1. Iraq’s Sectarian Nightmare
Project Syndicate JUN 18, 2014
DENVER – With the apparent conquest of Iraq’s northwestern provinces – and maybe more – by the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the country’s troubled history has opened a horrifying new chapter. In a matter of just days, ISIS’s fighters overran Anbar, Ninewa, and Salahaddin provinces – a victory that attests to the central government’s non-existent authority in Sunni-majority areas. And, given ISIS’s jihadi ideology, there is limited scope for “Sunni outreach” – the supposed panacea for all that ails Iraq’s sectarian political culture.
ISIS is not a group that is receptive to dialogue. Its leadership adheres to the view, expressed in many corners of the Arab Sunni world, that Shia Muslims are apostates and betrayers of Islam who rank among the worst of the worst (alongside Israel and the United States). This means that the US needs both a military response to ISIS and a political response that extends beyond Iraq. What is needed, above all, is a regional approach to the increasingly murderous Sunni-Shia rivalry.
It is worth remembering that the original sin of the US-led occupation of Iraq 11 years ago was so-called “de-Ba’athification” – the purge of any and all people with ties to Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath party. That decision was taken in the year following the 2003 invasion, when Iraq was a wholly-owned US subsidiary; Iraqi officials, whether Shia or Sunni, had almost nothing to do with it.
It is often said that Iraq needs a Nelson Mandela; the same could be said of US policymakers back then. In the ideologically charged US policy circles of the time, de-Ba’athification was understood to be a decisive move to extirpate a heinous ideology. It was likened to the de-Nazification of Germany following World War II.
2. Messi Rubs ‘Lamp’ to Give Argentina Late Win Over Stubborn Iran
The Bloomberg Jun 21, 2014
Once again, Argentina needed a moment of inspiration from Lionel Messi.
For the second match in soccer’s World Cup in Brazil, two-time champion Argentina struggled with lower-ranked opposition. With last night’s game in injury time, Messi took control. The 91th-minute goal from the four-time World Player of the Year made it 1-0 and allowed thousands of fans in Belo Horizonte’s Estadio Mineirao to celebrate.
Messi cut inside the defense and keeping the ball on his left foot -- just like he had when his goal gave his team its tournament-opening 2-1 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15 -- placed it beyond the goalkeeper.
“Thanks be to God, the little guy rubbed the lamp in the last minute and we won,” said Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who had several second-half saves to ensure Iran -- ranked 38 places below Argentina -- didn’t get an upset.
Argentina is now guaranteed a place in the next round. It will seek to continue the winning streak to secure top position in Group F when it plays Nigeria in Porto Alegre in three days, according to defender Pablo Zabaleta. Iran may still qualify if it beats Bosnia on the same day.
“Obviously we are not performing as we want to perform,” he said after the
game. “Sometimes it’s just about the three points.”
Blue and White
More than 30,000 Argentines traveled to the city in southern Brazil, and the stadium was draped in blue and white.
Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella ended an experimental set up of five defenders, which cramped his team in the first half against Bosnia. He restored Gonzalo Higuain in the attack alongside Messi and Sergio Aguero.
The trio found very little space to maneuver as Iran chased every loose ball and defended tightly. Argentina’s 77 percent possession in the match was the second highest in any World Cup game since 1966, according to sports statistician Opta.
“We need space to play well and Iran didn’t give us any,” Messi said. “We can play better but it’s tough when the opponent protects their goal so well.”
During the second half, Argentina’s frustration meant more attackers flooded the opposition half, and the Iranians took advantage with quick counterattacks.
Iranian Attacks
First Reza Ghoochannejhad forced Romero into a diving save with a header following a break led by Masoud Shojaei. Two minutes later, referee Milorad Mazic of Serbia declined to give a penalty when Zabaleta got the ball but also
a piece of the attacker with his tackle of Ashkan Dejagah inside the penalty area.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Mazic deserved as much credit as Messi for the result.
“Two people made the difference in the game,” he said. “One was Messi for his brilliant strike. The second, who should not have made a difference, was the referee. It was a clear penalty and in a game like this against a team like Argentina, these small details can be crucial.”
Zabaleta said the referee made the right call, saying “it was not very clear to give a penalty.”
Messi had his first run at goal an hour into the game. Picking up the ball in the Iran half, he moved toward the defense before hitting a left-foot shot just
wide.
At the other end Romero blocked Haji Safi’s shot wide, and the goalkeeper then denied Ghoochannejhad on another counter attack.
With the clock ticking past the 90th minute, Messi produced his goal. He fired his shot into the top corner from 25 meters (30 yards), sending Iran players onto their haunches.
“He’s the best player in the world and sometimes he makes things like this,” Zabaleta said. “He has the quality to decide a game any time and today was really hard because they defended really well for 90 minutes and then Messi made the difference at the end.”
3. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again
This is interesting. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.
Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the only
way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
DEPRESSION
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS:
Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
ANEMIA
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood
and so helps in cases of anemia.
BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
BRAIN POWER
200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
CONSTIPATION
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
HANGOVERS
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk
soothes and re-hydrates your system.
HEARTBURN
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
MORNING SICKNESS
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
NERVES
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort foodlike chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels
by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
ULCERS
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’
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