zizou from Djerba

Quand la Tunisie danse avec l’Amérique latine 🎶❤️

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Fri, 1 Aug 2025 06:05:00 -0700

Hier soir, on est allés voir le spectacle Tunisia Latina, imaginé et dirigé par mon amie très chère Ikbal Hamzaoui, que je suis depuis des années. J’ai suivi ses voyages, ses années en Amérique latine, sa passion pour ces cultures… et là, sur scène, c’était comme si tout ça prenait vie.

Le spectacle était tout simplement magnifique. Une vraie fusion entre la Tunisie et l’Amérique du Sud. Ikbal a réussi à mélanger des morceaux emblématiques latinos avec des inspirations tunisiennes, en intégrant des instruments comme le oud et le gombri, le tout porté par une super équipe de musiciens.

Et alors… Mariem Labidi ! Quelle découverte. Une artiste complète — elle chante, elle danse, elle fait rire le public, elle passe de l’arabe à l’espagnol avec une aisance et une énergie folles. Elle a vécu 16 ans en Argentine, et ça se ressent à chaque instant. Elle nous a embarqués dans son univers avec beaucoup de naturel et de générosité.

Un des moments les plus forts pour moi, c’est quand Ikbal a joué “Dos Gardenias”. Là, j’ai vraiment été ému. C’était simple, délicat, et plein de cœur.

Et puis… le lieu ! Le concert avait lieu dans le cadre du Festival International des Arts Populaires, dans l’amphithéâtre romain d’Oudhna. Juste incroyable. On a aussi profité de l’endroit, on a marché, exploré… c’était magique de vivre un tel moment musical dans un lieu aussi chargé d’histoire.

Ce spectacle mérite largement de tourner dans toute la Tunisie, et même autour de la Méditerranée. C’est un projet sincère, original, et profondément touchant.

Bravo Ikbal, bravo Mariem, et bravo à toute l’équipe. Merci pour cette belle soirée qu’on n’est pas près d’oublier. ❤️

Air France Quietly Launches New Lounge at Newark

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Sun, 2 Feb 2025 11:34:00 -0800

Air France is making waves at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with a strategic move that caught many by surprise: acquiring the SAS lounge in Terminal B, now under Air France’s management. While the lounge still carries SAS branding, it already serves Air France's business-class passengers, providing seating, dining, and a much-needed relaxing space. By 2025, it's expected to reopen as a fully branded Air France lounge following significant refurbishments.

This development comes after Air France's October 2024 announcement of a $13.4 million investment in a new Newark lounge. When I flew out of Newark in December, however, that vision had yet to materialize. My son and I were given $35 meal vouchers each, a temporary fix after Air France lost access to the British Airways lounge. While the vouchers helped, the lack of a dedicated space made it clear how important this upgrade was.

Fast forward to February 2025, and the change is already noticeable. Upon checking in today, I was directed to the SAS lounge and discovered that it had been purchased by Air France. The lounge, located in the B-60 section instead of the previously used B-50 gates, marks a significant shift. While it is currently modest and not on par with Air France's luxurious JFK Terminal 1 lounge, it is a clear improvement. Once fully renovated, the new lounge will elevate the premium experience for Air France's Newark passengers.

This strategic move is incredibly smart. By acquiring an operational lounge, Air France can offer immediate benefits to its business-class customers instead of waiting for construction delays. This upgraded offering could help boost business-class ticket sales and potentially lead to a second daily flight from Newark to Paris. The timing is also ideal, as SAS recently joined the SkyTeam alliance, aligning its network with Air France-KLM.

The current setup isn't luxurious, but it serves its purpose with essentials like food and seating. Over the next year, the SAS branding will gradually fade, and by 2025, we can expect a fully revamped space with Air France's signature touches. This is more than just a lounge. It is a sign of Air France's expansion and commitment to making Newark a key player in its transatlantic network.

For frequent Air France travelers like me, this is exciting news. The lounge already adds value, and the upcoming renovations promise even more. I'll be keeping an eye on how this development impacts Air France's future growth, particularly whether it results in additional daily flights. One thing is clear:”Air France at Newark is only just starting.

Djerba: Is It Too Late to Save the Island of My Ancestors?

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:14:00 -0800

This December, I returned to El chbabya الشبابية, the village where my family’s roots run deep. For generations, this quiet corner of Djerba represented balance and harmony, a place where nature, culture, and community coexisted seamlessly. I had always imagined it as a sanctuary of timeless beauty, where the white domes of traditional menzels blended with the soft greens of olive and palm trees. These menzels, more than just homes, were ecosystems that sustained their inhabitants while respecting the fragile land they were built upon.

But the Djerba I encountered this time felt different, as if it was bracing itself against an onslaught. December, which once brought a sense of quiet, was unusually busy. Roads were bustling, and the landscape seemed scarred by unchecked construction. The menzels I had grown up hearing about, with their self-sufficient design and harmonious relationship with nature, were disappearing. Their land had been parceled into smaller plots, hosting oversized villas that bore no respect for the island’s architectural identity or environmental limits. It wasn’t just the visual discord of these villas with their shimmering pools and neatly trimmed lawns—it was the overwhelming realization of what they represented: a way of life that Djerba cannot sustain.

Water, once carefully managed through traditional systems, is now consumed in astronomical quantities. The aquifers that the island depends on are drying up, polluted by poorly managed wastewater and over-extraction. Swimming pools, lawns, and gardens designed for modern luxury have no place in an ecosystem already stretched thin. And yet, these villas continue to rise, each one a symbol of disregard for the island’s finite resources. The garbage they produce, coupled with the growing consumerism fueled by hypermarkets like Jio and the newly opened malls, adds to the strain. Where families once lived off the land in self-sustaining menzels, today’s inhabitants rely on packaged goods and plastics, creating mountains of waste that overwhelm the island’s limited capacity to manage it.

