December 29, 2007
Mideast Snapshot - "Concerned Local Citizen" Edition
 (Photo Ken Tillis/CNN)Picture taken this week at the opening ceremony of a new Government Center in Arab Jabour in Iraq's "Sunni Triangle". This man is what the US military calls a "CLC" or a "Concerned Local Citizen", waving an AK assault rifle over his head and wearing an orange "Road Guard" vest. Some of these men used to fight against American troops with Al Qaeda, but are now - with US support - organized against the terrorist group. Top US forces commander General David Petraeus says that, eventually, 20 to 30% of these Sunni men will be integrated into the mainly Shiite Iraqi security forces. The obvious question: where will the remaining 70 to 80% end up? What do you think of the US strategy of supporting Sunni tribes against Al qaeda in Iraq? Email us at mideast@cnn.com or add a comment below. Posted by Hala Gorani 8 Comments
Add a commentDecember 27, 2007
Iraq: Saving Limbs And Lives
My co-anchor Jim clancy, who recently spent six weeks in Iraq, spent a few hours in a treatment facility for injured Iraqis in neighboring Jordan. Check out his report and a selection of the pictures he took there below:
 Medecins Sans Frontieres faced down two different challenges when it established a surgical program in Amman, Jordan in 2005. First, it provided hope for Iraqis who needed more intensive treatment than is available in Iraq today for orthopedic, maxillofacial or plastic surgery. Second, it addressed the security concerns of both doctors and patients by taking over an entire floor of the Red Crescent Hospital in Amman, Jordan. MSF pays all exenses to bring patients and their families to Amman for extended treatment. Among the surgeons are Iraqis who were unable to work in their own country. While the hospital is open to Iraqis of all ages, Jim Clancy talked with three young men who hope that with help from MSF, they will be able to walk again. Check out Jim's audio slide-show here. Posted by Hala Gorani
Suicide in Saudi Arabia: It's A Woman's World
We came across an interesting article in today's Arab News. According to a study conducted by King Saud University, the crushing majority of suicide attempts in Saudi Arabia involve women. The study found that in 2006, a shocking 96% of all failed suicide bids were carried out by women.
From Arab News: So far, we are talking about survivors, but if the figures are correct, then we must assume that there are as many, if not more, who actually manage to kill themselves. The report says that most of those cases are filed at hospitals as drug overdose. The researcher attributed the high suicide rate among women to social pressures. Within family circles, boys always get preferential treatment. What is more, there is very little or no communication between girls and their parents. The report highlights many factors that can lead women to consider killing themselves, one of them being forced marriages. This is not a problem among the rich where women usually have a say in the matter of who should be their husbands. Find the full article here. What do you think of the study's findings? Email us at mideast@cnn.com or add a comment below. December 26, 2007
A Dash of Franco-Italian Glitz in Egypt
The French president is on holiday in Egypt with his new girlfriend, supermodel-turned-folk-singer Carla Bruni.
 What are Arab media saying about it? Out Arab Affairs desk tells us satellite news channel Al-Jazeera covered the French leader's romantic escapade and that most Middle East newspapers featured Sarkozy's visit, showing pictures of the couple, with some calling Bruni the president's "new love". It seems like Nicolas Sarkozy's upcoming visit with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is getting less attention than the glamorous couple's vacation. Next reported stop for the pair: the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh. December 25, 2007
Mideast Snapshot - Christmas Edition (Part II)
I just received these pictures from correspondent Alphonso Van Marsh and producer Ben Blake, currently on assignment in Iraq: --From CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh It is a feeling anybody can relate too – being away from family and friends during an important holiday. We found that’s no different for the men and women serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. Here’s snaps from CNN’s reporting from Camp Striker, Baghdad on Christmas Eve/Day 2007.
 (Photo Ken Tillis)  U.S. Army Sgt First Class Kerensa Hardy reads Stars and Stripes newspaper while waiting for a Christmas Day call from her four year old daughter in America. Hardy’s placed her phone just outside Camp Striker Dining Facilities, because she can’t get a signal inside the building that seats up to 1,800 people. (Photo Ken Tillis) Ever patient cameraman Ken Tillis stands ready to go to air, beside a mammoth Christmas cake at the U.S. Camp Striker Dining Facilities. Ken – the sign says ‘Please don’t touch!’
December 24, 2007
Mideast Snapshot - Christmas Edition
 Christmas at Camp Victory in Iraq. Photo taken by CNN cameraman Joe Duran, currently on assignment in Baghdad. |
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Welcome to the Inside the Middle East blog. Our reporters, producers, cameramen and editors will regularly add to this with colorful behind-the-scene stories. This page is about how we put the show together -- from on-location shoots to the editing room -- as well as for anecdotes and stories that don't always make it into our finished on-air product.
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