Second Post!

http://abcnews.go.com/International/t/story/us-offers-destroy-syrian-chemical-weapons-21056179?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dchemical%2520attack%2520in%2520syria%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D1%26sqi%3D2%26ved%3D0CCsQqQIwAA%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fabcnews.go.com%252FInternational%252FwireStory%252Fus-offers-destroy-syrian-chemical-weapons-21056179%26ei%3DGJCaUqDlLOTgsATsxYDQCQ%26usg%3DAFQjCNFCpT9_JrZhpwJ4J9mlIfR5r4vwOw%26bvm%3Dbv.57155469%2Cd.cGU


I first saw this article on twitter and thought that I should share it on here too.According to this article US and Russia are providing help to clean out the chemical weapons from Syria.I am very happy to hear that the weapons are being destroyed finally. Thank god that finally something good happens. I am beyond happy right now.If countries don't stand together and help these poor children, then what hope do they have right??

Syria's neighbors on their civil war

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/11/20121112193038751565.html

I chose this article because it gives the perspective from the countries neighboring Syria and how they are being affected by the Syrian civil war. I though that this would be good for the blog to show that the civil war in Syria is affecting a lot of people and countries. Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq are all being affected in some way because of the civil war in Syria. Iraq has been directly involved Sunni and Shia fighters have been joining the Syrian civil war which i found very interesting. Sunni are for the opposition and Shia siding with al-Assad's regime. Israel was the second country that has fired its own weapons on a Syrian armored vehicle because shells from Syria exploded in Israel occupied Golan Heights. The location of Syria and how instance the civil wars is is putting the countries around Syria at great risk of all at war with each other.

General Information About the Attacks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23927399

I figured since this is only the third post on the blog that it would be a good idea to put in a little bit more general information about the attacks. Some people probably do not know the background information about the Chemical Attacks so I wanted to include something like that. This is something that I read a while ago regarding the attacks when I still knew very little about the happenings in Syria. This article is great because it attempts to be unbiased, but is definitely trying to get the reader to think that the Syrian government was behind the attack, although there is no definite way of knowing who was behind the attacks. The author puts a lot of things in quotation marks like "definitive evidence" which I liked because it makes the reader think more and realize that the things some articles will claim is definitive evidence and fact is actually just speculation. 

Article I found interesting about Chemical attacks in Damascus

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303914304579194203188283242


I wanted to post this link, because while reading it I learned somethings about the chemical attack in Damascus that I didnt know before. This is an article published by the Wall Street Journal outlining the actions that took place prior to the attack. It tells of the miscalculations by the Syrian regime as well as opposition groups and the United States government. After reading the article I raise the question of if this could have prevented of the death toll significantly lessoned if calculations were correct. If more antidotes were received on time would the attack have gone completely differently? I believe this arguments were written for people like me who had no idea about the research that was being done prior to the attacks. This article is written by writers who have done extensive work and have many other  articles about Syria.

First post!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oGNT3f02XsE

I wanted share this video with my group because I think it shows a better understanding of what is really going on in Syria.  I have seen the news channels talking about the chemical attack in Damascus before but I was never able to put the pieces together to understand the true story behind it.  However, after watching this video on YouTube, I can now picture wha has been going on and how people are reacting to it.  According to this video nobody has accurate information from the attacking and this makes people very confuse and upset.  It was kind of hard to watch the video because we all love kids and my heart goes out to anyone who is out there in this situation.  But this video makes me think that; “What if they are not dead? What if they are pretending to be dead?  But I don’t think people should only blame Obama because, what are we supposed to do as a country?? I don’t think, United States should stand for this alone because it needs to be a collaborated effort by the international community!! We cannot allow this happen to children no matter where in the world!!But my group can judge what they see with their own eyes by watching this video because nobody has accurate information. However, this is a bad situation but people are not going to know how to react without knowing to true story behind it!!

Project Outline and Timeline

In this online blog project you are being asked to search the web for information related to the chemical attack on civilians that happened in the summer of 2013 as a part of the Syrian civil war. I would like you to look at sources of media surrounding this particular instance of violence in Syria (before, during and after) to see how the country, combatants, 'the Middle East', human rights, democracy, etc were being portrayed. What can we learn about the place of Syria from this differing coverage of the attack and its outcomes? What can we learn about those who are writing about the countries from this coverage? In other words, how is media-even global media-place based? You will need to do 3 posts over 3 weeks. You can chose to structure your posts chronologically, or regionally, or just jump into whatever aspect excites you the most--this is YOUR blog. Timeline 11/14-12/05 post to the blog (original posts and responses) by 12/07 all posting and replies end 12/16 turn in write-up