The environmental degradation is already stark, but the looming threat of climate change casts an even darker shadow over Djerba’s future. Rising sea levels could submerge parts of the island within decades, eroding its coastlines and displacing its people. Hotter temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns will strain water supplies further, making agriculture—already fragile—almost impossible. Saltwater intrusion into the island’s aquifers is no longer a distant possibility; it’s a reality that will only worsen as the seas rise. I can’t help but imagine a future where the olive trees that once defined this landscape wither away, the aquifers are poisoned, and the island is left barren, its beauty and culture reduced to memories.

Djerba is not alone in its struggles. I think of Boracay in the Philippines, where unregulated development and untreated waste led to environmental collapse so severe that the government shut the island for six months to clean up. Even today, the scars of its overdevelopment remain. In Bali, unregulated tourism has drained water sources and created mountains of plastic waste, tarnishing its reputation as a tropical paradise. Santorini, with its iconic whitewashed buildings, grapples with overcrowding, water shortages, and the loss of its traditional character. Djerba, too, risks becoming another cautionary tale, where the land that once drew people from around the world is consumed by the very forces it failed to control.

It’s hard to shake the feeling that it might already be too late to save Djerba. What remains now is mitigation, a desperate effort to slow the decline and preserve what little is left. Water management must be prioritized, with strict limits on consumption and better systems for treating wastewater. The unregulated construction of villas must stop, and zoning laws must be enforced to protect what remains of the island’s identity. Waste management systems must be overhauled, with a focus on recycling and reducing the reliance on plastics. And as a community, the people of Djerba need to return to some of the principles that sustained their ancestors: respect for the land, for its limits, and for the fragile balance that makes life here possible.

Still, I can’t help but feel that these efforts, as necessary as they are, won’t be enough to fully protect the island from the ravages of climate change. Rising seas, hotter summers, and dwindling resources are a reality we cannot escape. But mitigation, however late, is better than surrendering to despair. Djerba may never be the island of my ancestors again, but perhaps it can still be a place worth fighting for.

As I stood in El chbabya الشبابيةthis December, I couldn’t help but think about the generations who came before me, who lived on this land and understood its rhythms. Their lives were shaped by the island, as much as they shaped it. What will we leave behind for the generations to come? Will they remember Djerba as a place of beauty and culture, or as a cautionary tale of what happens when paradise is lost?

El chbabya الشبابية, the place where my family’s story began, deserves better. Djerba deserves better. But it will only get better if we act now, with urgency, commitment, and respect for the land that has sustained us for so long. The time to act is not tomorrow or next year. It’s now—before Djerba becomes nothing more than a memory.

A Post-UN World: Greenland, the Panama Canal, and the Collapse of Global Norms

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Thu, 9 Jan 2025 05:20:00 -0800

Donald Trump’s recent revival of claims over Greenland, alongside his comments about Canada and the Panama Canal, signals a dramatic shift in global discourse. Trump’s assertions, dismissed by some as posturing, tap into a broader unraveling of the post-World War II international order. In this emerging post-UN world, where international law is increasingly sidelined, such ambitions—no matter how far-fetched—find fertile ground.

A World Governed by Power, Not Principles

Trump’s vision, couched in the language of strategic necessity, positions Greenland as a geopolitical asset and a symbol of Europe’s failure to invest adequately in its own defense. This is not an isolated fantasy; it is an extension of the trends we already see. Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its war in Ukraine illustrate the decline of international norms. Israel’s expansion into Palestinian territories, with the tacit support of the United States and Europe, underscores how global powers selectively enforce international law.

These precedents pave the way for Trump’s argument: if Russia, Israel, and other nations can pursue territorial ambitions in defiance of global norms, why shouldn’t the United States? Greenland, rich in resources and vital to Arctic geopolitical strategy, becomes a symbolic focal point for these power dynamics.

Greenland and Indigenous Grievances

Trump’s claims over Greenland intersect with long-standing grievances of the Inuit population. While Greenland enjoys autonomy as a Danish territory, Indigenous Greenlanders have expressed dissatisfaction with Denmark’s governance, citing economic disparities, cultural erosion, and a lack of meaningful self-determination. Trump’s rhetoric, though steeped in opportunism, could resonate with some Greenlandic Inuit who see little benefit from Copenhagen’s rule. The idea of aligning with a global superpower like the United States might appeal to those seeking to challenge their colonial legacy.

Similarly, in Canada, Indigenous communities have long suffered systemic mistreatment, from violations of land rights to the lack of clean drinking water in many First Nations communities. Trump’s remarks about Canada’s control over strategic resources could even find unlikely allies among Indigenous populations who feel abandoned by Ottawa.

To be sure, the U.S. has not been a shining example of effective and equitable Indigenous relations—but Trump’s rhetoric exploits a painful reality: colonial histories and unresolved injustices leave many Indigenous peoples skeptical of the status quo. By positioning the United States as a potential disruptor of these dynamics, Trump taps into both discontent and pragmatism.

Could Greenland Follow the Saudi-Egypt Model?

While Trump said he would not rule out the use of military force, that is not the only way to acquire new territories. Denmark might consider a model akin to Egypt’s recent transfer of the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia. Despite their strategic importance, the handover was carried out with little international controversy, framed as a pragmatic decision to strengthen bilateral relations and mutual interests. Greenland, in this context, could be seen not as an immutable Danish possession but as a geopolitical bargaining chip—an opportunity for Denmark to recalibrate its relationship with the United States in exchange for security or economic guarantees.

This approach, while peaceful, could still deepen the fractures in international law. It also raises the question: how far can pragmatism go before it becomes complicity in dismantling global norms? And what is the line between diplomatic negotiation and geopolitical bullying?

Europe’s Strategic Contradictions

Denmark and Europe more broadly are ill-prepared to counter such claims. Decades of underinvestment in defense have left Europe reliant on American security guarantees, and its inconsistent application of international law further weakens its position. While European nations condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, many turn a blind eye to Israel’s violations in Palestine, undermining their credibility as defenders of global norms.

If Denmark were pressured to relinquish Greenland, it might face the same “pragmatic” calculation Egypt did. Greenland could be reframed as a liability rather than an asset—especially if Indigenous dissatisfaction grows.

