Persian Shah Fled

Four decades ago today, the Persian Shah fled.

Persian Restoration?

The Economist reports on a monarchy-sympathetic documentary, From Tehran to Cairo.


H/T: Royal World

The "Arab Spring" and Foreign Policy

This past week there was debate in the Polytechnic Society on the “Arab Spring” and the future of the Arab world and Norwegian Middle East policy.

There was a panel consisting of the Secretary General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and a Norwegian under secretary of foreign affairs.

Video recordings are available (in Norwegian).

Yours truly was there and had the floor at two occasions. At the first occasion the questions were:

• what parallels there are between the “Arab Spring” and Wilson's “war to make the world safe for democracy”
• what reflections one could have on no monarchies thus far having fallen during the “Arab Spring”

There was apparently no other learning point from Wilson's war other than to be wary with imposing government systems from outside.

Given that there was so much talk of democracy apparently being the only way into the future, albeit not with without problems, including problems with minority rights, at this debate, and there had been some talk of Qatar, my follow-up question was:

Is it given that if Qatar were to be transformed from an emirate to a democratic republic, it will become a better society?

The answer was somewhat predictable:

Any society that goes from being authoritarian to democratic becomes a better society.

Talk about being categorical! Aparently, no matter how bad democracy turns out, democracy is better. Not surprising, but it is somewhat satisfying to provoke democratists into saying so explicitly.

The Emirate of Qatar

Today Qatar celebrates 133 years – in the year of celebration of 40 years of independence from the United Kingdom.

Real monarchy is still reality in this country, which I had the pleasure of visiting late 2009. Even with the “Arab Spring” this does not seem to be changing any time soon.

Happy National Day!

"The Arab Spring"

A few interesting items on Libya and the “Arab Spring” otherwise:

• British MP Daniel Kawczynski suggests a restoration of the Libyan monarchy, the Shropshire Star reports.
• Over at Gulf News, Joseph A. Kechichian reflects on a possible restoration.
• Over at National Public Radio, Alan GreenBlatt explores some differences between Arab monarchs and dictators.

H/T: Royal World

North Africa and the Middle East

This blogger finds it frustrating how people cheer on the prospects for democracy in North Africa and the Middle East. However, it is not surprising.

Although there are significant differences between the region now under stress and the Christendom brought to an end by the Great War, there is good reason to believe that what replaces the current regimes may be even worse. This especially goes for the monarchies.

Lots of people seem to cheer on regime change, also helped by those United States and allies, militarily or by other means. Wilsonianism does not do good, whether it comes through hard or soft Wilsonianism in United States foreign policy or through self-“liberation.”

Let us remember that the forcing of democracy on Europe gave rise to Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, and Stalin. Not only that, but having rid ourselves of those harder forms of totalitarianism, we are stuck with a very cumbersome form of government – to put it diplomatically.

As for the Northern European Oil Kingdom, the Crown Prince Regent Wednesday morning authorized Norwegian participation. Trond Norén Isaksen has more.

Here are some thoughts and other postings of a few other bloggers:

• The Western Confucian:
  • "A Message Everybody Needs to Hear"
  • Egypt and Beyond
  • U.S. Intelligence on Libya
  • The Antiwar Right on Mr. Obama's War
  • Why Libya?
  • Dissent on Libya
  • Intervention in Libya
  • Prelates on the Bombing of Libya
  • Old Rightists Salute the Secretary of Defense
  • The Last Word on American Interventionism in Libya
• Royal World:
  • Monarchs Up, Presidents Down
  • Middle Eastern developments
• The Mad Monarchist:
  • Message from the Exiled King of Egypt
  • Some Thoughts on Egypt
  • Tumult in Tunisia
• Radical Royalist:
  • Photos of Hope
  • Is Qaddafi willing to give the Libyan people the Monarchy back?
  • His Majesty King Fouad II of Egypt has released a statement
  • The Royal Flag is Freedom's Flag

Also a couple of videos (H/T: David Kramer of LRC):

The Daily Show
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Persian Shah Flee

32 years ago today, the Persian Shah fled.

The Flee of the Shah

31 years ago today, the Shah of Iran fled.

The Shah Fled

Thirty years ago today, the Shah of Iran fled.

A Lion's Political Life

Over at the New York Times, Patrick Cockburn reviews Dr. Avi Shlaim's Lion of Jordan: The Life of King Hussein in War and Peace and Dr. Nigel Ashton's King Hussein of Jordan: A Political Life.





H/T: Royal World

Saudi Pardon

The King of Saudi Arabia has pardoned a rape victim. So the BBC reports.

The Case for a Shah of Iraq

Over at Enter Stage Right, Bruce Walker argues for an Iraqi Shah.