The Directions

One of the themes of this course is how do we learn about other places, and particularly places in the Middle East. In this blog you will be discussing the coverage of, assumptions about, and [expected] outcomes of the chemical attack of civilians near Damascus in the summer of 2013. What can we learn about Syria? The combatants? The civilians caught in the middle? About geopolitics? Chemical weapons? And of course how our geographic imaginations of Syria are shaped by what is said about it in the wide world of media Here is what I will be looking for in your online participation: Regular participation!– I expect you to contribute your thoughts to your groups’ blog regularly throughout the 9 days of the project. Don’t just drop in once or twice and expect a good grade. You are expected at a minimum to upload 3 items (with a discussion of what you see) and respond to at least 3 posts by your groupmates. This level of participation, if done well, can earn you a B, but more is needed for that coveted A. Interesting and diverse postings—are you only looking at CNN? Not that CNN is wrong, their articles should be on the blog too, but try also looking farther afield. This could be news sources from around the world, or different types of media (cartoons, Youtube, mashups, flickr, etc) Depth of reflection and analysis– once you have found an item to share with the group, don't just state an opinion and stop, develop your ideas, show why you view the item the way you do. Don’t be afraid to share experiences where relevant, but always keep your tone and content respectful; A willingness to examine your own assumptions –the best way for YOU to get credit for examining your assumptions is if others (graciously and respectfully) point out the assumptions you are making. Thus don’t be afraid to disagree with each other. Or even if you do agree, can you find a source that wouldn’t? What are the assumptions that separate the two? Direct references to reading material when called for. Here is what to avoid: 1. Attacking another point of view or person; disagreeing is fine, but be respectful and give your reasons, simple yes or no responses; 2. Long winded responses in most cases a few well developed paragraphs should do, 3. Late responses be sure to participate in the dialogs during the time period in which the topic is up for discussion.

What to do

For every post, you will need to complete one of two following types of tasks keeping in mind the directions above. TASK ONE - ORIGINAL THOUGHTS, ORIGINAL POSTS The first task is to create at least three new threads (starting messages) over the project timeframe that pose significantly different points than those already offered. This is where you upload or post your media source and your original analysis of it. These must be completed by April 15th in order for your peers to have an opportunity to reply back to your ideas. It will be to your benefit to contribute your first thought early (to avoid having to read all other messages in order to see what points have not yet been made). TASK TWO - CARRYING AN IDEA FARTHER The second task is to make at least three new replies to blog threads started by other members of your group. The responses to others can answer questions posed, amplify and support points (with evidence and observations), or question and pose counter-arguments to points made by others (with evidence and observations). You can make your replies in text alone or add media your replies. These responses can diverge, reflect or support other statements already offered. However, each contribution must offer significant additional information (i.e. -- an "I Agree!" message will not earn points). When you are presenting any media, fact, or statements that state a conclusion, you are responsible for properly citing your sources so that the statements can be verified or clarified. This is particularly important with the media—let us see it, even if you just upload a picture from a news story include the link so that we can follow it back and see the image in its original context. You can link this information to the title of your post and/or list it in the "List of our Sources" widget at the bottom of the page. If you are using yourself and your personal experience as the source, then you must make this obvious, such as "based upon what (Iranian) friend's father told me, the city of Tehran is full of coffee shops where people talk about politics. This helps explain this sentence in my article_________." Or "After my mom explained how she felt when the American hostages were taken, this __________ sentiment made more sense to me." You are encouraged to bring your personal experiences into the discussions. The purpose of discussions within the course is to share experiences and backgrounds, as well as perceptions and ideas, so that we can learn in a peer-to-peer manner. Please realize that my role as the instructor is to monitor the discussions but I will generally refrain from participating unless the conversation needs guidance into another direction. Comments to the class will reflect the entirety of the discussions observed and your grade will be based on your successful completion of the requirements (specified above).

Questions to consider when looking at media sources

Some questions that you may wish to consider as you look at the various texts include: a) What are the primary concerns of each author as revealed in the representation/text? b) Who or what are the author’s sources? How did he/she obtain the information? c) For whom is the author writing and how does this affect the themes discussed and the overall presentation? d) What is the general impression given? Can you identify a master metaphor? e) What kinds of details are given, what details are excluded, and why? f) Are the various representations consistent with one another? If not, why not? g) How has the representation of this place evolved over time?

Code of Conduct: The Rules

You are expected to treat your instructor and all other participants on the blog with courtesy and respect. Your comments to others should be factual, constructive, and free from harassing statements. You are encouraged to disagree with other students, but such disagreements need to be based upon facts and documentation (rather than prejudices and personalities). Students will need to contribute in intelligent, positive, and constructive manners within the activity. Unprofessional or disrespectful conduct will result in a lower grade for this assignment. Behaviors that are abusive, disruptive, or harassing will result in being denied further access to the blog and may result in further disciplinary actions. Warnings will not be given; part of the learning process in this course is respectful engagement of ideas with others.