The Panama Canal and American Hegemony

Trump’s remarks about the Panama Canal—built by the U.S. in the early 20th century and relinquished in 1999—reflect a broader American ambition to reassert dominance over key global infrastructure. While the canal is no longer directly controlled by the United States, its strategic importance remains undeniable. In a world where transactionalism reigns, Trump’s rhetoric positions such assets as bargaining chips in a new era of great-power rivalry.

The Collapse of Multilateralism

At the heart of these dynamics is the decline of the United Nations. The organization’s inability to address major crises—from Ukraine to Palestine—has delegitimized it in the eyes of many. As the UN’s influence wanes, nations are increasingly bypassing its mechanisms in favor of unilateral action.

This shift is not without consequences. Smaller nations and marginalized communities are left to navigate a world where borders are no longer defined by treaties but by the whims of powerful states. For Greenland’s Inuit and Canada’s Indigenous peoples, this could mean new opportunities—or new threats—in a world that prioritizes power over principle.

A Warning to the World

Trump’s claims over Greenland and the Panama Canal are not merely rhetorical. They reflect a broader trend toward a post-UN world where might makes right. If international law continues to erode, the future will be shaped not by cooperation but by competition and coercion.

For Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world, the choice is stark: recommit to reforming international institutions and upholding the principles of international law, or prepare for an era of raw power politics. Greenland’s fate—and that of countless other territories—may hinge on this decision.

The question is not whether Trump’s vision is realistic, but whether it represents the future we are willing to accept. If the UN cannot adapt, the global community will need to confront the harsh realities of a world where power trumps principle, and history’s unresolved injustices are exploited for strategic gain. The peaceful transfer of Tiran and Sanafir offers a model, but it also serves as a warning: once borders become negotiable, no line remains sacred.

دروس الكورونا

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 11:33:00 -0700

تسونامي الكورونا سيمر و الثمن سيكون غاليا على الأرواح و الاقتصاد . علينا التمعن فيما سيحصل وخاصة التعلم من هذه الأزمة لأن تونس والعالم سيتغير بسرعة في السنوات القادمة.
دروس الكورونا:
اولا : أهمية الخبرة و العلم: بعد سنوات من الشعبوية و التصحر العلمي الكورونا يعطينا درس في أهمية الخبرة والعلم في مواجهة الأزمات . فالخبراء والعلماء هم الذين سيجدون الحل و هم الذين الذين سينقذون الأرواح و غير ذلك سيكون ثمنه باهضا و سيذكره التاريخ.

ثانيًا : التضامن: صحتي و صحتك و صحة العموم تعتمد على منظومة صحية تخدم الجميع. فعلى الكل ان يحافظ على صحة الجميع. نفس الشيئ ينطبق على الاقتصاد فلن تنفعك أموالك اذا الأسواق فارغة و لن تستطيع مجابهة الأزمة اذا دولتك منهارة . وهذا ينطبق أيضا على العلاقات الدولية.

ثالثًا : استعمال التكنولوجيا : التكنولوجيا هي التي ستجعل من العمل يتواصل عن بعد و هي التي ستصنع الدواء و للقاح لما يكتشف، هي التي ستغير المنظومة التربوية و الصحية و هي التي ستنقذ الدول التي لا طالما حاولت تأخير دخولها لحياة الناس. الرقمنة و استعمال المال إلكترونيا و كل هذه الإصلاحات ستصير بسرعة من جراء الكورونا.

رابعًا: الدولة القوية هي التي ستنقذ شعبها . الصحة و التعليم و الدفاع و كل مانحتاجه لبناء منظومة لمقاومة الأزمات و الرقي بشعبنا لا تستطيع ان يعطينا إياه الا دولة قوية قادرة على تطبيق القانون وجمع الضرائب و القيام بإصلاحات و برامج و سياسات طويلة المدى.

خامسا : نظرة جديدة للعولمة: الكورونا عدو قاتل لا نراه ولا نقاتله الا بالعلم و كذلك أيضا تغير المناخ. ودرس الكورونا سيجعلنا نغير نظرتنا للعالم فها نحن نستطيع ان نعيش بدون طيران و بدون بظائع اتية من كل اصقاع العالم . العيش في زمن الكورونا و هو بداية منوال معيشي جديد سيجعلنا نفتح الحرب على تغير المناخ و التلوث. هذه الحرب ستجعلنا نعول على ما نزرعه و نصنعه و ستجعل التجارة تزدهر بين الأجوار و منوال الاستهلاك يتغير وخاصة محيطنا سيتحسن.

سادسا : نظرة جديدة لانفسنا: من الواضح ان هذه المحنة لن تمر بسلام. فالأفراد ستجوع و تفقر و في الأخير تتمرد . التمرد سيكون على الدول الاستبدادية و على المنظومة الاجتماعية و السياسية و سيكون أيضا بنظرة جديدة لدور الدين . ففقدان الاحبة في زمن الحجز و العزل الصحي و غياب تعازي الجماعة و التجمع في الجوامع و المقابر سيترك اثرا و سيجعل من القراءة الدينية تركز اكثر على الفرد .

سابعا : مجابهة التغيير ونسقه المتسارع. العالم يتغير و بسرعة. سرعة لم نراها من قبل . الكورونا دفعنا إلى نسق تغيير لم نشهده من قبل . تغيير كل شيئ من حياة الفرد إلى تاريخ الإنسانية. البشر يحب و يتمسك بعاداته الجيدة والتي تعطيه إحساسًا بالنجاح و الرفاه و الطمأنينة و أيضا بعاداته السيئة و المضيعة للوقت . البشر لا يحب التغييرات الجذرية و درس الكورونا درس في التأقلم والبقاء سيجعلنا نقبل بالتغيير بأكثر سهولة مهما كان نوعه .

Global Health on Snapchat

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 08:14:00 -0800

I am wondering if we could use Snapchat as a tool to promote Global Health. So far it seems like an untouched territory but I can see a lot of potential in snapchat and the concept of stories in general. Many of us are doing exciting things around the world. Serving our people, talking to exciting scientists and decision makers and bringing change to remote parts of the world. I wish I could see more of that on my timeline... I guess we have to start somewhere... So here is my Snapchat in case you are interested to connect or to follow my global health adventures...

