularity as he pursues a possible return in 2017, but his book (France for Life) is topping the popularity charts. Sarkozy just cannot stay away from the “limelight” of politics — but he certainly stands to make some money from this book! By Abdennour Toumi Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy…
Terrorism and the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment is changing France and fueling extremism like the Le Pen political movement By Abdennour Toumi The Le Pens’ political ascension in French mainstream politics and societal-change behavior has been exponentially increased since the Battle of Paris, attacks on Muslims and anti-immigrant sentiment. The National Front extremist-right party has…
By Abdennour Toumi This law of exception was never repealed in spite of numerous criticisms leveled at its questionable constitutionality and its relevance to personal liberty. A week after the murderous attacks, which resulted in 130 deaths and 352 wounded in Paris and Saint-Denis, President Hollande delivered a speech on November 16th before in joint…
Read More “Le Bâton de Guerre of President Hollande on Terror” »