Media to consider (links on BB)

Partial list of resources (includes only Internet-searchable resources) General World newspapers (sources list) Local media around the world (sources list) Arab Net TradeArabia.com Om al-Dunya (Arabic and English) Country by country profiles Commentaries Café Arabica Mid East Web (Multilingual Israeli site) Arabia.com Selected institutions Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies L’Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris) Khalil Sakakini Cultural center (Palestine) Newspapers and news sources Regional Al-Jazeera (English) As-Sharq al-Awsat (Arabic) Arabic News (English) Middle East Online (Arabic & English) Al-Hayat (Arabic) Dar al-Hayat (English) Algeria Al-Khabar (Arabic) El-Moujahid (French) El-Watan (French) Al-Youm (Arabic) Horizons (French) La Liberté (French) Le Matin (French) La Nouvelle République (French) Bahrain Al-Ayyam (Arabic) Gulf Daily News (English) Bahrain Tribune (English) Akhbar al-Khaleej (Arabic) Djibouti La nation (French) Egypt Al-Ahram (Arabic) Al-Ahram Weekly (English) Akhbar al-‘Ummal (Arabic) Al-Gumhuriyyah (Arabic) Al-Wafd (Arabic) Middle East Times (English) Al-Ahali (Arabic) Cairo Times (English) Al-Masa’ (Arabic) Ash-Sha’b (Arabic) Iraq Electronic Iraq (English) Iraq Press (English & Arabic) Iraq Today (English) Baghdad Bulletin (English) BBC Iraq (English) Institute for War and Peace Reporting (English) Kurdish Media (English) Kurdistan Democratic Party (English) Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (English) Jordan Jordan Times (English) Ad-Dustur (Arabic) Al-Ra’y (Arabic) The Star (English) Kuwait Al-Rai’ al-Aam (Arabic) Al-Watan (Arabic) Kuwait Daily (English) Lebanon The Daily Star (English) As-Safir (Arabic) Al-Anwar (Arabic) Al-Liwa’ (Arabic) An-Nahar (Arabic) Al-Mustaqbal (Arabic) L’Orient le jour (French) Libya Al-Fajr al-Jadeed (English) Al-Fajr al-Jadeed (Arabic) Al-Fateh (Arabic) Al-Jamahiriyyah (Arabic) Al-Shams (Arabic) Al-Zahf al-Akhdar (Arabic) Morocco Al-Anba’ (Arabic) As-Sabah (Arabic) Morocco Today (multi-lingual) Palestine The Electronic Intifada (English) Palestine News Agency (WAFA) (English, Arabic, Hebrew, French) Jerusalem Media and Communication Center (English) Al-Ayyam (Arabic) Al-Hayah al-Jadidah (Arabic) A-Quds (Arabic) Al-Manar (Arabic) Fasl al-Maqal (Arabic. Israeli-Arab) Qatar Al-Rayah (Arabic) Al-Watan (Arabic) Gulf Times (English) Saudi Arabia Aj-Jazirah (Arabic) Al—Mojaz (Arabic) Ar-Riyad (Arabic) Arab News (English) Al-Yaum (Arabic) Muheet (Arabic) Okaz (Arabic) Sudan Al-Ra’y al’Aam (Arabic) Al-Mehairah (Arabic. Islamist) Syria Syria Times (English) Tishreen (Arabic) Al-Thawra (Arabic) Al-Ba’th (Arabic) Tunisia Akhbar Tunis (Arabic) Al-Hurriyah (Arabic) La Presse (French) Le Renouveau (French) United Arab Emirates Gulf News (English) Al-Khaleej (Arabic) Khaleej Times (English) Dubai News (English) Yemen Yemen Times (English) 26 of September (Arabic) Al-Thawrah (Arabic)

Think Tanks to look into

Think Tanks that might have Policy Papers to look at: Stanley Foundation Media Think Tanks Poynter Institute World Journalism Institute Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Thompson-Reuters Foundation International Institute for Journalism World Press Institute (right in your own backyard!) Center for Public Media Non-Press Think Tanks Council on Foreign Relations Center for Strategic and International Studies Middle East Institute International Crisis Group Center for American Progress World Affairs Councils ISIS Woodrow Wilson International Institute for Strategic Studies

This Blog is for Jasmine, Serin, Bowen, Christina SAN, Lauren, Jenna, Zachary, and Nick