Happy 40th!

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 03:00:00 -0700

10 years ago, I wrote this note for my 30th. Today, I am 40 years old and here I am reading what I wrote when I was 30... So much can happen in 10 years that it is hard to look back and remember everything. The feeling of forty is a feeling of reaching "adulthood"... or at least what I imagined adulthood to look like...

Looking back at what happened in the last decade or even in the last 5 years, it is obvious that it is going to be hard to predict what will happen in the next decade. My priorities are however getting clearer:

- Work as hard as I can
- Stay healthy and adopt a healthy lifestyle
- Be the best father I can be and take care of my family
- Read more and get involved in my community

Nothing very exciting as you can see but very important in my eyes...

تونس: كارثة الإيقاف التحفظي

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Tue, 7 Feb 2017 11:34:00 -0800

الإيقاف التحفظي والايداع بالسجن قبل إصدار الحكم يجب ان يكون الاستثناء وليس القاعدة. هذا الإجراء المعمم بالمحاكم التونسية هو سبب اكتظاظ السجون(50%من السجناء هم مواطنين موقوفين ولا يوجد حكم ضدهم) وثابت علميا انه يؤثر على مجرى العدالة
بشكل كبير ويؤثر سلبا على الأحكام فنادرا ما يحكم الموقوف بالبراءة او بمدة اقصر من التي قضاها تحفظيا . هذه الممارسات تسبب كوارث اجتماعية واقتصادية و تجعل المواطن يحقد على المنظومة القضائية و يحس بالظلم و القهر

Pour s'approfondir dans le sujet: Lire L'etude du Labo démocratique intitulée : "Arrestation, garde à vue, et détention préventive: Analyse du cadre juridique tunisien au regard des Lignes directrices Luanda"

Rest In Peace Hans Rosling

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Tue, 7 Feb 2017 11:29:00 -0800

Meeting Hans Rosling and spending a weekend with him ( Thanks to Houssem Aoudi, we went to pick him up from Annaba and drove to Tunis together - we stopped and had sea food in Tabarka, Tunisie) was one of the most meaningful moments of my life as a young adult. On our road trip, he shared his life story, his passions and his dreams. He was so humble, generous and kind. He gave me life-changing advice and meaningful words of wisdom that make me feel grateful and entrusted to keep his legacy and pursue his work to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. (He made this video in Tunisia Live studios to inspire the young people of North Africa to keep up the good work).

الادمان

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:39:00 -0800

الادمان هو مرض مزمن شديد الانتكاس . هذا المرض يغير هيكل و وظائف الدماغ. علاج الادمان لا يكون بحبس المدمن في السجن او في مصحات و منعه من تناول مادته. نحن في تونس فشلنا في تعاطينا مع هذا المرض و يجب علينا الاعتراف بذلك. مصدر الفشل هو بالأساس متأتي من جهلنا العلمي في هذا الموضوع. فنحن لا ندرس أطبائنا ، عاملي الصحة ، المرشدين الاجتماعيين ، رجال القانون ، الشرطة ، السياسيين وغيرهم مرض الادمان و كيفية التعامل معه. لا نقوم بنشر المعلومات لكافة الشعب كي يعي باهمية المشكل و عواقبه. فالقليل من المدمنين يعلمون بأنهم مدمنين و الوصم والتمييز المربوط بكلمة ادمان لا تشجع احدا على البحث عن العلاج الذي هو غير موجود أصلا (ممنوع من الدولة).فالمدمن يعاقب على إدمانه و يعاقب على انتكاسته و يعاقب حتى في نجاحه على الإقلاع اذ يبقى الوصم ضده مدى
حياته.

En #Tunisie le gouvernement et l'assemblée essayent de gérer le problème de la drogue par la répression. On ne regarde pas l'addiction sous un angle scientifique. On ne mets pas en place une politique de réduction des risques et on parle encore de guérison. On pense à punir les rechutes avec des peines de prisons plus dures en occultant le fait que ceux qui rechutent le plus sont ceux qui sont les plus vulnérables. On ne finance pas la prise en charge médicale, sociale et psychologique, on interdit l'usage des drogues de substitutions à l'instar de la méthadone et la buprenorphine. On ne conçoit pas la consommation pour usage médical, pour juste s'amuser... bref, on vit encore au 20eme siècle #sajine52 #saybouna #loi52

رئيس حكومتنا " يركب التونسية"

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:35:00 -0800

فما قولة شعبية في السودان تتقال وقتلي واحد يمشي و ما يرجع او فريق كرة قدم يخسر في تصفيات كأس و يلم ادباشه او شخص يتم فصله على العمل . هذه القولة هي " يركب التونسية" ويرجع ظهورها الى الثمانينات لما كانت الخطوط التونسية تربط تونس بالخرطوم. هذه القولة في حد نفسها تلخص مدى الثقة التي تحضى بها تونس و شركاتها والتحدي الموجود لكسب الثقة وتغيير العقليات . فلما سمعت بان رئيس حكومتنا برمج زيارة الى السودان في الأسبوع القادم برفقة مئة رجل اعمال خلت ان حقبة "يركب التونسية" انتهت وان تونس الجديدة بلد الديموقراطية وضعت السودان وبقية جيراننا في الجنوب في اولاوياتها خاصة بعد غياب طويل عنهم وعلى مؤسساتنا القارية مثل الإتحاد الأفريقي.

ولكن و مثل كل رجال الاعمال و اخواننا في النيجر و السودان و ببوركينا فاصو فوجئت بإلغاء الزيارة بدون اي سبب. وبذلك ، بعد أشهر من العمل والتحضيرات ركب رجال الاعمال و برامج التعاون والمعاهدات المزمع ابرامهاو احلامنا بعلاقات أمتن التونسية مرة اخرى وبقيت صورة تونس على حالها.

Carthage: Hannibal était il noir?

