Thanks. It feels like every interaction with europeans i have about this is "well these countries are necessary for us! They're strategic allies and better than XYZ (usually russia or china)" while ignoring the people who have to suffer the consequences. Out of sight, out of mind...
It's refreshing to hear at least some people care about us.
Absolutely. The british and french are absolutely to blame. They destroyed the entire middle east, and made us all suffer for their own convenience. Also, the Sykes-picot agreement.
(now there are four other arabs than me that i know on lemmy :DDD)
I'd never hold my breath on this unfortunately. Europe is still not sinless, they have blood on their hands, funding both the sudanese and gazan genocide. And they have yet to pay reparations for the devastating damages of colonialism/imperialism, which has directly caused the death and suffering of millions.
Nope, not iranian - i'm from the arabian peninsula, a specific monarchy in particular. I doubt that they're terrified of me lol, this is a losing game, no matter what.
the stuff we seemingly choose to turn a blind eye to coming from foreign authoritarian regimes on European soil.
So you've noticed.... The west only cares about anti-fascism and anti-imperialism when it threatens them. But it's completely fine if millions of third worlders have to suffer under both, since cheap oil :(
It's actually worse than assassination for dissidents inside the country, it's flat out public beheading.
But how common is it unless you're a major regime critic?
Still common. Happened to someone i am vaguely related to, they tweeted to their [less than 10 followers] just criticism of the monarchy, and "disappeared". Nobody ever saw them again. Later i saw a news article, of someone being executed and fitting their exact description. Fuck my life.
All they need is your real name and your comments, and it's over.
I haven't emigrated yet, but every time I leave my country by travelling, I feel terrified that somehow I'm being watched or someone will report on me. So I stay on my best behavior, and not break any religious laws.
Honestly, even if I leave (which I'm planning to) I don't think I can ever feel or be safe. The gulf monarchies have boundless reach, and are practically omnipotent.
Maybe it's just paranoia, maybe they're not keeping a close eye on me. But I'm still afraid of messing up and losing my life.
If it's a conspiracy theory about an authoritarian country, then there's a pretty big chance that it's true.
Now, here's why MBS will ascend to godhood in 2067...