On a visit to Syria in May 2010, one of the things that made the greatest impression on me was the sound of Hama’s ancient waterwheels. That is saying a lot, given it was after a visit to Palmyra – but there lies a connection, as these enormous wheels are actually Roman water pumps, lifting… Continue reading Hama – a brief history.
Category: Ideologies
Israel emulates ISIS; Baalbek.
While waiting in Beirut for a visa to enter Syria in May 2018, we took advantage of the free time to visit Baalbek, which had only recently reopened to tourists. Terrorist groups had been ensconced in Arsal not far to the north for some years, but had finally been forced out by a combination of… Continue reading Israel emulates ISIS; Baalbek.
Israel emulates ISIS; Palmyra
Back in 2015, a convoy of ISIS vehicles headed south from their base in Raqqa towards the ancient Roman city of Palmyra and the small town of Tadmor that serves this World Heritage treasure. The town also housed a Syrian government prison and army garrison – which was the ostensible target of the takfiris, but… Continue reading Israel emulates ISIS; Palmyra
Hateful Ideologies
It’s an expression we’ve heard a lot since Hamas fighters broke out of the Gaza concentration camp a year ago, and most recently repeated following the killing of Yahya Sinwar in Rafah. This coward’s murder of the Resistance leader, referred to by the Murdoch Australian as “elimination” has empowered both the murderers and their quarry,… Continue reading Hateful Ideologies