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 14:42:00 -0700

Pour la saison estivale, la chaine américaine "History Channel" a concocte une série qui raconte l'histoire des batailles de Rome contre ces « barbares », peuples ou tribus disparates du nord, sud , est et ouest qui ont poussé les romains dans leurs retranchements mais aussi à évoluer et s'adapter. Le premier episode de cette "Barbarians Rising" raconte l'histoire de Hannibal, sa traversée des alpes et la fin de son epopees en Turquie suite a la bataille de Zama. Pour le tunisien que je suis, j'étais content de voir a la tele une production sérieuse qui a investit plus que le minimum pour montrer l'épopée de Hannibal sur écran mais c'était quand meme frappant de voir l'acteur britannique de peau noire, Nicholas Pinnock jouer le role de Hannibal.

Il est evident que le débat sur la couleur de peau de Hannibal n'est pas nouveau mais il semble qu'avec cette dernière production le choix de Hollywood semble être fixé: Hannibal est noir puisqu'il vient d'Afrique... Surtout quand on se rappelle le choix de Denzel Washington pour ce role (y'a de ca dix ans) dans un projet de peplum qui n'a jamais vu le jour...

Il se peut que ces propos puissent choquer quand on les lit depuis la Tunisie, mais depuis mon installation aux états unis, je me rends de plus en plus compte que Hannibal a beaucoup compte dans l'education et la fierté de la population africaine américaine. En effet, le mouvement intellectuel noir aux états unis, a inclut Hannibal dans sa liste de héros Africains (exemple ici) pour combler le manque flagrant de héros noir dans la culture et le système éducatif américain et donner ainsi des modèles à la jeunesse noire.

Personellement, je ne connais pas la vérité sur la couleur de peau de Hannibal mais pour l'Africain que je suis, je suis fier de voir la communauté noire américaine adopter le fils de Carthage comme un des leurs. Tout comme je suis fier de voir les jeunes tunisiens s'inspirer de ce guerrier pour enrichir leurs identités et ne pas la restreindre a l'identité arabe-musulmane.

Je vous invite a regarder la série et a la partager avec les plus jeunes, c'est a ne pas rater pour tous les fans de Carthage...

Tunisia at Chicago's world fairs 1893 and 1934

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:22:00 -0700

A quick post to say that I just discovered an interesting fact that might be of an interest to the Tunisian Diaspora in the USA. A reproduction of a Tunisian village was built for the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.

It seems that the experience was successful enough for the organizers to consider including Tunisia for the Chicago World's Fair "Century of Progress" organized from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial.

"A hamlet in the French protectorate in Northwest Africa, the Land of the Bedouins" was built. "The crooked streets, lined with “Souks” or native stores, wind their way to the center of the village where the mosque with its minaret and dome towers over the walled settlement. Veiled Bedouin beauties and a company of Tunisian soldiers, loaned by the government of Tunis, and twelve families of native Bedouins inhabited the village".

I am amazed by the scale of the investment funded by the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts and wonder if any historian could dig deeper and see if there was a deeper impact of this participation on the relations between Tunisia and the USA. I wonder if all the soldiers and the family exhibited returned home or if some stayed behind and were part of what could be, to my knowledge, the Tunisian immigrants to the USA.

I also think that it would be great if a Tunisian diaspora organization or an individual could seek funding from the same Graham Foundation to revive this experience and bring a more modern Tunisian architecture back to the US.

Valentine Heart (cover) by Kesang Marstrand

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:24:00 -0700

جربة: المجتمع المدني يتحرك في الاتجاه الصحيح

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:19:00 -0700

جربة تنتج 160 طن من النفايات كل يوم. بغض النظر على النفايات من المواد ذات الفائدة مثل الحديد و الألمنيوم. فرز النفايات و دفن النفايات العضوية يمكن أن يقلص هذا العدد بأكثر من 50% و في نفس الحين يمكن تربة الجزيرة باطنان من السماد يغني الأرض و يعطي للفلاحة مردود أكبر

درس إبولا:

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 22:52:00 -0700

بحكم تخصصي في الصحة تابعت بكل إهتمام وباء الإبولا. فبرغم أن إيبولا مشكلة متكررة منذ عقود، فإن العالم يبدو غير مستعد. كانت الاستجابة بطيئة وغير منسقة. الكارثة تتجاوز المرض،هزت اقتصادات، إلغاء رحلات الجوية، فرار الأجانب. هذا مع تأثير على الصحة بشكل أوسع. على سبيل المثال، الناس التي تظهر أعراض مشابهة لالإيبولا وغيرها من الأمراض تتردد كثير لتلقي العلاج خوفا من أنها سوف تحصل على إرسالها إلى مركز العزلة إيبولا. هذا الخوف جعل معدلات الوفاة من الملاريا والالتهاب الرئوي والأمراض الشائعة الأخرى ترتفع، كما افشل تشخيص حالات أخرى لإيبولا.

هذا ليس مجرد فشل الحوكمة الصحية في أفريقيا هذا من أعراض فشل الاديولوجية التي تقودنا و من حقنا أن نتساءل عما إذا كان جيلنا سبب هذا الفشل.

ففي القرن العشرين، كانت الناس تحب المنظمات الكبيرة : الجيش والشركات الكبيرة والوكالات العالمية. نظموا مشاريع بناء ضخمة في الثلاثينات 1930، و قاموا بتعبئة صناعية عملاقة خلال الحرب العالمية الثانية، و بنوا الطرق السريعة ونموا الشركات الضخمة خلال الخمسينات 1950. كانت المنظومة مؤسسية، ترمي إلى الرعاية والإصلاح. في تونس أسسنا الدولة الحديثة فبنيت الطرق و الجسور، المستشفيات و المدارس. (و على عكس العالم المتقدم. مورس الإستبداد و غابت الحوكمة فتفاقمت الأزمة).

أما نحن جيل الثورات،شجعنا المبادرين،المتمردين، المشاكسين، أصحاب المشاريع الصغرى، العاملين للحساب الخاص... جيلنا هو من سيعدم الإدارة أو ما بقي منها. هو من يستعمل الإنترنت لخلق الضجيج، ويفترض أن الهدم هو الحل و أن كل مشكل يمكن حله عن طريق أسراب من الأفراد، الجمعيات و الشبكات وأصحاب المشاريع الاجتماعية. كلنا قادر على أن يكون وزير و كلنا يريد أن يصبح رئيس. كل يفكر في شخصه ، في ترفيع ربحه و املاكه أو في أحلامه و عواطفه . كلنا ينظر إلى الخدمات التي نحتاجها جميعاً: أمن، نظافة، صحة، بنية تحتية... و لا يرى نفسه جزء من المشكل بل يرمي بالكرة عند الأخرين ينقدهم، يسبهم و ينقض لهدم ما بنو عندما تسنح الفرصة. و عندما تشتد الأزمة، نجد نفسنا نبحث على منقذ. شخصية السوبرمان التي ستحرسنا، تغير لنا واقعنا و تحقق لنا أحلامنا.

يا ريت كلنا يستيقظ و نعي أن المنقذ "الفرد" غير موجود! وطننا بحاجة إلى مصلحين، إلى مواطنين يلعبون دورهم لبناء مؤسسات تخدمهم. صحيح يلزمنا قيادات و لكن قيادات تبني لقيادات تأتي بعدها، قيادات تصلح مش قيادات تخدم مصالح أو تسجل مواقف.

وباء الابولا لن يقضي عليها طبيب ولا وزير بمفرده. وباء لن يغلبه إلا منظومة متكاملة يخدمها الجميع. الإبولا متربص بنا جميعا و قدرنا بأيدينا

Tunisia Presidential Elections : Why Beji Caied Essebsi is the likely winner and why Ennahda is looking for a consensus candidate

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Sat, 6 Sep 2014 21:41:00 -0700

According to the latest news, around 48 national figures have expressed their intention to take part in the upcoming presidential elections in Tunisia. I am not sure if all of them will be able to collect the needed 10,000 signatures to formalize their candidacy but it is very likely that the upcoming presidential election will have a large number of candidates.

While most of them are looking to build their image as a national figure in order to secure governmental positions and increase their influence, some are serious candidates and have been working on this campaign for a long time.

If I look rationally to the political landscape and the latest polls we can actually have a short list of potential candidates who could make it to the 2nd round of the presidential elections. Here is the list:

- Beji Caied Essebsi (BCE)
- Hamadi Jebali
- Moncef Marzouki
- Mustapha Ben Jaafar
- Hachemi Hamdi
- Kamel Morjane
- Nejib Chebbi
- Hamma Hammami

The list above includes all those who have emerged in the polls with one percent or more of vote intentions by June 2014. Mustapha Kamel Ennabli, Kalthoum Kennou and may be Abdelrahim Zouari have also expressed interest to join the race.

Most of those listed above belong to political parties and currently have a Machine that will be working for them in the upcoming 3 months. It is something to collect 10,000 signatures but it still quite impossible to emerge as a serious candidate and win if you do not have the infrastructure allowing you to have a national campaign.

If you look at the numbers. and consider that we will have a 60% participation rate at the presidential elections, the total number of voters would be 3 millions. Therefore The next president will need 1.5 Million votes to win.

In order to secure a passage to the 2nd round we can assume that you will need at least 15% of the votes which would be between 500,000 and 750,000 votes.

Those who would have a machine capable of bringing this number of votes will likely be able to prove it in the parliamentary elections. According to all the published polls, it seems that only Ennahda and Nidaa Tounes will be able to easily mobilize this number of votes.

Things will be more difficult for the rest of the candidates who will not gather as many votes. In their best case scenario, most parties will be able to gather a similar amount of votes as in 2011 between 100,000 and 400,000 votes. In the case of the presidential elections, we can assume that two factors will however influence these figures:

1- Ennahda does not seem to have made its decision on which candidate they are going to endorse. If they do not openly support their own Jebali, then candidates such as Chebbi, Marzouki and Ben Jaafar, who have been courting Ennahda's constituency might add a certain number of votes.

2- The second factor will be the influence of RCD sentiment. The anti-sentiment might boost the scores of the anti-troika, anti RCD candidates such as Hamma Hammami, Kalthoum Kannou or Mustapha Kemal Nabli, The pro-sentiment might come as a surprise and enhance the chances of Kemal Morjane or to a lesser extent those of Abderrahim Zouari. In all cases, I believe that this sentiment will play a bigger role in the 2nd round of the elections.

So, the scenario that is likely to occur, in my opinion, is Beji Caied Essebsi against an Ennahda backed candidate. Knowing Ennahda's anti presidential culture (and also its inability to gather the needed 1.5 million votes for a candidate from its own constituency), the candidate is likely to be the one whose party gathers the most votes in the parliamentary election and who is willing to form an alliance in the future parliament (PDP, Ettakatol, or CPR). This endorsement will allow Ennahda to appear again as a non totalitarian, pro-democracy party. The winner of the parliamentary elections will also be branded as the consensus candidate in order to give him a larger credibility. However, I doubt Chebbi, Marzouki, or Ben Jaafar will be able to win against BCE as the troika's credibility has been eroded. Another scenario could be one in which Chebbi, Marzouki, and Ben Jaafar have disappointing scores, killing all chances to form a coalition in the parliament. In this case, Ennahda could decide to back Jebali in order to offer the presidential elections to BCE in a hope to ease future tension and offer a hand to Nidaa in order to form a future national unity government.

Mehdi Jomaa reiterates that he's leaving office after the elections.

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Thu, 4 Sep 2014 09:18:00 -0700

Even though Jomaa has had the highest ratings throughout his mandate and that many have said that he could be the next head of government of a potential Ennahda/ Nidaa sponsored national unity governement, Jomaa met with representatives of the national and international media in the last two days to reiterate the message he has been conveying since he took office:"I am not staying".

This is a good news for the democratic transitiona and an excellent message to the different parties and the international community. The timing of this announcement is also interesting. Is he under pressure from a certain group? Is the situation that bad economically that he does not want to extend his tenure? Or is it a recognition that he does not have enough political capital with the main political parties that he prefers to announce his departure before others build their campaign on his name or criticizing his governement's results.

Tunisia's 2014 parliamentary and presidential elections

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 06:33:00 -0700

In a region marked by the emergence of ISIS, the of the war in Syria and the chaos prevailing in Libya, Tunisia's parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for October and December 2014 will capture the interest of the Arab world as it will be an opportunity to confirm the success of the democratic transition that started in Tunisia in 2011.

Like many Tunisians, I am getting more and more interested in politics and I am observing closely the changes that are taking place since 2011. I have been hoping to find the time to write down the thoughts that come to my mind throughout this transition period but I have never found the time to do it. These elections are a great opportunity for me to revive this blog and share quick notes and observations in order to help those following these elections see things from my angle.

Free Aziz! A bas la loi 52/92 !أخطونا

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Sat, 17 May 2014 04:49:00 -0700

J'ai été vraiment choqué par l'annonce de l'arrestation de Aziz Amami. Après le poids médiatique que Aziz a acquis lors de la révolution et suite son emprisonnement en 2011, on aurait pensé que l'appareil policier ne toucherait plus à une icone qui symbolise le combat d'une certaine jeunesse pour la liberté, les droit de l'homme et la démocratie.
Cette arrestation est venue à un moment délicat de la transition et donne une enième preuve au retour des anciennes pratiques. Cette police se venge et perpetue des pratiques qu'on croyait révolus, liés à la politique des anciens gouvernements... Eh ben non! Cette police et cet appareil de justice est un etat dans l'etat et continuera à l'etre puisque ni le gouvernement, ni l'assemblée ou les partis politiques ne bougent pas le petit doigt pour changer les choses.
Cette arrestation envoit un message négatif aux jeunes révolutionnaires qui plus que jamais doivent continuer le combat. La vague d'indignation, de manifestation et de tristesse qui a suivi l'arrestation prouve que Aziz n'est pas seul et que des milliers d'autres sont pret a prendre la releve. Je reste confiant quant à l'évolution des choses et j'espère également voir cette loi 52/92 changée le plus tot possible. L'arrestation de Aziz en sera peut être l'événement déclencheur! الحبس للرجال والحي يروح

Kesang Marstrand at The Bitter End

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:45:00 -0700

Kesang Marstrand, a native of Woodstock New York, got her start performing her songs in pubs and cafés in Greenwhich Village. From a Tibetan-Danish descent, Kesang Marstrand just moved back to New York City after spending four years in Carthage, Tunisia. While in Tunisia, cradle of arab spring, she became famous for reinterpreting Tunisia's national anthem and for being present during the uprising. The reinterpretation was described by many as the revolution theme song. Marstrand was a prime witness and the only american musician established in Tunisia during this historical period.

For her comeback on a NYC scene, Marstrand will be playing at the Bitter End on April 24th at 7pm. Established in 1961, The Bitter End is the oldest rock and roll club in New York City. The classic red brick stage backdrop and intimate vibe make this historic venue almost as iconic as its headliners. For over 50 years, our audiences have been blown away by legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Gavin DeGraw, Woody Allen, Jon Stewart, Randy Newman, Billy Crystal, Tommy James, Norah Jones, Donnie Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, and thousands more.

She will be playing some of her best hits as well as some new material that is currently being recorded for her next album scheduled for the summer of 2014. AllMusic calls Marstrand an, "unusually gifted singer and composer" and describes her songs as, "eloquent emotional sketches.” I will, of course, attend the concert and I look forward to meeting you all at The Bitter End.

WeChat: the next big thing

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 17:15:00 -0700

J'ai une passion de pari sur tout ce qui est nouveau et qui risque de marcher dans le futur. J'ai partagé cette passion dans ce blog en annoncant aux Tunisiens que Obama deviendra le prochain president des US alors qu'il etait encore sénateur, j'ai également annoncé que facebook allait faire des ravages ou bien que ce qui se passait en Tunisie en Janvier 2011 allait toucher tout le monde arabe. Cette passion je l'ai également partagé sur la radio tunisienne Express FM ou j'animais une chronique quotidienne: "The next Biig Thing"pendant plus de deux ans...

Je repasse donc aujourd'hui par ce blog pour partager le phénomène qu'est devenu l'application WeChat dans certains milieux aux Etats Unis et surtout en chine ou cette application compte plus de 300 millions d'utilisateurs (équivalente a Skype). Meme si facebook garde de beaux jours devant lui, je peux imaginer nos jeunes ados adopter WeChat, ceux qui cherchent a trouver l'ame soeur et ou une aventure sans lendemain et ceux qui veulent partager des messages audio... et puis plein d'autres qui en ont marre de Facebook :-).

Ghannouchi in Washington... again!

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:00:00 -0800

Ennahda's Rached Ghannouchi is again in Washington. I do not recall the exact number of times Ghannouchi visited Washington since the revolution but it is definitely the highest number of visits ever made by a Tunisian political party leader to Washington since Tunisia's independence. The number of visits also contrasts with the lack of presence in more influential capitals like Brussels or Paris.

So why Ghannouchi comes so often to Washington? (If you are meeting him this week, I think you should ask him the question ;-).

First, it is an issue of access. Radwan Masmoudi, The founder of the Center of Islam and Democracy, who organizes most of Ghannouchi's trips, events and appointments has worked in Washington and know people there while his connections in cities such as Paris or London are limited.

Second, Ghannouchi's visits to Washington are covered positively in the Tunisian press regardless of who he meets and what each visit achieves.

Third, there is a whole community of scholars and thinkers in the US and the UK who support the idea that islamists could be democrats and play a big political role in the Middle East. The turn of the events in Egypt, Libya and the rest of the arab world has made Ghannouchi their best candidate and may be their last option. This visit will offer them the possibility to link the recent developments in Tunisia to Ghannouchi and his party while the reality is the total opposite. Ennahda totally failed in governing Tunisia's transition and in finishing the constitution within the expected deadline, it was isolated and a large coalition of parties and civil society movement pushed Ennahda to the resignation and to compromise on the constitution.

While Tunisia's opposition parties offered Ghannouchi a way out of the deadlock Ennahda was in during its tenure and avoided him/ them an Egyptian scenario, in this visit Ghannouchi will try to position himself as a the man and the party that conceded "crucial" demands from his people in order for the democracy to prevail.

With the Muslim Brotherhood in disarray in Egypt, Ghannouchi will also position himself as a regional player and stand for the transnational islamist organization by interfering with Egypt and other arab countries domestic politics.

He will also try in this visit to regain the sympathy of the US government after the attack on the US embassy that Ennahda's government allowed to take place and failed on punishing its perpetrators. He also may visit some pro-israel figures in order to reassure the israeli lobby of his intentions as Ennahda prevented the ban of ties with israel from appearing in the Tunisian constitution but it is said that many are frustrated because Ennahda prevented a Tunisian Jew, Rene Trabelsi, from being appointed as the tourism minister.

My experience traveling from the US to Tunisia: Cheap flights, best airlines, tips and advice

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 10:40:00 -0800

In the last 10 years, I have been traveling between the US and Tunisia. Many of my friends asked me for tips. So here I am, offering you all what I have learned.

1- Buying your ticket

I usually buy my ticket at least one month in advance. I avoid buying it in high season such as July August and November / December even if the trip is scheduled in low season (ex: avoid buying in christmas time if you want to travel in Februrary).

I usually search for tickets through kayak.com but I recently have discovered Happyroute.com and I kind of like it. I also purchased tickets from Vayama, Orbitz and Expedia et and on different airline sites.

If you buy your ticket out-bounding from Tunis thinking that it is cheaper you are wrong. This myth used to be true in the past but no longer stands in this period of globalization.

I also strongly discourage those who buy two different tickets: Let's say a ticket to Montreal then fly Syphax to Tunis ;-) or a Tunisair Ticket to Paris then another one to the US. This option could be cheaper but visa policies, long layover, inadequacy of luggage allowances and delays could make you loose what you were planning to gain.

2- My take on the most airlines:

I have to say that, in general, I like traveling on Gulf based airlines, mostly Emirates and Qatar but I agree that it is not convenient to fly on them from the US to Tunisia as it takes much longer (30 hours in general) but if you are hungry for miles, movies, excellent food, Dubai duty free, and luggage or love to try Boeing Dreamlimers and A380s. This is an option you may want to consider. I also discovered recently that Qatar airways is unbeatable on one way flights. So if you are looking for the cheapest option especially in high seasons, consider buying one way tickets instead of round trips.

- Turkish airlines is great for those who have time and want to discover Istanbul as the hotel offered for the layover is a great one and the city is very enticing (you can accrue mileage if you are Lufthansa or United frequent flyer). The price is often competitive and the luggage allowance is generous (2 bags - 100 pounds).

- Alitalia is usually one of the cheapest, It has a reputation of loosing luggage and being late but It never happened to me (You can accrue mileage if you are Air France or Delta Frequent flyer).

- Lufthansa is a great option often the cheapest one. Excellent service, good food, wifi, no delays. I would avoid the long layover option and also avoid the 2 stops option ( FRA- Brussels) with the atlantic flights operated by Brussel Airlines).

- Air France not the cheapest and not the simplest layover but usually the shortest option to get to Tunis. CDG is a mess, stopping in Paris is a good idea to meet friends and family (most Tunisians know someone who lives in Paris) but access to Paris takes time. On the plus side, A380 is used for the NYC so more legroom and fancier service is to be expected.

- Air Canada: avoid it if you are not a green card holder as layovers in Canda require a visa.

- RAM: my least favorite as the planes are not new, the layover is not fun. The price is among the cheapest and you don't get to pay an exit tax if you are flying from Tunis (and a Tunisia resident).

- Egyptair: not the cheapest to consider only if you are planning to stop there and visit the city. Cairo airport is excellent but not as convenient as Istanbul. Plan to have a visa ahead of time if you are a Tunisian citizen.

3- Frequent flyers:

I suggest to sign up for a credit card in order to accumulate more miles. My favorites are Alaska Airlines for the Air France/ Alitalia folks, and United for the Lufthansa/ Turkish Fans and Amex for the rest. Having these cards will allow to get free tickets or upgrades faster then just waiting to accumulate enough miles for a free trip.

4- Comfort:

Take some time to check the plane you are taking. I always look for A380s as they offer more legroom (Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa...) . If A380 is not available then you may want to consider paying for more legroom (special seats on emergency exits or on the first row..). I however find that premium economy is scam.

Emirates has the best inflight entertainment. Qatar airways is great too. Air France is not as good as it used to be and need to improve on that front. Alitalia is not great and Lufthansa and Turkish airlines are ok. American airlines has a 90's feel :-).

Food is excellent on most flights. I stopped taking special meals as I doubt of the freshness and also realized that regular food is much better than the special meals :-)

Emirates has the best crews. Air France folks could be arrogant sometimes. American airline is the warmest. Italians are nice and Germans are kind.

Price:

Depending on the season, a cheap ticket varies from $750 to $1000. An expensive one would be above $1400 for an economy seat.

Enjoy your visit to Tunisia! I will try to keep updating this post whenever possible.

Back to Addis

noreply@blogger.com (zeeyed@gmail.com) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 02:08:00 -0800

Here I am again. In Addis Ababa for the African Union Summit. This is my third visit to Addis and I have to say that the city changed a lot in just one year. Here you can see what double digit economic growth means. Hotels are booming and their quality of service is increasing. Addis as many cities in africa is boosted by the China Africa trade that is currently happening. At the hotel where I am staying every single piece of furniture is from China. It feels like the owner has ordered his hotel online :-) from one single store.

Walking around the city makes you realize the ongoing development that is currently taking place in Africa. You can see a growing middle class shopping, high buildings. large boulevards, restaurant, clubs and also so much poverty, malnutrition and pollution. But the trend is there, Addis is rising like most of the african cities.

I feel so lucky to be able to observe this first hand, so lucky to be part of this change...